21 Top Things to do in Malmo

Malmo is a trendy, eco-friendly, diverse, and green city in the South of Sweden. It’s the third-largest city of Sweden, after Stockholm and Gothenburg, and it’s the spot for young creative entrepreneurs. Almost half of Malmo’s population is under 35 years old and over 180 different nationalities live in the city. Malmo has many universities, so many students around the world come to Malmo to study. The city is a melting pot of cultures, traditions, and start-ups!

In this article, we will tell you all about the top things to do in Malmo. From exploring Malmo from the canals to playing boule to relaxing at the sauna, to visiting one of many museums; in Malmo it’s all possible. We will also tell you where to stay in Malmo and about a few Malmo restaurants where you can enjoy delicious foods.

This article is in partnership with Malmo Town, who invited us to explore Malmo. As always, all experiences and opinions are our own.

IN THIS ARTICLE
Malmo Map

 Top Things to do in Malmo

Explore Malmo Old Town
Join a Malmo Boat Tour
Bike Around the City
Play Boule at the Boulebar
Wander Around the Beach Area
Enjoy Fika
Visit Malmo Castle
Hunt Malmo’s Street Art
Go Supping on the Water
Malmo Sauna Day
Wander Around Västra Hamnen
Be Amazed by the Turning Torso
Visit the Modern Art Museum
Cross the Øresund bridge
Relax at the Park
Go Shopping at Södergatan
Visit the Disgusting Food Museum
Go on a Day Trip From Malmo to Lund
Explore More of Skåne
Visit Malmo During The Malmo Festival
Celebrating Pride at Malmo Pride

Best Time to Visit Malmo
Getting Around Malmo 

Malmo Accommodation
Malmo Restaurants

Malmo Map

What to Do in Malmo: 21x Top Things to Do in Malmo Sweden

1. Explore Malmo Old Town (Gamla Staden)

The heart of Malmo is its old town. You can’t visit Malmo without exploring Gamla Staden. Wander around for at least half a day to enjoy the cutest streets with cobbled stones, colorful houses, historic squares, restaurants, cafes, museums, and shops. Don’t forget to bring your camera, as you want to take pictures here!

Gamla Staden consists of two parts, Gamla Väster in the west and the renewed eastern part (Öster). In Gamla Väster you can find Malmo’s oldest buildings and learn more about the history of Malmo. It’s a charming area that we absolutely love. Since Malmo belonged to Denmark until the 16th century, there are still Danish influences to see in Gamla Staden.

Must-see spots in Gamla Staden are the St. Peter’s Church, Lilla Torg, Modern Art Museum, Stortorget, Södergatan street (for shopping), Gustav Adolfs Torg, and Ebbas House. Stortorget is the oldest square in Malmo and it used to be the largest market square in Europe. Now it’s used for many events. Here you can find the historic town hall, the statue of King Karl X Gustav (who conquered the Danish and gave Malmo back to Sweden), and the headquarters of the provincial government (which is Skåne).

Our favorite square in Malmo is Lilla Torg, which is located next to Stortorget. Lilla Torg is a little square full of restaurants and cafes. The vibes here are lovely! Enjoy people passing by while enjoying the historical buildings, cobblestone streets, and a cup of coffee.

2. Join a Malmo Boat Tour

Malmo is located next to the sea and is a harbor city. There’s a lot of water in and around Malmo. Seeing Malmo from the canals will give a different perspective of the city. Especially if you arrive in Malmo for the first time and aren’t 100% sure what to see in Malmo, you should hop on a boat tour. It’s an amazing way to see the city.

We went on both a guided tour with Rundan and drove around an electric boat ourselves with BookaBoat. Both are very fun, though we highly recommend going on a guided tour with Rundan if you want to learn more about the history and buildings of the city. The guide on board explains all about Malmo. The boats don’t have a roof, so you get great views of Malmo.

Driving yourself around by boat from BookaBoat is especially fun if you are with friends or family. Bring some snacks, drinks, and enjoy! Make sure to watch out for the low bridges.

