Kärnan Museum
Kärnan Museum
4.1
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Monday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Tuesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Wednesday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Thursday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Friday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Saturday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
Sunday
10:00 AM - 6:00 PM
About
The Karnan tower is a place to visit for the whole family. In the beautiful Slottshagsparken above Terasstrapporna in the centre of Helsingborg you’ll find the medieval Karnan castle tower. Karnan is about 35 metres high and it’s worth every single step up the stairs to reach the top and enjoy the magnificent views over the harbour, Oresund and Helsingor. There is a long and adventurous, rather narrow spiral staircase leading to the top, but the stunning view makes it worth the effort. The Karnan tower was built in the early 1300s. The tower was part of a major castle site that had the status of “riksborg” (national castle) in the medieval and early Danish empire. Nowadays, it is the symbol and brand of the city of Helsingborg.
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as wait time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.
Popular mentions
4.1
551 reviews
Excellent
186
Very good
268
Average
88
Poor
5
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Danes55
Holstebro, Denmark2,676 contributions
Jan 2025 • Couples
This magnificent tower is probably Helsingborg’s landmark and a must when you are in the city.
Located very centrally when you walk the Stortorget and up the big staircase,
The tower can usually be visited inside and you get a fantastic view, but we were there 6 days before the season started.
Originally in the 11th century there was a castle that was part of a defense work and here was a castle surrounded by a 500 meter long wall and several guard towers.
The construction of Kärnan began in 1310 and was completed in 1320 and it was then 35 meters high and 15 meters wide.
In the 1680s the defense works were torn down and this tower was also to be destroyed, but it was preserved.
Kärnan as we saw today is the result of a renovation from 1893-1894.
Absolutely worth a visit and next time we go up to the tower and enjoy the view
Located very centrally when you walk the Stortorget and up the big staircase,
The tower can usually be visited inside and you get a fantastic view, but we were there 6 days before the season started.
Originally in the 11th century there was a castle that was part of a defense work and here was a castle surrounded by a 500 meter long wall and several guard towers.
The construction of Kärnan began in 1310 and was completed in 1320 and it was then 35 meters high and 15 meters wide.
In the 1680s the defense works were torn down and this tower was also to be destroyed, but it was preserved.
Kärnan as we saw today is the result of a renovation from 1893-1894.
Absolutely worth a visit and next time we go up to the tower and enjoy the view
Automatically translated
Written January 22, 2025
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Blanka H
193 contributions
Oct 2022 • Business
It's a lovely old place from where you can see the whole city below you. You can get really nice photos, especially on the stairs below the tower. Unfortunately, during winter months the tower is closed for climbing so we couldn't go up.
Written October 23, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
SWH100
Cardiff, UK1,853 contributions
Aug 2022 • Couples
This was the first stop on our trip to Helsingborg. It was really good. Small castle, with a steep walk up to the top. Each level has something different to see and explore. The view from the top was amazing. You could see well into Denmark. It was relatively cheap to enter too. Definitely recommend this.
Written October 15, 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
DesertRatNM
Las Cruces NM USA18 contributions
All that is left of a medieval castle. If you have limited time, as do most persons arriving on a cruise, get on a ferry as fast as possible and go to Helsingor, Denmark. Helsingborg has little to offer. Helsingor is a charming medieval town full of half-timbered houses painted in bright colors. It was never plundered and burned repeatedly as was its sister town in Sweden. Besides the narrow streets, houses, monastery, there is Kronberg (Hamlet's) Castle. Helsingborg is only the cruise stop for Helsingor twenty minutes across the sound by very nice ferrys. Besides beer is cheaper in Denmark, but not by much.
Written June 19, 2006
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
johanekenstierna
Lund, Sweden3,884 contributions
Nov 2020 • Solo
the very nice medieval 🏰 castle overlook the city if helsingborg.a must visit in the city and have a nice picnic if weather allows
Written November 28, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
LynnB
Sweden295 contributions
Jul 2018 • Friends
One of the most beautiful old church I have visited. It was dated 14th century and it took a century to finish. Gems are concealed inside, including a trove of silver in the Vestry and Silver Chamber.
