Danske Slotte | Castelos da Dinamarca

Northern Sjaelland Castles

When the weather is nice and sunny in Denmark, it is almost mandatory to go out and about, this time, for a full day trip to see castles. We drove up the coast from Kongens Lyngby and passed through Karen Blixen's house and Louisiana first. The morning was spent at Kronborg and after lunch, Fredensborg and Frederiksborg.

Kronborg

Kronborg sits by the sea in Helsingør town, located north east of Sjaelland and neighbour to Helsingborg in Sweden. See if you can find the little mermaids statue in a male version "Han" (him), he is extremely shiny. When passing through the main entrance you start to hear military recordings and get in the spirit of what it used to be like as a stronghold. It is possible to visit inside the castle, but just walking around and in the courtyards is free and still lovely. There are miniature models showing the evolution of the fort throughout the years.

You will find Holger Danske statue "sleeping" in stone. He is a national dane hero and according to legend will wake up to protect Denmark in case of threat from enemies, Hans Christian Andersen was the one to place him at Kronborg in a fairy tale. This castle was also an inspiration for Shakespeares play Hamlet.

Castle view from the sea

There is a ferry from Helsingør to Helsingborg (Sweden) which gives a nice view of the castle and you also get to visit a new city. A two way ticket costs 57 dkk and lasts about fifteen minutes long to each side. In Helsingborg, I walked a little bit around the centre passing by the Kärnan and climbed up to the Slottshagen.

Slottshagen, Sweden.

Fredensborg Palace

The way to Fredensborg goes across country roads, fields and the Esrum Sø lake, ideal for a lunch picnic.

Esrum Sø

Fredensborg means Peace castle and is considered the Danish Versailles, it is elegant and classy but much more discrete, in terms of the statues and garden. Many of the royal events are set here.

It is a nice walk around the palace (east side) and surrounding gardens which are very green, ample and simple. There is a full open view of the lake, without any statue in the middle, unlike other European castles.

Woods around the palace

Frederiksborg Slot

I think this one is my favourite out of the three, it reminds me a little bit of Hogwarts. Situated in Hillerød, it is surrounded by beautiful baroque styled gardens and a lake.

Svane