3. Bike Around the City

Malmo is a very bicycle-friendly city. It has been named in the top-10 most bicycle-friendly cities in the world. We Dutchies love to bike, so of course, we hopped on a bicycle to explore the city. And we weren’t the only ones, as many locals use bicycles as a form of transportation.

The city center of Malmo isn’t big, so it’s easy to get around by bicycle or foot. If you want to go from one area to another, we highly recommend hopping on a bicycle. You get to see a lot more of a city (instead of hopping on a taxi or bus for example) and you are exercising at the same time. Luckily is Malmo a very flat city, so it’s easy to get around.

If you pay close attention, you might see many locals on a bike wearing something around their necks. That’s a Hövding, which is a Swedish award-winning airbag helmet. It isn’t a helmet, but it works as one when you are in an accident (like an airbag in a car). You put the collar around your neck and protects you when anything happens.

There are shared bicycle rentals all around the city. If you want to rent a bicycle for the whole day check out Travel Shop, for example, they rent bikes in Malmo and Helsinborg.

Do you fancy a ride out of the city? Head to Lernacken to see a cool art piece and to get great views on the Øresund bridge.

4. Play Boule at the Boulebar

Playing boule (also known as petanque) at the Boulebar is one of the most fun things to do in Malmo. It’s a bar, restaurant and boule playground in one. Boulebar is set in a beautiful old 19th-century riding house and is the perfect place to go to for food, drinks, and fun.

If you don’t know how to play boule (or forgot, as we did), you can ask for a boule master to help explain the rules. Said in an easy way: throw the small ball in your lane and try to throw the big balls as close as possible to the small ball. The one who has their big ball closest to the small ball wins.

In our eyes, boule was always something for elderly people, but these days boule is very hip(ster) again. Especially when you can play it while enjoying a beer. The Boulebar has both lanes inside and outside.

5. Wander Around the Beach Area

The beach area is one of our favorite places to visit in Malmo. The whole area is very green, peaceful and has long sandy beaches. If you want to jump in the water or sunbathe, head to Ribersborg beach/Ribbersborgsstranden. There’s also a section for nude bathers and there are barbecue spots, play areas for kids, and beach cafes (some sell ice-cream!).

From the beach area, you can see the Oresund bridge (which connects Denmark and Sweden) and you can even see Denmark, as it isn’t far away. The beach area also offers great views of the Turning Torso (which we will tell you more about later in this article)

We absolutely love how Malmo feels like a city but also has such a peaceful side with nature. The beach area is located about a 30-minute walk from the city center.

6. Enjoy Fika

Fika is a super important Swedish concept you have to know. A translation of fika is a coffee break while enjoying something sweet. But it’s not just a coffee break, it’s so much more than that. It’s not just a concept, it’s a state of mind and super important in Swedish culture. It’s part of Swedes their daily lives.

During fika, you need to slow down and enjoy time with your friends, family, and/or colleagues. During workdays, fika time is often around 10:00 (10 AM) and 15:00 (3 PM).

What you eat with your coffee isn’t important. Though we highly recommend eating kanelbullar (Swedish cinnamon buns), they are SO good.

Places we recommend going to in Malmo for fika are Slottsträdgårdens Kafé, Lilla Kafferosteriet, Solde Kaffebar, Agge & Bönan, Jord (everything on their menu is plant-based), Uggla Kaffebar, Cafe No. 6 and Eida (by Nina).

7. Visit Malmo Castle

One of the top things to do in Malmo is visiting the Malmo castle! The Malmo Castle is a fortress located in the center of Malmo. The castle is Scandinavia’s oldest preserved Renaissance castle. In this former fortress, you can find museums as the City Museum, Malmo Art Museum, and Malmo’s Natural History Museum.

It’s a wonderful place to wander around. Don’t forget to enter the door on the opposite side of the entrance of the museums. There, you get to see more of the castle itself (which we loved).

