Guided tour – The town, the castle, and the hidden garden story Sunday, October 4, 2026

The city, the castle, and the hidden garden story

Join historian Christian Holm Donatzky on a guided tour in the area around Marienlyst Castle, through its gardens, and into the historic pleasure palace.

The tour begins with a walk to Lappen, where ferrymen and fishermen have lived since the late 16th century. Here we will learn about the common people, about Helsingør as an international maritime city, and about the many ships from all over the world that came to the city. Maritime traffic brought trade, people, and stories, but also diseases and dark sides. Along the way, we will also hear about the executioner and the nightman, who lived nearby.

Afterward, the tour returns to Marienlyst Castle and its garden. Here we will hear about the garden's development through different stylistic periods, about the landscape surrounding the castle, and about its unique location on the Ice Age ridge. The connection between the city, the garden, the ridge, and the castle is a central part of the narrative of Marienlyst as a royal pleasure palace.

We will take a closer look at the architecture and learn about the major reconstruction in 1759–63, which created the current castle. The reconstruction was led by the French architect Nicolas-Henri Jardin, who left his significant mark on Marienlyst.

The last part of the tour takes place inside the castle, where we will visit the beautiful rooms and hear about the central figures in the castle's history - kings, queens, and advisors - and their role in Danish history.

After the guided tour, we will gather in the King's Kitchen, where coffee or tea and apple pie will be served. 

The ticket also includes admission to the exhibition Paradise for all time, where you can experience the story of Marienlyst Castle's gardens, the great stylistic periods of garden art, and humanity's changing perceptions of paradise throughout time.

Practical information

The event takes place in Danish at Marienlyst Castle, Marienlyst Allé 32, 3000 Helsingør.

We meet in front of Marienlyst Castle at 12:00 PM.

The guided tour lasts from 12:00 PM to approximately 1:30 PM. Afterwards, coffee/tea and apple pie will be served in the King's Kitchen from 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM.

Part of the tour takes place outdoors, so we recommend dressing for the weather.

Ticket to the exhibition Paradise for all time is included in the price.
It is possible to experience the exhibition on the same day either before the event from 10:00 AM or after the event from 2:15 PM to 4:30 PM.

Accessibility

If you have difficulty walking or use a wheelchair, you can participate in the guided tour, experience the King's Rooms via the entrance on the 2nd floor, and enjoy coffee/tea and apple pie in the King's Kitchen.

Please note, however, that Marienlyst Castle does not have an elevator. This means that unfortunately, it is not possible for wheelchair users or those with severe walking difficulties to go up and experience the exhibition Paradise for all time on the 1st floor.

Price

From DKK 295 per person
Limited number of seats.

The price includes a guided historical tour with historian Christian Holm Donatzky, admission to Marienlyst Castle and the royal rooms, admission to the exhibition Paradise for all time, and coffee/tea and apple pie in the King's Kitchen after the tour.

Special brunch price on the same day

Between 10:00 AM and 12:00 PM, the King's Kitchen offers brunch at a special price for guests of the event: DKK 130 per person.
Normal price: DKK 175.

Brunch can be purchased along with the ticket and enjoyed in the King's Kitchen before the guided tour.