The medieval university town of Malmö is Sweden’s third-largest city, and one of the most charming towns in Northern Europe.
A blissful, clean and quaint little town, it’s packed with everything from medieval castles, catacombs and cathedrals, to inspiring architecture, a youthful creative scene, and one of the most prestigious universities in the country. A visit to Malmo is an absolute must for those travelling to Sweden or Europe in general.
Due to its small size and mostly flat surface, Malmo is very compact and walkable. The locals tend to get around on bicycles and motorised scooters, using the excellent cycle trail network that integrates the region.
The small size of Malmo makes it very compact and walkable, with most people getting around on bicycles and motorised scooters on its excellent cycle network.
That said, this small city is packed with plenty exciting things to do, gorgeous architecture and scenery to admire, delicious foods to sample, and a wealth of history and culture to get stuck into.
In this post I’ve compiled a collection of the top 10 things to do in Malmo, Sweden (2023 Edition).
Table of Contents
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Malmo Attractions Map
Malmo Essentials Checklist:
- A warm winter coat or jacket (for the cooler summer evenings or the freezing winter months)
- A decent pair of walking shoes (there’s a lot of walking in this city)
- A good quality compact camera (for taking great pics)
Malmo tourist information
How to get there:
Copenhagen is the nearest airport, and whilst this is in a totally different country, it takes just half an hour to get to Malmö. You can purchase train tickets in the airport and take the next train to Malmö – crossing the Øresund bridge that links Denmark to Sweden in just 20 minutes.
There’s a quick passport check onboard the train upon arrival at Sweden’s first town, Hyllie. Then the train takes off again and arrives at Malmö, the next stop, a few minutes later.
Getting around Malmo
The best way to get around Malmo is by bike, and the second best way is on foot. You can find out all about cycling the city and rent a bike on malmobybike.
Best time to visit Malmo
June-September see the best weather in the city, with July-August the warmest months but also the rainiest months. February is the coldest month of the year.
Top 10 Things to Do in Malmo, Sweden (2023 Edition)
1. Malmö Castle & Castle Mill
Head over to the Castle Park, in the north of the city, for sights of some of Sweden’s oldest medieval buildings and among the best things to do in Malmo.
Cycling around Malmo is really easy because the city is compact and has a very flat surface, and there an excellent city-wide cycling route network just like in Copenhagen.
Take a right turn off the road onto Castle Park and continue on the trail that winds though the park, passing by large trees, lawns and a lake, and stop by the Castle Mill that sits atop a small hill in the park.
Just a few yards up the trail and we catch the picturesque views of the bright red Malmö Castle across the river. Built in 1434, Malmo Castle is one of Sweden’s oldest surviving Renaissance castles. The Castle and Mill are easily one of the best free things to do in Malmö.
How to get there: From Triangeln, Pildammsvagen road leads onto Fersens vagen, which leads all the way to the Kungsparken. Easily accessible by walking or cycling.
2. Malmö Library & Gamla Polishuset (vertical garden)
Coming back from Castle Park, you’ll find the stunning Malmo Library on Kung Oscars Road.
More than just it’s picturesque surroundings, inside is a splendid piece of paradise with beautiful lighting and excellent facilities, it’s even dedicated to babies and kids which is perfect for families.
Location: Kung Oscars väg 11, 211 33 Malmö, Sweden
How to get there: Leaving the Kungsparken, take the first right onto Kung Oscars vagen and tis right there.
Admission: Free
Opening times: 10am-9pm (Mon-Thurs)
A short distance from the city library you’ll spot the Gamla Polishuset, a large building with an enormous, spectacular vertical garden growing along the walls.
3. St John’s Church
Heading back towards the main mall and the metro station at Triangeln, capture the beauty of St John’s Church in the late afternoon sun (you may have spotted this church upon arrival at Triangeln Station earlier).
Location: Rådmansgatan 20, 211 46 Malmö, Sweden
Admission: Free
Opening times: 10am-6pm (Mon-Fri), 10am-4pm (Sat-Sun)
4. Food: Smorgasbords, Kebabs, & Organic Vegan Dishes
Food doesn’t get more Scandinavian than the iconic smorgasbord – it’s an absolute must-eat in Malmo.
