Frederiksborg Castle: A Renaissance Masterpiece
Discover 500 years of Danish history at Frederiksborg Castle, Scandinavia's largest Renaissance castle, home to the Museum of National History and stunning Baroque gardens.
Frederiksborg Castle, located in Hillerød, is a breathtaking Renaissance castle and the largest of its kind in Scandinavia. Built by King Christian IV in the early 17th century, it stands on three islands in the Castle Lake, reflecting its stunning towers and spires. Today, it houses the Museum of National History, showcasing 500 years of Danish history through portraits, paintings, furniture, and decorative art. Visitors can explore the lavish interiors, including the Chapel, Hall of Angels and Great Hall, wander through the Baroque gardens, and even take a boat trip on the lake for a unique perspective. A visit to Frederiksborg offers a captivating journey through Danish history and culture, making it a must-see destination.
A brief summary to Frederiksborg Castle
- Frederiksborg Slot 10, Hillerød, 3400, DK
- +4548260439
- Visit website
Local tips
- Allow at least 2-3 hours to fully explore the castle, museum, and gardens. There's a lot to see!
- Visit the Baroque gardens in late spring or summer to see the cascades and fountains in full operation.
- Take the boat tour on the Castle Lake for unique photo opportunities and perspectives of the castle.
- Check the museum's website for special events, temporary exhibitions, and family activities during school holidays.
- Consider purchasing the Copenhagen Card for free admission and transportation if you plan to visit other attractions in the Copenhagen area.
Getting There
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Public Transport
From Copenhagen Central Station, take the S-train Line A to Hillerød Station (approx. 40 minutes, running every 10 minutes). From Hillerød Station, you can either walk to Frederiksborg Castle (approx. 15-20 minutes) along Slotsgade or the path by the Castle Lake, or take bus 301 towards Ullerød or 302 towards Sophienlund and get off at the stop “Frederiksborg Slot”. A 24-hour all-zone transport ticket costs around 130 DKK, covering the train journey from Copenhagen to Hillerød and back.
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Walking
From Hillerød Station, follow Slotsgade, the main street, towards the castle. Alternatively, take the scenic route along the Castle Lake (Slotssøen). Both routes are well-signposted and take approximately 15-20 minutes. There are no costs associated with walking.
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Driving
If driving from Copenhagen, take Highway 16 towards Hillerød. Follow signs for Frederiksborg Slot or Møntportvejen. Paid parking is available at Møntportvejen near the castle. Parking fees vary, but expect to pay around 25 DKK per hour. Free parking is available at Rendelæggerbakken (Tromlepladsen) and Batzkes Bakke, a 500m-1km walk through the castle gardens.
Discover more about Frederiksborg Castle
Iconic landmarks you can’t miss
Old town hall
0.6 km
A dignified brick landmark on Hillerød’s main square, the Old Town Hall anchors the town’s civic heart between cobbled streets, cafés and castle views.
Skänk øl, vin & madbar Hillerød
0.7 km
Experience Danish craft beers, global wines, and tasty tapas at Skänk in Hillerød, a cozy spot with castle views and a welcoming atmosphere on Torvet square.
Hillerød Rectory
0.7 km
Discover the Befrielsessten in Høgsholt, Vejle—a serene memorial park honoring Denmark's journey to freedom amidst lush landscapes.
Hillerød St.
1.0 km
North Zealand's essential transport hub connecting Copenhagen, regional destinations, and Frederiksborg Castle.
Kirppu Hillerød
1.1 km
Discover unique vintage finds and support sustainable shopping at Kirppu Hillerød, Denmark's largest flea market supermarket, offering a treasure trove of pre-loved goods and community spirit.
Kulsvierstenen
6.9 km
A modest forest boulder in Gribskov that marks a dramatic World War II resistance firefight, blending North Zealand’s tranquil woodland with powerful memory.
Country Market
7.8 km
Experience the charm of Fredensborg at Country Market, a vibrant marketplace offering local delicacies, artisan products, and a cozy café atmosphere in the heart of town.
