Partially inspired by the St Paul’s Cathedral in London, this one maintains a colonial style of architecture. Saint Mark Cathedral is located on the busy Mahatma Gandhi Road, boasting a magnificent dome, Roman arches and the best-maintained church bells in the city.

With its romantic grounds, Sofiero Palace makes for a popular destination. The grounds are perhaps best known for their unparalleled rhododendrons, with an incredible 5,000 bushes bursting into flower in the spring. The fairytale of Sofiero began in 1864, when Crown Prince Oskar and his wife Sophia had their summer residence built here. In 1905, Oskar — by now King Oskar ll — gave the palace to his grandson Prince Gustav Adolf and his bride Princess Margareta as a wedding present. This is when the gardens literally flourished. Princess Margareta was a keen and creative gardener, and it was she who first laid out the grounds that we can enjoy to this day. She arranged flower beds and gardens, had paving laid and wasn’t afraid to get her hands dirty. Every summer, the Crown Prince couple travelled from Stockholm with their four young princes and Princess Ingrid, who eventually became Queen of Denmark. When Margareta died in 1920, Gustaf Adolf carried on the work in the garden, particularly with the rhododendrons. The palace was the summer residence of the Swedish royal family up until 1973, when it was given to the town of Helsingborg. This small palace, which lies like a jewel amid the extensive lawns, is home to a restaurant where the food is prepared by some of Sweden’s finest chefs. There’s also a café with views of the Öresund Sound and Denmark.

On the eastern side of the city, Ulsoor Lake represents an idyllic place par excellence, as it is ideal for both taking a stroll and relaxing in the sun. The artificial lake was constructed by Kempe Gowda II, and its area of more than 1.5 square kilometres is dotted with islands, so boating also became very popular.

The National Elk Refuge is a prime destination for wildlife viewing, featuring much more than just elk. Besides the massive elk herds, which can number up to 5,000 during winter, visitors may spot other species such as bison, trumpeter swans, bald eagles, and even wolves. A key highlight is the horse-drawn sleigh ride, which offers a magical and close-up experience with the elk in their natural habitat, running from mid-December to early April, depending on weather and herd conditions.