Kronborg Castle

Kronborg stands on a spit guarding the narrow sound between Denmark and Sweden at Helsingor, a magnificent Renaissance castle that levied tolls on every passing ship. Immortalised as Elsinore, the setting of Shakespeare's Hamlet, and a UNESCO site, it holds grand halls, dark casemates and the legend of the sleeping hero Holger the Dane.

What you actually see

• The Renaissance castle - the grand copper-spired fortress on the sound.
• The great ballroom - one of the longest halls in Northern Europe.
• The casemates - the dark tunnels and the statue of Holger the Dane.
• The Hamlet connection - the Shakespearean setting, staged here in summer.

When to go

Summer for the full castle, ramparts and, some years, outdoor Hamlet performances; it is open year-round with reduced access in winter. A clear day suits the seaside setting.

Honest expectations

The interiors are grand but sparely furnished, a Renaissance fortress rather than a cosy palace. The dark casemates are atmospheric but cool and dim. It is a short train ride from Copenhagen, an easy half-day.

Nearby

Helsingor town and the ferry to Sweden are alongside; the Louisiana museum lies down the coast.