Vapnagård Tunnel 2, Ponydalen
A colourful underpass in Helsingør’s Vapnagård estate, where bold mural art transforms a simple pedestrian tunnel in Ponydalen into a vivid slice of everyday creativity.
Vapnagård Tunnel 2 in Ponydalen, Helsingør, is a pedestrian underpass turned outdoor gallery, where large-scale street art adds colour and character to a residential housing estate on the city’s western edge. Part of Helsingør’s broader Kunst & Byrum public-art projects, the tunnel’s striking murals transform a once-anonymous concrete corridor into a vivid passage of portraits and narratives, reflecting the diverse local community that uses it every day.
A brief summary to Vapnagård Tunnel 2
- Ponydalen, Helsingør, 3000, DK
- Visit website
- Duration: 0.5 to 1 hours
- Free
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Outdoor
- Mobile reception: 4 out of 5
Local tips
- Combine Vapnagård Tunnel 2 with a short walk around the housing estate to spot other murals and underpass artworks created under the same public-art programme.
- Visit during daylight hours for the best visibility of colours and details; the tunnel can feel much darker and flatter on very overcast days.
- Bring a camera or phone with a wide-angle setting to capture the full length of the murals within the confined tunnel space.
For the on-the-go comforts that matter to you
- Trash Bins
- Seating Areas
- Information Boards
Getting There
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Public transport from central Helsingør
From Helsingør Station, take a local city bus serving Vapnagård or the western residential districts; journeys typically take 10–20 minutes depending on route and traffic. A single adult ticket on local buses usually costs around 24–28 DKK and can be bought via ticket machines or travel apps. Buses run frequently during the day but may be less frequent in the evening, so check the latest timetable before travelling.
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Taxi within Helsingør
A taxi from central Helsingør to the Vapnagård area normally takes about 10–15 minutes, depending on traffic, as the housing estate lies a few kilometres west of the old town and harbour. Fares are generally in the range of 80–120 DKK one way for this short city trip. Taxis can drop you close to Ponydalen, from where it is a brief walk on level pavements to reach the tunnel.
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Cycling from the old town
For an active option, cycle from Helsingør’s old town out towards Vapnagård, allowing roughly 15–25 minutes each way at a relaxed pace. The route follows urban streets and cycle paths typical of Danish towns, mostly flat and suitable for everyday bikes. There is no dedicated bike parking at the tunnel itself, but you can lock your bicycle to nearby racks or railings, taking care not to obstruct pedestrians using the underpass.
Vapnagård Tunnel 2 location weather suitability
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Any Weather
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Rain / Wet Weather
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Mild Temperatures
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Cold Weather
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Hot Weather
Discover more about Vapnagård Tunnel 2
Street art hidden in a residential corridor
Vapnagård Tunnel 2 sits beneath the roads of the Vapnagård housing estate, a substantial post-war development on the western side of Helsingør where thousands of residents live in long concrete blocks. The tunnel itself is a functional pedestrian underpass near Ponydalen, built to let people move safely between housing clusters, playgrounds and green strips without crossing busy traffic. What could have remained a bare concrete passage has instead become a canvas for contemporary mural art, turning the daily walk to school, the bus stop or the shops into a brief encounter with large-scale painting. The setting feels distinctly local and everyday: prams, bicycles and schoolchildren share the space with dog walkers and commuters. Against this backdrop, the art stands out in bold colour, softening the hard edges of the architecture and adding a sense of creativity to an otherwise utilitarian corner of the neighbourhood.A wider project of art in public space
The tunnel belongs to a citywide programme run under the Kunst & Byrum banner, which invites Danish and international artists to create site-specific works in Helsingør’s public spaces. In Vapnagård and the nearby areas of Nøjsomhed and Blishøj, several underpasses have been handed over to muralists, making a loose trail of tunnel art outside the historic centre. Each work responds to its surroundings, using narrative painting to speak to the people who pass through every day. This approach links Vapnagård Tunnel 2 to other pieces across Helsingør, from waterfront murals themed around marine life to works in the old town inspired by Shakespeare’s Hamlet and the city’s trading past. Together they demonstrate how a former industrial port and ferry hub has embraced art not only in museums and galleries but directly on its walls, stairwells and underpasses.Portraits of the neighbourhood