Hørsholm Slotshave
14.1 km
A baroque garden where Scandinavia's lost palace still echoes through ancient linden trees.
Auderødlejren
14.7 km
Once a busy Danish Navy barracks, today a quiet, semi‑abandoned camp on Arrenæs where stark military architecture meets lakeside nature and recent history.
Furesø
17.2 km
Denmark's deepest lake offers pristine waters, historic heritage, and year-round outdoor adventures just 20 km from Copenhagen.
Henriksholm
18.1 km
A quiet Vedbæk hillside where Stone Age burials, villa culture and Cold War command history meet in a leafy coastal neighbourhood north of Copenhagen.
Tisvilde Hegn
18.9 km
Discover Denmark's enchanting Tisvilde Hegn: A coastal forest where history whispers through ancient pines and scenic trails lead to breathtaking Kattegat views.
Danish Museum of Science and Technology
19.0 km
Explore Denmark's technological heritage at this interactive museum, showcasing everything from vintage vehicles to groundbreaking inventions and offering hands-on experiences for all ages.
Heather Hill (Rågelejevej), Vejby
19.8 km
Discover Heather Hill in Vejby: A unique Danish landscape with heather-clad hills, stunning coastal views, and rich history, perfect for hiking and nature exploration.
Vejby Strand
19.8 km
Discover Vejby Strand: A picturesque Danish coastal escape with dramatic cliffs, serene beaches, and a wealth of natural and historical attractions in North Zealand.
Unmissable attractions to see
The Museum of National History
0.0 km
A grand Renaissance castle on an island lake, housing Denmark’s Museum of National History with 500 years of portraits, power and palace splendor.
Frederiksborg Castle Chapel
0.0 km
Experience LEGO magic at LEGOLAND Hotel & Conference in Billund, offering themed rooms and top-tier conference facilities.
Posen
0.3 km
A small, leafy pause between Hillerød’s bustling Slotsgade and the storybook views of Frederiksborg Castle and its lake.
Fisketorvet
0.4 km
Experience the vibrant heart of Hillerød at Fisketorvet, where history, shopping, and culture converge in North Zealand's premier market square.
Batzke's Hill
0.4 km
A gentle grassy rise above Frederiksborg’s gardens, Batzke’s Hill offers quiet views, local park life and a softer, slower perspective on royal Hillerød.
Frederiksborg Castle Gardens
0.5 km
Sweeping Baroque terraces and romantic woodland paths framing a lake island castle, Frederiksborg Castle Gardens blend royal theatre with everyday green escape.
Hillerød City Museum & Graphic Museum
0.5 km
Step behind Frederiksborg Castle into an intimate town museum where historic shops, crafts and letterpress printing bring everyday Hillerød vividly back to life.
Gavlkunst
0.5 km
A string of vivid murals along Helsingørsgade that turns central Hillerød into a small, free open‑air gallery of local stories and color.
Slotsgade
0.6 km
Hillerød’s colourful Slotsgade links castle views, everyday shops and cosy cafés in a compact, walkable street at the heart of Denmark’s classic castle town.
Hillerød Church
0.7 km
A light-filled modern parish church in the heart of Hillerød, carrying centuries of local worship history in a calm, contemporary Danish setting.
Genforeningssten i Hillerød
0.7 km
Experience intimate encounters with rescued animals in the serene Japanese gardens of Monkey World Hillerød.
Elværket Hillerød - Museum Nordsjælland
0.8 km
A beautifully preserved 1909 power station turned museum, where industrial architecture and changing exhibitions illuminate 10,000 years of North Zealand history.
Royal Stage
1.5 km
North Zealand's premier multi-purpose arena hosting concerts, sports, and cultural events for up to 2,000 guests.
Island of imagination
1.8 km
A tiny forest island on Breddam Lake where a king’s romantic retreat has crumbled into suggestive ruins, inviting you to complete the fairy tale with your own imagination.
