What to see and do in Helsingborg? Helsingborg is a lovely Scanian city with sandy beaches, cold bath houses and exciting historical sights. Here are our top tips on what to see and do in Helsingborg!
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Helsingborg
Helsingborg has a long and sometimes dramatic history, which means that many buildings tell the story of times gone by. At the same time, this is a modern and exciting city that offers everything from exotic animals to different flavours.
Helsingborg is located at the narrowest part of Öresund, in north-eastern Skåne. The city is located 6.5 kilometres northeast of Malmö.
What can you do in Helsingborg?
So what can you see and do in Helsingborg? There is a lot to discover and experience, we can say. We have collected our best tips here in a list.
1. Strolling in the city centre
Helsingborg is a cosy city full of shops, restaurants and cafés. Take a stroll along Kullagatan, Sweden's oldest pedestrianised street, and continue to Stortorget and Terrasstrapporna. You can also discover Drottninggatan, where you'll find Dunkers Kulturhus, Konserthuset and Stadsteatern, or explore Söder with more alternative and trendy shops.
2. See the view from Kärnan
The Terrasstrapporna in Helsingborg, officially King Oscar II's terrace, connects Stortorget with Kärnan at the top of the landborgen. The stairs, built in 1899-1903, are impressive and, together with Kärnan, symbolise Helsingborg.
Once you have climbed the stairs, you come to another of Helsingborg's attractions, the Kärnan. This is an almost 700-year-old watchtower, which is all that remains of the medieval castle known as Helsingborgs slott.
The tower is 35 metres high and inside there is an exhibition on medieval history. Surrounding it is the park Slottshagen, where you can stroll among flower beds and lush shrubs.
From Kärnan and Slottshagen you have a fantastic view of Helsingborg.
3. Admire the Town Hall
Another building to check out in Helsingborg is the beautiful Town Hall. In 1889, an architectural competition was organised to determine the design of the building. The newly graduated and only 26-year-old architect Alfred Hellerström won the competition, and in 1897 the building was constructed according to his design.
In front of the Town Hall stands an equestrian statue of Swedish Field Marshal Magnus Stenbock. In 1710, the Swedes, led by Stenbock, defeated the Danish army at the Battle of Helsingborg. The statue, erected in 1901, is one of very few equestrian statues in Sweden that does not depict royalty.
4. look into street art
If you like newer art, you can check out street art in Helsingborg. The city organises an annual street art festival and you can get a guide to the artworks through the app "Guide Helsingborg". We showcase two favourites.
5. Step into St Mary's Church
The Church of St Mary, or St Mary's Church as it is often called, is located on St Mary's Square. This church is the oldest in the city and dates back to the 12th century, although it received its current Gothic style in the 15th century. In the 14th century, it was one of the largest city churches in Denmark.
6. Hang out in the North Harbour
Norra hamnen is located in the centre of Helsingborg and is a pleasant area with boats, shipping and sea views. The long breakwater Parapeten is located here and if you want, you can also have dinner here, at Vass Restaurang & Bar.
7. Buy ice cream at the ice cream parlour
In the summer, Helsingborgs glassfabrik serves ice cream in the Glassbussen at Parapeten and in an ice cream kiosk at Båthusgatan 4, on the way to Gröningen. The ice cream is made from Skåne and Italian ingredients, and wins our internal award as the best ice cream. best ice cream we've ever had. The flavours were not only exciting but also delicious. The marzipan ice cream ... yummy!
8. Sunbathing on Tropical Beach
Tropical Beach is an exotic sandy beach with palm trees in the centre of the city. The small beach is located at the end of Parapeten in the centre of Helsingborg. While the sandy beach itself is natural, it is the palm trees placed there that give it its name and tropical reputation.
9. Shop for chocolate at Chocolatte
If you're a chocolate lover, don't miss the chocolate shop Chocolatte, located just off the famous Terracotta Steps. The shop, which has won medals at the International Chocolate Awards, offers luxurious pralines or you can sit down with a cup of coffee and a treat.
10. Get a 1950s feel at Ebba's coffee shop
A visit to Ebbas fik is a must for anyone who loves 1950s nostalgia. Inside the café, the decor is typical of the era and the jukebox from 1959 spins records with Elvis and Lill-Babs.
The menu is of course also adapted to the 1950s with raggmunk, homemade burgers, hearty sandwiches and homemade cakes.
11. Relaxing at Gröningen and "Free baths"
Gröningen is the large and open green space along the seafront, on the north side of Helsingborg. Here you will find restaurants, miniature golf and playgrounds.
Along the coast you will find the long sandy beach called Fria bad. It is a popular place to sunbathe and swim in the summer.
12. Take a dip in the cold water centres
Helsingborg is also known for its bathhouses, where people meet and swim all year round. There are three in total: Råå kallbadhus, Kallis and Pålsjöbaden.
We were lucky enough to make a small study visit to Kallis, the municipal cold bath centre. Due to the pandemic, bathing times were limited with breaks in between for cleaning, and during one of these breaks we got to look around.
