Malmö: Culture, Parks and Beach

History and Architecture in Malmö

Malmöhus Castle is the oldest surviving Renaissance castle in Northern Europe. Danish kings stayed at the castle during their visits to Malmö. A visit therefore connects the history of the building with the role it played in the city’s history. Keep in mind when planning: Malmöhus Castle is accessible only via stairs. Since accessibility information can change, confirm this condition before your visit.

S:t Petri Church also offers a glimpse into the past: it is Malmö’s oldest surviving brick building and, at the same time, the city’s oldest surviving church. It is open daily from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.; admission is free for individual visitors and school groups. Check the opening hours before your visit. Lilla Torg offers another glimpse into the city’s history: the square was established in the 1590s and has since served mainly as a marketplace for local small-scale trade.

For many visitors, Stortorget is the first stop. The square is lined with several notable buildings, including Malmö City Hall, Residenset, Jörgen Kocks hus, Hotel Kramer and Apoteket Lejonet. If you’re interested in architecture and urban spaces, comparing them with Malmöhus Castle and S:t Petri Church offers several historical points of reference for your stay.

Museums, Art and Theatre

Malmö Museum is the largest museum in southern Sweden. Its exhibitions cover subjects including history, nature, technology and shipping. At the aquarium, visitors can see fish, reptiles, spiders and other cold-blooded animals up close. This range of topics makes the museum a point of interest for a variety of interests, from nature to technology.

Malmö Konsthall is one of Sweden’s largest venues for contemporary art. Admission to all exhibitions and programs is free. Those more interested in the performing arts and architectural history can consider a guided tour of Malmö Opera. It covers the history and architecture of the opera house and takes visitors behind the scenes at Storan and Verkstan, through the assembly hall, boxes and cafeteria. Tour availability depends on the schedule, so check the dates for your preferred visit.

The Malmö Opera theatre was inaugurated on September 23, 1944, and is considered a masterpiece of Functionalist architecture. Together with the guided tour, this offers an opportunity to learn about both the architecture and the history of the building. When planning your day, you can distinguish the theatre tour from a visit to the museums and art venues.

Parks and Beach

Kungsparken is Malmö’s oldest park. It has many different exotic trees and was originally intended to resemble a botanical garden. Pildammsparken offers a different atmosphere: its distinctive history and strongly neoclassical design shape its character. The park also has two themed playgrounds, Spindellekplatsen and Teaterlekplatsen.

Ribersborg Beach, usually called Ribban, is Malmö’s most visited beach and stretches for more than 1.5 kilometers. Ribersborg Cold Bath House offers swimming and sauna bathing even during the colder parts of the year. The beach and cold bath house thus offer different ways to enjoy a stay by the water. Malmö Folkets Park complements the city’s green spaces with a wide range of activities offered year-round. Its history is closely connected with the period when the labor movement emerged.

Events, Food and Getting Around

Malmöfestivalen began in 1985 and takes place every year. The city festival features music, culture, children’s activities and food; admission has been free since it began. Numerous local and international restaurants, food vendors and food trucks based in Malmö offer special culinary experiences. If a festival visit fits your trip, check the dates for your preferred travel period. Malmö Saluhall offers a different way to explore the food scene: the covered market hall combines a food court with distinctive dining concepts, dedicated chefs and carefully selected ingredients.

For getting around the city, Travelshop in Malmö offers bike rentals and tours for groups and individuals. Check availability for your preferred date. Malmö is connected to Copenhagen and the rest of Europe via the Öresund Bridge; the compact city center can be explored on foot, by bike or by public transport. You can then compare hotel offers based on your personal criteria.

Discover more destinations: Malmö, Tygelsjö, Limhamn, Sibbarp, Bunkeflostrand, Hässleholm, Tomelilla, Landskrona

For the main travel overview: Skåne.