Malmö is Sweden's third city and its most internationally minded — a former industrial port that reinvented itself as a showcase of sustainable urban design after the Öresund Bridge linked it to Copenhagen in 2000. The Turning Torso, a twisting 54-storey residential tower by Santiago Calatrava, has become the skyline symbol of this new Malmö, while the Western Harbour district where it stands is a carbon-neutral neighbourhood built on a former shipyard. Yet medieval Stortorget, the red-brick Malmöhus Castle and the warren of Lilla Torg's half-timbered facades remind visitors that the city was Danish for most of its history. With 180 nationalities represented, Malmö also punches far above its weight in food — vibrant immigrant-run restaurants, craft coffee shops and a regenerated market hall make it a serious culinary destination just 35 minutes by train from Copenhagen Airport.
Walk to Calatrava's 190 m twisting tower then explore the Bo01 sustainable district — 100% renewable energy, sedum roofs and canals designed for post-industrial living.
Malmö's beloved open-air cold-water bathhouse juts into the Öresund — separate saunas for men and women, sea swimming year-round, and sweeping bridge views.
The renovated indoor market on Lilla Torg serves everything from Skånska kålrot soup and gravlax to Middle Eastern falafel — grab a stool at the sushi counter.
Malmö's prettiest square is ringed by 16th-century half-timbered buildings; the Form/Design Center in a former 17th-century granary showcases Scandinavian industrial design.
Sweden's largest market square is dominated by the Renaissance Town Hall (1546) and an equestrian statue of Karl X Gustav — the square where Malmö's medieval Danish past is most visible.
Scandinavia's oldest surviving Renaissance castle (1540) houses the city history museum, art collections and a natural history wing with a working aquarium in the moat.
Malmö's multicultural square — "Möllan" — hosts a daily fruit and vegetable market surrounded by Lebanese, Somali, Vietnamese and Swedish lunch restaurants from SEK 80.
The southern outpost of Stockholm's Moderna Museet occupies a former power station and shows rotating exhibitions of international contemporary art — strong on Nordic artists.
The world's oldest public park (1891) still has a bandstand, outdoor cinema in summer and an amusement park corner — beloved by Malmöites of every background.
The 16 km Öresund Bridge opened in 2000 and changed both cities permanently — the 35-minute train crossing (Malmö C to Copenhagen Central) is an engineering spectacle in itself.
Copenhagen's colourful 17th-century harbour and the bohemian free town of Christiania are 15 minutes apart on foot — ideal morning exploration before the day-trip crowds arrive.
🎫 Book tickets via GetYourGuideCopenhagen's glass-roofed market hall on Israels Plads is the definitive Nordic food market — open-faced smørrebrød, fresh pasta, craft beer and pastries under one roof.
Back in Malmö, the Davidshall district has the city's best wine bars and New Nordic restaurants — try Bastard or Bloom in the Park for local produce with Skånsk wine pairings.