Helsingborg is a port city located in the north east of Sweden’s Skane region. It’s a city that the Danes are familiar with. Like most of Skane, Helsingborg was once part of Denmark. Nowadays, the city sees millions of Danes make the four mile foot passenger boat/car ferry trip there from Helsingor.
Helsingborg is easily reached by train as it is a stop on the main Malmo to Gothenburg line. It takes approx. 45 minutes from Malmo to Helsingborg and 2.5 hours from Gothenburg to Helsingborg.
So is Helsingborg worth visiting? Let’s find out.
HELSINGBORG: MAIN ATTRACTIONS
Stortorget
Whether you arrive by boat or by train, you will arrive into the heart of the city. Continue along Drottningatan until you reach the striking Radhuset (Town Hall) which is at the junction of Drottningatan and Stortorget. Despite its medieval design, the building only dates back to the late 19th century. Access to the Town Hall is free.
Stortorget is a pleasant square with a mix of shops, eateries and hotels. Akademibokhandeln was probably one of the best bookshops I encountered in Sweden and comes recommended. It has an excellent English language section.
The statue at the entrance to Stortorget is Magnus Stenbock, a Swedish commander. At the other end of Stortorget are the terraced steps leading to Karnan.
More shops are north of Stortorget as well as the City Theatre and Philharmonic Hall.
Karnan
Karnan is a 14th century brown brick tower built on the hill overlooking Helsingborg. It was part of a castle complex that was damaged during the Danish-Swedish wars in the 17th century and subsequently demolished by royal command. Karnan is the Swedish word for core.
Sankta Maria Kyrka (St. Mary’s Church)
Return to Stortorget and swing a left into the area in the immediate vicinity of St. Mary’s Church. Here you will find an excellent selection of bars and restaurants. The brown-bricked church towers over the area and is an attraction in itself.
Dunkers Kulturhus
If you go to the shopping area north of Stortorget, return to the train station and port area via the harbour front. Stylish apartments line this pleasantly redeveloped area and among them you will find Dunkers Kulturhus. It is a multi-purpose building housing a museum, a café, an exhibition area and concert hall. Even if you have no interest in the arts, the design of the building is worth looking at. South of Dunkers is the terminal for the foot passenger boat to Denmark.
The harbour area has a ‘tropical beach’. This is it.
Subsequently, I discovered that Orestrandsbadet in the north side of the city is a much better option.
IS HELSINGBORG WORTH VISITING?
Despite its large port, the city is actually quite small. Helsingborg is the ninth largest city in Sweden by population. You will easily get a flavour of the city in a few hours, so an overnight stay may not be necessary. So if you are travelling between Malmo and Gothenburg, or across the water to Denmark, Helsingborg is worth a few hours of your time.
Arrivals Hall 