I’ve lived in Sweden’s third largest city of Malmö for over fourteen years. And the truth is, not only do I love it, but I’m also super proud of this town too. It’s laid-back, buzzing with creativity and you can cycle everywhere in under 30 minutes (beach, parks, cafés, bars, musuems, art galleries, you name it!). So many fabulous places have popped up since my last that I thought it was about time for a new guide. So I put on my thinking cap, sourced a wonderful sponsor (thank you ) and chatted to all my Malmö friends to bring you a true, bang up to date local’s guide to 24 hours in Malmö!
Where to stay
– located in Västra hamnen (Western harbour), Oh Boy is a short hop to the swimming bridges,10 minutes walk to the central station and comes with two bicycles (and a bicycle taxi service)!
It also comes with a skateboard (handy when you live opposite the !
Other places to stay:
(also see
Great places for an aperitif
– on the corner of Stortorget (‘the large square’)in a beautiful old building – these guys do the best Aperol Spritz in town (and of course, many decent wines!)!
(outdoor heated area lined with bars in the ‘little square’)
( drinks on me if you’re able to pronounce this outdoor heated area in the area of Möllevång)
– grab a bottle from Systembolaget (the off license) and enjoy a cool one looking out over the Öresund at sunset. In the summer you might even be treated to salsa, live music and other events as part of Malmö Sommarscene (check out what’s happening this summer ).
Where to eat
A relaxed local hang-out near packed with vintage finds. Enjoy organic wine, great beer and yummy food – inside or out.
– a relaxed neighbourhood hangout with great food just off beautiful .
– this place always has a great atmosphere – start with a cocktail! Need to book in advance.
(where the media folk hang out on weekdays lunchtime)
First thing to do when you wake-up
Morning Dip
Nothing nurses a hang-over and gets you ready for the day better than a ‘morgondopp’! Do as the locals do, don a dressing gown, walk / cycle down to the nearest swimming place and brace yourself!
Followed by breakfast or a long old brunch….
Breakfast / brunch hangouts
The Raw Food House is on a street that’s also great for antiques and vintage finds and right next door is Malört tattoo, which my friend (and fellow local) Sofie says uses “only vegan inks, William Morris wallpaper, and a small selection of naughty books for sale.” She does actually have a tattoo from this place and it’s beautiful (and I’m not even really into tattoos) – if you’re tempted, you’ll need to book well in advance!
Other Brunch places:
Activities:
Although it’s tempting to sit around eating and drinking all day, soaking up the atmosphere – there are some activities that should definitely not be missed:
– my friends visiting from England insist on calling this place the ‘naked sauna’ which amuses my no end. Located on the end of a pier off , this place is well worth a visit, if only just for the relaxed cafe / restaurant. I’d totally recommend going for a sauna and cold bath too!
– foodies will love this guided food tour of Malmö (book in advance!).
– pack a picnic and hire your own motorboat to putter around Malmö’s canals – it’s a great way to see the city centre!
– take a stroll around the boho ‘People’s Park’ (especially if you’re with children as it’s a bit of a kids paradise). Don’t miss for wood-fired pizzas in the little old cottage and beer garden!
Museums: I love & for modern art (they both have great gift shops too!) and for a spot of history. My kids love (Science and maritime museum) it’s totally interactive and you can leap in and out of a submarine, cars etc and do other science-y stuff.
Fika!
If you really want to enjoy Malmö like a local it’s essential to enjoy a ‘fika’ (coffee break with something sweet) every half hour or so. In the summer I like cycling through the many parks and stopping at or enjoying a take-away coffee on a blanket in the park.
Other great places to fika
on St knuts Torg is a wonderfully hipster café selling stone baked bread and the most divine cinnamon buns.
If you’d like combine your fika with shopping (err, hello!) you’re in for a treat…
Great places in Malmö to Shop for Clothes and Interior
– a café and eco butique rolled into one. Bonus: you can even buy the furniture you sit on to eat.
– conveniently (or should I say dangerously?!) placed next door to AB Småland on the main walking street- this is a great little shop for clothes, interior items and some of Sweden’s coolest bags, shoes etc.
– great for things for the home and clothes! I once featured the owner’s home (as an indication of her great taste!).
– fairly new on the scene, this wonderful café and shop is 15 minutes cycle from the town centre (just along the beach) and well worth a visit.
– always worth nipping into this little shop for clothes, jewellery, bags etc!
– and just next door is this fab hat shop!
8 Great Shops in Malmö for Design:
One of my fortes as you can imagine! I’m so grateful for all of these wonderful interior design shops – do not miss a single one of them if you’d like to pick something up for your home!
And while in shopping mode, here are:
5 fab things made by local designers to pick up on your spree:
1. by Lisa Hilland
2. lamps by Swedish Ninja
3. candlestick by Kajsa Willner and Straight Ceramic pots by
4. Modern art by
5. Beyond Local Collection by Anna Gudmundsdottir
And last but no means least, I never leave town without stopping to say hi to Sophie and her Cocker Spaniel Farfar on my way home to pick up some fresh flowers…
I think that might be it. I’ve no doubt left out a ton of amazing places – feel free to add your favourite Malmö haunts in the comment section below or on instagram using the hash tag #makeitmalmo.
VÄLKOMMEN!
PS You can also visit for more tips!
All photography unless specified.
This post was made possible thanks to , who kindly supported my endeavour. All words and opinions are absolutely my own (and that of other locals!).
