Helsingborg

Helsingborg is in the Scania province of southern Sweden. Historic Helsingborg, with its many old buildings, is a scenic coastal city. The buildings are a blend of old-style stone-built churches and a 600-year-old medieval fortress (Kärnan) in the city centre, and more modern commercial buildings.

Understand

Helsingborg is on the east side of the Oresund on Sweden's south-west coast. It's Sweden's 8th largest municipality with a population of about 128,000 (2009). Major businesses are service, trade, industry and tourism. In 2000 a branch of the University of Lund opened in the former Tretorn rubber factories a stone's throw from the Denmark ferries.

On the opposite side of the sound in Denmark is Helsingør. Before the Malmö–Copenhagen Øresund bridge was finished, most of the trans-Scandinavian traffic (transit and tourist) used the ferries between Helsingborg and Helsingør. There is still heavy traffic across the Sound here because of the high population density on either side of the border. In addition, the ferries are usually somewhat cheaper than the fees for the bridge and they often provide a shorter route compared to the bridge.

Tourist office

Get in

By train

🌍 Helsingborg Central Station is in the lower level of Knutpunkten, a massive complex on the waterfront which also includes the ferry terminal.

From Malmö and Lund, there are three trains an hour to Helsingborg; the trip takes 40 minutes on the fastest routes, or just over an hour on the mauve Pågatåg local trains. Trains run hourly from Copenhagen (1¼ hours) and Kastrup Airport (1 hour) to the south, and from Göteborg (2½ hours) to the north. Hourly trains run from Hässleholm (1 hour), of which some originate in Kristianstad (1hr 20min). Tickets for these trains are issued at fixed prices by the Skånetrafiken transport authority, and are also valid on local transport at either end of the route.

Stockholm-bound travellers usually have to change to a SJ express train in Hässleholm or Lund.

An alternative route to Copenhagen is to take the ferry across to Helsingør (20 min), where the trains to the Danish capital are more frequent (45 min). This can be faster than waiting for an hourly direct train, and is also cheaper. Skånetrafiken can sell combined tickets that cover both the ferry and train.

By bus

There are regular bus services between Helsingborg and Stockholm, Copenhagen, Oslo, Gothenburg and other cities along the way towards these cities. The major bus companies are Vy (Bus4You) and Flixbus.

By car

By E4 from Stockholm in the north, and E6 from Malmö in the south and from Gothenburg/Oslo in the north.

By boat

From Helsingör, Denmark, it's a 20-minute ferry ride across the sound, with ferries departing every 15 minutes most of the day. At night, there is at least one ferry every hour.

Ferries are operated by Sundsbusserne and ForSea.

By plane

The Ängelholm-Helsingborg Airport (AGH IATA) is situated approximately 40 km from Helsingborg and has daily flights to Stockholm Arlanda Airport (SAS) and Stockholm-Bromma (Kullaflyg), weekly flights to Visby and seasonal flights to Mora.

Copenhagen Airport is about one hour away by train.

Get around

Practically all public transport goes through the train/ferry terminal Knutpunkten (Helsingborg C), including regional and long-distance trains and buses as well as local buses.

Skånetrafiken runs the local and regional bus and train system, and if you intend on spending some time in the Skåne-region it is highly recommended that you get the so-called Jojo-card which is a prepay card that gives you 20% off any ticket. Additionally a duo/family ticket will give you another 10% off (for up to 2 adults and 3 children).

By public transport

Bus is the main means of transport in town. Buses run from early morning till around midnight and a little later on Fridays and Saturdays. The city bus system (Green buses) connects most of the city and all but one (#2) stay within one fare zone. Single trip costs 19 kr, but it's not possible to pay with cash on the buses. Regional buses (Yellow buses) connect to nearby towns.

There are two further stations beyond Helsingborg C, but these are unlikely to be useful to tourists travelling within the city.

By taxi

Taxi rides are rather expensive in Helsingborg and there is little competition. They can be found right outside Helsingborg C main entrance, next to the Marina Plaza hotel.

