Helsingborg in Sweden

Helsingborg - Sweden

The lovely and modern Swedish town of Helsingborg, strategically situated at the narrowest part of the Oresund, opposite the Danish town of Helsingor (Elsinore), was for centuries visited by travelers, seeking for swedish culture. Today, a favored center for conferences and trade fairs, and Sweden‘s main channel of communication by sea with Denmark and mainland Europe.

Following the Dano-Swedish War (1657-1658) and the Treaty of Roskilde Denmark had to give up all territory on the southern Scandinavian peninsula, and Helsingborg became a Swedish city. King Charles X Gustav of Sweden landed here on the 5th of March 1658 to take possession of the Scanian lands and was met by a delegation led by the bishop of the Diocese of Lund, Peder Winstrup. At that time the town had a population of barely 1,000 people. Today the city is populated by 95,000 inhabitants with many old buildings, blended of old-style stone-built churches.

There are manylandmarks, including Kronborg Castle, Sofiero Castle, Fredriksdal open-air museum and the Karnan medieval tower, dating back to the early 13th century. The Lund University Campus Helsingborg is only minutes away from the harbor.

There are several ways to get to Helsinborg. By train: from the Copenhagen airport (Kastrup). Helsingborg has good rail connections to Malmo, Lund, and Gothenburg. Stockholm-bound travellers need to change trains in Hassleholm or Lund. By ferry: from Helsingor, Denmark, it’s a short 20 minute ferry ride across the sound. Of course you can reach the city by car and plane. Ferries are operated by HHFerries.

What to see in Helsingborg

Helsingborg is a city with a history that goes back hundreds of years. A very interesting starting point even if you are historically challenged is the 700 year old Kärnan, the 34 meter high tower which is the last remaining part of Helsingborg’s ancient Keep. It boasts a fantastic 360 degree panoramic view over the city and the Öresund all the way to Denmark and you can even see part of Helsingör: the Slott (Castle) and the harbour. It is great on a sunny day, and absolutely spectacular on a stormy day.

During weekdays one can visit the Rådhuset where the mayor lives, a beautiful well-preserved building. It lies at the foot of Kärnan on the corner of Helsingborg’s main throughfare Drottninggatan/Järnvägsgatan and Stortorget. On Stortorget one finds a number of cafes and restaurants with terraces.