At the gateway to the Baltic Sea, facing the Danish coast and Hamlet's castle in Elsinore, lies the Swedish town of Helsingborg – ‘The Pearl of the Sound’. Handling about 15 million passengers every year, the Port of Helsingborg is one of the busiest ferry ports in the world.
The first cruise ship to call at Helsingborg was Royal Viking Sun, in 1994. Since then, numerous other ships have visited the town, including QE2, which anchored off the central harbour. This highly successful tender call allowed the 1,400 passengers to go ashore for shopping and sightseeing. A quay, accommodating ships up to 150m long (draught 7m) and located in the centre of Helsingborg, was inaugurated in the summer of 2001, making it possible for passengers to disembark in the very heart of the town.
Helsingborg is one of the oldest towns in Sweden and offers numerous attractions, including:
The Royal Palace and Gardens at Sofiero. The estate was bought in 1864 by King Oscar II and Queen Sofia and was given to their grandson Gustaf Adolf in 1905 as a wedding present. Both Crown Prince Gustav and his English wife, Margaret, were passionate gardeners and created of one of the finest gardens in Sweden. Centenary year celebrations included numerous flower shows, exhibitions and concerts. Distance from quay, by bus, 15 minutes.
‘Kärnan’, the keep tower, is the symbol of Helsingborg and one of the most famous medieval buildings in Scandinavia. For nearly 700 years the old fortress tower has kept watch over the town and the Sound. Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes.
Fredriksdal Open Air Museum is one of Sweden's finest historical venues, with many examples of town and country buildings surrounded by beautiful parks and gardens.
Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes. The Dunker Culture Centre, named after the town’s great industrialist and benefactor, is one of Scandinavia’s largest and most interesting cultural centres. Opened in April 2002, the Centre includes an international art museum, a town museum and a magnificent concert hall with a splendid panoramic view of the Öresund Sound. Distance from quay, by bus, 10 minutes.
Thousands of tourists enjoy the hospitality of Helsingborg every year. Why not join them? The ‘Pearl of the Sound’ extends a very warm welcome to all its visitors.
