A gift from Danish king Knut the Holy, Helsingborg was founded in 1085. Dominating the city skyline, Karnan Tower dates from the medieval ages. On the waterfront is the beautiful Dunker Culture Center. Large ships dock in the South Harbor, less than two miles from the city center, while small ships are able to dock near the city center.
Hear how a local would spend one perfect day in Helsingborg.
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Situated on the strait of Öresund (the Sound), Helsingborg, Sweden, and Elsinore, Denmark are separated by a mere 2.5-mile stretch of water and a 20-minute ferry ride. Each represents the 10th largest towns in their respective countries. The similarities and differences of the two towns make visiting each worthwhile. “Round the sound” allows visitors, particularly those on pre- and post-cruises from Copenhagen, to visit both countries in one day.
Excursions include the Castle Tour of North Zealand; and North Zealand’s Royal Parks and Public Gardens; and on the Swedish side: scenic tour of Northwest Skåne and the Kulla peninsula; Castles in Skåne; and Seal & Speedboatsafari on Kattegat.
Shopping on Pedestrian Streets
In Helsingborg, stroll the pedestrian street Kullagatan for department stores and boutiques. Shops to make you stop: Stenströms, Royal supplier of Swedish men’s shirts; Carl Hof, jewelry designer; and Sigurd Persson, featuring Swedish design.
Castles and Kings
Helsinborg’s best-known tourist attraction is the newly restored Sofiero Castle, built in 1885. It was the royal summer residence until 1973 when King Gustav VI Adolf died and Helsingborg town inherited the castle. Sofiero is situated at the top of a rhododendron ravine. During the first weeks of June, more than 10,000 rhododendrons are in full bloom all over the castle park. The estate was bought in 1864 by King Oscar II and Queen Sofia and was given to their grandson Gustaf Adolf in 1905 as a wedding present. Both Crown Prince Gustav and his English wife, Margaret, were passionate gardeners and created of one of the finest gardens in Sweden. Centenary year celebrations included numerous flower shows, exhibitions and concerts. Distance from quay, by bus, 15 minutes.
‘Kärnan’, the keep tower, is the symbol of Helsingborg and one of the most famous medieval buildings in Scandinavia. For nearly 700 years the old fortress tower has kept watch over the town and the Sound. Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes.
Museums
Helsingborg’s Fredriksdal open-air museum features an old farming community, botanical garden, 450 species of roses, a romantic English park and a striking French park. Plays are presented during the summer. Visitors to Helsingborg will also want to see the Dunker Culture House, designed by Kim Utzon (son of the Sydney Opera House architect Jorn Utzon) and home to the city museum.
At the gateway to the Baltic Sea, facing the Danish coast and Hamlet’s castle in Elsinore, lies the Swedish town of Helsingborg – ‘The Pearl of the Sound’. Handling about 15 million passengers every year, the Port of Helsingborg is one of the busiest ferry ports in the world.
The first cruise ship to call at Helsingborg was Royal Viking Sun, in 1994. Since then, numerous other ships have visited the town, including QE2, which anchored off the central harbour. This highly successful tender call allowed the 1,400 passengers to go ashore for shopping and sightseeing. A quay, accommodating ships up to 150m long (draught 7m) and located in the centre of Helsingborg, was inaugurated in the summer of 2001, making it possible for passengers to disembark in the very heart of the town.
Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes. The Dunker Culture Centre, named after the town’s great industrialist and benefactor, is one of Scandinavia’s largest and most interesting cultural centres. Opened in April 2002, the Centre includes an international art museum, a town museum and a magnificent concert hall with a splendid panoramic view of the Öresund Sound. Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes.ss
Thousands of tourists enjoy the hospitality of Helsingborg every year. Why not join them? The ‘Pearl of the Sound’ extends a very warm welcome to all its visitors.
Avid Cruiser Posts, Photographs and Videos Featuring Helsingborg.
