With only seven full days in Denmark, I was keen to escape the capital and discover Denmark’s northern coastline. Thanks to the country’s excellent rail network, the historic town of Helsingør (Elsinore) is just a 45-minute train journey from Copenhagen and makes the perfect base for a short adventure. Better still, Sweden is only a 20-minute ferry ride away.
Here’s how I spent two fascinating days exploring two countries.
Day One – Helsingør, Denmark
A Scenic Train Journey North
Leaving Copenhagen Central Station after breakfast, I watched the city gradually give way to leafy suburbs and glimpses of the Øresund coastline. The journey itself was effortless, and before long the towers of Kronborg Castle appeared in the distance.
Helsingør is a compact town, making it ideal to explore on foot. Everything lies within a few minutes’ walk of the station.
Exploring Kronborg Castle
No visit to Helsingør would be complete without exploring the magnificent Kronborg Castle, one of Northern Europe’s finest Renaissance castles and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Perched dramatically on a narrow strip of land overlooking the Øresund Strait, the castle was strategically positioned to control shipping entering and leaving the Baltic Sea. For centuries Danish kings collected tolls from passing vessels, making Kronborg one of the wealthiest castles in Europe.
Today it is perhaps even more famous as Shakespeare’s Elsinore—the setting for Hamlet. Whether Shakespeare ever visited Denmark remains uncertain, but standing within the impressive courtyards and grand halls, it is easy to imagine the ghostly scenes that inspired one of literature’s greatest tragedies.
I spent several hours exploring the royal apartments, magnificent ballroom, gloomy casemates beneath the castle and the impressive battlements, where sweeping views stretch across the water to Sweden just four kilometres away.
Wandering Around Helsingør’s Old Town
After leaving the castle, I wandered through Helsingør’s delightful old town. Unlike many European cities, Helsingør has managed to retain much of its historic charm. Narrow cobbled streets weave between colourful half-timbered houses, boutique shops and inviting cafés. The pace of life felt wonderfully relaxed.
The harbour is particularly attractive, with fishing boats, sailing yachts and ferries constantly making the short crossing to Sweden. Sitting with a coffee watching the ferries glide across the Øresund proved an enjoyable way to spend an hour.
Dinner at Elsinore Street Food
As evening approached, I headed to Elsinore Street Food, housed in a former shipyard building close to the harbour.
Inside, the atmosphere was lively but relaxed, with numerous independent food stalls serving everything from gourmet burgers and pizzas to Asian cuisine and traditional Danish dishes. It’s an excellent place if you’re travelling on a budget, offering plenty of choice without Copenhagen prices.
Day Two – A Morning in Sweden
Crossing the Øresund
One of the real pleasures of staying in Helsingør is how incredibly easy it is to visit another country for the day.
The ferry to Helsingborg runs frequently throughout the day and takes only around twenty minutes. Before I’d barely settled into my seat, Sweden was already coming into view.
There’s something rather satisfying about crossing an international border by boat while enjoying the fresh sea air and watching Denmark slowly disappear behind you.
Discovering Helsingborg
Helsingborg immediately feels different to its Danish neighbour. The city is larger, busier and built on rising ground overlooking the harbour. Elegant parks, wide boulevards and attractive shopping streets combine to create a vibrant yet welcoming atmosphere.
I spent the morning wandering through the pedestrianised centre, browsing shops, enjoying the cafés and soaking up the relaxed Swedish atmosphere before making my way uphill towards the city’s best-known landmark.
Climbing the Medieval Tower
Standing proudly above the city is Kärnan, the only surviving section of Helsingborg’s medieval fortress. The climb to the top involves negotiating several steep staircases, but the reward is well worth the effort. From the viewing platform I enjoyed spectacular panoramic views across both Sweden and Denmark.
Looking back across the narrow stretch of water towards Kronborg Castle, it became obvious why this strategic location had been fought over so many times throughout history. On a clear day, the views are simply outstanding.
Returning to Denmark. After lunch, I caught the ferry back across the Øresund to Helsingør. The crossing is so quick and efficient that visiting Sweden almost feels like taking a short excursion rather than travelling to another country.
The Maritime Museum of Denmark
Back in Helsingør, I spent the afternoon exploring the outstanding Maritime Museum of Denmark. Rather than competing with Kronborg Castle, the museum has been ingeniously built underground around a former dry dock. The architecture alone is worth the visit.
Inside, interactive exhibits tell the story of Denmark’s proud maritime history—from Viking voyages and centuries of global trade to modern container shipping. Personal stories from sailors and beautifully presented displays bring Denmark’s seafaring past vividly to life.
Even visitors with only a passing interest in maritime history will find plenty to enjoy.
Final Thoughts
This two-day trip turned out to be one of the highlights of my week in Denmark.
Helsingør offers history, culture, excellent food and one of Europe’s most impressive castles, while the ease of hopping across to Sweden makes the experience even more memorable.
If you’re visiting Copenhagen and have a couple of spare days, I would highly recommend making the journey north. Few places allow you to explore two countries, a UNESCO World Heritage castle and one of Europe’s finest maritime museums in just forty-eight hours.