While nearby tunnels feature marine motifs or abstract compositions, the tunnel art at Vapnagård leans toward portraiture and storytelling rooted in the local community. Large faces and figures emerge from the walls, often based on people who live in the area or use the passage regularly. This gives the space an almost communal feel, as if the neighbourhood is looking back at itself each time someone walks through. Details invite a slower look: layered backgrounds, symbolic objects and subtle shifts in colour that reveal the artist’s hand at close range. Yet the work also reads powerfully from a distance, with strong silhouettes and sweeping gestures designed to remain impactful even when glimpsed quickly on a rainy day.Everyday life with a splash of colour
Visiting Vapnagård Tunnel 2 is less about ticking off a major landmark and more about experiencing how art can alter the mood of an ordinary place. The soundscape is usually domestic and urban rather than dramatic: children chatting in Danish and many other languages, the whirr of bicycle tyres, the echo of footsteps on concrete. Light changes the atmosphere, too, as sunshine from the open ends of the tunnel spills across the painted walls. The surrounding housing estate offers pockets of grass, small play areas and glimpses of the Øresund region’s changing weather. In this context, the tunnel works best as a short but memorable stop on a wider walk through Helsingør’s outer districts, revealing another side to a city best known for its castle and harbour.Part of Helsingør’s evolving identity
Vapnagård has sometimes been associated more with social policy than with culture, but the creation of high-quality mural art here signals an ongoing investment in everyday public spaces. The tunnel is one of several works that weave contemporary creativity into the fabric of a large housing area, offering residents a sense of pride and visitors a reason to explore beyond the old town. Seen alongside Helsingør’s medieval streets, shipyard heritage and maritime institutions, Vapnagård Tunnel 2 shows how the city is continually redefining itself. Art in places like this underpass helps connect different districts and histories, reminding anyone walking through that cultural experiences in Helsingør are not confined to its most famous buildings or waterfront promenades.Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Elsinore Cemetery
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Helsingor
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'The Middle Ages and the Sound Dues' mural
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Odd Fellow Logerne Helsingør
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'Time of the shipyard' mural
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A hyper-realistic tribute to Helsingør's legendary shipyard, painted by American master Garin Baker.
Helsingør harbour
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Heracles and the Hydra
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Kronborg Castle Church
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Renaissance sanctuary that miraculously survived fire, preserving royal religious heritage within Hamlet's legendary castle.
Helsingborg City Hall
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Hornbæk Batteri
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Falkonergården
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Hornbaek beach
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Country Market
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Fredensborg Palace
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Fredensborg Slotshave
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Discover Denmark's royal history and stunning baroque architecture in the serene Fredensborg Slotshave, a cultural gem blending art, nature, and tranquility near Copenhagen.
Unmissable attractions to see
Vapnagaardsøen
0.3 km
A calm everyday lake tucked inside Helsingør’s largest housing estate, where simple paths, water, and community life create an understated urban oasis.
Michael Wisniewski
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A pair of everyday tunnels in Helsingør’s Vapnagaard transformed into a flowing naturalistic mural, where dandelions and local nature turn concrete into a gentle urban sanctuary.
Master class Tunnel Art
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A colourful urban underpass in Helsingør where curated street art transforms a simple tunnel into a living canvas of local stories and international styles.
Meulenborgskoven
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Tidens Tunnel
0.7 km
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Kysten
1.0 km
An unpretentious stretch of Helsingør’s seafront where town, horizon and the ever-busy Øresund strait meet in a calm, everyday coastal landscape.
Smørhullet
1.2 km
A snug, bowl-shaped neighborhood park in Helsingør where sledding hills, disc golf fairways and everyday dog walks share the same sheltered green hollow.
Danish Museum of Science and Technology
1.4 km
Industrial halls packed with steam engines, classic cars, aircraft and gadgets tracing 150 years of Danish innovation in a hands‑on, family‑friendly museum.
Klostermoseskoven
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A modest 19th‑century plantation forest on Helsingør’s industrial edge, Klostermoseskoven offers quiet paths, gentle hills and an easy dose of everyday Danish nature.
