My Trip(s) to Frederiksborg Castle, Denmark (+ Useful Things to Know)

Of the many day trips from Copenhagen (which I have covered extensively in a separate article), Frederiksborg Castle—known as Frederiksborg Slot in Danish—is one of my favorites. Less than an hour from the Danish capital, it’s one of the country’s most beautiful castles.

I have been to Frederiksborg Castle multiple times, and it was one of the first places I visited after moving to Denmark in 2020. Since then, I’ve returned to explore both the interior and exterior in more detail (and to get some more photos, as I didn’t take so many when I was first here 🥲). If you’ve got some extra time on your trip to Copenhagen, or you simply want to explore somewhere else nearby, I would strongly recommend coming to Frederiksborg Slot. 

Having said that, I understand that planning a visit to anywhere new can be difficult. To ensure that you have all the information you need for visiting the castle, I’ve put together this comprehensive guide. I will share precisely what I did on a recent visit to Frederiksborg Castle, along with giving you all the useful details—such as buying tickets and how to get there.

Arriving in Hillerød and Some of the Castle’s Exteriors

After arriving in Hillerød by train, you will then need to walk to the castle from the station. The walk takes around 15 minutes and is well-signposted. Google Maps also works fine if you get lost, but it’s all very straightforward. 

As you approach the castle, you will first walk through the town square and then arrive at a statue in front of a lake. Before visiting the castle, I spent some time taking photos here before going on a leisurely walk toward Frederiksborg Slot. 

You’ll pass along part of the lake before approaching a bridge that takes you to the castle’s exterior. This is worth exploring in and of itself, and while you need a ticket to see the interiors (more on that later), seeing the outside of the castle is free. I spent around 30 minutes after crossing the bridge to the castle, which was mainly for taking photos. However, I could happily have spent longer. 

After exploring parts of the castle’s outside, I went inside to explore the rooms. Since I was there early on a Saturday (and also in the autumn), it wasn’t too busy. I can imagine, though, that there would have been more people if I had been there during the summer instead.

How to Get to Frederiksborg Slot From Copenhagen

You can get a direct train from Copenhagen Central Station to Hillerød, and the journey takes around 45 minutes. It’s a regional service known as the S-Train, and does not require advance booking, nor do you need to reserve a seat. 

Trains depart regularly to and from Copenhagen, but you can check your journey in advance. Google Maps is generally useful for this, from personal experience. 

To buy tickets for the train, you can use the ticket machines at Copenhagen Central Station. Alternatively, you can check in and out via the DSB app (this is generally the least expensive option, and the one that I normally use). Otherwise, you can purchase tickets in the Rejsebillet app—which is usually reliable with foreign phone numbers. 

Visiting the Rooms at Frederiksborg Castle

After arriving through the doors at Frederiksborg Castle, you’ll see a reception and places to put your bags and coats. I bought my ticket online, and once I arrived, I then showed them the QR code to receive my entrance ticket for the castle’s rooms.

When receiving the ticket exchange, I was also given a free map of the building’s interiors. I recommend keeping this with you because the castle is large, and the rooms are sometimes not one after the other in terms of their numbers. I received a leaflet with information about the castle, too.

After showing the inspector my ticket, I then went in and explored Frederiksborg Castle’s rooms. Here, I learned about different periods of Danish history—while also seeing countless artworks all the way up to the present day. 

The castle rooms are spread across multiple floors, and you will see beds, tables, and much more used by Danish royalty in centuries gone by. On top of that, there were a couple of temporary exhibitions when I visited. 

To reach each floor, I used the stairs. However, you’ll also find some elevators (but note that you can’t visit the basement with a wheelchair). I was also able to access audio guides via the Smartify app, which you can download on your smartphone. 

One thing also worth noting is that you are allowed to take photos inside the castle, but you cannot use flash. Selfie sticks are also not allowed, and you cannot touch the paintings, etc.; there are signs to tell you what you can and cannot touch.

