The history of Humlebæk traces back to the 16th century where the urbarium for Kronborg and Frederiksborg fief mentions a fishing village in 1582–1583 with seven fishermen in the settlement.

Swedish forces invaded Denmark at the landing at Humlebæk during the Great Northern War.

In 1740 the inn Humlebæk Kro received royal privilege and in 1792 a school was established.

Krogerup was originally a farm house mentioned the first time in 1577 but over time the property was expanded because of privileges given to the owners of Krogerup as rewards for loyalty to the King during the wars against Sweden.

The fortified harbour was never finished as the war against the British ended before the finalisation of the constructions.

During the second half of the 19th century Humlebæk became a popular resort for the population of Copenhagen during summertime.

The Danish steamship company Det Forenede Dampskibs-Selskab (The United Steamship Company) opened a ferry line with steamboats sailing up along the coast of Øresund from Copenhagen with a stop in Humlebæk.

Sletten Harbour has previously had ferry connections to Helsingborg in Sweden and to the island Ven in the middle of Øresund.

In 2018 Louisiana was number 7 on the list of most visited tourist attractions in Denmark.

The multinational health care company Coloplast has its headquarters in west Humlebæk.