If you have one free day in Copenhagen, this is a strong contender for how to spend it. A single guided tour takes you to Kronborg Castle — Shakespeare’s Elsinore — then across the Øresund Strait by ferry to Sweden, visiting the medieval university city of Lund and the modern harbour city of Malmö, before returning via the famous Øresund Bridge. Two countries, one day, no logistics to wrestle with.
Check dates and book the Hamlet and Sweden Tour on Viator →
What the tour covers
The tour runs for eight to nine hours and travels by air-conditioned minibus, with hotel pick-up available from several central Copenhagen locations including Nyhavn. Here is the itinerary:
- Helsingør (Elsinore) — 75 minutes at Kronborg Castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and the setting for Shakespeare’s Hamlet. Castle entrance is at your own expense (around £15), but the exterior and town are worth the stop alone.
- Ferry crossing — a short 20-minute crossing of the Øresund Strait to Sweden.
- Lund — free time in this ancient university city, including Lund Cathedral, completed in 1145, and streets lined with 18th-century buildings.
- Malmö — Sweden’s third-largest city, with time to explore the old town, see the striking Turning Torso skyscraper and do some shopping.
- Øresund Bridge — the return leg crosses the famous four-mile bridge-tunnel connecting Sweden and Denmark.
The audio guide covers all stops in English (also available in Italian and Spanish). Guides are live and knowledgeable; the operator, Enjoy the Tours, consistently draws praise for its driver-guides by name.
Who is this tour for?
It suits almost anyone visiting Copenhagen with limited time. The pace is relaxed — stops are long enough for genuine exploration, not just a photograph from the car window. Solo travellers, couples and families with older children all feature heavily in the reviews. The tour is not wheelchair accessible, but is manageable for most mobility levels.
It is particularly good value if you want to tick off the Kronborg Castle visit, cross the Øresund Bridge and see a slice of Sweden — without spending three days doing it independently.
Practical Details
| Duration | 8–9 hours (sometimes longer) |
| Group size | Maximum 34 people |
| Departure | Around 8.40am from Nyhavn area; 9.10am from Hotel Astoria |
| Pick-up | Multiple central Copenhagen locations; email operator to arrange hotel pick-up |
| What’s included | Minibus, ferry crossing, audio guide, Øresund Bridge crossing |
| Not included | Castle entrance fees, lunch |
| Passport | Required — Sweden is not in the Schengen zone’s internal border-free area for this crossing |
| Cancellation | Full refund if cancelled 24 hours or more before departure |
What Visitors Say
The tour holds a 4.9 out of 5 rating on TripAdvisor from over 1,300 reviews, with 97% of travellers recommending it. Common themes in recent feedback include the quality and enthusiasm of the guides, the relaxed pacing, and the value for money relative to doing the same trip independently.
“The tour was excellent — well worth the money. All cross-border issues were taken care of, which saved a lot of time.” — Hayley L, May 2026
“We had a very chilly, rainy day and it still couldn’t have been a more perfect day.” — Tara G, March 2026
The main practical tip from travellers: go on a weekday if you want Swedish shops to be open in Lund and Malmö.
Book the Hamlet and Sweden Tour
The tour is bookable through Viator, with free cancellation up to 24 hours before departure. Prices start at around £100 per adult (exact price varies by date and currency). Spots fill up — it is typically booked around six weeks in advance during peak season.
See availability and book the Hamlet and Sweden Tour →
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need a passport for this tour?
Yes. You will cross from Denmark into Sweden, and passport control may ask to see it. Bring the credit card you used to book, too — Swedish border control occasionally requests this.
How long is the ferry crossing?
Around 20 minutes. The crossing is short and generally calm. Travellers with sea sickness concerns can remain in the vehicle or on the lower deck.
Is the Kronborg Castle entrance fee included?
No. Entry to Kronborg costs extra (approximately £15 per adult). It is optional but strongly recommended — the dungeons and casemates are a highlight for many visitors.
Can I get picked up from my hotel?
Pick-up is available from several central Copenhagen locations. Email the operator with your booking reference to arrange it.
Is this tour suitable for children?
Yes. The tour accepts all ages and is manageable for families. The pace is steady but not rushed. Children tend to enjoy Kronborg Castle in particular.
What is the Øresund Bridge?
The Øresund Bridge is a combined road and rail crossing linking Denmark and Sweden. Completed in 2000 and stretching around eight kilometres over water, it is one of the most recognised pieces of infrastructure in Scandinavia — made famous internationally by the Nordic noir TV series The Bridge.