See
  • 🌍 Beredskapsmuseet, Djuramossavägen 160, ☏ +46 42-22 40 39. A museum of Sweden's preparation for defense during World War II. 
  • 🌍 Fredriksdal, Gisela Trapps väg 1, ☏ +46 42-10 45 00. An ambitious open-air museum with gardens, farm animals, old houses, museums and a theater. The printing museum and several inside exhibits are open year round. To get there, you take bus 1 or 7, both northbound. 
  • 🌍 Kärnan (Helsingborg Castle) (In Slottshagen). The castle (or what's left of it) overlooks the harbour, with archways over the steps leading down to the city center. Kärnan, the rectangular-plan tower from the 14th century at the top of the bluff, can be climbed. 
  • 🌍 Museum of Failure, Södergatan 15, ☏ +46 709-38 62 98, . Tu–Sa 12:00-18:00. Opened in 2017 by the Sweden-based American Samuel West, who started collecting failed products in 2016, this will showcase both "dead products" and how people react to them. Tours lasting for about 2 hours, are available to groups up to 15 people in English, Swedish and Icelandic. Free. 
  • 🌍 Norra Hamnen (H99) (The Northern Harbour). The old industrial dock remade as esplanade with plenty of restaurants, coffee bars and marina. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Ramlösa Brunnspark (Ramlösa Hälsobrunn) (Bus #2 or #5 southbound). The famous mineral water spring in south Helsingborg, with a beautiful park founded in the 18th century. 
  • 🌍 Raus Kyrka (Bus #1 southbound to Mickelsgården, then 500m walk). One of Sweden's oldest churches built in mid-12th century. 
  • 🌍 Rådhuset (Town Hall), Drottninggatan 2. Built in the New Gothic style. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Sankta Maria kyrka, Mariatorget, ☏ +46 42-18 90 02. The city's church, built in the 14th century. (updated Sep 2017)
  • 🌍 Sofiero Castle, Sofierovägen 131 (Take bus 219 towards Höganäs.), ☏ +46 42 10 25 00, . This is a 19th-century ocean-side royal castle and gardens located 5 km from the city center. The gardens display local and foreign plants. It's famous for its plantations of Rhododendron, blossoming in early summer. The castle has a restaurant and a modern art gallery. The garden was named Sweden's most beautiful in 2009 and Europe's Best Park in 2010. 
  • 🌍 Gantoftadösen. Also known as Jättestugan (giant's home), this partially destroyed dolmen was erected between 3500 and 2800 BC. (updated May 2021)

Do
  • 🌍 Dunkers Kulturhus (Dunker's Culture House), Kungsgatan 11, ☏ +46 42-10 74 00. Much more than a museum. Here you can listen to various concerts and experience art, history and crafts. You can also have lunch at the restaurant on site. 
  • 🌍 Tropikariet, Hävertgatan 21 (close to Fredriksdal), ☏ +46 42-13 00 35. A small but interesting zoo. Some of the animals are not enclosed in cages but live among the visitors, creating an intimate feeling. The little bird that walks slowly but intently, step by step, in the same lane where the customers are supposed to walk is a little scary, though. 
  • 🌍 The Dance School, Västra Fridhemsgatan 65. A venue where you can go and watch professional dancers perform in different set-ups. If you get bored watching you can join one of the many dance classes. 
  • 🌍 The Tivoli, Köpenhamnskajen 1, ☏ +46 42-18 71 71. By the sea, it offers good concerts with internationally and nationally known bands. 

"Tura" is a Swedish expression for the local tradition of having dinner on the ferries (Scandlines). During summer and the weeks leading up to Christmas you should make reservations in advance. Quite possibly the most classic of Helsingborgian experiences.

Buy

The main shopping areas are the pedestrian streets Kullagatan, Bruksgatan and Södra Storgatan, as well as the main streets surrounding them in downtown Helsingborg.

Just outside the city there is Väla, one of Scandinavia's largest shopping centers.

Getting online
  • Free public Wi-Fi offered by the City of Helsingborg at several places in the city center.
  • Sidewalk Express, Knutpunkten (Railway Station). 29 kr for 90 minutes (you can't get a ticket for less than 90 minutes).
  • MAX, Swedish fast food chain offers free WiFi (WLAN) on all its locations. In Helsingborg they can be found downtown on Södergatan 15 and at Väla Centrum.

Eat

Helsingborg is known as somewhat the gastronomical center of Sweden, having some of the greatest chefs in the country.