Kingo Houses
1.7 km
A hillside tapestry of Jørn Utzon’s humane brick courtyard houses, weaving private walled gardens and expansive shared landscape into a landmark of Nordic modernism.
Egebæksvang
1.7 km
Coastal forest breathing space on North Zealand’s Øresund shore, with a simple plateau campsite where beech trees, sea views and low-key outdoor living meet.
UNDER THE ROOF
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Flynderupgårdmuseet
2.3 km
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Pindemosen sphagnummose
2.5 km
A small but evocative sphagnum bog on Helsingør’s edge, where soft peat, moss carpets and quiet wetland life offer a gentle, close-up encounter with Danish peatland nature.
i Helsingør
2.6 km
Compact tourist information hub on historic Stjernegade, perfectly placed to plan your exploration of Helsingør’s old town, harbour culture sites and North Zealand.
Essential places to dine
Kao Gaeng
1.5 km
Unassuming neighbourhood Thai in Helsingør serving generous, flavour-packed curries and stir-fries, ideal for casual evening dinners or easy takeaway feasts.
Vecchia Maniera
2.0 km
Neighborhood-style Italian pizzeria in Helsingør serving stone-oven pizzas, homemade breads and simple comfort dishes in a casual, takeaway-friendly setting.
Sushi Taro
2.2 km
World-class sushi crafted by a championship chef in intimate, authentic surroundings.
Café Vivaldi
2.3 km
Bright all‑day café on Helsingør’s main pedestrian street, serving generous brunches, casual meals and relaxed drinks with a front‑row view of local street life.
Amici Miei
2.3 km
Lively Italian trattoria on Helsingør’s main street, serving stone-oven pizza, hearty pasta and relaxed good times in a warm, rustic setting.
Restauration ApS af 26.08.57
2.3 km
Casual, central Helsingør eatery on historic Stengade, serving hearty everyday dishes from late morning to evening amid the cobbled charm of the old town.
D'Angelo
2.4 km
Cozy Italian trattoria on Helsingør’s Stengade, serving hearty classics, seasonal menus and occasional live music in a warm, bustling old-town setting.
La Brasserie
2.4 km
Classic, no‑nonsense dining on Helsingør’s main street, serving hearty brasserie dishes in a casually traditional setting close to the harbour and castle.
Klaptræet
2.4 km
Cosy courtyard restaurant in old-town Helsingør, serving generous Danish smørrebrød, platters and seasonal lunch feasts in a former cinema backhouse.
Pakhuset
2.4 km
Casual Italian-style pizzeria tucked in a cosy inner courtyard off Helsingør’s main street, serving generous pizzas and pasta in a warm, everyday atmosphere.
Café Kaiser
2.5 km
Homemade Danish café on Helsingør's main street, serving quality brunch, smørrebrød, and warm dishes in a welcoming neighborhood setting.
Rib House
2.5 km
Casual steakhouse on Helsingør’s main street, serving generous spareribs and grills in a relaxed, family‑friendly setting close to the town’s historic sights.
Madonna Burgerbar
2.5 km
Hearty burgers, crispy fries and indulgent shakes in a no‑nonsense neighborhood burgerbar just beyond Helsingør’s historic streets.
Blue Sky Sushi
2.5 km
Cozy Japanese all‑you‑can‑eat sushi in Helsingør’s historic center, blending fresh fish, low‑waste principles and a relaxed, modern atmosphere near the harbor.
San Rock Restaurant & Grillbar
2.5 km
Casual central Helsingør grill bar serving unfussy comfort food and generous plates just steps from the old town streets and harbourfront sights.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Kvickly
0.8 km
Spacious Danish supermarket and home goods store in Helsingør’s Prøvestenscentret, ideal for stocking up on groceries, picnic supplies and everyday essentials.
Kids Coolshop Helsingør
0.8 km
Expertly curated toys for every age, where playtime possibilities meet personalized service.
Prøvestencentret
0.9 km
A practical, car-friendly shopping hub in Helsingør, ideal for everyday essentials, free parking and quick errands between more traditional North Zealand sights.
