Discover the Charm of Malmö, Sweden: Your Ultimate Travel Guide
Welcome to Malmo, Sweden! This vibrant city is located in the southern part of Sweden, just across the Öresund strait from Copenhagen, Denmark. Known for its rich history, stunning architecture, and cultural diversity, Malmo offers a unique and exciting experience for travelers. Whether you're a history buff, a food enthusiast, or simply looking to relax in a picturesque setting, Malmo is the place for you.
I’ve lived in Malmö for over 2 years now and I’m finally sharing some of my favourite things about this beautiful city. This guide will provide you with an overview of how to get here, where to stay, and what to do. With Malmö being a great city for foodies, I’ll be sharing a separate guide for places to eat and drink.
Suset in Vastra Hamnen
Facts about Malmö
Malmo is the third-largest city in Sweden, located in the southernmost part of the country. It is situated in the region of Scania and is separated from Denmark by the Öresund strait.
The city has a rich history, with its origins dating back to the 13th century. Its strategic location as a coastal town has played a significant role in its development and cultural diversity.
Malmo is known for its architectural diversity, combining both historical and modern structures. The iconic Turning Torso skyscraper is a prominent symbol of the city and is the tallest building in Scandinavia.
As a multicultural city, Malmo is home to people from over 170 different nationalities, making it one of the most diverse cities in Sweden. This diversity is reflected in the city's cuisine, festivals, and cultural events.
Malmo is renowned for its commitment to sustainability and eco-friendly initiatives. The city has taken significant steps to promote renewable energy, sustainable transportation, and green living.
The city offers a vibrant cultural scene, with numerous art galleries, theaters, and museums. The Moderna Museet Malmo showcases contemporary art, while the Malmo Opera and Music Theatre host spectacular performances.
Malmo is known for its annual summer festival called "Malmöfestivalen," which attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors. This week-long event features music, food, cultural exhibitions, and various activities for people of all ages.
Malmo is well-connected to other cities in both Sweden and Denmark. The Øresund Bridge connects Malmo to the Danish capital, Copenhagen, facilitating a seamless commute between the two cities.
Getting there
To reach Malmo, it’s best to fly into Copenhagen, Denmark. From there, you have several convenient options available. The quickest and cheapest way is to take a train from Copenhagen Airport to Malmo Central Station. The journey takes approximately 25 minutes and offers stunning views while crossing the Øresund Bridge. Alternatively, you can opt for a bus ride from Copenhagen to Malmo, which also crosses over the Øresund Bridge. Finally, you can rent a car and drive over the bridge, but know that the toll to do this is very expensive. I don’t recommend renting a car as you will not need it while in Malmö, the public transportation here is top notch. I find the train to be the most efficient and easiest to navigate.
Malmö Old Town (City Center)
Slottsträdgården Kafe
Where to stay
MJs This is where most of our friends have stayed and they have all loved it. It’s a boutique hotel that’s hip, close to all the action in the city center, has a great breakfast, and you can’t beat it’s goregeous courtyard.
Mayfair An historic hotel, also in the city center, that dates back to 1307! The hotel has been there for around 100 years, but the building was previously the home to the governor of Malmö.
Elite Hotel Esplanade Located across the street from MJs, also another great option
If you’re adventurous and like to try off the wall places, these are some great options:
Oh Boy Located in Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour), the Oh Boy is a bike hotel and every room comes with two bikes. It’s a unique building and is a short walk from Central Station, so easy to get to.
Grand Circus Hotel Open from May to September, the Grand Circus Hotel is old circus wagons that have been turned into rooms. Some have kitchens and bathrooms while others use a communal bathroom. It’s located a few miles out of the city on an old railway lot. You can bike, bus, or drive there.
Ribersborg Bath House
Windmill in Slottsparken
What to do in Malmö and the region
Wander Old Town (Gamla Staden). The canal surrounds Old Town and here you will find beautiful old buildings, quaint streets lined with holly hock and cobblestone, cozy cafes and restaurants. Wander around and be transported back in time. Two of the largest squares are also located here - Stortorget (with my favourite old school pharmacy is located) and Lilla Torg, a great place to grab a drink and food.
Stadsbibliotek (City Library). The Malmö city library is not to be missed. It borders Slottsparken and blends old with new architecture. Take a walk through and explore all this beautiful library offers.
Enjoy a Fika. Fika translated means taking coffee and a sweet with friends/family. So do yourself a favor and take fika with all the amazing bakeries in the city. My favourites are Mat & Choklad, Lilla Kaffe Rosteriet, Solde, AB Småland, Nybergs, and Hollandia.
Tour the city by bike. Take a leisurely bike ride along the stunning coastline, enjoying breathtaking views of the Baltic Sea. BONUS! You can get almost everywhere in the city on bike without having to use the road with traffic. Many hotels offer bikes for use to their guests and you can also rent bikes from the Travelshop at Central Station.
Explore the Parks. Malmö is the city of parks. My favourites are Slottsparken/Kungsparken and Pildammsparken, but there is also Ribersborgs beach area, the krykrogårdens (cemeteries that double as parks… also a fave), Folkets park, I could go on. If you want to spend time outside, this is the way to do it.
Visit a Bath House. Looking to really immerse yourself in Swedish culture? Look no further than the bath house. Sauna, cold water plunges, and a daily dip in the water are like breathing here in Sweden. Everyone enjoys them and participates fully. Just be warned, no swimsuits allowed :)
Day Trips. With Malmö’s excellent public transportation, you can easily plan for day trips on the train and explore more of the area. I highly suggest the following cities: Lund, Helsingborg, Ystad, and the island of Ven. Each offer different experiences of Sweden.
Cruise the Canal. You can rent paddle boats, kayaks, stand up paddle boards, or book a boat and pack a picnic to bring along and spend the day on the water. It’s a great way to see the Old City.
Find the Street Art Murals. Malmö is home to some of the best street art. You can find them all over the city and could easily make a day of it looking for them.
Download my google map below that breaks down food, drink, sights, hotels, parks, and photo ops.
Malmöhus Castle at night
Stadsbibliotek (Malmo City Library)
Top Tips
The weather is mild most of the year but summers are the best! You get the longest days (over 17 hours of daylight!) and the weather is a comfortable 72 degrees on average. Fall and Spring are also beautiful but you run the risk of rain.
Sweden is cashless, no need to exchange money for Swedish Krona. Apple Pay/Wallet is the easiest way to pay and not have to worry about signing receipts or showing ID. US cards don’t use the pin code with chip and pin, so when using your card abroad you will almost always be asked for ID and to sign the receipt. If you pay using your phone or tapping your chip (vs inserting/swiping) you will avoid this step.
Public transportation is great and you do not need a car, even for most day trips. You can easily access a bus or train to get almost anywhere you need to go. I recommend downloading the Skånetrafiken app for all your travel needs.
English is very common and spoken by most people. Restaurants usually offer an english menu if you ask and if you really need, help google translate is the easiest tool to help you.
Sweden, like most of Europe, does not tip for service. If you really feel like you need to leave something extra, 5% is plenty.
Malmö itself isn’t very big, but I recommend giving yourself some extra days for day trips around the region - Ystad, Ven (an island!) , Helsingborg, and Lund are all wonderful cities to visit that can easily be done in a day.
I hope you found this helpful! What else would you like to know about Malmö?
