During our road trip along the south-west coast of Sweden, we had planned to visit the city of Malmö to get a closer look at the impressive Turning Torso tower.
After a bit of research, we came across a little nugget that we’ve detailed below, just 15 minutes from Malmö.
Below, we give you all the information you need to visit Malmö, what to see and do in each city, where to eat and above all what to do around Malmö…
Do we recommend visiting Malmö?
We’ve created this blog to honestly share our discoveries and tips to make your trip easier. Malmö is Sweden’s third-largest city (population approx. 350,000). It is also considered part of the Copenhagen suburbs.
The two cities, located opposite each other, are linked by the magnificentØresund Bridge. This port city, a little too futuristic for our taste, lacks some of the charm that usually characterizes Swedish towns. We still enjoyed strolling around the historic center.
This town is sure to ring a bell, as it was here that the famous soccer player Zlatan Ibrahim was born and raised.
Following the advice of other travelers, we also visited Lund, a town just 15 minutes (by train) from Malmö in the north-northeast, which was a real coup de coeur. We found it much more charming and authentic. In our opinion, it’s a must-do in Sweden.
It’s a charming student town with a population of around 90,000. It’s also one of Scandinavia’s oldest cities. We loved strolling through the cobbled, car-free streets.
If you have the time, we obviously recommend visiting Malmö and Lund. You can make up your own mind, as both cities can be visited in a day.
On the other hand, if you don’t have the time, we advise you to opt for the city of Lund.
We’ve visited both cities and give you our itinerary and tips for both. Don’t hesitate to comment on which city you liked best.
What to see and do in Malmö in 1 day?
Malmö (pronounced Malmeu) is a city you can easily visit on foot. We enjoyed the contrast between the charm of the old town and the new eco-friendly district.
Several pay parking lots via mobile app, approx. €1/hour (including Easypark)
Old town and castle
- We recommend a visit to the historic center, starting with Stortorget Square: the city’s main square. See vintage advertisements painted directly on a wall and admire the beautiful Dutch Renaissance town hall.
- Then off to Lilla Torg, a small square surrounded by colorful houses with quaint cafés and restaurants. We love Sweden for its cities with their colorful facades.
- Then continue on to Malmohus, a fortress Renaissance dating from the 15th c. Today, it’s home to several museums, including the Museum of Modern Art and the Disgusting Food Museum.
Turning Torso
- Then finish off with the Västra Hamnen district, Malmö’s green district powered 100% by sustainable energy. With the Turning Torso as its symbol. An incredible 54-storey twisting building designed by Santiago Calatrava. You can enjoy views of the Öresund bridge linking Copenhagen (Denmark) and Malmö from the quayside, or take a swim on the circular platforms.
A quick look at the Øresund Bridge, an imposing structure linking Copenhagen, the capital of Denmark, to Malmö in Sweden. This remarkable construction includes an 8-kilometer road and rail bridge, completed by a 4-kilometer tunnel, linking two Scandinavian countries across the Øresund Strait. Designed to harmonize road and rail traffic, the Øresund Bridge has become a symbol of modern engineering and a vital link for transport and trade between Denmark and Sweden. Thanks to this bridge, Malmö is now considered a suburb of Copenhagen.
To round off your exploration, you can visit one of the many parks in the city center. If you’re a fan of skateboarding, you can visit the many skate ramps at Folkets Park.
Malmo Beaches
The large sandy beach of Ribersborgsstranden is within walking distance of Malmo town center. Enjoy a swim while watching the Oresund Bridge and Turning Torso. It’s an ideal spot for a stroll along the seafront.
Numerous free events are offered in summer. Basketball, beach volleyball and beach soccer courts are available.
Lund: the city to visit around Malmö
The city of Lund was founded around 990 by a Viking king, and went on to become one of Sweden’s most dynamic centers. One of Sweden’s first universities was founded in Lund. With 40,000 students, it is still one of the world’s largest cities (representing half of its population).
We loved seeing the little houses, the old wooden buildings, the impressive cathedral and the cobbled streets. As always in Swedish towns, it’s a great place to live, full of trees and so quiet that the medieval center is exclusively pedestrianized. We feel right at home here, and would have loved to have been an Erasmus student (what, we’re already too old?).