Written July 7, 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
M L
Melbourne, Australia47 contributions
Apr 2016 • Friends
Karnan is a keep that basically lived through the ages. It is full of history despite the numerous renovations it had just keep it standing since the medieval times.
To get to the keep, you will need to hike from the town square of Helsingborg. The hike is not too long but you will have to go through quite a number of flights of stairs. For that, it would be helpful if you are wearing comfortable shoes as you will also do lots of climbing once inside the keep.
From the reception, you will be given an audio guide that explains briefly yet clearly the history behind each points of interest that you will see throughout the keep. The guide is in English and is easy to understand.
The floor area of each floor is not too wide so it might feel congested if many guests are about. During our visit, however, it felt like we were the only guests so we took our time looking at each nook and cranny on every floor while listening to the audio guide. On the first floor (the level above the reception) is the keeps main hall. Here, there are costumes provided wherein you can dress up the way people dressed up during the medieval times. I found this as the best experience I had while in the keep.
The second and succeeding floors are quite visually boring save for the history behind them as told by the audio guide.
The roof deck is awesome as you will have a 360-degree view of Helsingborg. Despite the gloomy weather we had when we visited, we still had fun taking snapshots with the Swedish city in the backdrop.
Overall, it was a good experience. Being just a walking distance away from the train/ferry station, Karnan is highly recommended for those visiting Helsingborg.
To get to the keep, you will need to hike from the town square of Helsingborg. The hike is not too long but you will have to go through quite a number of flights of stairs. For that, it would be helpful if you are wearing comfortable shoes as you will also do lots of climbing once inside the keep.
From the reception, you will be given an audio guide that explains briefly yet clearly the history behind each points of interest that you will see throughout the keep. The guide is in English and is easy to understand.
The floor area of each floor is not too wide so it might feel congested if many guests are about. During our visit, however, it felt like we were the only guests so we took our time looking at each nook and cranny on every floor while listening to the audio guide. On the first floor (the level above the reception) is the keeps main hall. Here, there are costumes provided wherein you can dress up the way people dressed up during the medieval times. I found this as the best experience I had while in the keep.
The second and succeeding floors are quite visually boring save for the history behind them as told by the audio guide.
The roof deck is awesome as you will have a 360-degree view of Helsingborg. Despite the gloomy weather we had when we visited, we still had fun taking snapshots with the Swedish city in the backdrop.
Overall, it was a good experience. Being just a walking distance away from the train/ferry station, Karnan is highly recommended for those visiting Helsingborg.
Written April 29, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Anne P
Freehold, NJ22 contributions
Apr 2016 • Business
Climbing up to the top isn't so bad if you walk a few blocks to the left and walk up the road! Beautiful view from the top; well worth it.
Written April 14, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
nilsthulin
Karlskrona, Sweden2,212 contributions
Aug 2020 • Solo
Nice place to activate yourself, the view from the top is marvellous entrance is 60kr which I think is to much but worth a visit anyway
Written August 30, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Gabriela D
Lisbon, Portugal362 contributions
Nov 2019 • Couples
After climbing some stairs, you can enjoy the amazing view from the top. Sometimes it could be windy, but it's a nice place to see the city. Recommended.
Written February 27, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
It is the best view in Helsingborg :) Glad you enoyed it!
Written May 5, 2020
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Hej! Jag undrar hur lång det tar att gå upp till toppen? Och finns det nåt café eller restaurang i eller i närheten av Kärnan?
Tack.
Written February 7, 2016
Toppen av Terasstrapporna tar ca 2-3 minuter. Hiss finnes.
Att gå igenom Kärnan till toppen är beroende på hur intresserad man är av varje plan. Ingen ansträngning om man tar det lugnt.
Servering i direkt anslutning till Kärnan sommartid, samt glasscafe.
Written February 9, 2016
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