We realised that the bathhouses have a long history, and that some of the guests have been regulars for a long time. For example, our guide told us about an elderly lady who had been a loyal guest since she was a child. Today, all ages come here - and there is a lot of gossip in the sauna, not least among the men!
13. Discover Pålsjö forest
If you turn upwards after Pålsjö kallbadhus, you will reach the Pålsjö skog nature reserve, which is very popular with the people of Helsinki. Here you can walk or jog in a beautiful setting among beech and oak trees. You can also check out the Pålsjö Old Mill, Pålsjö Castle or the special tree tunnel found here. At the Pålsjö Pavilion there is a waffle hut, should you get hungry.
14. Eat a bun with a bun
If you want to try something that is very typical in Helsingborg, it is to eat "bulle med bulle". This slightly odd speciality is simply a chocolate or arrack ball stuffed inside a regular bun.
Buns with buns have been popular since at least the 1940s and even have their own day on 10 April. What does it taste like? Not as strange as it looks, actually.
15. Strolling in Ramlösa Brunnspark
Ramlösa brunnspark has a history dating back to the 17th century, when the first health-giving spring was discovered here. Ramlösa brunn served as a spa for a long time, and the water for Ramlösa mineral water is still drawn here today. You can also stroll around the park and enjoy both beautiful nature and beautiful old well villas from the 19th century.
16. Discover Sofiero Castle and Castle Garden
Sofiero Castle and Castle Garden offer a fantastic environment with intense greenery, splendid flower beds and a fairytale castle. Several royals have stayed here, and today both the castle and garden can be visited by the public. You can stroll among the plantings, artworks and exhibitions, and there are also activities for children.
17. Spend a day at the Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens.
Fredriksdal Museum and Gardens is a lovely open-air museum in Skåne with old buildings, farm animals and beautiful gardens. You'll also find several small museums here, and in the summer there are outdoor theatre and other events. We peeked into the small museums dedicated to Nils Poppe and Eva Rydberg. Great fun!
18. Learn about exotic animals at the Tropicarium
The Tropicarium is an exotic indoor park showcasing fascinating animals from Africa and South America. Here you can meet the world's smallest monkey, see the world's most poisonous animal or perhaps be charmed by the curious meerkats.
19. Visit Råå and walk the Landborg Promenade
Råå is a charming old fishing village in southern Helsingborg. Today, it is a picturesque coastal community with a boat harbour, beach, restaurants, camping and nice pitches for motorhomes. Nearby you can visit the Råån valley and nature reserve or follow the "Landborgspromenaden", which starts at Rau's church.
20. Take the boat to Elsinore
Rarely are you so close to the continent as when you are in Helsingborg. The ferry across the shortest stretch of Öresund takes no more than 20 minutes. You can experience Elsinore or continue to Copenhagen, a journey that takes about 40 minutes by car.
More things to do in Helsingborg for food and shopping enthusiasts
There is a lot to do in Helsingborg if you like food and shopping. Here are a few more tips, in addition to the ones we've already mentioned.
- Herring & Mackerel is a waterfront restaurant with a lovely view of the Öresund (Gröningen Norra 1).
- House of tomatoes is a shop and bakery with around 60 different types of tomatoes (Aspavägen 421, Vallåkra).
- Väla shopping centre offers shopping in 180 shops (Marknadsvägen 9, Ödåkra-Väla).
More things to do in Helsingborg for culture and history lovers
There is also more to see and do in Helsingborg when it comes to culture and history.
- Dunkers cultural centre is a museum and art centre offering various exhibitions (Kungsgatan 11).
- Gustav Adolf's church is a neo-Gothic church building from 1897 (Carl Krooks gata 36).
- Jakob Hansen's house is Helsingborg's oldest secular house, built in 1641 (Norra Storgatan, at Tycho Braheplatsen).
- Kulla Gunnarstorp Castle is beautiful, but private and not open to the public.
- Wallåkra stone vessel factory is a 150-year-old factory at the Borgen nature reserve, where you can watch or try your hand at woodturning (Ryavägen 38, Vallåkra).
More things to do in Helsingborg for nature lovers
Do you like nature best? Then you'll find some more suggestions for things to do in Helsingborg here:
- Golf with a sea view can be tried at Rya Golf Club. (Rya golf course road 20)
- The Kattegat Trail is a 390-kilometre cycle path that starts in Helsingborg and extends along the coast to Gothenburg.
- Råån valley and nature reserve extends for about five kilometres along the Råån river.
- Castle garden is a turn-of-the-century park with plantings, paths and benches to sit on.
- South coastal route is a 260 kilometre long cycle path that runs from Helsingborg to Simrishamn.
More to do in Helsingborg with children
Here are some more tips for things to do in Helsingborg with children or teenagers.
- Bus factories is a jungle-themed playground that encourages play and movement (Garnisonsgatan 47b).
- The zoo in Helsingborg is a zoo and playground with exotic animals, playground and café. (Rausvägen 641, Påarp)
- Toyworld offers a world of toy exhibits, mini land, play corner, dragon cave, ghost room and more. (Hävertgatan 21)
Things to do in Helsingborg - on film
Where can you stay or park your motorhome?
