Crossing the Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo – Just Do It!

Street Art in Malmo, South #Sweden

A lot of people from all around the world visit Copenhagen, but I wonder why most of those people fail to visit Malmo? It’s a travesty that Malmo gets overlooked despite its close proximity to Copenhagen.

I’m not saying choose Malmo over Copenhagen, instead I’m saying choose both cities!

Copenhagen to Malmo:
Crossing the Oresund Bridge

Copenhagen is located in Denmark, whereas Malmo is located in Sweden. It’s not often you can visit two cities in two different countries that are so close to one another.

They’re only 30 minutes apart by train. In London it takes me longer to get from one end of the Northern Line to the other. Actually, it takes double that time. Sometimes it takes me longer to get out of bed in a morning too.

The train crosses the famous Oresund Bridge, which is somewhat of a star attraction in itself, 16 km in length and built to last. This spectacular feat of engineering juts out from the sea like a steel dragon.

Cross the Oresund Bridge between Copenhagen and Malmo

Despite practically being neighbours, they have very different personalities. Copenhagen feels like the over-achieving classmate, whereas Malmo is like the cool kid in class who didn’t bother to turn up most of the time, and yet still passed everything.

In other words, they’re chalk and cheese yet complement each other like bangers and mash.

I don’t want you to think I’m giving Copenhagen a bashing. I’m not, I love the city. But after visiting Malmo, I found myself wondering why I didn’t go the first time round when I was in Copenhagen…

The answer is that nobody was recommending or encouraging me to go. So my aim in writing this is to encourage you to go to Malmo, Sweden’s 3rd largest city.

Getting to Malmo by train

You can travel direct by train from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö Central. Trains depart regularly and take approximately 40 minutes. You can prebook tickets via the Trainline.

Alternatively, trains also depart from Copenhagen Central Station (København) to Malmö Central.

Malmo city centre

Malmo's Old Town

How affordable is visiting Malmo?

It’s more affordable than Copenhagen – even the Danes appreciate this. After Swedes, the Danes make up the second largest inhabitants of Malmo.

Many people working in Copenhagen actually choose to live in Malmo, the numbers grew significantly after the bridge was built in 2000.

As a visitor you can take heed by staying in Malmo to save money on accommodation. Or to balance things out, divide your time between both cities.

Spend a few nights in Malmo and a few nights in Copenhagen to soak up the atmosphere of each city to a fuller capacity. 

If you do decide to do this, I’ve written a blog about destinations to visit in Skane Exploring Malmo, Ystad, Lund & Helsingborg.

The best things to do in Malmo

Malmo has a very local vibe. When you’re there, you get the feel that you’re walking alongside those who call this place home. It doesn’t feel touristy, despite it having an international crowd with over 170 different nationalities from around the world, making it the most multicultural city in Sweden.

I’ve heard some people don’t like Malmo for this reason, but this is just one of the many reasons why I like it. I love it when I see cultures coming together in one city. It’s the main reason why I live in London.

In keeping with many cities in Scandinavia, Malmo has a huge bicycle culture which also probably explains why toned legs are part of the landscape in this neck of the woods! Lol.

Bicycle culture in Malmo

Old Town of Malmo

Soaking up Nordic Noir: "The Bridge"

In recent years, the Oresund Bridge and the region that surrounds both cities have been popularized by the success of Nordic Noir TV series, The Bridge.

The success of The Bridge has attracted a new wave of visitors to Malmo, who perhaps would otherwise have overlooked the city in favour of Stockholm, Gothenburg, and its Danish neighbour, Copenhagen.

For those of you who’ve not yet watched the gritty crime drama, the first ever episode opens to the discovery of a dead body on the Oresund bridge, and the premise of the entire 1st series seeks to discover who did it and why.

It’s extremely intelligent and full of twist and turns, ideal for those who like to get their teeth into meaty plot lines with a political slant. I’m also obsessed with the protagonist, Saga. It’s impossible not to be as far as I’m concerned.

Western Harbour

Malmo's Western Harbour

© Visit Sweden

During the summer, holiday goers and locals alike flock to Western Harbour to relax on the boardwalk. Take in the glistening views of the Oresund and more recently, fans of the series arrive to catch a glimpse of the infamous bridge and other nearby areas that make an appearance in the TV drama.

