Photo by L.G.photo. Malmö is a beautiful city famous for its parks, and is particularly popular for its vibrant cultural life, avant-garde architecture and countless restaurants and bistros. It is also an ideal destination for shoppers, where you can find beautiful Swedish designer goods. It is a great starting point for discovering Southern Sweden or, again, lends itself perfectly to a combined visit with Copenhagen!
So let's find out together what to see in Malmö, what are the best attractions not to miss and what are the most typical things to do!
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17 Things to see in Malmö
1 - Gamla Staden
Photo by Luis Antonio Carrasc.... Theheart of the city of Malmö, the historic centre where its soul is inherent, telling of its past through the colourful medieval houses and picturesque squares. Perfectly inscribed in an area defined by the passage of a waterway, which flows into the parks surrounding the castle, Gamla Staden is located in the eastern part of the city.
The most characteristic place in the old town is Lilla torg, a delightful, small and quaint square. From here, one then reaches Stortorget (large square), the oldest and largest square in Malmö, built in 1536. Also characterised by colourful half-timbered houses, among the most important buildings you can admire here is the splendid Town Hall building.
It represents the heart of the city and is easily accessible from all parts of the city. The area is served by several bus stops nearby - Get directions
First time in Malmo? Let us guide you: for a first approach to the city, we recommend a walking tour of the city, to locate landmarks and learn about stories and anecdotes.
2 - Castle
Photo by L.G.photo. Sweden's oldest Renaissance fortress, dating back to the 15th century, Malmö Castle today houses several museums: the Art Museum(Malmö Konstmuseum), the Municipal Museum(Stadsmuseum), the Natural History Museum and the Maritime and Technology Museum.
It is possible to visit the entire museum area by purchasing a single shared ticket. Nestled in one of the greenest areas of the city and overlooking the waters of its moat, the Castle, in Swedish Malmöhus, is easily recognisable by the red colour of its walls.
Outside the castle, don't miss Fiskehoddorna, a small fishing village built in the 1800s, which is animated by the local fish market from Tuesday to Saturday. The castle is located north of Kungsparken, not far from the city centre, and is one of the must-see attractions in the city.
Plan your visit: for a small surcharge on your ticket, you can rent an audio guide that tells you all about the interesting history of the building. Please allow at least 2 hours to visit the castle. On summer afternoons on Saturdays and Sundays, take advantage of the free guided tours.
How to get there: Malmöhusvägen 6, reachable from the city centre by public transport (bus lines 7 and 8), reference stop Malmö Tekniska museet - Get directions
Hours: daily 10 a.m.-5 p.m.
Ticket price: full price 40.00 SEK (€3.90), students 20.00 SEK (€1.95), free up to 19 years old
3 - Kungsparken
Photo by Jorchr. Thefirst park open to the public in the city, famous for its exotic tree garden and for housing one of the four legal casinos in Sweden. The park covers 8.4 hectares. Originally a cemetery, Danish landscape architect Ove Hoeg-Hansen later transformed it into a park, which was opened to the public in 1872, inspired by English gardens.
Nicknamed the'King's Park', it has a very dense vegetation and is one of the most popular parks for joggers, but also for those who want to spend a few hours of healthy relaxation or organise a picnic. Compared to all the other green areas in the city, the Kungsparken has the greatest variety of flower species, and in particular a large number of trees, including an almost 30-metre Turkish oak, a centuries-old chestnut tree and an ailanthus tree native to China and Taiwan.
It is located at Slottsgatan 33 and can be reached from the city centre in less than 10 minutes. At the Malmö Djäknegatan stop, take bus no. 8 to Malmö Gustav Adolfs torg (4 stops) - Get directions
Not to be missed in the summer: the park becomes a venue for major cultural events, such as the two-month Sommarscen festival, during which circus and acrobatic performances are organised, as well as an alternative theatre performance programme designed just for children. All events are free of charge.
4 - Malmö Konsthall
Photo by Aiert Buruaga. The Malmö K onsthall is one of the largest art exhibition halls in Europe. With 2,000 square metres entirely dedicated to Swedish and world contemporary art, this elegant gallery is located in Sankt Johannesgatan and is definitely worth a visit, if only for the space and the spectacular light effects; it houses extemporaneous exhibitions and permanent collections. The main hall houses, among others, the Schyll collection.