Here’s the itinerary we followed on our walk around Uppsala (approx. 2 kilometers round trip). We parked in one of the parking lots next to the Stadsparken park to the south-west of the city. (approx. €1 / hour to be paid via mobile app)
- Head for Lund’s medieval quarter, where you’ll find the Romanesque Lund Cathedral, the city’s main attraction. From its rather austere exterior, we recommend you go inside to observe its 14th-century astronomical clock, a unique object that animates at fixed times.
- The University of Lund, just next door, contrasts with its dazzling whiteness.
- If, like us, you like to take photos of the gates, you’ll be able to indulge yourself for several minutes in these streets, before reaching the botanical gardens. Take a stroll and observe the many plant species. Ideally visited in spring or summer, in May we were able to enjoy the immense tulip-covered flowerbeds, which were truly magnificent. Another great free visit, thanks Sweden.
- To round off your walk, if you have children, we recommend the Stadsparken park, with its huge playground for all ages, including several types of swings, trampolines and great facilities… Sweden really is a children’s paradise.
If you like open-air museums, you can include in your visit the Kulturen museum, the little brother of the Skansen museum in Stockholm. This museum is a small concentrate of Sweden, where you can observe traditional habitats (houses, stores, churches, mills, farms, schools…) reconstituted or reconstructed.
How do I get to Malmö from France?
We made 2 stops in Malmö, the first from France before exploring the southwest coast of Sweden. Then a second one before going to Copenhagen.
From France, we drove to northern Germany to take the ferry from Travemünde to Trelleborg (30 minutes south of Malmö) with TT Line. The ferry was new and even had a sauna. Finnlines offers an arrival in Malmö, for a similar fare. We took the company that suited us best in terms of crossing times.
You can compare the prices of different companies on the website Direct Ferries .
You can also reach Malmö by plane.
How do I get to Malmo from Copenhagen (Øresund bridge)?
- Train: There are frequent trains between Copenhagen and Malmö via the Øresund bridge. The journey takes about 35 to 45 minutes. Trains depart from Copenhagen Central Station (Københavns Hovedbanegård) and arrive at Malmö Central Station.
- Car: You can drive from Copenhagen to Malmö across the Øresund Bridge. The journey takes about 40 minutes. We had to pay for the bridge, which cost us around a hundred euros by camper van.
- Bus: There are bus services between the two cities. This can be a less expensive option, but the journey is generally longer than by train.
- Cycling: For the more sporty, you can even make the trip by bike, via the Øresund Bridge.
Where are Malmö and Lund located (map)?
Both towns are located in southern Sweden’s Skåne region. Malmö is located 50km from Copenhagen. Lund is located 20 km northeast of Malmö, and the main road linking the two cities is a pleasant one.
How long will it take to visit Malmö and Lund?
We recommend that you devote 1 day to visiting the 2 cities. We stayed 2 hours in Lund and 4 hours in Malmö, including a dinner break.
You can also book an organized tour from Copenhagen to visit Malmö and Lund in 1 day with transport and guide.
Where to sleep in Malmö?
We recommend staying in Malmö, which offers a greater variety of accommodation.
Our favorite with a view: Clarion Hotel Malmö, a great hotel, very charming, conveniently located next to the train station. Beautiful panoramic views from the restaurant on the top floor over the city and the Öresund bridge linking Sweden and Denmark, an architectural masterpiece not to be missed.
Car hire Malmö
You can rent a car from Malmö airport, train station or city center. If you have time, we recommend a road trip to the Bohuslan coast. This is one of our favorite routes in Sweden.
To compare rental prices, we recommend the RentalCars website, which compares the prices of cars from several rental companies, including Sixt, Hertz, Avis, Bugdet…
Is Malmö a dangerous city?
We had read and heard that Malmö was one of Sweden’s least safe cities. Staying in the historic center and the Västra district, we never felt unsafe.
We then continued our road trip to Goteborg (3 hours from Lund) and the magnificent Bohuslan Coast.
We wish you an excellent trip to Sweden, and of course we recommend that you visit Stockholm, the capital of the north, which is not to be missed!
Feel free to leave us a quick note or 5 stars below, to tell us if you’re planning this trip, to ask any questions you may have, here or on Instagram, we’ll get back to you with great pleasure.