Dansk
1.0 km
North Zealand's largest discount clothing store offering family fashion at 40–80% savings.
Helsingør Bycenter
2.3 km
Compact, convenient and fully indoor, Helsingør Bycenter is the practical shopping heart of Helsingør, mixing everyday essentials, cafés and family-friendly comfort.
Kop & Kande
2.3 km
Danish homeware and kitchenware haven celebrating comfort, warmth, and the art of everyday living.
Tøjeksperten
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Classic Danish menswear with professional styling in historic Helsingør
ONLY
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Central Helsingør outpost of Danish fashion brand ONLY, mixing trend-led denim, dresses and everyday essentials with plus-size and sports-inspired womenswear.
Intersport Helsingør
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Centrally located in Helsingør Bycenter, this locally run Intersport blends big-brand sports gear with practical advice for active days in town, forest and along the Øresund.
Mercuri
2.3 km
A small, curated fashion boutique in Helsingør’s historic centre, blending Scandinavian-inspired style with a relaxed, personal shopping atmosphere.
Normal
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Smart, budgetvenligt pitstop i Helsingør Bycenter, hvor du hurtigt fylder kurven med beauty, rengøring og snacks til hverdagen og weekendturen.
Coco's Helsingør
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Dark Blue
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Puslespilsbutikken
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Denmark’s only dedicated jigsaw puzzle shop – a cozy Helsingør courtyard gem stacked floor to ceiling with colourful puzzles for families, collectors and curious browsers.
Lynhjems Eftf Ole Jensen
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Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Kardusen
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Head/Foam
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Helsingør Musikteater
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12`er Pubben
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Gefion Bodega
2.5 km
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Strandborg
2.6 km
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Banana joe
2.6 km
Compact late-night bar above Helsingør’s nightlife strip, serving straightforward drinks, warm lighting and a relaxed local vibe long after the streets quieten.
Pitten Sport Bar
2.7 km
Straightforward sports, cold beer and local Helsingør character in a relaxed neighbourhood bar just a short stroll from the harbour and historic centre.
Axelhus
2.7 km
Casual bodega and burger bar in Helsingør's old town, open late on weekends with beer and Danish comfort food.
Axelhus Udeservering
2.7 km
Open-air corner bar on Bjergegade, where simple food, cold beer and Axeltorv’s street life come together in the historic heart of Helsingør.
Hold-An
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Unfussy beer hall and local bar in central Helsingør, pouring cold brews, simple bites and everyday Danish hygge from late morning to late night.
Holger
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Cozy cellar bodega on Helsingør’s Stengade, pouring inexpensive beers and spirits, with live music nights and a laid-back local crowd deep into the night.
Joker Bar
3.4 km
Relaxed Danish bar offering casual drinks and friendly conversation in historic Helsingør.
Oddies Beach Bar
15.1 km
Relaxed beach bar on the sand at Rungsted Havn, blending Nordic coastal charm with a hint of tropical island mood and sweeping Øresund sea views.
Jernstangen
19.8 km
Old-school Hillerød pub opposite the station, with billiards, darts, dice games and live music nights in a laid‑back, locals-first atmosphere.
For the vibe & atmosphere seeker
- Quirky
- Unique
- Casual
- Scenic
For the design and aesthetic lover
- Colorful Aesthetics
- Modern Designs
For the architecture buff
- Art & Design
- Industrial
- Heritage Neighborhoods
For the view chaser and sunset hunter
- Photo Spots
For the social media creator & influencer
- Instagrammable
- TikTok-Friendly
- Photo Spots
- Selfie Spots
- Reel-Friendly
- Colorful Backdrops
- Architectural Shots
For the eco-conscious traveler
- Low Impact
- Public-Transport Accessible
For the kind of experience you’re after
- Photowalk
- Adventure Photo Shoot
- Cultural Heritage
- Day Trip
- Roadtrip Stop
For how adventurous you want the journey to be
- Easy Access
Location Audience
- Family Friendly
- Child Friendly
- Teen Friendly
- Senior Friendly
- Solo Friendly
- Couple Friendly
- LGBT Friendly
- Solo Female Friendly
