Malmo Travel Guide: Travel and tourist information, things to do and see in Malmo

Located in Skåne , the southern tip of Sweden, 26 km across the sea (Öresund) from Copenhagen, Malmö is Sweden's third largest city. Malmo was chartered as a city during the 13th century, at which time the region belonged to Denmark. In 1658 it passed to Sweden. Originally, Malmö's harbor was poor, and the city served mainly as a herring market until 1775, when the port facilities were improved. After 1800, Malmö began to develop as an industrial city.

Malmö also features many attractions dating back to the Middle Ages. Throughout Skåne there are more than 200 castles and manor houses, many of them open to tourists, and the many inns offer the province´s delectable cuisine.

On the whole Malmö is interesting when it comes to architecture. In the culture quarters of S:t Gertrud one finds the oldest half-timbered house in Malmö, "Thottska huset" built in 1558, and many other historically interesting buildings. The S:t Petri church from the 13th century in Baltic Gothic style has a retable that is one of the largest ones in Europe.

Malmö Symphony Orchestra, Malmö Dramatic Theatre, the Dance Theatre of Skåne, the Concert hall and the City Theatre, where once Ingemar Bergman was the director and where the famous musical "Kristina från Duvemåla" had its global première. There are also a number of private theatres and retaurants offering high class theatre, dance and entertainment.

Other forms of art can be found at any of the museums and galleries. Among the most well known one is the castle Malmöhus, which is Scandinavia´s oldest remaining Renaissance castle.

The castle also houses the City Museum. The Art Museum, Malmö Konsthall, Rooseum and the Form Design Center presents a multitude of different artforms from different periods of time. At the Science & Technology/Maritime Museum one can follow the history of industry and shipping in Skåne, but also other exhibitions of technique and there is also an interactive science center.

The Museum of Natural History has a large aquarium with tropical nocturnal animals and this is the right place if one is interested in learning more about Scandinavian and exotic mammals and birds.

The hungry ones have a lot to choose from in Malmö. There is a vast acces of cosy local pubs and gourmet restaurants. During the summer Lilla torg is like a giant outdoor restaurant, full of cafés, restaurants and pubs. But all year round there is a multitude of restaurants available, serving everything from home cooking to exotic food.

In Malmö many large sports events take place and you are never far from recreation and relaxation, in- or outdoors. In Malmö everything is within short distances, and only ten minutes from the city centre you find the beach Ribersborg Saltsjöbad, also called "Ribban". Scandinavias largest adventure bath Aq-va-kul is right in the middle of the city, and it´s open all year round.

Suggest a change to the Malmo Things to do section (click to dropdown)

Population: 9.001.800
Languages: Swedish, small Sami- and Finnish-speaking minoriti
Currency: Swedish krona
Currency code: SEK
Local Times:
Sweden - Stockholm

Country Dialling Code: +46
Voltage: 230V 50Hz
Electrical plugs:
2 Parallel circular prongs

'Schuko' type with two earth connectors on the sides

Sweden is the largest of the Nordic countries in Northern Europe, with a population of about 9.3 million. It borders Norway and Finland and is connected to Denmark via the bridge of Öresund (Öresundsbron). The Baltic Sea lies to the E of Sweden, as well as the Gulf of Bothnia, which separates Sweden from most of Finland. Sweden, which occupies the eastern part of the Scandinavian peninsula, is the fourth-largest country in Europe.

Sweden's forests are beautiful, its lakes giant. Stockholm, the country's capital, is a progressive city with pockets that maintain a village feel. Most visitors to the capital take an excursion to explore the offshore islands. Stockholm's archipelago of 14 islands offer some of the most beautiful coastal scenery in Europe, and can be enjoyed from the city on a single day cruise trip.

Gothenburg and Malmö also beckon with urban delights. Away from the cities, Sweden takes in vast areas of scenic coastline and idyllic islands. The wilderness areas of Norrland have the legendary midnight sun in summer, Arctic Scandinavia's highest mountain and marvellous hiking trails.

Eating and drinking is nothing like as expensive as it used to be in Sweden, though filling up at breakfast and lunch is still much better value than eating out at restaurants in the evening. At its best, Swedish food is excellent, largely meat-, fish- and potato-based, but varied and generally tasty and filling. Specialities include the northern Swedish delicacies - reindeer and elk meat, and wild berries - and herring in many different guises.

Malmo Travel Guide

Malmo Suitability Profile