Malmö — Just a Stone’s Throw Away from Copenhagen
Small Town Wonders #3: Malmö, Sweden
Why Sweden’s Third Biggest “City” Is a Small Town Wonder
Ok, with approximately 280 000 inhabitants, we’d normally not include Malmö in our series Small Town Wonders, however, all the major attractions are clustered in the centre, giving Malmö the feeling of a small town. Furthermore, Malmö is not overrun by tourists and can easily be explored in 1 to 2 days.
What we liked about Malmö:
- We found Malmö situated remarkably close to Copenhagen, Denmark. Actually, Copenhagen Airport is a mere 20-minute train ride away from Malmö. Most visitors will come to Malmö from Copenhagen via the “Öresund Bridge”, one long bridge to gap the sea gate between Denmark and Sweden. It might be a perfect combination to see both places (Malmö and Copenhagen) on your trip.
- There is neither much traffic nor are there crowds of people in Malmö. The people you’ll meet are happy to meet you (or anyone for that reason).
- Malmö lies at the Baltic Sea and has a beautiful long beach in walking distance. In summer, the Ribersborgsstranden is awesome for swimming.
- The coffee culture has taken over Sweden. You will find cool cafés on every corner in the town centre.
- Most art museums are free.
- You don’t need to change your currency into (the) Swedish Krona, just use your credit card for EVERYTHING.
- It is a relaxed place with relaxed people.
- Malmö is a Swedish town with a very international vibe at the same time.
- The town offers many parks and surprises you with a contrast between old and modern architecture.
- In summer, there are many free events happening in Malmö’s’ parks.
- In winter, everything is beautifully lit and decorated, and on New Year’s Eve you will be showered with some awesome free fireworks near the port!
The Town Centre
Lilla Torg and around
“Lilla Torg” means “little square” and is one of the most famous squares in Malmö. It emanates a cosy atmosphere thanks to the many restaurants, bars, and cafés lined up on either side, offering inside and outside seating all year round. On two sides of the square are beautiful old Swedish houses. If you have a weakness for design and handicrafts, visit the Form/Design Center located at Lilla Torg 9. Admission is free.
Unsure if you are on the right square? Look out for the big lamp in the centre, then you know, you have found the right place.
Exploring the Streets and Alleyways around “Lilla Torg”
Now, Malmö’s centre is not big, but you can find good shops and a variety of good cafés in the centre. One good spot is “Lilla Kafferosteriet”, always buzzing with locals during lunch time. Here is a link to the 10 best brunch and breakfast spots in Malmö.
“Skomakaregatan,” “Södergatan,” and “Balzarsgatan” are the main shopping streets.
The “Storgartet”, the big square, next to “Lilla Torg,” surprises you with a beautiful Dutch Renaissance town hall facade from 1860 (next to KFC). Throughout the year, there are several events happening on this square, so go check it out — maybe something big is going on. If not, there is a cinema next to the cheap burger place “MAX.”
Other Top Places You Wouldn’t Wanna Miss
- Disgusting Food Museum. Awesome! Be aware: It reeks, and you will gag, but you will be well equipped with a vomit bag given to you at the entrance! It’s not cheap (195 kr, roughly 25€) and it’s not big, but it’s lots of fun. They have made the exhibition disgustingly entertaining. You can read, smell, touch, and even taste yourself into oblivion. It’s one of the few museums your nose will remember forever!
- Ribersborgstranden: In winter, go for a long walk on the beach. In summer, go into the 16 °C water for a swim, it’ll boost your immune system.
- Malmöhus Park with Malmöhus Slott: Walk through Malmöhus Park and end your stroll at the Malmöhus Slott. The Castle sits on an island surrounded by a moat. We didn’t go inside the castle, but Scandinavia’s oldest surviving Renaissance castle even looks nice from outside. If you have kids, you might consider going inside as it hosts a natural science museum, an aquarium, and an art exhibition (you can get a combined ticket for all three exhibitions).
- Slättsmöllan: Next to the castle, inside “Malmöhus Park” you can marvel at an old mill from 1851. In summer, there are concerts and other events happening near the mill.