I’ve lived in Sweden’s third largest city of Malmö for over fourteen years. And the truth is, not only do I love it, but I’m also super proud of this town too. It’s laid-back, buzzing with creativity and you can cycle everywhere in under 30 minutes (beach, parks, cafés, bars, musuems, art galleries, you name it!). So many fabulous places have popped up since my last that I thought it was about time for a new guide. So I put on my thinking cap, sourced a wonderful sponsor (thank you ) and chatted to all my Malmö friends to bring you a true, bang up to date local’s guide to 24 hours in Malmö!
Where to stay
– located in Västra hamnen (Western harbour), Oh Boy is a short hop to the swimming bridges,10 minutes walk to the central station and comes with two bicycles (and a bicycle taxi service)!
It also comes with a skateboard (handy when you live opposite the !
Other places to stay:
(also see
Great places for an aperitif
– on the corner of Stortorget (‘the large square’)in a beautiful old building – these guys do the best Aperol Spritz in town (and of course, many decent wines!)!
(outdoor heated area lined with bars in the ‘little square’)
( drinks on me if you’re able to pronounce this outdoor heated area in the area of Möllevång)
– grab a bottle from Systembolaget (the off license) and enjoy a cool one looking out over the Öresund at sunset. In the summer you might even be treated to salsa, live music and other events as part of Malmö Sommarscene (check out what’s happening this summer ).
Where to eat
A relaxed local hang-out near packed with vintage finds. Enjoy organic wine, great beer and yummy food – inside or out.
– a relaxed neighbourhood hangout with great food just off beautiful .
– this place always has a great atmosphere – start with a cocktail! Need to book in advance.
(where the media folk hang out on weekdays lunchtime)
First thing to do when you wake-up
Morning Dip
Nothing nurses a hang-over and gets you ready for the day better than a ‘morgondopp’! Do as the locals do, don a dressing gown, walk / cycle down to the nearest swimming place and brace yourself!
Followed by breakfast or a long old brunch….
Breakfast / brunch hangouts
The Raw Food House is on a street that’s also great for antiques and vintage finds and right next door is Malört tattoo, which my friend (and fellow local) Sofie says uses “only vegan inks, William Morris wallpaper, and a small selection of naughty books for sale.” She does actually have a tattoo from this place and it’s beautiful (and I’m not even really into tattoos) – if you’re tempted, you’ll need to book well in advance!
Other Brunch places:
Activities:
Although it’s tempting to sit around eating and drinking all day, soaking up the atmosphere – there are some activities that should definitely not be missed:
– my friends visiting from England insist on calling this place the ‘naked sauna’ which amuses my no end. Located on the end of a pier off , this place is well worth a visit, if only just for the relaxed cafe / restaurant. I’d totally recommend going for a sauna and cold bath too!
– foodies will love this guided food tour of Malmö (book in advance!).
– pack a picnic and hire your own motorboat to putter around Malmö’s canals – it’s a great way to see the city centre!
– take a stroll around the boho ‘People’s Park’ (especially if you’re with children as it’s a bit of a kids paradise). Don’t miss for wood-fired pizzas in the little old cottage and beer garden!
Museums: I love & for modern art (they both have great gift shops too!) and for a spot of history. My kids love (Science and maritime museum) it’s totally interactive and you can leap in and out of a submarine, cars etc and do other science-y stuff.
Fika!
If you really want to enjoy Malmö like a local it’s essential to enjoy a ‘fika’ (coffee break with something sweet) every half hour or so. In the summer I like cycling through the many parks and stopping at or enjoying a take-away coffee on a blanket in the park.
Other great places to fika
on St knuts Torg is a wonderfully hipster café selling stone baked bread and the most divine cinnamon buns.
If you’d like combine your fika with shopping (err, hello!) you’re in for a treat…
Great places in Malmö to Shop for Clothes and Interior
– a café and eco butique rolled into one. Bonus: you can even buy the furniture you sit on to eat.
– conveniently (or should I say dangerously?!) placed next door to AB Småland on the main walking street- this is a great little shop for clothes, interior items and some of Sweden’s coolest bags, shoes etc.
– great for things for the home and clothes! I once featured the owner’s home (as an indication of her great taste!).
– fairly new on the scene, this wonderful café and shop is 15 minutes cycle from the town centre (just along the beach) and well worth a visit.
– always worth nipping into this little shop for clothes, jewellery, bags etc!
– and just next door is this fab hat shop!
8 Great Shops in Malmö for Design:
One of my fortes as you can imagine! I’m so grateful for all of these wonderful interior design shops – do not miss a single one of them if you’d like to pick something up for your home!
And while in shopping mode, here are:
5 fab things made by local designers to pick up on your spree:
1. by Lisa Hilland
2. lamps by Swedish Ninja
3. candlestick by Kajsa Willner and Straight Ceramic pots by
4. Modern art by
5. Beyond Local Collection by Anna Gudmundsdottir
And last but no means least, I never leave town without stopping to say hi to Sophie and her Cocker Spaniel Farfar on my way home to pick up some fresh flowers…
I think that might be it. I’ve no doubt left out a ton of amazing places – feel free to add your favourite Malmö haunts in the comment section below or on instagram using the hash tag #makeitmalmo.
VÄLKOMMEN!
PS You can also visit for more tips!
All photography unless specified.
This post was made possible thanks to , who kindly supported my endeavour. All words and opinions are absolutely my own (and that of other locals!).
