Background

Dramatic Danish Design at the M/S Maritime Museum

Explore Danish maritime history in a spectacular underground museum near Helsingør’s Kronborg Castle, featuring immersive exhibits and striking contemporary architecture.

4.3

The M/S Maritime Museum in Helsingør brilliantly showcases Denmark's seafaring heritage in a striking subterranean space near Kronborg Castle. Discover interactive exhibits tracing centuries of maritime history, from Viking longships to modern trade, within an innovative architectural landmark set in a former dry dock.

A brief summary to Musicon-bydelen

  • Roskilde, 4000, DK
  • Monday 12 am-12 am
  • Tuesday 12 am-12 am
  • Wednesday 12 am-12 am
  • Thursday 12 am-12 am
  • Friday 12 am-12 am
  • Saturday 12 am-12 am
  • Sunday 12 am-12 am

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with Kronborg Castle next door for a full day of history—discounted tickets are sometimes available.
  • The café offers classic Danish open sandwiches and sea views near the old dock basin.
  • Audio guides in several languages provide deeper context and personal seafaring stories.
  • Family trails and hands-on zones make it especially engaging for children.
  • The area is mostly accessible, but parts of the historic dock feature uneven surfaces.
widget icon

Getting There

  • Public Transport

    From central Copenhagen, frequent trains depart from the main station towards Helsingør, with travel times averaging about 45 minutes. Upon arrival in Helsingør, the harbor area is clearly visible from the station, dominated by the silhouette of Kronborg Castle. The museum is a short walk from the station, following signs towards Helsingør’s waterfront and the imposing castle grounds. Standard adult train tickets typically cost 80–100 DKK one-way.

  • Taxi

    Taxis from central Copenhagen offer a direct journey to Helsingør, passing through rural landscapes and the coastal corridor north of the city. The ride usually lasts around 40–50 minutes, depending on traffic, and brings you to the museum’s entrance, with Kronborg Castle as a prominent reference point. Fares normally range from 700 to 950 DKK each way.

  • Driving

    If driving from Copenhagen, the route leads north along the scenic coastline, with the Øresund Strait visible for much of the journey. Upon reaching Helsingør, follow signs for maritime attractions—there are both pay-and-display parking areas and larger car parks near the castle and harbor zone. Parking costs average 14–20 DKK per hour, with limited spaces during weekends and holidays.

Unlock the Best of Musicon-bydelen

Buy tickets

    No tickets available

Book tours with entry

    No tours available

Book tours without entry

    No tours available

Discover more about Musicon-bydelen

A triumph of both storytelling and design, the M/S Maritime Museum of Denmark (Museet for Søfart) is a cultural and architectural highlight located in the historic port city of Helsingør. Set dramatically in a former dry dock, the museum itself is half-hidden beneath the surface—the brainchild of internationally renowned architects Bjarke Ingels Group. Its walls slope and interconnect in spiraling walkways, echoing the movement and mystery of the sea, while enormous windows gaze up at the battlements of neighbouring Kronborg Castle, immortalised as Elsinore in Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Inside, visitors set forth on a journey through 600 years of Danish seafaring tradition. Exhibits are dynamic and hands-on: step inside recreated ship cabins, try your hand at steering virtual vessels, or peruse sailors’ journals brought to life with immersive multimedia. Alongside the era of windjammers and container ships, the museum deftly weaves stories about global trade, migration, shipwrecks, and the changing tide of maritime technology. Children can engage with playful ship-themed installations, and there’s a lively program of changing special exhibitions, family trails, and guided tours. Beyond exhibits, architectural aficionados flock here for the unique structure—rather than marring views of the surrounding UNESCO-listed castle, the museum corkscrews ingeniously underground around the old dock. The site also features a café serving Danish classics, and a museum shop stocked with nautical-themed gifts, local crafts, and maritime literature. With its blend of dramatic architecture and vivid storytelling, the M/S Maritime Museum is an essential Danish experience that brings the romance, peril, and ingenuity of the high seas startlingly to life for all ages.

Popular Experiences near Musicon-bydelen

Popular Hotels near Musicon-bydelen

Select Currency