Malmo Travel Guide, Sweden

If you are looking for things to do in Malmo, the city offers a compact historic centre, a modern waterfront and an easy link to Denmark. It is Sweden’s third largest city, with a population of about 352,000, and the capital of the province of Skåne on the southern tip of the country.

Malmö is a port city on the Öresund strait, facing Copenhagen across the water and connected to it by the Öresund bridge. It was founded in 1272 as a fortified port and was for centuries the second largest city of Denmark before passing to Sweden in the 17th century.

The old shipyard is gone, and the city has reinvented itself as a modern, multicultural centre known for sustainable development. It lacks the fame of Copenhagen or Stockholm, which can be an advantage: it is easy to cover on foot or by bike, and prices are often lower than in the Danish capital.

Walk the Old Town and its squares

The historic centre is compact, with cobbled streets, large squares and cafes. Allow two to three hours. Tip: start at the main squares and wander out along the canal, and check opening times for the smaller museums and churches.

See the Turning Torso

The twisting skyscraper in the Western Harbour is the city’s best-known modern landmark. Allow an hour for the area. Tip: the building is residential and not open to the public in the way an observation tower is, so view it from the harbour.

Explore the Western Harbour

This former industrial district has been rebuilt with modern housing, waterfront promenades and beaches facing the strait. Allow two hours. Tip: it is pleasant on a sunny day for a walk or a swim, but check conditions and take layers, as it can be breezy.

Visit Malmö Castle and its museums

The castle area stands beside parks and a moat, and it holds museums. Allow two hours. Tip: check the museum opening days, as hours vary and some close on certain weekdays.

Relax in the city parks

Malmö has several large parks close to the centre, with paths, water and open lawns. Allow an hour or two. Tip: a picnic or coffee break here fits well into a day of walking, especially in warmer months.

Rent a bike

The city is largely flat and well suited to cycling, with dedicated lanes. Allow half a day. Tip: follow local traffic rules and lock your bike securely, since bike theft is common.

Eat in the multicultural food scene

Malmö is known for a diverse food scene, from street food to casual restaurants and Scanian cooking. Allow an evening. Tip: prices vary, so check menus before you sit down, and book ahead for weekends.

Malmö has a temperate climate. Summers are mild and long on daylight, winters are cool and often grey, and the wind off the strait can add chill at any time of year. Late May to early September is the most pleasant period for walking, outdoor cafes and swimming from the harbour beaches, though it is also the busiest. Winter has shorter days but fewer visitors, and the city’s indoor attractions remain open.

Check event dates, since festivals and concerts can raise hotel prices.

The simplest route is to fly to Copenhagen Airport and take a train over the Öresund bridge, a journey that usually takes under an hour to Malmö, though services change. Malmö Airport, east of the city, has only limited services, so check what is currently flying. Swedish rail links connect the city to Gothenburg and Stockholm. Check timetables and ticket rules, particularly for cross-border trains.

Within the city, the centre is walkable and flat, and cycling is popular. Buses cover the wider area, and tickets are usually bought through an app or a local travel card. Distances between the old town and the Western Harbour are short enough to walk or cycle in good weather.

Malmö is small enough that most central areas work for a short stay. Choose by how much you want to be near the station, the old town or the water.

• Near the central station: best for short stays and onward travel to Copenhagen, with plenty of mid-range hotels.
• Old Town: suits travellers who want squares, cafes and restaurants on the doorstep.
• Western Harbour: quieter and modern, with water views and beaches, but further from the nightlife.
• Residential neighbourhoods: good for longer stays, with local cafes and shops and good bike access.

Prices are often lower than in Copenhagen, which leads some visitors to stay in Malmö and travel across for the day. Book ahead for events.

One to two days is enough for the city itself. A single day covers the old town, the Turning Torso and a harbour walk. A second day lets you slow down, rent a bike or add a day trip to Lund or Copenhagen.

1. Day 1: Old Town and squares in the morning, Malmö Castle and a park after lunch, then an evening at the Western Harbour.
2. Day 2: Bike ride or museum visit in the morning, then Lund or a train across the bridge to Copenhagen.
3. Day 3: Explore more of Skåne, or spend extra time in Copenhagen.

Weather and daylight vary by season, so keep an indoor option in reserve.

Lund

Lund is a university town about a day’s walk from Malmö historically and a short train ride today. It has a cathedral and a student-driven atmosphere. Allow half a day. Check train times, as services are frequent but not constant.

Copenhagen

Copenhagen is across the strait and easy to reach by train over the bridge, usually in under an hour. It works well as a day trip. Check cross-border ticket rules and any ID requirements before you travel.

Helsingborg

Helsingborg is a port town on the strait north of Malmö, with a waterfront and ferry links to Denmark. Allow a day. Check the train and ferry connections if you want to combine them.

Karlskrona

Karlskrona is a naval town on the south-east coast of Sweden with an archipelago setting. It is a long day trip, so it suits an overnight stay. Check rail connections and timetables in advance.