Frederiksborg Slot Danmark

We embarked on a short day trip from Copenhagen and visited Frederiksborg Castle, an elaborate Dutch Renaissance palace on palace lake built in the 1600's (rebuilt in the 1900's after destruction by f. Frederiksberg Palace (Danish: Frederiksberg Slot) is a Baroque residence, located in Frederiksberg, Denmark, adjacent to the Copenhagen Zoo. It commands an impressive view over Frederiksberg Gardens, originally designed as a palace garden in the Baroque style.

Hands down, my kids’ favorite thing to do in Denmark was…okay, fine, it wasLEGO House and its original ancestor LEGOLAND, of course, but next best was Frederiksborg Slot (also known as Frederiksborg Castle), that castle to end all castles, located just a short train ride from Copenhagen. Denmark’s Museum of National History is housed in Frederiksborg Castle, and it’s gorgeous. If you are visiting Copenhagen with kids, skip Tivoli Gardens and head to Frederiksborg Castle. Trust me.

Why Kids Will Love Frederiksborg Slot

Frederiksborg Slot is the largest Renaissance castle in Northern Europe, and has been referred to as the Scandinavian Versailles.

This is a real castle, and our kids’ jaws dropped from the minute they crossed the moat. They loved studying the family crests that lined the tight stairwells and gilded chapel in the center of the castle.

I love Denmark because Denmark loves families. When you pay your entrance fee at Frederiksborg Castle, make sure to ask for their guide for kids. It’s free, and when they complete it, they can turn it in at the gift shop at the end for a “little prize.” (Spoiler alert: it was a postcard and pencil for us, so my nine-year-old was pretty disappointed, but at least it kept them going!)

The kids’ “picture trail” museum guide was full of quizzes and puzzles that were NOT easy, and even the grownups had to search hard for answers. It forced the kids to actually study the art and ask docents for help, which was great.

In the slightly creepy basement (as all castle basements should be), Frederiksborg Slot has a children’s museum that says it’s only open on “holidays.” Don’t let this put you off as summer is counted as “holidays.” And it’s amazing down there!

In the basement, kids can try on some serious period costumes, from heavy coats of armor and crowns to dreamy princess gowns; learn to write with quill and ink; investigate the treasure box in the back; study paintings of young royalty from the past, and more. The accommodating staff all spoke English.

Frederiksborg Slot: Know Before You Go

Like most museums, you’ll be asked to leave bags in lockers. Like most castles, this castle is huge, meaning little legs are likely to get very tired.

Something I did not anticipate about castles: the only bathrooms were in the basement. Also, it’s easy to get lost in castles. My four-year-old had to go as soon as we were up at the top (of course). My husband and I lost each other for upward of an hour. Yes, it was a terrible disaster. So…bathroom preparation and a meeting place, maybe?

There is a formal restaurant on the castle grounds, but if you have little ones that are likely to get hungry, make sure you bring snacks (to be eaten outside the museum, of course). The grounds are large, and we had pretty cranky kids by the time we had walked back and found a place to eat in Hillerød.

There is a lovely path around the lake by Frederiksborg Slot, so make sure you take your time and leave yourself the day to explore. If anyone in your family is under five years of age, I expect you’ll need to spend some time communing with the ducks and eating ice cream. I know we did!

Getting to Frederiksborg Castle

To get to Frederiksborg Slot, take the train from Copenhagen (Train A from Vesterport station) to Hillerød Station. The train ride is about 40 minutes.

From Hillerød train station, it’s only supposed to be about a 20-minute walk to the castle. Assuming, of course, that you don’t get lost, like we did. As you head out of the station, veer right. And use your map!

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Frederiksborg Castle is situated in Hillerød, north of Copenhagen. This impressive and unrivaled Renaissance castle was built in the first decades of the 17th century by the Danish King Christian 4.

Frederiksborg has housed The Museum of National History since 1878, when it was established by brewer J.C. Jacobsen, the founder of Carlsberg Breweries. The beautifully decorated rooms with portraits, history paintings, furniture, and decorative art invite visitors on a journey through Danish history and culture from the late Middle Ages to the present. The historical interiors and the splendorous rooms give a sensuous impression of changing styles and epochs. The collection of portraits is the largest and most significant in Denmark, with new works continually added to the collection. Several times a year, the museum arranges temporary exhibitions.
On weekends and holidays from Easter to mid-October visitors can meet the castle hosts. The hosts are wearing historical costumes that have been made especially for the museum based on dresses seen in the portrait collection.

Danish History for Children

In weekends and Danish school holidays from Easter to mid-October children and their families can visit the children’s department in the old wine cellar of the castle. In here, children can dress up in Renaissance gowns and visit the creative workshop where they can write with feather and ink and color drawings with inspiration from historical paintings.

Beautiful Baroque Garden

The Castle Gardens were laid out as a romantic landscaped garden. In the garden, you will find King Frederik 2's small Bath House Castle (Badstueslot) which was used by the Royal Family for lunches during game hunting. The grounds also include the Baroque Garden that was recreated in 1996 according to the original drawings by J.C. Krieger from 1725. Especially worth noting are the royal monograms executed in boxwood, the historical flowers and the festive cascades.

In the garden, you also find the café which is open in summer.

Frederiksborg Slot Denmark

Frederiksborg Slot Dk

Kronborg

Frederiksborg Slot
3400Hillerød
Denmark