Things to do in Helsingborg - 20 sights and experiences

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: May 2026 | Looking for things to do in Helsingborg? This Scanian city has a lovely location on the coast and offers fantastic surroundings. Here are the best sights, tips and a complete itinerary for 2 days.

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Helsingborg

We have visited Helsingborg a number of times, and this is a city we would love to return to. Here you can visit Kärnan, enjoy the view or perhaps experience attractions in the surroundings, such as Sofiero Castle and Castle Garden.

20 things to do in Helsingborg

Helsingborg has a lot to offer and we were here for several days with our camper to find the gems. Here are 20 things we can recommend in Helsingborg.

1. Strolling in the city centre

Helsingborg is a cosy city filled with shops, restaurants and cafés.

• For example, stroll along Kullagatan, Sweden's oldest pedestrianised street
• Continue to Stortorget and the Terrace Stairs
• Discover Drottninggatan, where you will find Dunkers Kulturhus, Konserthuset and Stadsteatern
• Explore the South with some 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 Ice Cream Bus on Parapeten and in an ice cream kiosk on Båthusgatan 4, on the way to Gröningen.

The ice cream is made from Scanian and Italian ingredients, and wins our internal award as the 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 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 bathhouse. We realised that cold baths 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 has been a loyal guest ever 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 forest nature reserve, which is very popular with the people of Helsingborg. Here you can walk or jog in a beautiful setting among beech and oak trees.

You can also check out Pålsjö old mill, Pålsjö castle or the special tree tunnel found here. At Pålsjöpaviljongen there is a waffle parlour, in case 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

The history of Ramlösa Brunnspark dates back to the 17th century, when the first health-giving spring was discovered here. Ramlösa Brunn was used 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.

READ MORE: Ramlösa brunnspark - from health resort to mineral water

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.

READ MORE: Sofiero castle and gardens - royal floral splendour!

17. Spend a day at the Fredriksdal Museums and Gardens.

Fredriksdal Museum and Gardens is a pleasant 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. Among other things, we peeked into the small museums dedicated to Nils Poppe and Eva Rydberg. It was fun!

READ MORE: Fredriksdal in Helsingborg - museums and gardens

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.

READ MORE: Tropicarium in Helsingborg - with exotic animals

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.

READ MORE: Råå - picturesque in the south of Helsingborg

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. You can check ferry routes and book via Ferryhopper.

Want to extend your trip? Combine with a weekend in Halmstad or Bjäre Peninsula

More to do in Helsingborg

For those who like food and shopping

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).

For those who like culture and history

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).

For those who love nature

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.

For those 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?

Best areas to live in and explore

• Centre of Helsingborg - Ideal if you want to be close to restaurants, shopping and the ferry terminal.
• Northern harbour - Modern seafront area with restaurants and nice views.
• South - More local feel with proximity to the centre and variety.
• Sofiero / North Helsingborg - Peaceful and close to nature, near Sofiero Castle and gardens.

Pitches and campsites

For those of you coming by motorhome, there are a few different options, of which the parking lot in the Northern Harbor 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 city guides nearby

• Things to do in Karlskrona
• Things to do on the Bjäre Peninsula
• Things to do in Halmstad
• Things to do in Ängelholm
• Things to do in Tylösand
• Things to do in Landskrona

FaQ - frequently asked questions about Helsingborg

What is Helsingborg most famous for?

Helsingborg is best known for Kärnan, the beautiful beach promenade and its location on the Öresund. The city also has a long history and offers proximity to both the sea, culture and green areas.

Is Helsingborg a good destination for a campervan?

Yes, Helsingborg is well suited for motorhome trips with several campsites and parking lots in and around the city. The location by the Öresund also makes it easy to combine Helsingborg with other destinations in Skåne or Denmark.

When is the best time to visit Helsingborg?

Spring and summer are popular times to visit Helsingborg when parks, outdoor cafes and beach areas are at their most lively. Autumn can also be a great time for walks along the coast.

How many days do you need in Helsingborg?

Two to three days is enough to experience many of Helsingborg's biggest attractions. With more days, you can also take excursions to nearby towns or take the ferry across to Denmark.

READ MORE: City guides to Swedish cities and towns

READ MORE: Things to do in Skåne - sights and experiences