Malmö Travelers Recommend

Though often skipped in favor of Copenhagen—its better-known neighbor on the other end of the Öresund Bridge—Malmö shouldn’t be overlooked. Sweden’s third-largest city has a charming historic center, a stylishly modern waterfront, and one of the country’s best food scenes. Whether you are visiting on a day trip or spending the night, here’s how to make the most of one day in Malmö.

Morning: See the Sights

Compact Malmö is best explored on foot, and a guided walking tour in the morning can introduce you to the city’s most important attractions and help you get your bearings. Tours typically visit St. Petri Church, the Western Harbor, and Malmöhus Castle, as well as some lesser-known parts of the city. Alternatively, you can zip around Malmö like a local by joining a bicycle tour. Another, less energetic option is a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour, which has the added benefit of allowing you to create your own itinerary and explore at your own pace.

Afternoon: Explore the Food Scene

Get a taste of Malmö and Skåne county’s culinary heritage on a food walk. These foodie tours allow guests to sample typical Swedish fare, such as pickled herring, cloudberry jam, smoked and cured salmon, and Scanian cured ham, as well as modern artisanal products including charcuterie, chocolate, ice cream, and some examples of the famed New Nordic cuisine. Some food tours also emphasize the impact of the city’s rich diversity on its food scene by introducing you to the best Middle Eastern eateries, for example, and letting you try everything from falafel to homemade Greek tzatziki. 

Night: Enjoy the Nightlife

Home to a youthful and creative population, Malmö boasts an exciting nightlife scene. Some of the most popular spots in town are Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church, and Cuba Café, known for its mojitos and salsa music. If you are traveling with younger visitors or not interested in clubs and bars, there are also fun escape-room experiences on offer. For those visiting during the summer months, a great option is picnicking in Folkets Park (which often hosts live entertainment during summer) or taking a dip in Ribersborg open-air bath on the waterfront.

With three days in Malmö, you have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, see the historic sights, take a bite out of the food scene, and journey deeper into the surrounding Skåne region. Here are a few ideas for making the most of three days in Sweden’s third-largest city.

Day 1: Explore the City

Spend your first morning in Malmö getting your bearings on a small-group walking or bicycle tour to historic Malmöhus Castle and modern Western Harbor. To customize the itinerary and explore at your own pace, opt for a private tour or a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour. In the afternoon, head for Ribersborg Beach to lay out on the sand or take a dip in Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, an open-air public bath much-loved by locals. The setting offers great views of the Turning Torso tower building and across the water to Copenhagen. From there it’s a short walk back into the town center, where you can take your pick of restaurants then dip into a pub for a glass of Swedish beer, cider, or aquavit.

Day 2: Dive Into the Food Scene

Find out why Malmö is said to be one of Sweden’s best food cities with a walking tour focused on food culture, sampling traditional fare, New Nordic cuisine, and international eats (Malmö is particularly known for its many falafel vendors). Alternatively, explore independently by hitting up food markets such as Saluhall, which sells everything from artisanal sausages to small-batch ice cream, and international Möllevångstorget. Afterward, take a seat at one of the city’s best restaurants, which range from Michelin-starred fine dining to relaxed bistros.

Day 3: See More Skåne

Malmö’s location offers easy access to the surrounding countryside of the Skåne region. Take a train to the university city of Lund, founded by Vikings more than 1,000 years ago, and see several monumental rune stones and medieval Lund cathedral. Alternatively, fans of Swedish crime writer Henning Mankell may opt to take a bus to Ystad, home of the fictional Inspector Wallander. Another fun activity is watercycling on the lakes surrounding Ystad; a guided tour provides all the gear and instruction. Back in the city, round off your trip by checking out Malmö’s nightlife scene. You’ll find lots of bars and clubs in the colorful Mollan district, including such local favorites as Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church, and the live music venue Kulturbolaget.

With two days in Malmö, you’ll be able to fully explore the sights of Sweden’s third-biggest city, get out onto the water, and dive into its delicious food scene. Here are some suggestions for how to make the most of your 48 hours.

Day 1: See the Town

**Morning:**Get your bearings and see Malmö’s top attractions on a morning sightseeing tour by foot or by bike. Explore historical landmarks such as Malmöhus Castle as well as modern attractions such as the sleek Western Harbour area. Alternatively, set your own itinerary and explore at your own pace on a hop-on-hop-off-bus tour.

**Afternoon:**If the sun is shining, head down to Ribersborg Beach to soak it up on the thin stretch of sand or from Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, an open-air public bath set on the beach. You’ll get great views of the strikingly modern Twisting Torso building and across the water to Copenhagen. 

**Night:**Discover why Malmö is said to be one of Sweden’s best food cities with a visit to one of the city’s acclaimed restaurants. Bastard, for example, is famed for its nose-to-tail cooking, while Vollmers offers fine dining prepared with locally sourced produce.

Day 2: Dive Deeper

**Morning:**Kick off your second day seeing some of the sights that you may have missed yesterday. Some of Malmö's most attractive sights can only be experienced from the water, so embark on a guided boat tour that takes you through the canals and under the bridges of the city.

**Afternoon:**Get a fuller taste of Malmö’s food scene on a food-themed walking tour. These tours typically offer a diverse view of the city’s culinary heritage by introducing you to traditional fare, such as pickled herring; more-modern New Nordic cuisine; and international fare, courtesy of the city’s ethnically diverse population.

**Night:**Check out Malmö’s nightlife scene. The trendy Mollan neighborhood is chock-full of bars and clubs, such as Babel, a nightclub housed in a former church. In the center of town, around Lilla Torg, you’ll find a cluster of more-traditional pubs.