- Modern Malmö: Walk along the “Inre Hamnen”, the inner port to the small lighthouse and make your way to Västra Hamnen, a young sustainable neighbourhood, where the “Turning Torso”, one of the Malmö’s emblems, stands/has been errected.
- The Turning Torso, designed by Santiago Calatrava, is the tallest building in Sweden (190 metres) and it does stand out in a smallish town like Malmö. The skyscraper is one of the first things you see, when you cross the waterway from Denmark to Sweden. You can’t miss it. It looks like a giant twisted it with its hand. Unfortunately, you cannot enter as a tourist.
More Museums and Places of Interest
- Malmö Konsthall: An art museum with free entry. It is not in the centre, but next to a Malmö’s biggest park: “Pildammsparken,” where locals meet for picnics in summer, or listen to free concerts, so we were told.
- Moderna Museet Malmö: Art museum with free entry and a cosy café in the lobby.
- Katrinetorp Landeri: a traditional beautiful manor house with a wide garden as well as a restaurant and a café; best reached by car, for it is in the outskirts of Malmö (20 minutes by car; approx. 45 minutes by public transport). Opening times differ, so you would do good to verify online to see if they are open when you want to visit them.
- Are you a shopping queen (or king)? The Triangeln shopping mall is also open on Sundays.
Food
Where to Eat
Here are some places where you find great lunches and dinners:
- Saluhallen: It is a food hall, quite classy, and not for the low budget!
- Lilla Torg: Square surrounded by restaurants and cafés, not for the low budget!
- Central Station: Great food court. You didn’t expect such a nice fast-food variety in a train station.
- Västra Station: Enjoy hearty meals surrounded by a traditional train station decor, located outside the main train station. They also offer unique events.
- Fiskehoddorna: Do you have a kitchen in your holiday apartment? Pick your choice of the day in this colourful fish market from a wide range of fresh and smoked fish. Located almost opposite the entrance of Malmohüs Castle. Opening hours are Tuesday-Saturday mornings.
Typical Malmö Food
Malmö’s food scene is very international. Malmö’s cuisine boats to mix international food with Swedish traditions. However, there is one important concept when it comes to food: fika.
“It means making time for friends and colleagues to share a cup of coffee (or tea) and a little something to eat.” (Source: http://www.swedishfood.com/fika)
So, why not have (or do?) a fika whilst trying some traditional food of the Skåne region?
Try to find
- spättekaka (a local, sugar-based dessert cake baked on a skewer)
- äggakaka (a pancake with fried bacon on top)
- ålagille (an eel)
- marinated herring
Wanna Store Your Luggage?
- The central station offers lockers.
- The Travel Shop also offers luggage storage.
Fun Things to Do
- Rent a scooter (e.g., with Lime) and dash through town — there are cycling tracks everywhere.
- Ok, you can also rent a bike at the Travel Shop or at one of the many public bike rental stations.
- There is a knotted gun statue on “Bagersplats,” opposite the central station. Sort of a nice way to say: “Not with me.”
Language
Hi means Hej.
Thanks means Tack.
Got it? Congratulations — you just passed A1 in Swedish. If it gets more complicated, use English — everybody speaks it.
Prices & Currency
Swedish prices. Meaning: If you are not from a North European country, it is gonna be expensive.
Regarding cash, you should bring a credit card, some places don’t even accept cash anymore. Therefore, there is normally no need to change your currency into Swedish Krona.
Regarding alcohol prices — our suggestion is you go on an alcohol fast for the time being in Sweden…
Do you plan to take the bus quite often? Maybe the Jojo mini card is for you. For more information on discount tickets, click here.
Opening Times
- Most shops are open on Sundays.
- Most museums are closed on Mondays.
What We Didn’t Check Out, but Sounds Cool
Ribersborgs Kallbadhus (nick-named Kallis): This is a famous wellness and spa centre, located at the Ribersborgsstranden (the local beach). It also hosts a famous restaurant.
Wanna Dig Deeper into the History of Malmö?
Then we strongly recommend this website. It gives you a good overview of Malmö’s history. To see more pictures of Malmö, check out Sweden’s official website for tourism: https://visitsweden.com/malmo/.
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