Connected to Copenhagen via the Öresund bridge, Malmö is a very cool city. It's got Scandinavia’s tallest building, the impressive ‘Turning Torso’, a collection of world-class museums and some beautiful parks. There's also a population which includes around 150 different nationalities, all contributing to the food, the festivals, the music and the lifestyle. If you’re here for the history then the Galma Staden, or Old Town, is probably one of the best places to stay in Malmö. As well as being in the heart of town, you’re also close to the castle. But, if your idea of the best hotels in Malmö are close to trendy restaurants, bars, and is perhaps a cool design property, then you might want to look around the redeveloped harbour precinct.
Malmö was originally founded by the Danes - for several centuries it was Denmark’s second largest city - which is why there are some districts and streets which are littered with Danish-style half-timbered houses. Before the bridge - which is the world’s longest cable-tied road bridge - was opened in 2000, Malmö was a fairly industrial city, whose largest employer was a shipbuilding company. But the bridge really changed everything.
If you’re looking for Malmö’s markets you’ll find them in Möllevångstorget square, which is surrounded by Asian and Middle Eastern shops and restaurants and numerous bars. If you’re looking for the high design stores and fancy restaurants try Davidshallstorg.
Malmö is a great place for pedestrians and cyclists, but there’s also a very good bus network. There are many beautiful parks - great for swimming and sunbathing if you’re here in summer, or in fact winter too if you fancy it - the sandy beach of the Ribersborgsstranden is known for ice swimming…
What not to miss
- The Old Town, the castle (Malmöhus Slott), and the three main squares which lie at the heart of Malmö are probably the best places to start exploring.
- Stortorget, meaning the big square, is where you’ll find Malmö’s beautiful city hall. Lilla Torg, or little square, is where you’ll find many cafes and restaurants, whilst the third square, Gustav Adolf’s Square, is best for shopping.
- One of Malmö’s museum highlights is the Moderna Museet Malmö, the modern art museum in an impressively converted turbine hall.
- Malmö Castle is a stunning 16th-century castle that's definitely worth a visit.
Our pick of the best places to stay in Malmo are well placed in the centre of town, an ideal spot whatever your reason to visit.