Malmö – The Gateway to Sweden
Malmö in Sweden, just on the other site of the strait, is definitely worth a visit.
Jump on a train and in 45 min. you stand in the center of Malmö, the third-largest city in Sweden with almost 350,000 inhabitants, and Malmö is the most cosmopolitan one.
Malmö was Danish for hundreds of years, and in 1658 it became Swedish, a fact that was confirmed once again in 1660. Ship building and machine construction industries drove the economy in the 19th and 20th centuries, with the vision of Frans Suell, but nothing lasts forever, and Malmö was forced to reinvent itself.
The city transformed from an industrial center into a vibrant hub for innovation, education, and diversity. Modern Malmö now stands as a beacon of multiculturalism and forward-thinking.
Malmö, the gateway between Sweden and Denmark, has played a pivotal role in the regional narrative of the Scandinavian peninsula. Scania, the southernmost part of what is now Sweden, was under Danish rule. Malmö, the jewel in the Danish crown, thrived as a bustling trading and maritime hub. But as destiny would have it, the winds of change blew across the Øresund strait.
In 1660, the final version of the Treaty of Roskilde concluded that Scania, and thus Malmö, would become Swedish possessions. This transition was more than political; it reshaped culture, affiliations, and even architecture. Imagine: yesterday you were Danish, today you are Swedish - it must have been very strange.
The 19th century brought a new identity as Malmö surged forward as an industrial titan. The shipyards, especially the illustrious Kockums, became the heartbeat of the city’s industrious spirit. Their colossal cranes defined the skyline as mighty ships were built to conquer oceans. Yet, as dramatic as the rise of industry was, its decline in the 20th century was equally impactful. Malmö was forced to reinvent itself once again. Today, where smoking chimneys once rose, voices from over 150 nations can be heard, creating a mosaic of cultures.
A medieval square can lead you to a street filled with modern cafés, and the iconic Turning Torso spirals skyward, reflecting Malmö’s bold aspirations and new architecture.
Getting there from Copenhagen is remarkably easy. Trains depart from Copenhagen Central Station every 20 minutes, operated by Öresundståg. The journey takes just 45 minutes, whisking you across the iconic Øresund Bridge.
Tickets cost around €13–15 one way and can be purchased at the station or online. Remember to carry valid travel ID as you cross a border. In under an hour, you’ll step off in Malmö Central, right in the heart of the city’s past and future.
I can highly recommend you to purchase the guided audio walk in Malmö to optimize your visit.
Tips about what to see in Malmö:
Jörgen Kock's Yard - 16th-century wealth is easy to see in Västergatan street with old noble houses.
The square Stortorget, statue of King Karl Gustav X and the City Hall.
The Church of St. Peter, Malmö's oldest church.
The Circus – Hippodrome. Today it is Malmö's beloved City Theater.
The Old Pharmacy “The Lion”, the Optimist Orchestra and the Residence.
The Small Square – Lilla Torg - 16th-century houses meet fancy terraces. Visit the Form Design Center.
Gustav Adolf's Square - The city's centerpiece, Faxe's flower bed.
Shoes on Davidshalls Bridge - The parade Way to Go
Castle Garden - Slottsträdgården. A green paradise on earth. See the world’s (maybe) biggest insect hotel too.
The Castle Mill - The old mill and Malmö skyline with Turning Torso.
The Castle - Museum Malmöhus. Home of kings, fortress and prison.
Malmö Saluhall – Streetfood. A paradise for foodies.
Malmö Live and Urban Art - The amazing complex Malmö Live.
The Knotted Gun - An impressive eye-catching urban sculpture.
Spectral Self Container - Urban Art.
If you found this page and you still did not went on our Daily Bike Tour, then I can highly recommend you to come along and bike Copenhagen - Just like a Dane. You will learn more about the Copenhagen and Denmark too.
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