8. Hunt Malmo’s Street Art

What to see in Malmo? Street-art! Malmo has lots of street art, and most street-art pieces are huge and stunning. It makes the city extra colorful. Many pieces were created at the Artscape Festival in 2014. But many new pieces are created these days too. We visited Malmo in 2019, and when we came back in 2o20, we already saw a few brand new murals.

We highly recommend biking around to spot them yourselves. You should definitely go and check out the open graffiti wall at the Folketspark, the large murals on Grynbodagatan, the Troll on Snödroppsgatan, and the new piece on Lilla Kvarngatan.

9. Go SUPing (Paddleboarding) on the Water

This is one of our favorite thing to do in Malmo. Like we said before, there’s a lot of water in and around Malmo. So hopping in a boat is fun, though experiencing Malmo on SUP (stand up paddleboarding) is also lots of fun.

It was the first time ever for us on a SUP and we immediately liked it. We joined a 90-minute tour of SUP-guide Tobbe from What-SUPMalmo, which we highly recommend. Tobbe is a super friendly guy, gives you all the time you need, and the best tips on how to SUP.

You don’t need previous SUP knowledge to join a tour, and everyone can learn it. It’s also possible to rent SUP boards so that you can explore on your own. You even get a discount if you clean the canals on your way.

10. Malmo Sauna Day at Ribergsborgs Kallbadhus

Is your body tired of all that biking, supping, and walking around Malmo? Then it’s definitely time to enjoy a few hours at the sauna! Many Swedish cities have a kallbadhus, which means an open-air public bath. We’ve visited a few of them in Sweden and Ribergsborgs Kallbadhus is our favorite.

Ribergsborgs Kallbadhus is located at the beach area, at Ribersborg beach. If you don’t want to go inside, then still make your way there as it’s a cool building on the water. The public bath and spa is built in the 19th century and is an iconic landmark in Malmo.

You need to undress fully (no bathing suits are allowed) before you can enjoy the sauna and relaxing area. It’s also possible to jump in the cold sea, which we highly recommend after you come from the sauna. Yes, it will be cold (also in summer), but so worth it. Men and women are separated. Don’t forget to bring a towel and a lock. If you don’t have them with you, you can rent them.

The Ribergsborgs Kallbadhus can’t be missed during your Malmo sightseeing.

11. Wander Around Västra Hamnen

Västra Hamnen means western harbor and is a neighborhood in Malmo. It’s a new and ultra-modern area in Malmo and is also the most exclusive and expensive one in the city. It used to be an industrial area until the 21st century.

It’s located right next to the sea and the eye-catcher of the neighborhood is the Turning Torso. Especially during sunny days, it gets busy here as people walk on the boulevard next to the sea. And if you are lucky, you can listen to street artists perform. Västra Hamnen is also a great spot to watch the sun go down.

What makes this neighborhood even more amazing is the fact that it’s carbon neutral. Making it the first neighborhood in Europe that’s carbon neutral.

12. Be Amazed by the Turning Turso

It’s time to tell you more about the Turning Torso. The Turning Torso is a skyscraper in Malmo. That might sound boring, but its architecture is super unique. It’s the first twisted skyscraper in the world and with 190 meters (623 Feet) high it’s the tallest building in Scandinavia. From the bottom to the top the building twists 90 degrees, who cool is that?!

The Turning Torso is designed by Santiago Calatrava, an architect, engineer, and artist from Spain. It became a landmark of Malmo immediately after it was finished in 2005. Sadly, you can’t go up the building as it’s used as residential and office space.

13. Visit the Modern Art Museum

The Moderna Museet Malmo is a museum with contemporary art, modern art, a shop, and a cafe. They have temporary exhibitions and specialize in Scandinavian and international art of the 20th and 21st century. When we visited the museum they showed Hilma at Klinkt’s work.

The whole building of the museum is already very cool. It used to be a former power station. The museum is definitely worth a visit if you are into art.

14. Cross the Øresund Bridge

The Øresund bridge connects Sweden with Denmark. Thanks to bridge you can be in Copenhagen within an hour from Malmo. Many people fly to Copenhagen to get to Malmo.

