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Helsingborg

At its heart, Helsingborg boasts a showcase of rejuvenated waterfront restaurants, lofty castle ruins and lively cobblestone streets, which in summer, thrive to the beat of a banging cultural drum: Helsingborg is a proud patron of theatre and the arts, and lovers of either discipline will find like-minded people here.

Perhaps this longing for creative expression stems from the fact that its strategic position on the Öresund, a mere 4km from Denmark, saw Helsingborg battled over with ferocious regularity during the many Swedish–Danish wars, until in 1710 Danish invaders were finally defeated just outside the city.

In this historical context it's easier to get a sense of the brazen statement the architects of Helsingborg's wealth of flouncy, turreted, buildings might have been making. A happy denouement is that today, almost 15 million passengers traverse the waterway shared by the city and its Danish counterpart Helsingør, with friendly, seasoned nonchalance.

Explore Helsingborg

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Top attractions

These are our favorite local haunts, touristy spots, and hidden gems throughout Helsingborg.

  • Museum

    Fredriksdal museer och trädgårdar

    One of Sweden’s best open-air museums, based around an 18th-century manor house (not open to the public), the houses and shops you see here once graced…

  • Museum

    Dunkers Kulturhus

    Just north of the transport terminal, the crisp white Dunkers Kulturhus encompasses an interesting town museum (free) and temporary exhibitions (admission…

  • Ruins

    Kärnan

    Dramatic steps and archways lead up from Stortorget to the square tower Kärnan (34m), all that remains of the medieval castle. The castle became Swedish…

  • Museum

    Toy World

    We think you'll be hard pressed to find an adult who won't also enjoy this dinky collection of toys and games from around the world – there's something to…

  • Gardens

    Sofiero

    About 5km north of Helsingborg, Sofiero is an impressive former royal summer residence and park with wonderful rhododendrons (best seen in full bloom in…

  • Church

    Mariakyrkan

    In the old town, the 15th-century Gothic brick Mariakyrkan has a magnificent interior, including a triptych dating from 1450 and an ornate Renaissance…

  • Zoo

    Tropikariet

    Tropikariet is a semi-zoo, with a reptile house, an aquarium and exotic furry critters housed in faux-natural habitats. Many people think having an indoor…

  • Historic Building

    Rådhuset

    The mighty Rådhuset was completed in 1897 in neo-Gothic style and contains stained-glass scenes illustrating Helsingborg’s history. It still houses city…