10 Castles in Zealand That You Shouldn't Miss

The beautiful 400-year-old castle is situated in central Copenhagen's popular park, The King's Garden. The castle was built by one of the most famous Scandinavian kings, Christian IV. Today, the glory of the past can be experienced through the numerous art treasures of the previous kings and queens. Among the main attractions is the Great Hall with the coronation thrones and three life-size silver lions standing guard. The crown jewels and royal regalia sparkle behind the thick walls of the treasury beneath the castle.

This historic castle was constructed on three islands and is surrounded by lake and beautiful gardens. Frederiksborg Castle has housed The Museum of National History since 1878. A tour through the museum's many beautiful rooms is an encounter with kings, queens, nobles, the bourgeois, events, and epochs, which have all shaped the country's history and development from the Middle Ages to the 21st century. The museum was founded by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg.

Christiansborg Palace is situated on the little island of Slotsholmen (Castle Island) which is surrounded by canals in the heart of Denmark's capital, Copenhagen. Denmark has one of the oldest monarchies in the world, and the palace has a long, dramatic history which revolves around the exercise of royal power. Today, Denmark is a constitutional monarchy with a parliamentary system of governance. Under its beautiful copper roof, the palace houses the Danish parliament, the office of the Danish prime minister and the Supreme Court. It is therefore the center for legislative, executive and judicial power in Denmark. The palace also accommodates rooms for the Danish Monarchy. Focusing on the royal part of the palace, Christiansborg Palace is H.M. the Queen's working palace. This is where the Queen holds audiences, signs laws, holds banquets and receptions, celebrates royal anniversaries and receives state visits. It is a working palace where old traditions and the modern Royal Family meet. You will see dazzling halls, adorned with colorful tapestries, vast paintings, patterned floors, glittering chandeliers, and sumptuous stucco ceilings. You can explore The Royal Kitchen and see its two tons of shiny copper kitchenware. You can visit the beautiful palace chapel, stand underneath its dome and let your head spin as you gaze up at the angels in the ceiling décor more than 30 metres above you. In The Royal Stables you'll find the the white royal horses in the wintertime, and in the summertime the exhibition "All the kings' horses" - all year around you can see the Royal Family's array of carriages. One of them is coated with 24-carat gold leaf. You can also explore the underground ruins underneath Christiansborg Palace. These are ruins of earlier castles and palaces showing that the Castle Island is steeped in 800 years of power and political intrigue.

Temporarily closed. Kronborg is a must-see! “Hamlet’s Castle” is a magnificent experience with soaring towers, a huge ballroom, damp casemates and just 40 minutes from Copenhagen. At the narrowest neck of the sound, between Denmark and Sweden, the medieval fortress merges with the magnificent Renaissance castle and there are few sites in the world where so much drama and history is gathered in one place. Mythical hero Holger the Dane’s mighty sword meets Shakespeare’s equally mighty pen, as the spirit of Hamlet glides through the castle. No wonder this extraordinary place is on UNESCO’s World Heritage List. From June to August, Kronborg comes to life! Hamlet and his family take up residence in the castle and as you explore the castle, you will tumble right into the story. The fate of Hamlet unfolds before your very eyes. This interactive live performance that will play out daily during opening hours of Kronborg Castle.

On a hilltop in Dyrehaven (The Deer Park) lies Christian VI’s Baroque masterpiece, the Hermitage Royal Hunting Lodge. The Hermitage, which was completed in 1736, was a place that the king would use as a place of respite after a strenuous hunt, and where he would entertain distinguished guests to a well-appointed lunch in a private and congenial setting.