Mini Travel Guides

Bring a flashlight.  Or if you don’t bring a flashlight, be sure to bring change so you can pay to use one.  I didn’t.  Instead, I stumbled around an underground casemate trying to use my cell phone for light.  It wasn’t the best way to see what was otherwise an incredible exhibition.

Under Kronborg Castle, in Helsingør, Denmark are the casemates (protected gun positions in a vaulted chamber beneath a defensive wall).  In those casemates you will learn the Danish history of Holger Danske.  A legendary character who is said to rise up and protect Denmark when the country finds itself in danger.  It’s a great story and one that has prevailed for several centuries.  So much so that one of the largest resistance movements in Denmark during WWII was called Holger Danske.

Early on in the casemates, a statue of Holger Danske greets you.  It is an impressive statue and sets the tone.  The rest of the casemates though takes some exploring.  And you are free to explore nearly everything and everywhere.  Use your flashlight.  Not just to keep you from stumbling, but to read what is written on the walls.

Facts about Denmark, the Holger Danske legend, the WWII resistance line the walls of the casemates.  Not every wall.  That would be too easy.  And not nearly as fun.  Instead it becomes almost a sort of scavenger hunt as the flashlight guides you through Danish resistance history.

Be warned, it is dark down there.  It is damp down there.  It’s even a bit cold down there.  And having grown up with two brothers, I am well aware that there were plenty of places to hide to scare my siblings.  Keep that in mind if traveling with young children.  Aside from that, the casemates at Kronborg Castle are one of my favorite places to visit in Denmark and a great Helsingor sightseeing attraction.

If you plan to stay in Helsingor, you can find the best deals on hotels using the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Underground Resistance at Kronborg Castle, Denmark

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Helsingør (or if we are going to be a bit Shakespearian, Elsinore), Denmark is home to the castle setting of Hamlet – Kronborg.

Despite the Shakespearian claim to fame, there is very little tourist gimmicks referencing Hamlet.  Considering the long history of the castle, the fact that it is on the UNESCO World Heritage List, and the well preserved artwork, furniture, and architecture, Hamlet can fall by the wayside.

Just across the water from Helsingborg, Sweden and Kärnan, Kronborg castle draws hundreds of thousands of visitors every year.  And with good reason.  The Renaissance castle is incredible and gives you access to several different areas, including the chapel, the bedrooms, a shipping museum, and even the roof.

Because of the different choices available, there are a myriad of ticket options.  To be perfectly honest, if you are short on time, skip the Maritime Museum.  Unless you’re a big maritime historian, the museum just gets to be a bit too detailed.  The Royal Apartments, the chapel, the rooftop, everything else is well worth a visit.

While wandering around one of the bedrooms, I was suckered into a guided tour.  And by suckered, I mean the tour guide was so very charming I couldn’t say no.  Plus it was free.  So I stuck around and listened and learned quite a bit.  Unfortunately, the tour was incredibly long.  While I enjoy educational and engaging tours, I was getting hungry and had not eaten lunch.  If you do plan on taking one of the free English language tours, be sure to plan ahead and grab a delicious Danish hot dog beforehand.

Click here to find the best deals on Helsingor hotels with the HotelsCombined price comparison site.

Shakespeare in Denmark – Kronborg Castle, Helsingor

Browse through our Europe travel tips to find the best places to visit in Europe. Content published on Europe a la Carte.