The 6 best winter day trips from Copenhagen
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Loading... - Lynne Jameson
- 21 Dec 2021
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Marvel at at lavish Frederiksborg Slot in Hillerød
In the early 17th century, Denmark's legendary King Christian IV took the castle in Hillerød. and transformed it into a magnificent Renaissance-style royal residence. The fairy-tale Frederiksborg Slot, known as "the Nordic Versailles", became the Danish National History Museum in 1878. The castle is set on a lake, and features lovely Baroque gardens, while its interior is both historically fascinating and lavishly appointed – the ballroom and the chapel are especially breathtaking. During summer weekends, guided tours of the castle take place at 11.30am, and there is a special children's exhibit for young visitors.
How to get to Hillerød: Take S-train line A (line B on weekends) to Hillerød. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes. Frederiksborg Castle is a 15 minute walk from Hillerød station. If that's too long a walk, buses 301, 302 or 303 will take you to the castle from outside the station in about three minutes.
Visit the castle that inspired Shakespeare's Hamlet: Helsingør
The charming seaside town of Helsingør sits on Denmark's northeastern coast, 45 minutes by train from Copenhagen. Adjacent to the historic homes and local shops and cafes is the town's centre piece, Kronborg Castle, inspiration for Elsinore in William Shakespeare's Hamlet and even more foreboding in the winter gloom. King Frederik II transformed a military stronghold into a stunning Renaissance castle in the 1500s in order to collect dues from passing ships, and to demonstrate his wealth and power. It was the opulence of the castle and lavish feasts held here which inspired the Bard.
Today, visitors can tour the royal apartments, admire the king's tapestries, and explore the eerie casemates under the castle. Between June and August, costumed actors roam the castle in character, performing scenes from Hamlet and in December Kronborg hosts a cosy Christmas market. Helsingør town is a lovely place to dine and the cathedrals of Sankt Mariæ and Sankt Olai are beautiful and free to enter. There is also a ferry across to Sweden: the town of Helsingborg is only 20 minutes away by boat.
How to get to Helsingør: The regional train runs frequently from Copenhagen Central Station to Helsingør. The journey takes approximately 45 minutes, and Kronborg Castle is a 10-minute walk along the harbour from Helsingør station.
See Viking ships in the former capital of Roskilde
The "Viking Copenhagen" Roskilde was once the capital of Denmark, a thriving Viking town and the seat of the monarchy and has a wealth of history to be explored. At the Viking Ship Museum, five ships pulled from the bottom of the Roskilde fjord after 1000 years have been painstakingly reassembled and are on display. They have also been recreated to scale as sea-going vessels, using original materials and techniques. There are outdoor shipbuilding, rope making and blacksmithing exhibits, as well as a cafe serving delicious Viking-inspired food.
Roskilde Cathedral was built in 1275 and is the resting place of 39 Danish kings and queens. The stunning Gothic church features a soaring nave and several chapels with ornate sarcophagi of the monarchs.
How to get to Roskilde: The town is is 25 minutes by regional train west of Copenhagen Central Station. The cathedral is approximately a 10 minute walk from the station while it takes around 25 minutes to reach the Viking Ship Museum. Read More…
