Postcard from Malmö

Just across the Sound from Denmark lies the charming coastal city of Malmö, Sweden. Reachable by train in under an hour, it’s a popular day trip destination for those living in Copenhagen. I visited Malmö during my first weekend abroad, hitting all of the tourist spots on a picturesque late summer day. I have since gone back to take advantage of the lower shopping prices in Sweden, but the unique architecture, natural heritage, and cultural diversity of the city have not left me. So, here’s a postcard from Malmö!

My first stop of the day was Lilla Torg, a small square in the Old Town (Gamla Staden). I was met with shops full of Scandinavian-inspired glass and wood designs. The streets had an air of calm, differentiating Malmö from other European cities I’ve visited.  

After a morning of window shopping, I headed over to St. Peter’s Church (Sankt Petri kyrka). It’s the city’s oldest building, founded in the 14th century as Malmö’s main church. Today, it’s one of the region’s most iconic Gothic monuments. The inside was stunning, and, like many Lutheran churches in Scandinavia, simultaneously modest and ornate. 

Next, I walked to King’s Park (Kungsparken), which is home to several gardens, the Castle Mill, and Malmö Castle (Malmöhus Slott). The country’s oldest surviving Renaissance castle, Malmöhus Slott, is now a museum of history, art, and architecture—it even houses an aquarium! Outside the castle, there was an inspiring exhibit on The White Buses, which rescued Scandinavian prisoners from Nazi concentration camps at the end of World War II. I especially appreciated visiting the Castle Mill, built in 1851, and the surrounding gardens. My final stop in Kungsparken was Slottsträdgårdens Kafé, where I had tea and tried Sweden’s beloved cardamom bread in a converted greenhouse!

For lunch, my friends and I explored Malmö Saluhall, a food market featuring many different cuisines in a refurbished 1800s warehouse. We had delicious poké bowls from PåRis and picked up award-winning chocolates from Chocolatte Helsingborg for the road. Then, we hopped on a city bus, which was incredibly inexpensive and 100% electric, to Folkets Park. There was so much to do there, from carousels and playgrounds to cafes and a terrarium. We reveled in a moment of peace, chatting, journaling, and soaking in the sun. 

Following a rejuvenating afternoon in the park, we walked back toward the Old Town, stopping in some of the many vintage and second-hand clothing shops that line Malmö’s streets. We also had a look in the stunning City Library (Malmö Stadsbiblioteket), which was built as “an almanac of the changing seasons.” Back in the Gamla Staden, we saw the sprawling town hall (Malmö Rådhus). Finally, with about an hour to kill before our return train, we sat outside at Drumbar in Lilla Torg and enjoyed authentic Swedish meatballs and cider. 

With a quick 35-minute train ride across the iconic Øresund Bridge, we were back in Copenhagen. I was amazed by how much of Malmö we were able to see in just half a day, and I was struck by the Swedish natural beauty, efficiency, and history that I encountered. For visitors to Scandinavia, Malmö is well worth a visit.