Helsingborg is in the Scania province of South Sweden.
Understand : Helsingborg is situated 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 135,000 (2014). 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 Elsinore (Helsingor).
Before the Malmo-Copenhagen Oresund bridge was finished, most of the trans-scandinavian traffic (transit and tourist) used the ferries between Helsingborg and Elsinore. 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.
Access : Coordinates: 56.05, 12.716667 / 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 Malmo 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 Pagatag local trains. Trains run hourly from Copenhagen (1? hours) and Kastrup Airport (1 hour) to the south, and from Goteborg (2½ hours) to the north. Hourly trains run from Hassleholm (1 hour), of which some originate in Kristianstad (1hr 20min). Tickets for these trains are issued at fixed prices by the Skanetrafiken 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 Hassleholm or Lund.
An alternative route to Copenhagen is to take the ferry across to Helsingor (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. Skanetrafiken 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 Bus4You, GoByBus and Swebus. By car : By E4 from Stockholm in the north, and E6 from Malmo in the south and from Gothenburg/Oslo in the north. If you’re having problems with you car you can visit the nearby car service
By boat : From Helsingor, 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 Scandlines. By air :
The Angelholm-Helsingborg Airport 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.
Skanetrafiken runs the local and regional bus and train system, and if you intend on spending some time in the Skane-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.
Highlights :
- Beredskapsmuseet, Djuramossavagen 160 . A museum of Sweden’s preparation for defense during World War II.
- Fredriksdal, Gisela Trapps vag 1 . 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.
- Karnan (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. Karnan, the rectangular-plan tower from the 14th century at the top of the bluff, can be climbed.
- Museum of Failure, Sodergatan 15 . 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.
- Ramlosa Brunnspark (Ramlosa Halsobrunn) (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 Mickelsgarden, then 500m walk). One of Sweden’s oldest churches built in mid-12th century.
- Radhuset (Town Hall), Drottninggatan 2. Built in the New Gothic style.
- Sankta Maria kyrka, Mariatorget . The city’s church, built in the 14th century.
- Sofiero Castle, Sofierovagen 131 (Take bus 219 towards Hoganas.) . 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.
Activities :
1 Dunkers Kulturhus (Dunker’s Culture House), Kungsgatan 11 . iMuch 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.
2 Tropikariet, Havertgatan 21 (close to Fredriksdal) . 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.
3 The Dance School, Vastra 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.
4 The Tivoli, Kopenhamnskajen 1 . 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.
Go next : Kullaberg – Molle / Denmark: Elsinore (Helsingor) is easily accessible by ferry (20 minutes) / Lund / Malmo
