The Perfect Day Trip From Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle

Where is Frederiksborg Castle?

Frederiksborg Castle, also known as Frederiksborg Slot, is located in the charming town of Hillerød, which is about 30 kilometers (19 miles) north of Copenhagen, on Lake Slotssøen.

Frederiksborg Castle Facts

Are you fond of facts? I know I am!

I love learning more about a place before visiting it with some quick & interesting facts, so I’ve gathered a few about Frederiksborg Castle for you:

• In 1560, King Frederik II obtained the Hillerødsholm estate and constructed the initial foundations of Frederiksborg Castle, thereby giving it its name.
• Christian IV, Frederik II’s son, demolished these foundations to build Frederiksborg Castle between 1560 and 1620 to serve as a royal residence
• It was the first castle in Denmark to be built inland, as all previous castles were built on the coast or near harbors, the sea traditionally being the main means of transportation.
• Featuring a distinctive Dutch baroque architectural style, it’s the largest Renaissance castle in Denmark, but also in all of Scandinavia.
• The castle was badly damaged in a fire in 1859 but was meticulously restored in the following years, starting in 1860.
• The philanthropist and businessman J. C. Jacobsen of the Carlsberg Brewery contributed greatly to the reconstruction of the castle, in particular to the foundation of the Museum of National History within the castle.
• Today, Frederiksborg Castle is a popular venue for weddings and other events, and its chapel is a sought-after location for couples to exchange their vows.
• The castle’s stunning architecture and picturesque setting have made it a popular location for film shoots, including scenes from the famous Netflix show “La Casa de Papel”.

How to Get to Frederiksborg Castle from Copenhagen

If you’re wondering how to get from Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle, you should know you have several ways available including train, car, and guided tour. In this section, we’ll explore each of these options in more detail, so you can choose the one that works best for you.

🚆 Train from Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle

From Copenhagen, your day trip to Frederiksborg Castle by public transport will only take you an hour!

Simply get to Copenhagen Central Station to take the S-train line A for about 40 min to “Hillerød St.”. When arriving at Hillerød train station, take bus line 301 or 302 to “Frederiksborg Slot” station or walk 20 min through the city to the castle.

Public transportation tickets:

➡️ If you have a Copenhagen Card, you have unlimited access to public transport in the Copenhagen region. So you won’t need to pay anything more to take the train to Frederiksborg castle.

The Copenhagen Card also includes free entrance to Frederiksborg Castle and more than 80+ attractions in the capital region. The card prices start at 62€ 👉 Book here 👈

➡️ If you don’t have a Copenhagen Card, the best option is to buy a City Pass Large for 24 hours (21,5€) on the train station’s vending machine so you can use public transportation freely the whole day.
 

If you’d like to discover other great train trips near Copenhagen, check out this post.

🚗 Driving from Copenhagen to Frederiksborg Castle

By car, the trip is even shorter than by train: only 40 min!

On any GPS device, the castle is referred to as “Frederiksborg Castle” or “Møntportvejen”. You’ll have to follow Route 16 to get out of Copenhagen and then drive until the “Hillerød S” exit. After getting off the highway, follow “Egespurs Alle” until arriving at Frederiksborg Castle.

There are free parking spaces just behind the castle’s garden. You can easily find the spot by entering “Batzkes Bakke” on your GPS.

🗺 Taking a Guided Tour

If you’d like to make the most of your day trip by associating your Frederiksborg visit with another attraction, taking a guided tour is an option to consider.

The best tour that included Frederiksborg is the one from Hamlet Tours company. It’s an 8.5-hour minibus tour starting from central Copenhagen that will first take you to Roskilde to visit the old town and the Viking Ship Museum, then Frederiksborg, and end the day at Kronborg Castle, another stunning castle.

👉 Book your tour here 👈

Admission & Tickets to Frederiksborg Castle

Here’s the practical info to know so you can properly plan your Frederiksborg day trip.

