Welcome back, friends. You might notice something different. We got a fresh new look but threat not. Besides that, we haven’t changed too much.

In this issue, we’ll jump on a train and head up to Elsinore, the home of Hamlet, Kronborg, a load of maritime history and much, much more.

• Going Below Deck While Staying on Land? - M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark
• Coffee by the Castle - Strandvejsristeriet
• Behind the scenes at Kronborg Castle
• Casual Gourmet with Character - Restaurant MOS
• Unwind in the beach town of Hornbæk

👍

So, you probably have heard of Kronborg Castle. It’s kind of famous since it was in a play called Hamlet by William Shakespeare, a pretty talented playwright 😉 But Elsinore is much more than Kronborg Castle, and that is what we’re going to explore today 🔍

Going below deck while staying on land? It’s possible! The M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark, can be hard to spot at first, but once you’ve seen it, you will be blown away. The museum is designed by Bjarke Ingels Group: BIG, build in an actual dry dock and takes the shape of a ship.

The museum is filled with Danish maritime history, which given our watery surroundings, is extensive. You can learn about everything from the Danish Vikings to how shipping companies are working to reduce their carbon footprint. The museum also has special exhibitions where different maritime-related showcases are presented.

Despite being underground, the museum is bright and filled with natural light. It has several immersive installations and is also very accommodating for children with its indoor playgrounds. The cherry on top is the museum café where you can indulge either in coffee and pastries or a full meal. The wall of tinned fish can also be found in the café, so the maritime feeling never escapes you.

Stepping inside the coffee shop, Strandvejsristeriet, that neighbours Kronborg Castle is an exceptional experience. The smell of home-roasted coffee is apparent from the second you enter, and the big black coffee roaster is like the centrepiece of the place. It’s so cool to watch the big machine do its magic and roast the beans. It’s special to have a cup of coffee prepared from the bottom in the same building as you’re drinking it in.

Photo: Jacob Lisbygd

Strandvejsristeriet also has a wide selection of pastries, and you can also get the classic Danish “BMO – Bolle Med Ost” (bun with cheese). The coffee shop has a calm vibe, and you instantly relax when you sit with your BMO, pastry, and home-roasted coffee. You can also buy a whole bag of freshly roasted coffee to take home to get a little bit of that magic at home.

One of Elsinore’s biggest attractions is Kronborg Castle. The historic fortress is known for its architectural grandeur and cultural significance. In particular, it was this beautiful fortress that was the inspiration for Shakespeare’s play “Hamlet”. In 2000, Kronborg Castle became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. You can visit and delve into the rich tapestry of Danish culture and history. 

We were lucky enough to "get behind the scenes" at Kronborg and met with Castle Manager Christian Struckmann Irgens to chat about what you can expect when visiting Kronborg and Elsinore.

Photo: Lasse Bruhn

Tell us a little bit about yourself, and what is your role at Kronborg Castle.

My name is Christian Struckmann Irgens, and I am the Castle Manager at Kronborg Castle. As a Castle Manager, I take care of all the communication and all the activities that take place at Kronborg. I also make sure that all visitors have a good experience and enjoy their stay at the castle.

What can you expect from a visit to Kronborg?

Visiting Kronborg is an experience that should be adventurous and magical. In many places, you just walk around between two red velvet ropes, and you’re not allowed to touch anything. At Kronborg, we want to engage our guests. We want them to be involved in everything we do. The hosts here are our superpower at Kronborg. When you meet one of them, you’re just drawn into this whole magical place and all our stories and anecdotes and little details.

If you had to choose your favourite story or hidden gem from Kronborg, which one would it be?

One of the things that really makes you feel the history is in the south attic. There is a string that traces the flight of a cannonball which smashed through the roof structures in 1659. It shot a hole in the castle, and it was never repaired. You see complete physical proof that Kronborg was under siege. I think that’s pretty cool.

If we are to travel outside the walls of Kronborg, what is your favourite thing about Elsinore?

In my world, Elsinore is this shebang of Denmark where you have everything in one place. You have nature, culture, old cobbled streets, and the cathedral You simply have so much. Strolling around in the old town, you can squint your eyes and imagine yourself back in the Renaissance days. Everything is so well preserved in small streets and alleys.

What must you experience when visiting Elsinore?

The atmosphere surrounding The Culture Yard, M/S Søfart, the harbour environment and the beach at Marienlyst. Then, of course, there’s the Carmelite Monastery, which is insanely unique. It’s this completely well-preserved monastery courtyard located by St Mary’s Church. You can go in there, and it’s just so peaceful, as if you were in the Middle Ages. It’s a wholesome kind of place to visit when everyday life is getting too busy. 

Elsinore is packed with many delicious dining experiences. One can be found at Restaurant MOS, where you can experience quality dishes prepared with local and seasonal Danish ingredients in a relaxed and atmospheric setting.

MOS is short for food and soul (in Danish, “Mad Og Sjæl”)” and furthermore refers to the Danish word for the green plant, moss, which is native to the Danish forests and nature. Every day at MOS is seen as an opportunity to explore the dishes’ soul, passion, and flavours. The menu is, therefore, vibrant, and ever-changing, as Restaurant MOS loves to surprise with new flavour additions and seasonal, exciting local ingredients.

Photo: Jacob Lisbygd

If you're gastronomically curious, you can lean back and try “The MOS Experience”, where the kitchen puts together a 5-course menu where you are guaranteed plenty of both food and soul. It’s an opportunity to open up and experience dishes and flavours outside your typical taste horizon.

Only 15 km northwest of Elsinore, you can immerse yourself in a local charm of Hornbæk. Life in Hornbæk in the summer revolves around the beach and fosters a relaxed vibe, great food, stunning coastal landscape. All in all a laid-back approach to life. 

The beautiful wide sandy beaches and safe swimming conditions make Hornbæk Beach the most visited beach in North Zealand. The beach provides the perfect venue for many great experiences, and Stand Up Paddleboarding is especially popular. Some days the water is calm and clear, inviting you to take peaceful paddle trips along the coast - other days, you can SUPsurf on the waves.

Photo: Jacob Lisbygd 

Right opposite the entrance to the beach is the street food market, ‘The Greasy Corner’, where you from Friday to Sunday can taste food from all over the world. Eat it there or bring it to the beach for a picnic.

We guess that you would agree, that Elsinore is definitely much more than Kronborg Castle. This gem of a historical significant city, which is very much alive and kicking has a lot offer. 

And these are just some of the highlight you can check out. If your curious for more, you should check out www.visitcopenhagen.com/elsinore. Here you'll and all you possibly would want to know about Elsinore. 

We're back in about a month with more good stuff about Copenhagen.

Copenhagen Unfolded is published by VisitCopenhagen. Our goal is to tell the world about Copenhagen and the great experiences that are to be had here. This issue of Copenhagen Unfolded is put together by Kasper Syhler, Julie Horn, Christina Daubjerg Newman and Andrea Sonne.

Know someone who would also enjoy Copenhagen Unfolded? Give a friend the opportunity to sign up. Did you receive this newsletter from a friend? Sign up here to get Copenhagen Unfolded monthly.

Copenhagen Card

Save money on your trip to Copenhagen. With a Copenhagen card you get free entry to the city's most popular attractions, free public transport and you can bring two children under 12 years old. Read more.