In Helsingborg there are of course many different hotels and other accommodation options. For those who come with a motorhome, there are a few different possibilities, of which the car park in Norra hamnen is the most central option.
- Norra Hamnen in Helsingborg (Parapets 6)
- RV park at Råå (Kajgatan, Råå)
- First Camp Råå Vallar (Kustgatan 95, Råå)
- Parking space at Sofiero Castle (Sofierovägen 131)
More to see and do in the neighbourhood
If you head south from Helsingborg, you can discover beautiful Landskrona and take a trip to the lovely island of Ven. If you're heading north, you can go to cosy Ängelholm.
Another option is to head out to the Kulla Peninsula where you can visit Höganäs, Mölle and Arild. In the area there are also several nice vineyards that produce Swedish wine. It is also not too far to the Bjäre Peninsula and Båstad.
Even more to see and do in Helsingborg?
Have you visited Helsingborg? Tell us about your experience! Maybe you have even more tips on things to see and do in Helsingborg?
Facts about Helsingborg
- Landscape: Skåne
- County: Skåne County
- Residents: More than 150 000 (2021)
- The name: The town was mentioned in 1085 as Helsingaburg. 'Burg' refers to a fortification or natural hill. The name was spelled Hälsingborg in 1912-1970.
- Nickname: Sundets Pärla, Hbg
- Slogan: Where the continent begins
- Read more: You can find more information at the official visitor guide.
Travelling to Helsingborg
- Flight: Ängelholm Helsingborg Airport is only 30 minutes from Helsingborg and is served daily from Stockholm, as well as to and from other parts of the country and the world. Copenhagen Airport is just over an hour away.
- Trains: Several SJ trains stop at Helsingborg C. Within Skåne, you can also travel by Skånetrafiken train.
- Bus: Bus4you and Flixbus operate long-distance buses that stop at Helsingborg C. Skånetrafiken operates regional buses and city buses. You can buy tickets via their app or via ticket machines at train stations. There is also a customer centre at Helsingborg C.
History of Helsingborg
- 9th century: Helsingborg is one of the oldest cities in the Nordic region, and it is likely that buildings were already built on Landborgen at this time.
- 1070: The city was mentioned by Adam of Bremen.
- 1085: The city was mentioned on 21 May in a deed of gift from the Danish King Canute the Holy. This date was later used as the city's official birthday.
12th to 14th century
- 12th century: A sandstone castle was built at Landborgen. The castle was dominated by a round tower, with walls four metres thick.
- 14th century: Helsingborg was one of Denmark's most important cities, partly because of its castle (now Kärnan).
- 1332: The Swedish king Magnus Eriksson bought Helsingborg and most of Skåne and Blekinge by assuming a pledge of 34,000 marks of silver.
- 1360: The Danish king Valdemar Atterdag took back Skåne and Blekinge.
15th to 17th century
- 15th and 16th century: Helsingborg declined in importance when the more modern Kronborg Castle was built in Elsinore.
- 1658: At the Peace of Roskilde, Helsingborg became Swedish.
- 1675-1679: The city was badly damaged during the Scanian War, and was almost completely destroyed when the Danes took the city twice. At the end of the war, Charles XI demolished most of the city's fortifications, except for the Core.
18th century
- 1709: During the Great Northern War, a large Danish army landed at Råå.
- 1710: Magnus Stenbock defeated the Danish army on 28 February at the Battle of Helsingborg.
- 1711-1712: The plague broke out in the city.
19th century to present
- 19th century: The economy expanded in the second half of the century, and the population increased.
- 1857: The Öresund duty was abolished.
- 1892: Sweden's first steam ferry service between Helsingborg and Elsinore was inaugurated.
- The turn of the century: Helsingborg was an important export harbour, including for grain. Important consuls were Petter Olsson and Nils Persson. An important entrepreneur was Henry Dunker, manager of Helsingborgs Gummifabrik (later Tretorn).
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Lena+in+Wales+and+Spain says:
Wow, there is so much more to do in the city centre than I thought.
Have mostly seen Helsingborg on the way to the ferry or stayed a few nights between trips.
Thanks for the nice tip!
05 February 2022 - 12:02
Helena says:
Helsingborg is a nice city! Glad you appreciated the tips! 🙂
05 February 2022 - 18:58
BP says:
Helsingborg has much more to offer than the ferry camp to get across to Denmark. A really nice city, I think. I follow two bloggers who live in Helsingborg. I have also read all the crime novels written by Stefan Ahnhem and the main character Fabian Risk. They take place in Helsingborg and Råå.
PS. Murals were amazing:-) DS.
05 February 2022 - 17:20
Helena says:
We also fell in love with Helsingborg, a city that has a lot to offer! And yes, the murals are cool!
05 February 2022 - 18:59
Maria / emjis says:
Loved Helsingborg! We recognised most of it! However, we miss our favourite place in the list: Italian lunch at Olsson's pantry opposite Mariakyrkan! (Mariagatan 6) A must every time!
09 February 2022 - 15:30