Magic away all of your stress and anxiety with a visit to one of these beautiful castles.
In our opinion, Denmark reigns supreme when it comes to amazing castles. Denmark’s castles look like they’ve been plucked straight from a storybook and many of the most beautiful ones are just a short drive from Copenhagen. Come rain or sunshine, these amazing places are a sight for sore eyes, and visiting one is a fantastic way to escape from the mundanity of everyday life.
1. Frederiksborg Castle
Frederiskborg Castle is magnificent to behold. It is the largest Renaissance castle in all of Scandinavia, having been built in the 17th century by King Christian IV. The interior of the castle has since been rebuilt, due to a fire in 1859 but the outside of the castle remained intact. Sprawling gardens, including a winding maze compliment the castle, which houses The Museum of National History.
🏰 Frederiksborg Slot 10, 3400 Hillerød
2. Egeskov Castle
Egeskov Castle seems to float elegantly on the water. Built in 1554, on a huge foundation of oak pilings, was actually built as a defensive structure. In the 19th century, the castle was restored to its original beauty and a farm was built with a dairy, power station, and railway track. As the months get colder, the castle looks amazing, sitting on the frozen water.
🏰Egeskov Gade 18, 5772 Kværndrup
3. Kronborg Castle
In more ordinary circumstances, visitors from across the world flock to Kronborg Castle, to see the inspiration for Shakespeare’s Elsinore Castle in the world-famous play, Hamlet. It is well worth a visit – a towering and impressive structure, it was once a very important coastal, defensive structure for the Danes. However, in the 16th century, the castle was renovated and softened so that it now appears as more of a Rennaisance castle than a fortress. From time to time, famous actors star in productions of Hamlet in the very castle that inspired Elsinore.
🏰Kronborg 2 C, 3000 Helsingør
4. Rosenborg Castle
Rosenborg Castle was built in 1606 by King Christian IV in the Dutch Renaissance style and served as a summerhouse (pretty big summerhouse, if you ask me), for the King. Obviously, back then it wasn’t quite as large as it has become, through several expansions over the years. The Crown Jewels and Danish Crown Regalia are on show at the castle, as is the Coronation Carpet and the Throne Chair of Denmark. Pretty fancy stuff!
🏰Øster Voldgade 4A, 1350 Copenhagen
5. Rosenholm Castle
Rosenholm Castle is slightly less ornate and showy than the others, from the outside. However, it’s every bit as amazing. It’s the oldest family-owned castle in Denmark, appearing in records in the 14th century. it was once owned by the Catholic church but was seized by King Frederick II in 1536. Eventually, the Rozenkrantz family came to own the site and they too feature in the play Hamlet – Rozencrantz and Guildenstern are Hamlet’s childhood friends in the play.
🏰Rosenholmvej 119, 8543 Hornslet