The bridge is a railway and motorway bridge combined. So to get from Copenhagen airport to Malmo you can either take the train, get a taxi or hop on a bus. The train is the fastest way.

As it’s only less than an hour trip between Malmo and Copenhagen, day trips between Denmark and Sweden are also very possible. Hop on a train from Malmo to Copenhagen, and enjoy your day exploring Copenhagen.

The bridge is also a cool photo spot, especially during sunset. Head closer to the bridge and see it from different angles!

Visiting Stockholm too? Make sure to check our Stockholm in 3 days itinerary! 

15. Relax at the Park

Malmo is a very green city and has many parks. And especially during the Summer months, locals go outside to enjoy the parks. While traveling and exploring cities we always love picnicking or relaxing at the park for a couple of hours. It’s a great way to regain energy and enjoy the green side of a city.

Parks in Malmo to visit are Kungsparken, Stlottsparken (make sure to stop at the Dutch-style windmill, and Slottsträdgårdens Kafé), Ribersborgsstranden, and Folkets Park. Though, there are many more parks in Malmo.

Slottsparken is the castle’s garden and Kungsparken is the park on the other side of the water. Folkets Park is the world’s oldest folk park.

16. Go Shopping at Södergatan

Södergatan is the street to go to it you like to shop. It’s the main shopping street of the city and is for pedestrians only. The street is located in Gamla Staden and has many different kinds of shops, from vintage to high end, as well as restaurants, cafes, and bars.

Visit Hope, ACNE Studios, Filippa K, and join the Swedish fashion trends. And did you know H&M is Swedish?

TIP: Watch our Malmo vlogs!

17. Visit the Disgusting Food Museum

This is probably one of the most unique things to do in Malmo. Visit the Disgusting Food Museum and see 80 of the world’s most disgusting foods. And definitely taste some interesting foods too, as there’s a tasting area in the museum.

It’s a museum visit you won’t quickly forget!

18. Go on a Day Trip From Malmo to Lund

Going on a day trip from Malmo to Lund is something we highly recommend as it’s a very cute city. It’s located about 15 minutes away from Malmo by train and is one of the oldest cities in Sweden. Like Malmo, Lund is a city with many students. Lund is even home to the largest university in the country, Lund university. And that university is beautiful to see, especially its library. You almost get the feeling that you are walking in and around Hogwarts.

Must-see spots are the Lund Cathedral, the Botanical Garden, the university buildings (especially the library), the old town, and Kulturen (an open-air museum). Lund is a great city to just wander around and relax at one of many (hipster) cafes.

19. Explore More of Skåne

Malmö is the capital city of Skåne County, which is the most southern region of Sweden. This county offers a lot, besides the cities Malmo and Lund, there’s a lot more to see and do. But don’t expect mountains, fjords and larges forests with pine trees. Skåne is “Sweden’s Tuscany” with hills, some of the best Sweden beaches, farmlands, and even a vineyard!

Skåne County has a population of 1.3 million people. A long time ago this part of Sweden used to be part of Denmark, and you can still find Danish influences in this region.

If you want to see more of Skåne, we highly recommend traveling around by car, or for the sporty ones: by bicycle! Skåne isn’t super big, it takes about 1.5 hours by car driving from East to West. Therefore it’s possible to see a lot of the region if you visit Skåne only for a short time. Of course, it’s also possible to see a lot by train.

See our post with top things to do in Skåne for more information about where to go and where to stay in the county.

20. Visit Malmo During The Malmo Festival

If you ever have the opportunity to visit Malmo during The Malmo Festival, then take it! The Malmo Festival is the oldest and largest city festival in Northern Europe. It attracts around 1.5 million visitors every year and was founded in 1985.

The Malmo Festival is a weeklong festival with theatre, music, art, culture, fireworks, food, and much more. Almost everything at the festival is free to join.

In 2021, the festival will be held from August 7 till August 11.

