Things to see and do on a trip to Malmo

Malmo is the third largest city in Sweden and one of the most international and modern in the country. It is curious to see the differences between neighborhoods and the great variety of restaurants from all over the world except Swedish, because the truth is that Swedish cuisine is not the most varied. There is quite a lot to see in and around Malmo as the city is perfectly located between Denmark and the rest of Sweden, whose southern region, besides having the best climate, has a lot to offer.

In this post we will tell you the best way to organize your trip to Malmo and make the most of it. Whether you go on a trip through Sweden or just to Malmo, we will tell you different ways to get there and how to get around the city and its surroundings. Have you ever tried the Swedish sauna? Do you know what are the gastronomic specialties of the city? or where to eat cheaper? If the answer is no, you’re in the right place.

Things to do in Malmo

1. The old town

Less than a 10-minute walk from the train station brings us to the city center, Gamla Staden, where some of Sweden’s oldest buildings dating back to the 1200s are located. All of them are gathered in the central square, with the statue of King Carl X Gustaf. The town hall lies there as well. It is probably the most characteristic building in Malmo for its particular Gothic style and green roofs.

The main shopping street, Södergatan, runs from the square. And nearby lies Lilla torg, one of the most beautiful and photographable squares in the city where you will mainly find cafés, pubs and cocktail bars. The center of Malmo is full of restaurants, stores and street markets. It is a very pleasant place to stroll around.

2. Sunset in the saunas of Malmo

Going to the sauna in Sweden is a daily activity that knows no age, gender or time of the day. They are usually small wooden buildings built in the middle of the sea and reached by a very long walkway. The number of rooms depends on the size of the complex, which usually has at least one sauna and a changing room for men and one for women. In addition, there are stools on the wooden platforms to rest or go down to the sea, since the ritual requires spending twenty minutes in the sauna and then jumping into the sea to generate the temperature change.

In Malmo there are a couple of fairly large saunas on the beach that cost no more than 10€ and are open all year round. You don’t need to bring a swimsuit but you do need flip-flops and a couple of towels. We also recommend to bring a padlock for the lockers. The sun sets over the sea, so it is a joy to catch the sunset there, the views are spectacular.

3. Turning Torso, the most futuristic building in Malmo

This building is an emblem of the city of Malmo, which despite its beautiful historic center, is considered very modern. At 190 meters high, the Turning Torso is currently the tallest skyscraper in Scandinavia. It is located on a small peninsula next to the beach, in an area with new residential buildings and businesses. You can hire guided tours during the summer that cost 37 € and are provided 3 times a day. But if you do not intend to go up, better to see it from afar as the area is not exactly close to the center.

4. Malmo Castle and its museums

In the center of Malmo and surrounded by a beautiful park with canals lies a large fortress that houses the Malmo Castle dating from the 16th century. Inside there are several museums that can be visited with a single ticket that gives access to the entire castle and costs 40 SEK, and is free for young people under 19yo.

• City Museum: here you can learn about the history of Malmo and its castle.
• Historia Natura: this is the city’s natural history museum, ideal for going with children to learn more about animals.
• Museum of Art: has exhibits by Nordic artists from the 16th century to the present day such as Annika von Hausswolff and Dan Wolgers.
• Tropicarium: is an aquarium with a large variety of fish and reptiles.

5. Parks to visit in Malmo

Malmo is a city full of beautiful parks that are very well kept and pleasant for walking and sports. Slottsparken is located in the vicinity of the castle and dates from 1870. Among its leafy trees several canals pass through and there is also a mill. On the other side of the castle there is another park called Kungsparken.

However, the most spectacular park is Pildammsparken. In the center you will find a lake where you can go boating, and in the surrounding area there are huge meadows where locals do sports or have picnics. In good weather the park is full and is one of the liveliest places in the city. There is also an area of monumental, towering trees that are trimmed in a perfect straight line creating long corridors.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to see around Malmo

1. Helsingborg

Less than an hour by train from Malmo lies Helsingborg, a city of monumental beachfront buildings. Beyond strolling along the harbor and visiting Kärnan, a tower with spectacular views, there’s not much else to do. However, ferries depart continuously from there to Helsingør, the Danish sister city.

The ferry leaves every 30 minutes and takes just 20 minutes to arrive. If the weather is nice, it’s a joy to peek out on deck. Once there, you can visit Kronborg Castle, where Shakespeare was inspired to write Hamlet, and from which the views are incredible as it juts out into the sea, and from its walls you can see the coast of Sweden.