  • 🌍 Big Buddha, Ålgränden 1, ☏ +46 42-12 81 28. Serves Thai and Chinese food. Mains 75-135 kr. 
  • 🌍 Haket Kök & Bar, Kullagatan 55, ☏ +46 42-12 45 46. Serves Greek, Italian and American food in a cozy environment. They have somewhat slow service though with limited Swedish skills. Mains 50-140 kr. 
  • 🌍 Inom mat & bar, Sundstorget 7, ☏ +46 42-212521. M-Sa 12:00-23:00. Serves lunch and à la carte. Popular among both business and local guests. White Guide listed. 
  • 🌍 Mezo, Södra Storgatan 3, ☏ +46 42-14 33 40. Serves lighter food - meze, pasta, sandwiches, etc. - in a dark, mysterious environment. 60-100 kr. 
  • 🌍 Restaurang Papadam, Bruksgatan 10, ☏ +46 42-12 16 00. Has great Indian food in a modern environment. Mains 80-150 kr. 
  • 🌍 Restaurang Thai Corner, Bruksgatan 32-34, ☏ +46 42-18 59 65. Mains 110-200 kr. 
  • 🌍 Yazhou, Gasverksgatan 15, ☏ +46 42 12 12 45. 11:00-21:00 mostly. A nice Asian cuisine restaurant in the centre of Helsingborg. Serves a buffet of various Asian cuisines including sushi, Chinese food and Mongolian barbecue. Drinks (water, juice and lemonade but no alcohol) and dessert (ice cream and pastries) are included. 150 kr. (updated May 2017)
  • 🌍 Österns Pärla, Järnvägsgatan 17 (near Knutpunkten harbor), ☏ +46 42-14 57 10. 11:00-22:00. Chinese restaurant: buffet lunch and Chinese specialties. 75-130 kr. 

Like so many other Swedish towns there's a great foreign influence which means there's an abundance of foreign fast food and take out places serving pizza, kebab, falafel, Chinese, Thai, Middle Eastern and so on.

Drink

A lot of bars can be found downtown, inside or near Knutpunkten (Train station/Ferry terminal).

During Summer, the district Norra Hamnen (North Harbour) with its marina is highly recommended.

Koppi Cafe and Roaster in the core of Helsingborg are places where you drink fancy coffee.

  • 🌍 Club Sirocco, Södra Kyrkogatan 7, ☏ +46 42-13 07 11, . A night club with a age limit of 25 years old. 
  • 🌍 NattKatten, Kungsgatan 22 (attached to the Stads (City) Theater), ☏ +46 42-12 38 00. F and Sa 22:00 – 03:00. One of the largest night clubs in the city. Has an age limit of 22 on Saturdays while the Friday night club "39 PLUS" is reserved for a more mature audience. 

Sleep

Budget
  • 🌍 Cityvandrarhemmet, Järnvägsgatan 39, ☏ +46 42-14 58 50. Youth hostel in the city centre. With TV, shared bathroom, showers, kitchen and free Wi-Fi in lobby. Offers singles/doubles for ~€40/50. 
  • 🌍 Helsingborgs Vandrarhem, Hantverkaregatan 2 (10-15 min. on foot, or two stops with most southbound buses, from Helsingborg C.), ☏ +46 42-14 15 65. With shared bathroom, showers and kitchen. offers singles/doubles/triples/quads ~€20/30/40/50. 
  • 🌍 Villa Talassa, Dag Hammarskjölds väg 117 (about 4–5 km from the central station (Knutpunkten)), ☏ +46 42-610 14 00. Youth hostel in the northern parts of Helsingborg. 

Swedish hostels in general do not include free linen and towels, but they will be supplied at an extra charge.

Mid-range

Go next
  • Kullaberg/Mölle is an easy day trip and a must in late Spring/Summer. Kullaberg national reserve offers nature trails with great views over Öresund and the surrounding countryside. Take regional (yellow) bus 220 towards Höganäs (Mölle).
  • Denmark: Helsingør (Helsingör) is easily accessible by ferry (20 minutes). For Humlebæk and Copenhagen take a ferry to Helsingør, then a train. Ticket for the whole trip (one way or return) can be bought at the Ferry ticket window.
  • Lund, the university town (more than 40,000 students) of south Sweden and one of the oldest and most historic towns in Sweden.
  • Malmö is Sweden's third most populous city (~300,000 people) and the main Swedish city of the region.
Routes through Helsingborg
ENDS AT FERRY PORT ←  SW  NE  → Åstorp → Stockholm
Malmö ← Landskrona ←  S  N  → Ängelholm → Gothenburg
Copenhagen / ← Helsingør ←  W  E  → END


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