AdventurePark
2.4 km
80,000 m² of outdoor action in Hillerød’s forests, blending paintball, obstacle courses and group games with relaxed grill areas and flexible event packages.
Essential places to dine
Rabarbergaarden Slottet
0.1 km
Organic farm-to-table dining in Frederiksborg Castle’s former carriage house, where seasonal North Zealand produce meets calm Scandinavian design and royal surroundings.
Royal Taste
0.3 km
Generous sushi ad libitum and colourful Asian plates in a relaxed, modern setting on Hillerød’s historic Slotsgade, ideal for cosy dinners and sociable feasts.
Restaurant Royal Style
0.3 km
Casual Asian comfort food with dim sum, bao and ramen just steps from Frederiksborg Castle in the heart of Hillerød’s historic Slotsgade.
Ninos Pizza
0.3 km
Casual pizzeria serving Italian, Mexican, and American fare in central Hillerød with friendly service and extended hours.
Rib House
0.3 km
Hearty ribs and steaks in a relaxed, family-friendly steakhouse just steps from Frederiksborg Castle on historic Slotsgade in central Hillerød.
Roberto's 51
0.4 km
Straightforward pizzas and burgers on Hillerød’s main street, serving solid comfort food from lunchtime until late on weekend nights.
Jensens Bøfhus
0.4 km
Casual Danish steakhouse on Hillerød’s main street, offering family-friendly comfort food and easy castle-side convenience from lunchtime through evening.
Big Mamma Gastronomia
0.4 km
Casual Italian pizzeria and pasta spot in central Hillerød, serving generous, ingredient-led comfort food for eat-in or takeaway in a relaxed local setting.
Café Valentin
0.4 km
All‑day Danish café on Hillerød’s main street, blending generous brunches, comfort food and cocktails with a lively terrace near Frederiksborg Castle.
Patats Kebab & Grill
0.5 km
Casual Turkish-style kebab and grill in central Hillerød, serving generous, inexpensive plates, pitas and durums just a short walk from the town’s main sights.
Gonzales Cantina
0.5 km
Casual, family-friendly cantina on Hillerød’s main pedestrian street, serving generous pizzas, steaks and comfort food just a short stroll from Frederiksborg Castle.
Unkai
0.5 km
All-you-can-eat, made-to-order sushi and Japanese bites in a modern, laid-back setting on Hillerød’s central Helsingørsgade.
Piccola Italia Pizzaria 3400
0.5 km
Busy neighborhood pizzeria in central Hillerød serving hearty pizzas, pastas and quick takeaway just a short stroll from Frederiksborg Castle and the lake.
Montalbano
0.5 km
Authentic Sicilian pizzeria run by an Italian family in the heart of Hillerød.
Tô Tô Kitchen
0.6 km
Cozy Vietnamese flavors and casual evening dining on Østergade, bringing fresh herbs, noodles and warm atmosphere to the heart of Hillerød.
Markets, malls and hidden boutiques
Red Cross Op Shop
0.3 km
Hyggelig Røde Kors genbrugsbutik i Hillerøds hovedgade, hvor du finder billige fund til garderobe og hjem – og samtidig støtter lokalt og internationalt hjælpearbejde.
Tingstedet
0.4 km
Curated vintage and retro treasures near Frederiksborg Castle since 1996.
Boutique Munck
0.5 km
Intimate Scandinavian womenswear boutique in central Hillerød, blending curated Nordic fashion, warm styling advice and a relaxed, local neighborhood feel.
HL Mode Hillerød
0.5 km
Neighbourhood-style women’s fashion and lingerie on historic Slotsgade, offering Scandinavian everyday elegance a short stroll from Hillerød’s castle and lake.
Holm Hillerød
0.5 km
Locally owned menswear boutique on Hillerød’s main shopping street, offering curated smart-casual clothing and accessories just a short stroll from Frederiksborg Castle.