Opening Hours

The castle is open every day from Monday to Sunday, but opening hours vary according to the season:

• April to October (high season): 10 am – 5 pm
• November to March (low season): 11 am – 3 pm

Entrance Tickets

Different prices are charged depending on age, but all include an audio guide to help you discover the history of the place:

• Adults: 110 DKK (14,8€)
• Students: 90 DKK (12€)
• +65-year-olds: 90 DKK (12€)
• Under 18-year-olds: Free (12€)
• Group of 10+ people: 90 DKK (12€)

You can buy your tickets at the ticket booth at the castle entrance.

If you have a Copenhagen Card, the entrance to Frederiksborg Castle is free.

Exploring Frederiksborg Castle

Nesrine & I decided to visit Frederiksborg Castle on the 3rd day of our Copenhagen trip. We arrived there at the opening hour, which was 11 am as we were visiting in winter.

Upon arrival, we crossed a bridge to enter the large inner courtyard of the castle. The sight that greeted us was nothing short of breathtaking with the marvelous Neptune Fountain standing prominently in front of the red brick castle with green roofs. Thankfully, we arrived early, allowing us to take great photos without being disturbed by the crowds of visitors.

We bought our entrance tickets, put our belongings in the locker room, and started the visit to the castle.

The Rose Dining Room

The visit to Frederiksborg Castle starts on the ground floor, where you can explore the Rose Dining Room, also known as the Knights’ Room.

This room features a recreation of the dining room used by the lords and ladies of the court during the reign of Christian IV.

The Chapel

On the first floor, you’ll discover several rooms including the Audience Chamber. But the most significant one is also the most beautiful part of the castle: the chapel. Luckily, the chapel was largely spared by the fire of 1859 and remains almost identical to its original state.

Here, you’ll see numerous artifacts, including the most impressive and awe-inspiring of them all – the organ. This remarkable instrument, which dates back to 1617, is the oldest of its kind in the country.

The Great Hall

On the second floor, you’ll visit the beautiful Great Hall, rebuilt as it was in the time of King Christian IV. It was indeed greatly affected by the 1859 fire and was rebuilt in 1880. It’s located right above the Chapel on the west wing and features stunning tapestries depicting significant events from Christian IV’s reign.

Additionally, several stunning rooms adorned with period furniture, paintings, and various objects that highlight the grandeur and magnificence of the monarchy can also be found on this same floor.

The Portrait Collection

The third floor of the castle is devoted to the 20th and 21st centuries’ modern history and showcases portraits, period furniture, and historical paintings.

These exhibitions, arranged in chronological order, recount significant events in Denmark’s contemporary history, such as the Second World War, as well as honor prominent Danish writers and athletes.

The Baroque Gardens

The gardens surrounding the castle are just as spectacular as the interior.

Its typical 17th-century baroque style with perfectly manicured lawns, picturesque fountains, and symmetrical flowerbeds make it a very pleasant place for a family or romantic stroll.

While wandering around, you’ll have amazing views over the castle which sometimes seem to float on the water or preside majestically over the gardens.

After this beautiful visit, we had a break at Cafe Havehuset where we tried a simple cheese smørrebrød and a tasty apple pie before heading back to Copenhagen.

Where to Stay Near Frederiksborg

If you choose to spend the night at Hillerød, there are several options for where to stay. Here are my recommendation depending on your travel style.

✅ Best Hotel – Best Western Hotel Hillerød: this 3-star hotel is located 6min drive and 20min by bus from the castle and provides great amenities with all the comfort you could need! 

💰 Best Budget Hotel – Danhostel Hillerød: this hostel is located 10min drive and 25min by bus from Frederiksborg and offers pretty rooms with free parking and a good breakfast.

Visit Denmark

Find below several other posts about Denmark to help you prepare for your upcoming trip:

➡️ Going to Copenhagen? Here are complete itineraries tailored to the length of your stay:

• How to Spend 24 Hours in Copenhagen
• 2 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
• 3 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary
• 5 Days in Copenhagen Itinerary

➡️ And here are other posts to better discover Copenhagen and beyond, along with travel tips:

• Best Places to Stay in Copenhagen
• Best Things to Do in Copenhagen in Winter
• Most Beautiful Copenhagen Castles
• Best Train Trips from Copenhagen
• Must-Eat Food in Copenhagen
• What to do in Aarhus for Free

I hope you enjoy your day trip; if you have any questions, let me know in the comments below.

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