But the building itself is a work of art. Klas Anshelm, the architect who designed the building, described it as'a large, low concrete box open to the park and the light from the sky'. The building materials are simple and mostly light (glass, wood and aluminium), most of the gallery has a roof constructed as a lattice of 550 light domes and the ceiling height varies. The result is a gallery that is both functional and aesthetic.
How to get there: at St Johannesgatan 7, it is 13 min by car. From Malmö Djäknegatan, take buses (lines 2,7, 8) to Triangeln St. - Get directions
Hours: daily 11:00-17:00, Wed until 21:00
Ticket price: free / Guided tours in English Mondays 14:00
5 - St. Peter's Church
Photo by Fred J. St. Petri Kyrka is the oldest building in the city: the beautiful and huge Lutheran church dates back to 1319. Built in Gothic and brick style, and with a 105-metre high tower, it is almost a basilica due to its size and three naves.
The interior is completely white and very bright, thanks to the stained glass windows and the rich Baroque decorations of the pulpit, the altarpiece (15 m high) and the baptismal font. Unfortunately, most of the magnificent 14th century medieval frescoes were destroyed in the religious wars of the 16th century. In compensation, however, the frescoes decorating the Merchants' Chapel(Krämarkapellet) can be admired.
How to get there: at Göran Olsgatan 4, in the old town. Easy walking distance from Gamla Staden (230 m, 2 min). Reference bus stop Malmö Djäknegatan - Get directions
Hours: Mon, Tue, Thu and Fri 10:00-12:00 and 13:00-15:00, Wed 13:00-15:00. Limited tours for Mass and religious celebrations
Ticket price: free
6 - Lilla Torg
Photo by Wamba Wambez. Thetrue heart of Malmo's old town, Lilla Torg (literally, the little square), is a charming little square dating back to the late 16th century and the epicentre of the city's nightlife, with its clubs, bars and restaurants housed within the colourful historic houses with magnificent outdoor terraces.
Here you can breathe in the atmosphere of the small medieval Nordic Viking villages, characterised by half-timbered houses with sloping roofs, brown bricks, criss-crossed black stripes and cobbled floors. Design and architecture exhibitions are held in these distinctive buildings, and at night the square is illuminated by a giant lamp. At Saluhallen, the covered market, you can try specialities from all over the world. It is certainly one of the most characteristic spots in the city.
It is located in the historic centre, only 600 m from Gamlòa Staden, and can be reached easily in about 7 min on foot via Adelgatan and Mäster Johansgatan - Get directions
Mix with young Swedes: have lunch, an aperitif or an after-dinner drink at 'Folk a Rock', a very spartan but cosy venue with a fabulous selection of records, popular with the city's youth.
7 - Moderna Museet
Photo by Åsa Lundén. The Malmö Museum of Modern Art is a branch of the Stockholm Museum of Modern Art, and is the only one north of Amsterdam with an international collection covering the entire 20th century, with works by artists such as Picasso, Dalí, Matisse, Kandinsky and Rauschenberg.
It is immediately recognisable as a large, monumental red cube clad with perforated steel plates. The building, which houses the gallery (809 square metres of exhibition space), used to house the city's electricity generators and still has the turbine hall intact.
How to get there: at Ola Billgrens plats 2 - 4, in the old town. It is a 7-minute walk from Gamla Staden (600 m). Reference stop Malmö Paulibron, on the opposite bank of the river - Get directions
Hours: Tue-Fri 11am-6pm, Sat-Sun 11am-5pm, Mon closed
Ticket price: free / Temporary exhibitions for a fee, see official website
8 - Ribersborg Kallbadhuset
Photo by L.G.photo. Around Malmö, you should definitely enjoy a few hours of relaxation in the area between Ribersborg Kallbadhuset, the 2.5 km long city beach that is located very close to the city centre. It may come as a surprise, but Ribersborg beach is an international Blue Flag!
The famous nudist establishment of Ribersborg Kallbadhus is located on the pier overlooking theOresund, the strip of water that once separated Malmo from Denmark, where you can swim and try the separate saunas for men and women. The water is shallow and the beach is surrounded by beautiful green spaces where you can relax or enjoy sports activities. It is therefore also ideal for spending time with children.