Frk. Fie
0.5 km
Cosy women’s fashion boutique on Hillerød’s atmospheric Slotsgade, offering curated Scandinavian-inspired styles in an intimate, friendly setting near the historic town centre.
Lumi Op Shop
0.5 km
Cosy Hillerød charity thrift store and café where vintage furniture, second-hand finds and lakeside castle views meet to support meaningful mission projects.
Flying Tiger Copenhagen
0.5 km
Colorful Danish design on a budget, Flying Tiger Copenhagen in SlotsArkaderne Hillerød offers playful gifts, stationery and homeware in a bright, easygoing mall setting.
Men's Shop
0.6 km
A straightforward menswear stop inside Hillerød’s SlotsArkaderne mall, ideal for quick wardrobe updates during a castle-side shopping day in North Zealand.
Idé nyt
0.6 km
Contemporary fashion boutique inside Hillerød’s covered Slotsarkaderne arcade, blending everyday Scandinavian style with a relaxed, browse-friendly atmosphere.
Jan Ehlers
0.6 km
Established family-run jeweler and watch specialist on Hillerød’s Slotsgade, blending modern boutique style with goldsmith craftsmanship and curated Danish design.
Shoppen
0.6 km
A local tattoo studio woven into Hillerød’s main pedestrian street, where custom ink sessions sit just steps from cafés, shops and everyday Danish life.
Spejder Sport
0.6 km
Denmark's largest outdoor chain where expert staff and quality gear prepare you for every adventure.
Gine
0.6 km
A compact, Scandinavian-inspired womenswear boutique on historic Slotsgade, perfect for a relaxed browse between castle views, coffee stops and city-center strolls.
Søs Tre
0.6 km
A cosy women’s fashion boutique on Hillerød’s historic Slotsgade, blending Scandinavian style, curated clothing and accessories with a relaxed, personal atmosphere.
Essential bars & hidden hideouts
Møllen
0.5 km
A welcoming Danish bodega in Hillerød's heart, where locals gather for drinks, snacks, and authentic social connection.
The Old Irish Pub
0.6 km
Lively Irish-style bar and late-night dance venue on Hillerød’s central square, pouring pints, playing hits and catering to a sociable, mature party crowd.
Tahonga Lounge
0.7 km
Intimate tiki-style lounge bar off Hillerød’s central square, blending cocktails, small-stage events and private parties in a cozy tropical hideaway.
Crane Brothers
0.7 km
Cosy cocktail bar on Hillerød’s main square, blending inventive drinks, warm design and a relaxed, grown-up atmosphere with access to the adjacent Tahonga Lounge.
Jernstangen
1.0 km
Old-school Hillerød pub opposite the station, with billiards, darts, dice games and live music nights in a laid‑back, locals-first atmosphere.
Oddies Beach Bar
16.3 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.
Kardusen
19.3 km
Casual wine bar in central Helsingør offering relaxed evenings and accessible pricing.
12`er Pubben
21.3 km
Unpretentious neighborhood bodega in Helsingør with billiards, sports on TV and cold beers, offering an authentic slice of Danish local bar life.
Gefion Bodega
21.3 km
Unpretentious neighbourhood bar in Helsingør offering classic Danish bodega atmosphere, simple drinks and a relaxed glimpse into everyday local life.
Head/Foam
22.0 km
Modern neighbourhood bar near Helsingør’s historic centre, pouring craft beer and cocktails from midday to the early hours in a lively, social setting.
Helsingør Musikteater
22.2 km
Historic theatre and bar hosting live concerts, exhibitions, and dinner events in central Elsinore.
Banana joe
22.3 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.
Axelhus Udeservering
22.3 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.
Pitten Sport Bar
22.3 km
Straightforward sports, cold beer and local Helsingør character in a relaxed neighbourhood bar just a short stroll from the harbour and historic centre.
Hold-An
22.3 km
Unfussy beer hall and local bar in central Helsingør, pouring cold brews, simple bites and everyday Danish hygge from late morning to late night.