My 17 Favorite Things to Do in Malmö, Sweden (Based on 10+ Visits)

Malmö is a city I keep coming back to. I had already visited multiple times before moving to Copenhagen, and now, I have made over 10 visits. I have done a combination of day trips from the Danish capital and longer stays to explore the city on a deeper level. 

Despite only being Sweden’s third-biggest city, Malmö has a lot to offer. It feels cozier than Stockholm, and the fact that it’s significantly cheaper than Copenhagen is also nice. The city is filled with fantastic restaurants, in addition to a number of cool museums. 

Malmö is also an intriguing blend of old and new. The Turning Torso looms large as you cross the Öresund Bridge, and as soon as you leave the station, you’ll see modern architecture in some corners and a well-preserved network of cobbled streets and older buildings. 

To say that I’ve explored Sweden’s third-biggest city more than most people would be an understatement. Based on those experiences, I’ve listed my top recommendations for fun things to do in Malmö, regardless of how long you’re visiting for. 

1. Rent a Bike and Explore Malmö

Like Copenhagen, on the other side of the Öresund Bridge, Malmö is a very bike-friendly city. Some of my fondest memories here have involved me hopping on two wheels, cycling aimlessly, and taking in the city. An excellent route goes along Ribersborg Strand and the waterfront area, and it’s especially scenic when the sun is shining.

Malmö has a decent number of bike lanes, and cycling around the city is relatively straightforward. The topography is largely flat, too, so it’s a great activity for all fitness levels. Just keep in mind that many of the streets in the city center are cobblestoned, which makes for a bumpy ride. 

You can rent city bikes throughout Malmö. To do so, download the Malmö by Bike app (available on iOS and Android). If you plan to use your bikes extensively, you can get a 24-hour pass for 80 SEK. 

In addition to renting city bikes, ask your hotel to see if you can rent a bike while you’re in the city. While cycling, remember to stick to the bike lanes where possible and exercise basic safety measures—such as signaling when you’re about to turn.  

2. Explore the Gamla Väster Neighborhood

Gamla Väster is Malmö’s most scenic neighborhood, in my opinion. The architecture here is really nice, and it reminds me a lot of Stockholm (but with a bit more of a Copenhagen vibe). If you’re looking for older Scandinavian-style architecture (much of Malmö is quite modern), this is the place to be. 

While wandering around Gamla Väster, you’ll notice a couple of smaller townhouses alongside the apartments. Plenty of restaurants are in this district, too; it’s one of Malmö’s liveliest quarters. Jöns Filsgatan is a really nice street, in particular. 

In addition to walking around Gamla Väster, this part of the city is a photographer’s paradise. I’d suggest taking your pictures when the light is softer, as the texture of the buildings can make them difficult to photograph at midday during the summer. Late afternoon or early morning are both fine. 

3. Enjoy a Boat Tour and Explore Malmö’s Canals

Malmö is blessed with a lot of water, including a network of pleasant canals. In my opinion, seeing the city from a boat is just as fun as exploring from the shores. 

Stromma is the main boat tour operator in Malmö. When I visited in May 2024, I took this tour. Our tour guide was not only very informative, but also really funny. It made the experience even more enjoyable, and we learned a lot about some of the city’s history and traditions in an engaging way. 

The tour departs from close to Malmö Central Station and covers much of the inner city. In addition to seeing Malmö’s architecture from a different angle, we also passed through some of the city’s parks. 

4. Have Food at MJ’s Malmö

I do recommend staying overnight in Malmö. While it’s easy to visit on a day trip from Copenhagen, you can easily spend a weekend in Sweden’s third-biggest city. On one of our previous trips, we spent a night at MJ’s; in my opinion, it’s Malmö’s best hotel. 

Even if you don’t spend the night at MJ’s (it’s possible to do Copenhagen and Malmö in the same weekend), you can get breakfast, lunch, brunch, and dinner here. We had dinner and brunch at the hotel, and both were fantastic. The food was great; the ingredients were fresh, and the selection of food was also pretty good. 

Besides the food, the settings will make you feel like you’re in Italy or Portugal. Moreover, the staff are very friendly. Booking a table in advance is a good idea; you can do that online. 

