Anda
Malmo is the southernmost city in Sweden, and it’s very close to Denmark, separated from Copenhagen by the Oresund strait. Many tourists take a day trip from Copenhagen to Malmo, taking advantage of the vicinity. One day could be enough for the best things to do in Malmo. However, you can extend your stay and visit some museums or enjoy the ample green spaces in Malmo.
Best things to do in Malmo
Malmo used to be under Danish rule for centuries. It was also a Hanseatic League port town. All this legacy is still visible in the city along with modern developments.
So, let’s see which are the best things to do in Malmo:
Malmohus – Malmo Castle
Malmohus was initially a Danish stronghold from the 15th century. It served as a mint, a prison, and today it hosts a few of Malmo’s museums. The Natural History Museum, an Art Museum, the City Museum, the Science and Maritime House, plus a small aquarium are all within the complex. In addition, the museum hosts different themed exhibits every year.
You can visit Malmohus every day from 10 AM to 5 PM, and you need to book your place in advance because of social distancing.
Kungparken – One of the best things to do in Malmo
Malmo has a good amount of green space, even in the city center. Next to Malmohus Castle, Kungsparken is the oldest park in Malmo, which opened in 1872. At that time, the citadel’s defense purpose was outdated, so they could put the land next to it for new use.
You can walk or run in Kungsparken, on the alleys following the canal. The park is home to trees from different continents. Lovely ducks are also swimming around the canals.
The canal separates Kungsparken to another green space, Slottstradgarden.
Here, the focus is on themed gardens and sustainable organic cultivation. The veggies from these gardens are sold here. Every June, a Malmo Flower Show adds another reason to visit these parks.
Moreover, a beautiful windmill is one of the most photographed spots in the park. The mill is now a museum showing the life and work of a 19th-century family.
The Lighthouse
The Old Lighthouse (Malmo Inre Fyr) doesn’t appear in most city guides. However, it is a very picturesque spot, and it’s easy to walk there from the city’s Central Station.
If most lighthouses stand solitary on a cliff somewhere, the Old Lighthouse in Malmo was surrounded by taller buildings. It’s no longer in use, but it’s still an instagrammable place.
Stortorget
Stortorget is the oldest square in Malmo. It’s also the largest, and it hosts the City Hall in a beautiful building. The statue at the middle of the square represents the Swedish King that reclaimed Malmo and the province from Denmark.
Sodergatan Street
The pedestrian street from Stortorget to Gutav Adolfs Torg is the main shopping street in Malmo. Make your way slowly and admire the historical buildings and the Swedish stores. One of the fun features of Sodergatan is the Optimist Orchestra sculpture (Oprimistorkestern).
Lilla Torg – The Little Square
Lilla Torg is the Little Square in the Old Town. The square was originally a marketplace 500 years ago. Today, Lilla Torg is one of the most popular spots in Malmo. When the weather is fine, the terraces quickly fill up with locals and tourists coming for coffee, food, or people watching.
This is also the best place in Malmo to see some charming half-timbered houses. Look for the yellow Hedmanska Garden that hosts a Design Center. It’s one of the most picturesque houses in the Lilla Torg.
Have lunch in a beautiful square
I chose Lilla Torg for lunch as well. There is no better place to watch the world go by in Malmo. You can find anything from Swedish restaurants to steakhouses, Asian or Italian in the Little Square. I chose an open prawn sandwich, the most Swedish treat I could think of.
St. Petri Church
St. Peter’s Church (Sankt Petri Kyrka) is the oldest preserved building in Malmo. It’s a 14th-century red-brick church with Gothic lines. Inside, the whitewashed walls create a peaceful atmosphere. The wooden altar is a piece of art.
The church is open every day from 10 AM to 6 PM, and it is very close to the central station.
The Knotted Gun
The Non-Violence sculpture, a.k.a. The Knotted Gun, was created by a Swedish artist, Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd. It is a memorial to John Lennon, and it represents a gun like the one Lennon was killed with, only with twisted barrels at the end.
Several “knotted guns” are now on display throughout the world.
Where to stay in Malmo
If you plan to spend at least one night in Malmo, book a hotel in the Old Town area. Malmo is very walkable, and you will easily get everywhere. I always rely on booking.com to find the best accommodations.
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Anda, thank you for crafting such an informative guide on Malmö and your detailed overview of what this charming city has to offer. I’m particularly excited to visit the Old Lighthouse, thanks to your recommendation. As an architecture and history enthusiast, I’m eager to witness the structure that has guided sailors for over a century, while enjoying the panoramic views of the city and the coast.
The cultural diversity reflected in Malmö’s culinary scene seems enticing too. I can already imagine myself trying out the locally-sourced dishes in a cozy café, indulging in the tradition of Fika.
Reading your article has definitely fueled my enthusiasm for my upcoming trip to Malmö next month. Looking forward to reading more of your travel guides.
I’d definitely be intrigued to make a trip to Malmo. You’ve just added another angle to the Copenhagen trip. Cheers.
Looks like a really interesting and characterful place to visit. I did a double take when I saw the knotted gun sculpture! A beautiful, carved wood version was on display outside the Swedish Pavilion at the World Expo in Dubai!
I remember being in Malmo from Copenhagen, it’s such a pretty city. The whole city was covered in snow on our visit so I’m glad to see such pretty pictures!
Oh, it looks lovely during summer. Thanks for reading, Lisa!
That open prawn sandwich looks delicious. Never been to malmo but looks like a great place to visit.
It was very good indeed. Thanks for reading!
Looks like a lovely place to visit. I haven’t put much thought into traveling to Sweden yet but will include Malmo when I make my way farther north in Europe!
I visited Malmo decades ago when I was a kid. I would love to visit again as an adult and just soak up the culture. So many different sculptures and I would probably spend a great deal of time in Lilla Torg eating and drinking and people watching.