All About Malmö
Founded in the 1200s, Malmö first came under Swedish rule in 1658. Located in the country’s south, it is an industrial town that is part of Skåne County. Having a population of 350,000, Malmö is the third-largest city in Sweden. Its position opposite Denmark, across the Øresund Strait, gives it strategic importance in trade and tourism.
After the building of the Øresund Bridge, there has been massive all-around development in Malmö. As a result, the city is nowadays a thriving business center, university town and attracts tourists from across the world. Giving importance to art and culture, Malmö isn’t without its quirks. Here, you’ll find the architecturally glorious Turning Torso tower, mouse houses – which are a form of street art, and an unmatched vintage appeal in the city’s old neighborhood.
Routes and Ferries to Malmö
Tourists wishing to travel by car can book a vehicle while purchasing their ferry tickets to Malmö through Ferryscanner. That is, if not driving over the Øresund Bridge from Denmark. Boats from Travemünde dock at Malmö Port frequently during the week. Priced between €29 and €65, tickets for the 9 hours and 15-minute journey are available throughout the year. However, if you cannot book ferry tickets to Malmö, take a boat to Trelleborg, a port only 45-minutes away from the city.
If choosing to fly, Copenhagen Airport is the closest to Malmö with the best international connections. Trains from the airport take 20 minutes, or else, use the bus service to Malmö center. Malmö Airport, on the other hand, is a 40-minute drive from the city. It primarily handles domestic arrivals and a few Wizz Air flights from Poland, Romania, and Hungary.
Port of Malmö
Operated by the same company that manages Copenhagen Port, the harbor at Malmö is the third-largest in Sweden. While the port handles dry and wet bulk cargo, containers, cruise ships, and ro-ro ferries, it is essentially a hub for car imports. Known as the ‘Gate to Sweden’, Malmö Port offers good road and railway links to the country. When arriving with ferry tickets to Malmö, expect to sail under the famous Øresund Bridge as you approach the terminal, situated close to the center. Taxi services from the port take passengers to hotels around the city, while the bus will drop you off in the center.
Best Beaches
The thing about living in a predominantly colder region is that come summer, everyone is eager to be out in the sun and near the water. Luckily, there are few options near Malmö where locals and tourists can enjoy a pleasant day by the sea.
Ribersborgsstranden
Malmö’s city beach is perfect in every sense possible. The water here is shallow and the sunsets are unforgettable. Furthermore, the panoramas alternate between the beauty of the sweeping sea and Malmö’s crowning glory, the Turning Torso skyscraper. Close to the popular Ribersborg Bath House, the 2.5km long sandy beach is a 20-minute stroll from the center. Besides open spaces, it offers a playground, jetty, barbeque grills, cafes, and a separate area for dogs.
Sibbarpsstranden
Many tourists visit the rocky shoreline of Sibbarpsstranden for its uninterrupted views of the Øresund Bridge. While there, it’s possible to jump into clean, swimmable water via several jetties leading into the sea. The main beach has toilets, camping facilities, and a large lawn to sunbathe on. A nearby area has shallow waters, preferred by families with small children.
Lomma South Beach
There are two beaches, one on either side of Lomma harbor, situated 20-minutes from Malmö. Lomma Beach tends to be more crowded, so South Lomma is a favorite with sunbathers searching for a hint of solitude. This sandy stip has good facilities, warm water in the afternoon and is ideal for kids to splash around carefree.
Luftkastellet
More of a viewpoint than a beach, this ‘Castle in the Sky’ is one of the best places in Malmö to admire the Øresund Bridge. The main building here looks like a ship, has a restaurant, and offers space for events. However, any visitor can go on the jetty that extends deep into the waters of the strait. This picturesque photography location is also a great place to wave at passengers arriving with ferry tickets to Malmö.
Malmö Titanic Lovelock Point
Lovelock Point is a small boat-shaped lookout from where you can view the Øresund Bridge on a clear and sunny day. Couples usually come here to hang their lover’s padlocks on the railings, but many are adventurous enough to jump into the sea as well. It’s a quaint little bathing spot where you climb a wall to get out of the water, adding to the excitement of it all.
Places to Visit
A city in a league of its own, Malmö is a holiday destination where people come to experience the amalgamation of art, shopping, culture, and food with the allure of the Swedish way of life.
Drottningtorget
Drottningtorget is an underrated town square of Malmö that, on an average day, has an unassuming appeal. Bordered by official buildings and the office of The Red Cross, its two famous permanent residents are the French restaurant Boulebar and the ice-cream shop Dolce Sicilia, said to be the best in town. However, the scene here transforms completely on Saturdays when the square plays host to the weekly farmer’s market. Bustling with activity, you can bargain with sellers for vintage clothes and all kinds of handmade oddities. Not to miss are the fresh produce and local delights ranging from comfort bites to freshly baked bread and cakes.
Södergatan
Malmö’s pedestrian-only main street is an essential stopover for visiting shopaholics. The stores lining the street are a mix of international fashion houses, Swedish brands, and small homegrown design and clothing labels. During your stroll, keep a lookout for some of the oldest buildings in town, dating back to the 16th-century. Also, stop by for a coffee at one of the quaint cafes along the way. Lastly, photography enthusiasts will find the peculiar sculpture, Optimistorkestern, of a marching band, much to their liking.
Moderna Museet
The bright orange-colored building of Moderna Museet is a hard-to-miss sight in Malmö. Home to a riveting collection of contemporary art from the 20th-century onwards, entry into the museum is free. Besides its permanent displays, the museum regularly hosts temporary and recurring exhibitions. Five minutes from the famous Stortorget square, the museum has a gift shop and a café. It is also possible to join a 45-minute guided tour of the museum every Saturday.
Lilla Torget
A magical little square, Lilla Torget is famous for its half-timbered house which looks like something from a fairytale. Occupied by restaurants and shops, these residences once played an essential role in developing Malmö as a port town. Enchanting during the day, Lilla Torget is electric after the sun goes down. From the city’s only Scottish pub, Drumbar, to its most happening nightspot, Mello Yello, you’ll find it all here.
Malmöhus
This 16th-century castle is the oldest Renaissance fortification still standing in the whole of Scandinavia. Surrounded by a moat, the castle was a granary and a prison over the centuries. Now, visitors passing through have access to three brilliant museums – Malmö Konstmuseum, Stadsmuseum, and an Aquarium. Entry for all three is part of one ticket. During the summer months, guided tours in English are also available.
Transportation Around Malmö
Sauntering around Gamla Staden, the old part of Malmö, is a pure delight. The cobblestone streets, charming architecture, and overall vibe demand that you take time appreciating what is no less than a magical wonderland. Renting a bike is another option that is equally fun and does speed up travel a fair bit. However, tourists who come with ferry tickets to Malmö will especially love taking boat tours that run regularly during the summers.
The bus network in Malmö is quite extensive. The green vehicles cover the city, while the yellow buses travel to nearby towns. Thus, public transport is the preferred choice when visiting Western Harbor or the beach. Day tickets offering unlimited travel on buses cost €6.40, or you can opt for the rechargeable JoJo Card if staying in town for more than a couple of days. Taxis are best left for emergencies as they can be expensive. Furthermore, Malmö has a subway and trains connecting it to Copenhagen Airport and the suburbs of Hyllie and Triangeln.
Map of Malmö
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