Eating superb food is easily one of the best things to do in Malmo, and where better to do that at Smör & Bröd one of the city’s finest restaurants where you’ll find the authentic and traditional Swedish smorgasbord cold dish spread.
Alternatively, if you fancy a restaurant that offers great quality Middle Eastern food that are big servings at budget prices, Falafel No.1 is an excellent recommendation.
5. Malmö Konsthall (modern museum)
For art and culture buffs, the Malmo Konsthall modern museum is one of the popular galleries for changing exhibitions of modern art by major artists, thats well worth checking out if you have the time.
How to get there: Just off the Pildammsvagen (on the route between Triangeln Station and Kungsparken)
Admission: Free
Opening times: 11am-5pm
6. Jakob Nilsgatan Street
The picturesque Jakob Nilsgatan is a quiet little area in the Gamla Vaster district.
On arrival, I am met with an empty cobbled street lined with bold, stylish, colourful houses adorned with foliage, and pretty potted plants, and the occasional old-fashioned bicycle here and there.
Here you’ll get plenty of opportunity to stroll the street and its alleys, and take some of the most instagrammable snaps of your trip. And since cars are forbidden down this street, and there’s hardly anyone around, it’s so eerily silent. In fact, in just under an hour strolling up and down this street, there was just one tourist. It really is one of Malmo’s true hidden gems.
How to get there: Jakob Nilsgatan is just off Slottsgaten, adjacent to the Kunsparken.
7. Stortorget and Lilla Torg
Wander the historical city centre of Stortorget and the adjacent quaint and pretty market place of Lillatorg.
Malmo Day Tours and Activities
8. Malmö Lighthouse & The World Maritime University
The WMU is a prestigious university of education founded by the International Maritime Organisation of the UN, in 1983. It’s considered the world’s leading centre of excellence in postgraduate maritime and oceans education.
It’s worth admiring the architecture that combines traditional and modern Scandi styles on your way to the classic and picturesque Malmo Lighthouse.
How to get there: From Gamla Vaster, head north on Grabrodersgatan over the bridge, and the World Maritime University is on the left. You can see the Lighthouse ahead, on the coast.
9. The Turning Torso
The aptly named Turning Torso is an iconic and uniquely-designed, twisted tower that towers over the city of Malmo.
Not only a unique and modern feat of architecture, The Turning Torso was designed by the SPanish architect Santiago Calatrava and is the tallest building in Sweden and Scandinavia. The impressive-looking skyscraper is a product of Sweden’s world-class, pioneering design culture, and is well worth checking out if you have the time.
How to get there: Cycling or walking is the most convenient access, going north-west from Kungsparken. For the best views, take the Rodergatan route, beside the canal.
10. Soak in the Ribersborgs Kallbadhus public spa
What better way to end a long tiring day exploring Malmo than by having a long hot soak in an open-air bath house?
Perhaps one of the more unusual things to do in Malmo, the Ribersborgs Kallbadhus public spa is the perfect spot for blissful relaxation after a long day of cycling or walking around the city. Situated at the end of a long pier off the coast to the west of the city, the traditional Scandinavian public baths offer both cold and hot baths and steamy saunas.
How to get there: From the Kungsparken its 25 mins walk, 11 mins on bike.
Admission: 65Kr (7 USD) per person
Opening times: 10am-7pm
Other Worthy Recommendations in Malmo:
Where to go shopping in Malmo? Snag some great bargains at this indoor flea market that sells a variety of rare and vintage items at discount prices. Situated 2km from Modern Art Museum of Malmo, you can shop for just about anything here.
Enjoy a tranquil picnic at the botanical garden known as Slottsträdgården, with excellent views of Malmo Castle in the distance. Spanning 210,000 sq km of lush gardens, with over 500 species of plants. The kitchen garden and orchard cultivate local fruit and vegetables which you can buy during season.
Other worthy landmarks and places to visit include: the 14th Century church Sankt Petri, Folkets Park (also known as the People’s Park), City Museum and the Natural History Museum.