It is located east of the district of Västra Hamnen. It can be reached from the centre by bus (line 7), Malmö Ribersborg stop - Get directions
Visit on the first Monday of the month: the first Monday of the month is "QUEER KALLIS", a day when the cold bath is open to everyone, regardless of gender, body or identity.
9 - Möllevångstorget
Photo by Jorchr. Among the most characteristic areas of the city that you absolutely must not miss is the delightful district of Möllevångstorget, one of the most colourful in Malmö. Here, the current buildings have remained largely intact since the beginning of the 20th century and have a remarkably homogenous architecture.
Occupied by the farmers' and breeders' market over a century ago, today it is a dynamic area where you will find a lively city market selling everything from fish to flowers to its many bars, cafés and multi-ethnic restaurants, where you can sample the best cuisines of the world.
The district is located south of the historical centre. It can be reached in less than 10 min by bus (lines 5 and 32), reference stop Folkets Park - Get directions
Takea picture of the statue 'The Glory of Work': this is where the labour movement was born, as the large statue reminds us. Through the sculpture, artist Axel Ebbe wanted to express how communal work sustains society.
10 - Turning Torso
Photo by © Ralf Roletschek. Malmö's futurist residential skyscraper, with its 190 m height and 54 storeys, is a symbol of Malmö's city renewal and has become one of the city's main attractions, especially for architecture lovers.
The work of Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, it is the tallest residential building in Sweden, characterised by this particular 90° 'twist' from the base to the highest floor, and is inspired, as its name suggests, by a sculpture representing a human torso in torsion. The building was constructed from steel, glass and reinforced concrete and is structured in nine rotating cubes whose main structural element is a reinforced concrete core.
Discover one of the best buildings in the world: it received the MIPIM award at the 2005 Cannes Construction Fair as the best residential building in the world!
How to get there: in the district of Västra Hamnen, connected to the centre by public transport. It can be reached by 15/20 mion buses (lines 2, 84). Reference stop Malmö Turning Torso - Get directions
Hours: outside always accessible / inside occupied by offices and flats
Ticket price: outside free / inside not accessible
11 - Västra hamnen
Also known as the Western Harbour, this is the new trendy area of the city, where the trendy young people always flock. The centrepiece of the area, as explained above, is the Turning Torso building, surrounded by beaches and other buildings. It is impossible not to be fascinated by its architecture, and its promenade with clubs, restaurants, cafés, making it one of the most popular haunts in the city.
Not to be missed is the spectacular view of the Oresund Bridge, the best view being from the Luftkastellet vantage point.
The district is located north of the city centre and is well connected to the centre by public transport. It can be reached in 15/20 minutes by bus (lines 2, 84). Reference stop Malmö Turning Torso - Get directions
Spend an evening here: among the many venues in the area, we recommend 'Bon Ici Restaurang or Vinbar Malmo', one of the most popular and popular.
12 - Malmö Chokladfabrik: the chocolate museum
Photo by Jorchr. Amust-see for those with a sweet tooth! Everything you ever wanted to know about chocolate can be found here, in one building.
The centrepiece of the city's new cultural quarters, inside the Mazzetti factory, is'the chocolate factory', Malmö's only chocolate museum.
Let yourself be tempted and learn all about its history and how it is produced. And don't forget to pay a visit to the shop, where you can buy chocolates, truffles and many other tasty treats.
Discover one of the most famous factories: they claim to be the only manufacturer in Sweden that still processes the cocoa beans themselves to make their chocolate! A visit not to be missed.
How to get there: at Möllevångsgatan 36B, it takes about 15 minutes by bus (lines 2, 7, 8) from the centre. Reference stop Triangeln St. - Get directions
Hours: Mon-Fri 10am-6pm, Sat 10am-3pm, Sun closed
Ticket price: free
13 - Katrinetorp
Photo by Philaweb. Not far from the centre of Malmö is a true oasis of peace: we are talking about the 19th-century Katrinetorp Manor, which was built as a summer residence and venue for grand receptions. It is one of the best-preserved imperial structures in the country, with historic gardens and an associated English landscape park.