2. Lund

A couple of stops from Malmo (or the next one depending on the train), is Lund, a beautiful little university town full of life. Wherever you look there are bikes from one side to the other that run along its stone pavement and through its beautiful streets out of a fairy tale. The most impressive buildings in the city are the university library, covered with vines that change color every season of the year, the Romanesque cathedral that stands in the middle of the square and the buildings surrounding the main square (Stortorget) as a market.

There are also two museums that you can not miss, Kulturen and the Lund History Museum, the entrance costs about 9 €. During the Christmas season the city is beautifully illuminated and it is a pleasure to stroll and shop there. Of course, during the summer, when students return home, Lund becomes a ghost town.

What to see in 1 day in Malmo?

Malmo can be seen in one day, but despite that, we recommend it as a strategic place to stay since communications with the rest of the points of interest in the area are very good. A good tour for a day is to start in the city center (Gamla Staden) visiting the town hall, squares and streets of colorful facades. On your way you will also come across the Kungsparken and Slottsparken parks.

In the afternoon you can head to the beach area. In summer they do activities such as kayaking or paddle boarding at sunset, or you can watch it from the large glass windows of the saunas that float above the sea. Malmo is a city to walk and live it, to discover its corners and enjoy its international atmosphere.

Where and what to eat in Malmo?

Sweden is not exactly famous for its varied cuisine. To give you an idea, the most famous dish is a slice of black bread with egg, lettuce, mayonnaise and shrimp on top. That is why it is not easy to find traditional restaurants, although there are some. The most typical dishes are the aforementioned Räksmörgås, herring, meatballs, Smörgåstårta (savory pie with ingredients that you would never think that they could go well together) and salmon. What you can’t miss are the desserts like the cinnamon roll and chocolate cake. Here are some of the best restaurants in the city:

• Kebab Restaurants: Although it may seem strange, in Malmo there are kebab (or falafel as they call it there) restaurants of very good quality. In addition, it is one of the fastest and cheapest options to eat when we are sightseeing.
• Lilla Kafferosteriet: is one of the most famous cafes in the city for its location in a building from the last century. Here in addition to trying the famous Swedish desserts you can eat some toast.
• Nordic Street Food: is a simple restaurant where they serve a daily menu for only 85 SEK. There are two options, vegetable or meat dish, but always of the best quality and local produce.

Where to stay in Malmo

Malmo is a fairly small city that is easy to get around on foot. It is also true, that Sweden is one of the most expensive countries in Europe, so if you want to find good value accommodation, it is best to book in advance or move a bit away from the central area. Here are some good accommodation options:

• Hostel Malmö City: is an ideal hostel for families. Very neat, clean and less than 2km from the beach. The best is the breakfast buffet for 9€. The price per night ranges from 70€ to 90€.
• First Hotel Jörgen Kock: is a very modern hotel located next to the station and 5 minutes from downtown. It has a restaurant, bar, parking and there is also an option to book family rooms. Prices are around 100€ per night and breakfast is included.
• Moment Hotels: is a nice and simple 3-star hotel very well located between the center and the beach. The rooms are perfectly equipped and breakfast included in the price. The price per night ranges between 80€ and 90€.

How to get to Malmo

Malmo is Sweden’s third largest city, and its convenient location in relation to Copenhagen makes it easy to reach. There is an airport on the outskirts of Malmo, however, it does not have a direct connection to the mainland, but is used for local flights and the ones from other nearby European cities.

To get there from Spain the best option is to fly to Copenhagen. From the airport there is a direct train to Malmo that takes just 30 minutes and costs 15 euros. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office or through the Skånetrafiken app. This way you won’t have to wait in line.

Another option is to fly into Stockholm and take a train to Malmo. Unless we are going to route and stop in other cities on the way, this is not the best option as it takes longer and is more expensive than flying to Copenhagen.

What should I consider before traveling to Malmo?

• The official currency of Sweden is the Swedish Krona (SEK)
• The best time to travel to Malmo is from May to September
• There are many establishments where cash is not accepted.
• The tap water is safe to drink.
• Travelling from Spain it is not necessary to have a visa. The ID card is enough.
• Be covered for possible medical emergencies: travel insured.
• The country is generally very safe, but just in case be careful with your belongings.
• To take public transportation, it’s best to download the Skånetrafiken app.

How to prepare what to see on your trip to Malmo

Register or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travelers.
• Create your own itinerary and add the app’s suggestions into it.
• Add the stops you are most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest we indicate in this post as a reference).
• Organize your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can be inspired by the routes we present in the post).
• Check the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make the modifications you need and you’ll be all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of the places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend to other travelers what to see in Malmo.

If you have doubts about how to do it, you can check our post: How to create your travel itinerary with Passporter.

Frequently asked questions about a trip to Malmo