21. Celebrate Pride at Malmo Pride

And if you are visiting Malmö in July, don’t miss out on Malmo Pride! We visited Malmo during Pride in 2019 and we had an amazing time. Due to COVID-19, Malmo Pride 2020 will probably happen in September  (instead of July).

The parade attracts many people from Sweden (and like us: people from other places in the world). We loved how everybody could participate in the walk and how we all got together at Folkets Park.

In 2021, World Pride will take place in Malmo and Copenhagen.

Best Time to Visit Malmo

Malmo is a great city to visit all year round. But we love visiting it during the summer months. Locals go outside to enjoy the parks and beaches, the nights are long and it’s less cold too swim in the sea. And some of the top things to do in Malmo that we talked about in this article, are only possible during summer.

The warmest months are June, July, and August. On average the temperature during these months is around 20 degrees celsius (68F). The coldest months are December, January, and February. The temperature is around 0 degrees celsius (32F) during these months. So it doesn’t get too cold in Malmo and it doesn’t snow often during winter.

Getting Around Malmo

Malmo isn’t a super big city. It’s easy to see a lot on foot, especially in the old part of the city. If you want to go to other areas, like the beach area, it’s about a 30-minute walk from the city center.

Biking is an easy way to get around and see a lot. Malmo has been named among the top 10 most bicycle-friendly cities in the world and is very flat. That’s why it’s easy to get around by bicycle, you don’t need to climb difficult mountains!

Don’t want to walk or bike? Hop on a bus or taxi. There is no subway in Malmo.

Malmo Accommodation – Where to Stay in Malmo

Malmo has great places to stay, from cute boutique hotels in the old part of the city to modern hotels that offer great views of all of Malmo. We will share our favorites in different price ranges:

• Story Hotel Studio Malmo: the Story Hotel is located about a 10-minute walk from the central station and the old town. The hotel offers amazing views of the sea and Malmo. Go to the rooftop for breakfast and enjoy the view. It’s a modern hotel with homey feeling rooms.
• Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House: a hotel right in the center of the old town, just a short walk from Lilla Torg. We love staying at the Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House as everything is so nearby. The design of the lobby and breakfast area is beautiful and modern, though their rooms are a little outdated. Still, it’s a great place to stay at!
• Hotel Duxiana Malmo: Hotel Duxiana Malmo is a boutique hotel in downtown Malmo, close to the central station and Lilla Torg. It’s a cozy hotel with well-designed rooms in a Scandinavian style. The breakfast buffet is super delicious and includes products that are organically and locally produced.
• STF Malmo City Hostel & Hotel: a cheaper Malmo accommodation option is the STF Malmo Hostel & Hotel, especially if you are traveling alone. The hostel is located South of Gamla Staden, within walking distance of many shops and restaurants.
  

Malmo Restaurants

• Mineral: this vegan restaurant is such a cozy place to go to! The terrace is a green oasis and at night it gets super romantic when the small lights go on. The menu changes regularly, according to the fresh vegetables of the season. And the plates almost look too good to eat, they make such beautiful dishes. And make sure to try some of their wines too!
• Far i Hatten: Far i Hatten is located in Folkets Park. It’s a low-key restaurant with laid back vibes. If you want to go where the locals like to go to, this is the place. Eat pizza and try their beers while enjoying the big terrace. Sometimes there’s live music too.
• Bullen – Två Krögara: of course, if you travel to Sweden you need to eat Swedish food too. Bullen serves traditional Swedish food and is a popular restaurant in Malmo. Make sure to make a reservation before you go.
• Falafel: Malmo is a city that’s known for its delicious falafel. Falafel was brought to Malmo by Middle Eastern immigrants. And these days it’s a tradition to eat falafel in Malmo. So besides eating Swedish food in Malmo, you should try some falafel too. It’s a quick and cheap bite, but so good. Go to Shawarma Specialisten for example.
• MAX: MAX is the Swedish version of McDonald’s but even better. Their hamburgers and chicken nuggets are the best and they have many vegetarian and vegan options too. They have AMAZING sauces too!

ENJOY your time in Malmo! Do you have any questions?  Drop them below or send us an email.

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