These beautiful gardens are about a 10-minute drive from the historical center of Helsingborg. Parking is free, in a small gravel lot directly across from the entrance. The estate dates back to 1864 when Swedish royalty, Prince Oscar and his wife Sophie built the magnificent castle. Prince Gustaf Adolf (who later became king) tended the gardens for many years.
These gardens were a summer home for Swedish royalty until as recently as the 1970 at which point they were donated to the city of Helsingborg. Today a number of landscape architects and gardeners care for the collection year round. These gardens are world class – In 2010, Sofiero was named Europe’s most beautiful park.
While we explored just a tiny part of the gardens during our visit – there is also an English and a Victorian garden on site as well as greenhouses. A restaurant is located on the first floor of the palace (products are served locally) and from here there are nice views of the strait of Öresund and the Öresund bridge leading to Denmark. Flowers bloom throughout the summer, but with over 10,000 rhododendrons growing on site – you really want to visit at the end of May and early June! Visit: www.sofiero.se
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