How I Bought Tickets to See the Castle’s Interior (+ Some Other Options)

I bought my tickets for the castle’s rooms via GetYourGuide in advance. Entrance tickets cost 125 DKK for adults (which is around $20 / £14.50 / €17). Children up to 17 years old can access the castle for free, and seniors/students can visit the castle for 105 DKK. 

Wandering Around Frederiksborg Castle’s Beautiful Gardens

I spent around three hours exploring the rooms at Frederiksborg Castle; do not underestimate the size of this place. Once I had done that, I spent a few hours wandering around the beautiful gardens and forested area outside the building.

Compared to the building itself, you do not need to pay an entrance fee to see the gardens. I wandered around here at a leisurely pace; you’ll find a maze and various places to sit down if needed. It’s a nice place to walk the dogs, too. 

This area is pretty big, and even on a summer’s day, it’s easy to find some space for yourself. And even if you’re not interested in seeing the castle’s interior, this part of the castle grounds is worth visiting.

Exploring the Final Part of the Lake

Before heading back, I then went around the last part of the lake. Here, I spent some more time photographing the castle and noting image ideas I had for different times of the year and lighting conditions. 

During the warmer months, you can actually sail along the lake via the Little Ferry (Lillefærge in Danish). You’ll see the place to board on the shores, and tickets are relatively affordable (40 DKK for adults and 10 DKK for children). 

After walking around this part of the lake, I went back into Hillerød and then headed back to Copenhagen. I had already explored the rest of the town on my first trip here, so I didn’t spend too much time after visiting the castle (I’ll speak more about that in a moment). That said, there were some nice restaurants that I will go to in the future when they’re open.

… How About Hillerød Itself? Is It Worth Visiting?

You will need to go to Hillerød to see Frederiksborg Castle, but to be honest, the castle is pretty much the main reason for visiting the town. Hillerød itself is effectively a suburb of Copenhagen, and while it looks like a nice place to live, there isn’t a huge amount to do for visitors beyond the castle, the lake, and its gardens. 

Away from these, Hillerød has a shopping street—but it’s not on the same level as what you will find in Copenhagen. There are a couple of nice-looking restaurants in the main square, but you are much better off spending more time at the castle than exploring the rest of Hillerød itself. 

I would still recommend visiting just for the castle, don’t get me wrong. But if you’re specifically looking to see an interesting Danish town near Copenhagen (and specifically visit for the town itself), Dragør or Helsingør are better options, in my opinion.

More of My Photos to Inspire You for Your Trip

Useful to Know: The Castle Is Open Year-Round

You can visit the castle throughout the year (as in, literally on every day), and it doesn’t matter too much when you visit. The off-season is nice if you specifically want to see the rooms with fewer crowds, but the colors in the garden are much nicer during the spring and summer. 

If you want to take the Little Ferry, you’ll need to visit between May and September. If you do that, be sure to check out my guide on visiting Copenhagen during the summer.

Unlike many museums and attractions in Denmark, you can visit Frederiksborg Castle on Mondays. 

If you visit from 24-26 December, or on 31 December and 1 January, the castle closes at 15:00. Otherwise, it’s open from 10:00 to 17:00. 

Final Thoughts: Frederiksborg Castle Is Well Worth the Day Trip

Frederiksborg Castle is one of my favorite places to visit near Copenhagen, and it’s well worth visiting if you’re into history. You’ll find plenty of interesting artefacts and exhibitions in the numerous rooms, and entry isn’t too expensive by Danish standards. Since the building is open year-round, it’s a great choice regardless of when you visit. 

Even if you’re not interested in seeing the interior, I do recommend visiting the free gardens outside. The lake is also beautiful, and it’s the perfect place to escape the city for a day. You can easily get to and from Copenhagen with regular train connections, too. 

If you want more tips for your trip, you can check out some more of my Copenhagen guides too… 

• 4 Days in Copenhagen: A Local’s Itinerary
• How to Spend 3 Days in Copenhagen
• Tourist Mistakes to Avoid Making in Copenhagen
• Visiting Copenhagen on a Budget: The Ultimate Guide

Pin for Later 📌