5. Wander Around Malmö’s Beautiful Parks

Malmö is a very green city, and it has several great parks worth checking out. Slottsparken is my favourite, and if you only visit one, make sure it’s that. Kungsparken is also lovely in the summer, and I also like Pildammsparken. 

Kungsparken is in the main part of Malmö, and it’s particularly pleasant at sunset. It’s adjacent to Slottsparken, which itself is worth visiting. 

Slottsträdgården is also a nice area with numerous plant species. It’s right next to Kungsparken and Slottsparken. Here, you’ll find a nice café with a selection of drinks, pastries, and sandwiches. 

6. Check Out the St:Knut District

It amazes me how long it took for me to visit the St:Knut district for the first time, because it’s now my favourite Malmö neighborhood. If I had ever decided to move here, this is where I would like to live. 

This peaceful district has several great bakeries and some of the city’s most interesting architecture. It’s also off the tourist trail, so it feels very relaxed and has a distinct local vibe. 

St:Knut is a bit of a walk from the city centre, but you can cycle there in just over 10 minutes. Public transport will also take you here, but in my opinion, walking and cycling are both fine. 

7. Have a Fika Break at Söderberg & Sara

You’ve probably heard of “fika”, which is the deep-rooted Swedish tradition of having a coffee break with (often) a sweet treat. Söderberg & Sara, located in the St:Knut district, is a great place to enjoy a fika break. 

At Söderberg & Sara, you’ll find a selection of Swedish pastries – including cinnamon buns, which I recommend trying above all else. You’ll also find a selection of sandwiches, breads, and much more. 

The bakery is quite small, but there are some seating options if you want to take a moment to enjoy everything. Söderberg & Sara also has a bakery in nearby Ystad, which is useful if you want to take the ferry to Denmark’s beautiful Bornholm island. 

Address: Mäster Danielsgatan 3, 211 58 Malmö

Website: https://soderbergsara.se/

Social Media: Instagram

8. See the Öresund Bridge Up Close

On the way back from a day trip to Skanör in early 2024, my friend and I stopped just outside of Malmö. Here, there’s a nice little waterfront area close to the Öresund Bridge. It’s a popular walking spot, but you can also view this architectural marvel up close. 

If you don’t have a car, I suggest cycling here as it’s quite a long way out of the city center. It’s also worth noting that it gets quite noisy when the trains to and from Copenhagen pass over. Nonetheless, it’s a fantastic photography spot. 

To get here, type “Öresundsbron viewpoint” into Google Maps. A bicycle and walking path goes up to the bridge. 

9. Visit the Disgusting Food Museum

When my friends and I visited Malmö in 2023, we went to the Disgusting Food Museum. To be honest, I had never really thought about visiting beforehand. But it was quite a fun experience, and you can even try some food while you’re there. 

You can buy tickets here (warning, though: some of the images might make you feel a little queasy 🙂). 

The museum is close to one of the main streets in Malmö. It’s easy to miss if you aren’t looking for it; the museum is on the corner just before you cross the street. 

Address: Södra Förstadsgatan 2, 211 43 Malmö

10. Pizza at 400Grader

400grader is by far my favourite restaurant in Malmö; if you only visit one food place while you’re here, make it this one. This Italian restaurant has several delicious pizzas, including multiple vegetarian options. You’ll also find a decent selection of wines and other drinks. 

This restaurant is very popular with locals, and I suggest booking a table quite far in advance. You can do so by emailing the restaurant (info@400grader.nu). 

Besides pizzas, you will find a variety of excellent starters. It’s a lovely place to spend a few hours, and even if you’re traveling on your own, I still suggest visiting. And maybe… don’t go straight after visiting the Disgusting Food Museum.

Address: Södra Skolgatan 33, Malmö

Website: https://400grader.nu/ 

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

11. Check Out the Västra Hamnen Neighborhood

Västra Hamnen is one of Malmö’s more modern districts, and it’s home to the spiraling Turning Torso—one of Scandinavia’s most iconic buildings. Since the building is residential, you can’t go inside—but the views from outside are also quite cool. 