Markets, music performances, events and exhibitions are held here every year. Katrinetorp Manor also recently opened a new exhibition space called'The Stables', which also houses an exclusive gift shop.
Stop for lunch: the in-house restaurant is very much in vogue. Famous for the Swedish speciality Wallenbergare, i.e. minced veal served with buttery mashed potatoes, fresh peas, fresh blueberries and melted butter.
Directions: outside the city, at Katrinetorps allé 1. However, well connected to the centre in about 50 min by bus (line 54). Malmö Katrinetorp bus stop - Get directions
Hours: manor house daily 8am-5pm / gardens daily 8am-8pm
Ticket price: free
14 - Folkets Park
Photo by Mangan2002. Malmö certainly has no shortage of green areas where you can relax, and among them Folkets Park is definitely worth a visit: this is the oldest city park, dating back to the late 19th century.
Itbegan as an attraction for the working class; then, following extensive renovation, it became one of the most popular areas, especially for enjoying a nice picnic in nature, and for its summer cultural events. Inside the park there are also numerous attractions for children such as a funfair, a theatre, a zoo and the classic pony ride.
Don't miss the big events: themed shows and events (Christmas, Halloween, etc.) are organised periodically. For the complete programme, see the calendar.
How to get there: At Amiralsgatan 35, it is about 15 min by bus (lines 5 and 32) to the centre. Stop bu Folkets Park - Get directions
Hours: park gates always open / Activities inside variable hours, see official website
Ticket cost: free / Indoor activities variable costs, see official website
15 - Radhuset
Also not to be missed is the splendid Malmö City Hall building, which dominates Stortorget. Built in 1546 in the Swedish Renaissance style, it was renovated in the 1800s. The palace cannot be visited inside, but some of its rooms can be accessed through the restaurant inside.
Specifically, three rooms are accessible: the Knutssalen, i.e. the banquet hall, used in medieval times; the Landstigssalen, a Renaissance-style hall decorated with portraits of Danish royals; and finally the Bernadottesalen, another banquet hall with paintings depicting the royals of the Bernadotte family. Inside the impressive palace, free concerts are also hosted.
How to get there: at Stortorget 7, it is connected to the centre in about 30 min by bus (lines 2, 5, 7, 8, 31, 32). Reference bus stop Lund C - Get directions
Hours: restaurant Mon-Fri 11:30-14:00 and 17:00-22:30, Sat 17:00-23:00, Sun 15:00-20:00
Ticket price: free outside / Restaurant à la carte menu. Average prices from €30.00 per person
16 - Pildammsparken
And here is another beautiful green area. Pildammsparken is the largest park in Malmö. This park is especially popular between June and August, when open-air concerts and dance performances are organised here.
It was built for the 1914 Baltic Exposition. The park covers 45 hectares with forests, lakes and evergreen gardens. The strongly neoclassical design makes it unique among northern European parks. As the design took place in several stages, an interesting and distinctive park was created. Inside you will also find the rose garden dedicated to Queen Silvia of Sweden.
Easily accessible from the centre in about 25/30 min by bus: bus stop Malmö Stadion (lines 3, 84), bus stop Anneberg (line 3) - Get directions
Witness the fountain show: from sunset to 1 a.m., every half hour you can watch the spectacular dancing fountains with light effects.
17 - Oresund Bridge
An attraction that those travelling to Malmo by car, bus or train from Copenhagen can enjoy even before arriving in the city.
The striking Öresund Bridge, suspended over the sea, is an extraordinary futuristic structure designed to connect Sweden and Denmark, crossing the Öresund Strait that separates them. Conceived since the 1930s, the bridge was only built in 1995 and finally opened in 2000. Today it is the longest bridge in Europe dedicated to road and rail transport. On two levels, trains travel on the lower one, trucks on the upper one.
Of the bridge's 16 km length, 8 km are suspended over the sea, 4 km are on the artificial island of Peberholm (now a nature reserve), and another 4 km are underground and run along a road built below sea level. You have to pay for the passage and you have to show your passport or ID.
Take a picture ofthe bridge: if you don't have to cross it, but still want to take a picture, the best place to take memorable photos is Ribersborg beach!
