Sofiero slott och slottsträdgård

About the museum

Sofiero began as a summer residence for Prince Oscar and his wife Sophia of Nassau, who bought the Skabelycke estate north of Helsingborg in 1864 and had the palace Sophie-Ro built. The couple moved in in 1866, and when Oscar became King Oscar II ten years later the palace was rebuilt into the form it has today.

In 1905 the grandson Gustaf Adolf and Margareta av England were given Sofiero as a wedding present. Both were keen gardeners, and within a short time they created a large palace garden with rock gardens, flower beds, a kitchen garden and greenhouses. Gustaf VI Adolf, king from 1950, developed a particular interest in rhododendrons and had over 5,000 bushes planted, mainly in the ravines north and south of the palace. He spent his summers at Sofiero until his death in 1973 and then bequeathed the estate to the city of Helsingborg.

Today Sofiero is managed by the city. In addition to the park with rhododendrons, dahlia quarters, the pleasure garden (lustträdgård) and the kitchen garden, visitors can enter the palace, where a permanent exhibition, Sagan om Sofiero (The Story of Sofiero), tells about the royals, the household staff and the development of the place into the garden of the people of Helsingborg. A new palace exhibition is also shown each season.

Highlights

• The palace park with over 5,000 rhododendrons from Gustaf VI Adolf's time
• The permanent exhibition Sagan om Sofiero (The Story of Sofiero) on the palace's exhibition floor
• Dahlia quarters, the pleasure garden and the kitchen garden
• View over the Öresund
• Sculptures in the park, the oldest more than 100 years old
• Barnens Sofiero (Children's Sofiero) with a fairy-tale forest and a playground

Permanent exhibition

• Sagan om Sofiero – från kunglig park till folkets trädgård – The palace's permanent exhibition on the royals, the household staff and Sofiero's development into a popular garden for Helsingborg residents and tourists.

Operated by

Helsingborgs stad

Admission & discounts

The admission price of SEK 135 applies 27 March–13 May, 1 September–24 October and 9–19 November 2026 (SEK 125 when pre-booked online); in high season it is SEK 155 (SEK 145 online). Admission covers the palace, the park and the ongoing exhibitions. The Kulturkortet (Culture Card) and the Sofierokortet (Sofiero Card) give free entry, although tickets must still be booked for events. During Höstljus (autumn light event) 25 October–8 November the adult ticket costs SEK 165–195 and young people aged 13–17 SEK 50; during Novent 20–29 November it costs SEK 135 on weekdays and SEK 165 at weekends. Cash is not accepted at the entrance.

Accessibility

• Partially wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The park is partly hilly but has wide gravel paths and a marked accessibility route on the park map (available at the entrance during high season, April–September). The palace is old: the lift reaches all floors but is narrow, the corridors are narrow and the rooms have thresholds. Three toilets for people with disabilities are in the park, but during the low season (October–March) only the toilet at the main entrance is open. Four disabled parking spaces. A wheelchair can be borrowed at the entrance March–November. The guides' voice amplifiers are available, but there are no induction loops. Dogs are welcome in the park but not in the palace or the exhibitions. Sofiero is connected to the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower (Solrosen).

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Playground / play area

During Barnens Sofiero (Children's Sofiero) children can explore the fairy-tale forest and play on the playground with an adventure course. Children under 15 must be accompanied by an adult.

Getting there & parking

Sofiero is just north of Helsingborg. The walk from Kärnan is about six kilometres, and the Kattegattleden (Kattegat route) runs all the way here for cyclists.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop

The palace restaurant with the Orangeriet and the Trädgårdscaféet (garden café) is run by an external operator. The palace shop (11:00–16:00) and the Sofiero garden shop are on the site.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Conference rooms in the palace, weddings and parties.

Plan your visit