City Guide: Malmö, Sweden

As years go by, and the list of places I’ve travelled to grows, I realize more and more the charm and humbling qualities that make Malmö one of the greatest cities I have been to. For the people that do their co-op’s in Copenhagen, or are even there visiting, Malmö is a popular day trip destination.

Malmö is Sweden’s third largest city and has long been overshadowed by its famous neighbour city, Copenhagen. Its history dates back to the medieval era as a fishing village. Its name is derived from the word malm-o, literally meaning sand-hill. Its location is on the most southern tip of Sweden above Denmark, allowing it to become a centre for commercial trade and a hub for political and cultural ideas.

You will most likely be arriving in Malmö by train from Copenhagen, over the Öresund Bridge. It is the easiest and fastest way to travel between the two countries (just under 35 minutes). This beautiful bridge will take you past an artificial island of windmills, past the Öresund water until you start seeing a quaint city of small to medium height buildings. Once you arrive at the train station, I highly recommend renting a bike for the day if the weather allows it. However, Malmö is so small that you could also make your way to all the main attractions by foot or quick transit.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using the canals as a guided path is enough to take you to it’s most beautiful spots. Although historically built as a defense-system, it has now become a place for social gatherings, public activities and a way finding tool. I highly recommend renting a paddle boat (located throughout the canals, although most popularly east of Gustav Adolf’s Torg). You can rent a paddle boat for 30 minutes-1 hr. Bring some fruits and snacks and experience one of the best ways to travel through the city!

I will organize this city-guide into three categories: food, architecture and art.

FOOD IN MALMO:

1. The first thing that comes to mind is falafel. I have yet to try falafel as good as the ones I’ve had in Malmö. Falafel is huge here, so won’t be hard to find (just make sure the vendor isn’t a white Swede).

2. The second thing that comes to mind is the Malmö Saluhall just west of the central station. It only recently used to be an old roof-less depot building until it transformed into Malmo’s best market hall. It’s not huge but covers the best basics of gastronomy. Bring some cash.

3. The culture of fika is crucial in Sweden. The only way I can think of describing it is to sit down with friends, drink some coffee, eat some sweets, people watch, and talk for hours all embedded in one word. It’s not only a concept, it is a state of mind, a ritual and a tradition. So even if you’re only spending a day in Malmo – fika is an essential experience. The best place I can recommend doing this is in any cafe with an outside patio. Or specifically, Konditori Hollandia. This street is a particularly popular spot to fika.

4. A popular spot for a nice evening dinner is Restaurant Gamla Brogatan. They’re best known for their fresh meat and long wine selection. It’s medium-sized, cozy, and a great spot for small to large gatherings.

ARCHITECTURE IN MALMO:

1. The first that comes to mind is the Turning Torso by Santiago Calatrava. This is the tallest building in Scandinavia built in 2005. It is a residential building of 54 stories located in  Bo01.

2. Bo01 is one of Malmo’s greatest architectural revitalizations. It used to be an industrial estate and port where the ground was completely polluted. In 2001 the city transformed it into a community of residential buildings, diverse green spaces, cycling/walking paths and bathing public spaces while being completely supplied by 100% renewable energy and a district of sustainable urban renewal.

3. One of my favourite buildings is the Malmo Stadsbibliotek (public library). It is an extension built by Henning Larsen Architects attached to a castle dating back to 1901. It’s been nicknamed the calendar of the seasons because of its central space that frames Kings Park. This space is flooded by light and a popular spot for people to visit and use all year round.

4. Sankt Petri Church is a beautiful gothic style church and one of Malmo’s largest churches built in 1319.  Throughout the church are beautiful epitaph boards scattered throughout the space. In one of the interior spaces, the entire floor is covered with grave slabs from the middle ages.

 

 

 

5. Emporia Mall – In no way do I recommend visiting this mall on a day trip to Malmo. But if you do have lots of extra time/days this shopping mall is only interesting for its western facade which looks like it has been carved away.

ART IN MALMO:

Malmo is home to up to 300 different pieces of public art and is a proud representative of a city that acknowledges and respects the importance of public art. Below are only a few of many of my most favourite art scenes.

1. Malmo’s Moderna Museet and contemporary art with one of Sweden’s most leading independent exhibition programmes.

2. The Giant Lamp is a 5.8 m high lamp that travels around the city throughout the year. However, it’s primary home is in Lilla Torg during Christmas time. It has acted as a landmark for passers-by to relax, sit, and a fun place for children to play.

3. Passage by Maha Mustafa. A shoutout to my mother’s public square design which features a 25-metre long seating feature, a fountain and a sweeping red steel sculpture. This public square is located in front of Schmitt Hammer Lassen’s Malmö Live towers.

Above are only a few of my favourite things about Malmö. I highly recommend visiting even for a day if you happen to be in Copenhagen. Make sure to walk lots, eat lots, drink lots and enjoy the quaint qualities that make this Scandinavia’s most underrated city!