For one of the more unusual things to do in Malmö, check out the Disgusting Food Museum
General Information about Malmo
- Area: 76.81 km squared
- Weather: -3C (winter), 22C (summer)
- Population: 344,166 (3rd in Sweden)
- Founded: 1200 AD (as part of Denmark), 1658 (as part of Sweden)
- International Airport: Malmo Airport (MMX)
Don’t forget to book travel insurance
It goes without saying really that when you travel in Europe and beyond, travel insurance is super important.
I never always bothered though. For years I travelled without insurance as I thought, “what could happen?”
Well, I once got my bag stolen in Vietnam and I had an electric shock in a hostel bathroom in Mexico. What if you’re hiking up a mountain and your appendix suddenly bursts, leaving you in excruciating pain and requiring emergency treatment? Anything could happen.
Malmo Interactive Map
So there you have it – my Top 10 Things to Do in Malmo.
Planning on staying in Malmo?
See below for a list of excellent accommodation options at Booking.com:
Commonly Asked Questions
A visit to Malmo is an absolute must for those travelling to Sweden or Europe in general. A blissful, clean and quaint little town, its packed with everything from medieval castles, catacombs and cathedrals, to inspiring architecture, a youthful creative scene, and one of the most prestigious universities in the country.
There are currently no formal border checks on the bridge, though there are border guards that enter the trains at the first stop in Sweden (Hylie). A passport is required to enter Sweden, so always carry your passport with you, even if you’re only visiting for the day, and regardless of which mode of transport you use to make the crossing.
Malmo is relatively very safe compared to other cities, in fact it’s considered one of the safest cities in the world. As with all places, there is crime here and gang activity, but as long as you keep to yourself, it’s nothing to be concerned about.
Malmo is a very compact, walkable and cycle-friendly city well-known for its stunning parks like Folkets Park and public spaces like Lilla Torg, City Museum and City Library, unique, modern architecture like the Turning Torso, picturesque streets, art gallery, and a historic, red brick renaissance castle. Malmo is also very clean and tidy, with most of the city being car-free.
The train that links Copenhagen and Malmö is called the Øresundståg. The journey costs around 77 DKK/110 SEK each way and runs all day. Trains depart every 10 minutes.
If crossing the bridge by bus or train, it will cost around 10 Euros. Train travel is much better as it runs every 20 minutes and takes approx. 20-25 minutes to reach Malmo, Sweden, from Copenhagen airport. If you drive, there will be a bridge toll costing around 45 Euros.
According to a 2022 report, the cost of living in Malmo Sweden, is 31% cheaper than in Copenhagen Denmark. Source: Expatistan
You can easily see most of the Malmo’s main attractions in a single day due to how compact and easily navigable the city is. However, two days allows you to see all of the city’s landmarks and fully experience Malmo.
Book Your Trip to Sweden: Budget Tips & Tricks
Flights: As always, I source the cheapest flights on the web from Skyscanner and Kiwi.com. They are considered the top flight search engines for the best deals.
Accommodation: I use Booking for the best hotel deals and HostelWorld for the cheapest stays. If you’re considering Airbnb, be sure to check Vrbo to find cheaper vacation stays.
SIM cards: DrimSim is a universal SIM card that isn’t tied to an operator and works in any country/region.
Travel Insurance: Stay protected from theft, injury, illness, and cancellations. A safety net in case anything goes wrong, I never leave without it. World Nomads is my favourite agent for total peace of mind.
Tours & Excursions: I book all my fave activities and guided tours on Get Your Guide & Viator – they do superb deals whilst offering excellent customer support.
Renting a car? I always use DiscoverCars, make sure you book your car hire in advance. For airport transfers, I use KiwiTaxi for the best deals.
Need to store your luggage in a locker? Use Radical Storage to store your stuff in a locker in any city for just $5 per day.
Head over to my Travel Tools page for all my best travel tips & advice and everything you need for your trip.
Malmo Travel Guides
Further Reading: Denmark
- Here’s the Top 15 Things to Do in Copenhagen, Denmark
- For 48 interesting facts about Denmark, click here:
More ‘Best Things to Do in..’ posts:
I hope you enjoyed reading my post: Top 10 Things to Do in Malmo, Sweden (2023 Edition), and feel inspired to see Malmo one day.