How to get there: Öresund Bridge, in the Öresund Strait between Sweden and Denmark. On the Malmo side, it starts in the Limhamn district, south of the city centre - Get directions
Hours: always open
Ticket price: by train from Copenhagen Central Station €22.00 per/r / by car approx. €100.00 per/r / by bus line 999 from Kongens Nytorv (opposite the Royal Theatre in Copenhagen) €25.00 per/r
Other sights to visit and things to do
For those who can't do without shopping even on holiday, we recommend a stroll along Sodergatam, the shopping street full of shops and department stores that leads to the city's third square: Gustav Adolfs torg. The latter, surrounded by trees, is always very lively: there are often performances by street artists and you can eat street food at one of the many typical Swedish food stalls. If you are spending the Christmas holidays in Malmo, it is also in Gustav Adolfs Torg that you can visit the Swedish Christmas markets.
You will have realised by now that Malmo is a green city with lots of parks. In addition to those already described, there is also Slottsparken, the 'castle park', a fairy-tale place characterised by a dense forest of ancient trees dotted with ponds, streams, sculptures and fountains. Also in the centre is the Municipal Library, easily recognisable by its architectural structure covered in transparent mirrors.
8 things to do in Malmo
Shopping at Trollets Loppis Antikt
Taking a sauna at Ribersborg Kallbadhus
Photos among the cottages at Jakob Nilsgatan
Photos in front of the mill at Slottsträdgården
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Taste köttbullar: the famous Swedish meatballs accompanied by mashed potatoes and topped with a typical sauce made of cream and lingon jam, similar to blueberry
Treat yourself to a fika: a term that means 'to slow down from the daily hustle and bustle' and 'to take a coffee break'. If you are looking for a little place in the old town, we recommend Söderberg & Sara, which offers excellent cakes
Shopping at Trollets Loppis Antikt: this is Malmo's flea market. At this covered market you can find plenty of bargains and mingle with the locals.
Takea sauna at Ribersborg Kallbadhus: especially if you visit in the colder months, come and take a sauna at the bathhouse! If you are brave enough, you can also swim in the icy sea like the Swedes
Takea photo among the little houses on Jakob Nilsgatan: a street in the old town, it is one of the most Instagrammable places in the area, with lots of colourful little houses
Have lunch atSpill: a restaurant open only for lunch, here you can try real traditional Scandinavian dishes, with local and zero-kilometre products, and above all, great prices
Takea photo in front of the Slottsträdgården mill: that's right, in this park, amidst the greenery, you will find a beautiful mill, one of the most photographed spots in the city
Malmo in winter: the temperatures are really low, but visiting Malmo in winter, especially during the Christmas season, is a unique experience! So pack some heavy, technical clothes and set off on an adventure
What to see in a day
Malmo is a city full of museums, but with only 24 hours you won't be able to appreciate all its historical and cultural heritage. However, you will get to sample a good slice of it, and most importantly, you will be able to immerse yourself in the wonderful city centre. Here are the recommended buffets for a one-day Malmo itinerary.
Distance travelled: 5.1 km / 1 h on foot(show map)
9:00 - Gamla Staden, St Peter's Church and Lilla Torg
10:00 - Museum of Modern Art
14:30 - Malmo Castle Complex (visit to at least one of the museums inside)
17:00 - Fiskehoddorna
19:00 - Cosmopol Casino or Turning Torso
Plan your stay in Malmo: flights and hotels
Thereare no direct flights to Malmo; the most convenient solution is to fly to Copenhagen(compare flights), and then reach your destination by train (30 min, average cost €13.00). The best time of year is from May to September, both for the mild climate and the abundance of events.
Staying in the city centre is the most convenient option to have most attractions close at hand(compare accommodation on booking). However, if you find cheaper accommodation outside the centre, the city is served by an excellent bus network. Malmö is also famous for its nightlife, the best areas being Lilla Torg and Vastra Hamnen; among the best clubs in the city are Babel, Rosen Bar & Lounge and Pickwick Pub.
Inside Malmö Castle, among the various museums, there is also a small natural history museum with fossils and stuffed animals, as well as an aquarium with fish of all kinds and a reptile house that will delight children. For an open-air outing, there are numerous parks in the city, all equipped with play areas dedicated to them.