The main joy in Västra Hamnen is to simply walk around. The architecture here is quite interesting in my opinion. In recent years, a handful of places to eat have sprung up, too. 

From Västra Hamnen, you can see over to Copenhagen on a clear day. While a reasonable walk outside the city center, it’s definitely doable. You can, however, also take the bus to Västra Hamnen if you don’t fancy walking.

12. Go to Ribersborg Strand

Ribersborg Strand is my favorite recreational area in Malmö. Even if you don’t visit on a sunny day, it’s still worth checking out. You get great views of both Västra Hamnen and the Öresund Bridge, and you may even spot some wild rabbits; these are very common in Malmö. 

Here, you’ll also find the iconic Ribersborg Kallbadhus. At the bathing complex, you can go for a swim in the sea, get a massage, and enjoy food at the restaurant. Opening hours vary throughout the year, with longer operating times during the summer. 

I recommend cycling to Ribersborg Strand. Once you’re done here, continue along the bike path for more pleasant views of the Öresund Strait. It’s also a great running or walking route. 

13. Have Dinner at El Sótano

Another fantastic restaurant in Malmö worth trying is El Sótano, which is closer to the city centre in Gamla Väster. It’s a Neapolitan-style restaurant, and unsurprisingly, I’m going to recommend the pizzas once again. I also enjoyed the garlic bread as a starter. 

Indoor and outdoor seating is available, and it’s a nice place to people-watch on a spring or summer evening. Like 400Grader, I recommend booking a table in advance. You can do that by going onto the website and selecting “Boka Bord”. 

Address: Långgårdsgatan 8, 211 21 Malmö

Social Media: Facebook | Instagram

14. Go to Malmöhus Slott

Malmöhus Slott is the city’s main castle. It’s very unassuming compared to most European fortresses, but nonetheless, it’s still worth visiting while you’re in the city. The architecture is quite similar to that of a lot of churches throughout Southern Sweden and Denmark. 

The castle dates back to the 16th century, making it the oldest preserved Renaissance castle in the Nordics. You can walk on the bridge outside, along with the path around the moat, for free. 

At the castle, you will also find the Malmö Museum. You can visit for an extra fee; tickets cost 100 SEK for adults and 50 SEK for students and pensioners. Anyone under the age of 20 can visit for free. 

Malmöhus Slott is close to Kungsparken and Slottsparken. It’s a pretty easy walk from the city center. 

Address: Malmöhusvägen 6, 211 18 Malmö

15. Visit Malmö’s Main Squares

Malmö has two main squares: Lilla Torg and Storgorget. Both translate to “Little Square” and “The Big Square”, which is a practical and factual way to name them. Stortorget is very close to Malmö Central Station and one of the first places you’ll visit after getting off the train from Copenhagen. 

Today, Stortorget has a handful of shops and restaurants. To be honest, though, it’s nowhere near as many as in other European cities. The main joy here is to quickly wander around and snap some photos. The building hosting Apotek Lejonet is particularly pretty. 

Lilla Torget is a short walk from Stortorget. This square is typically more lively, with many shops, bars, and restaurants. From this square, it’s easy to then branch off onto the many side streets and elsewhere in the city. 

16. Lunch at Noir Vin & Kaffekultur

If you’re fancying some coffee and food after getting off the train from Copenhagen, Noir Vin & Kaffekultur is a great place to get your fix. This café and restaurant is right in the center of town and has some great sweet treats, along with lunch-style dishes like salads and sandwiches.

Noir has another café in the city called Nostra, which you might also be interested in visiting. Noir can get quite busy; keep this in mind. 

Address: Engelbrektsgatan 6, 211 33 Malmö

17. Get a Falafel at Badrans Super Falafel

Falafels are hugely popular in Malmö, and visiting the city without getting one is a huge mistake. You will find plenty of places to get falafels in Malmö, and Badrans Super Falafel is one of the best places I have tried.

Our falafels were pretty big, and they were incredibly affordable, too. They’re the perfect food to eat on the go, and if it’s sunny, you can find somewhere by the water or in a park to eat them.

This small spot is very close to the city’s main library. You’ll find some benches outside if you want to eat your falafels before moving on.

Address: Regementsgatan 20, 211 42 Malmö

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