Castle Tours in Copenhagen

As children, many of us used to daydream about living in a castle. While that may not have come to pass, today you are able to spend the day touring some of the magnificent castles in Denmark and to get up close for a better view of how the ‘other half’ lives. On the Hamlet Castle Tour, the day starts with a trip to Frederiksborg Castle in Hillerød, Denmark. Most of this castle – named after King Frederick II – was built between 1600 and 1620 by the king’s son. Its copper-covered roofs and fabulous sandstone decorations were inspired by Dutch Renaissance style. In 1995, Prince Joachim and Princess Alexandra decided to wed at Frederiksborg Palace surrounded by the beauty of the castle’s gardens and the water surrounding the islands of Hillerød.

Another stop on the Hamlet Castle Tour is Fredensborg Palace, the Danish Royal Family’s residence during the spring and fall. This palace is the home most used by the Royal Family for state visits and other important events. The gorgeous green garden grounds are among Denmark’s largest historical gardens. The garden known as the Norwegian Valley, or Nordmandsdalen, houses about 70 sculptures of Norwegian and Faroese fishermen and farmers. Another garden area, closest to the palace, is reserved for the Royal Family for fresh vegetables. This portion of the tour is a real treat, since most people have probably not had the opportunity to get so close to such a magnificent structure before.

The final stop on the tour before heading back to Copenhagen is Kronborg Castle, located in Elsinore. This was actually the setting for Shakespeare’s masterpiece Hamlet. This is one of the most important Renaissance castles in Northern Europe and was built in the 1420s by King Eric of Pomerania. It was rebuilt in 1585 by Frederick II, which is when it secured the name Kronborg.

For those looking to see the beautiful architecture that Denmark has to offer, definitely take a castle tour. You will not regret it and will come away from the experience with an appreciation and understanding of fine Renaissance style. To find out more about this tour, as well as other fabulous activities in the Copenhagen area, visit www.copenhagentours.net.