Explore the picturesque Old Town

Malmo city

One of the surprising things about Malmo is how picturesque it is. After watching The Bridge it’s easy to imagine the city as an industrial grey chasm of bleakness but that perception couldn’t be further from the truth. A stroll through the old town completely rebuffs this notion as it can charm the socks off anyone with its cobbled streets, colourful houses and leafy parks.

Discover Street Art in Malmo

Street art in Malmo #Sweden

In contrast, Malmo is not without its urban chic, with street art, exhibition centres and pop-up bars throwing a smattering of grit into the mix.

Read this complete guide of where to see the best street art in Malmo.

Admire contemporary architecture at the Turning Torso

Turning Torso in Malmo

Malmo is also home to the iconic Turning Torso. If you’re an architecture boffin, you’ll probably already know about it. And if you don’t, you won’t forget it when you see it!

It was designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, who also designed such buildings as the City of Arts & Sciences in Valencia

Explore further afield

As well as Copenhagen, Malmo has many other places of interest all within an hour’s reach of the city by train, including the historical university town of Lund, the beautiful harbour city of Helsingborg, and Ystad, arguably Sweden’s prettiest town.

The picturesque town of Ystad in South Sweden
A typical street house in Ystad.

Ales Stenar (Ale's Stones) in Skane

If you have a car you can explore the whole of South Sweden from Malmo, it’s such a beautiful area and well worth exploring if you have the opportunity. The rock formations known as Ales Stenar are a popular attraction nearby Ystad.

Read our comprehensive list of attractions in Malmo 12 Fabulous Things to do in Malmo

Eating out in Malmo

As with all great cities, places to enjoy good food are often in abundance. This is, of course, expected from Copenhagen which has its name boldly printed in the foodie hall of fame, but what about Malmo? Well, it certainly surprised me.

For some seriously tasty food I recommend Belle Epoque. The menu is limited, with only two options each for meat, fish and vegetarian. I opted for one vegetarian and one seafood dish. You’ll find that most restaurants that get their supplies seasonally and locally usually have less variety on their menus to avoid waste but each dish is superbly crafted. And with it being extremely fresh, you can taste the difference too.

Belle Epoque restaurant, Malmo

 Lentils wrapped in sliced courgette with hummus and topped with petals.

Belle Epoque Restaurant in Malmo, #Sweden

Cod and Mussels in a very light cream sauce.

More and more cafes and restaurants are cropping up in the city which are redefining the way we think about food and our relationship with it. Proving that Malmo is a force to be reckoned with, is the White Guide that published an edition solely for Skane, the region that encompasses Malmo. If you’re not familiar with the White Guide, this is Sweden’s version of the Michelin Guide.

Malmo city centre

Where to stay in Malmo

There are quite a few good hotels in Malmo, but I would say Master Johan Hotel (MJ’s) offers the best experience for your money – great location, atmosphere, comfort and that all important buffet breakfast.

Crossing the Øresund Bridge from Copenhagen to Malmö

Are you planning a trip to Malmo and Copenhagen?

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Hi, I'm Shing

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37 Responses

  1. I went for a day trip cross the bridge in 2002 – I remember the old town, lots of cobbled streets, no Turning Torso and everything being shut (it was a Sunday). I love The Bridge too, so would love to go back and spot locations. I’ve also heard it’s the unofficial falafel capital of Europe!

    1. You should definitely go again! The Turning Torso is great and everything is open on Sundays now too 😉 I’ve been there the last two summers and would absolutely go again next year 😉
      @Shing: Beautiful pictures!! 🙂

      1. Thanks Van! I completely agree with you, Rich should definitely go again! I love the area around Western Harbour, and I also really like the Old Town with all the cobbled streets. Malmo is underrated for sure.

    2. So much has changed since 2002 (as Van pointed out too), I think you’d find the differences really interesting Richard! Ooou I’m glad another Bridge fan has piped up, the 3rd series is just as good as I hoped it would be!

      Haha, well that’s new to me. I’ll make sure to have falafel next time!

  2. Thanks for the tip! I really like the blogposts where you get some insiders tips! Nobody needs to convince me to go to Copenhagen, but I would never visit Malmo I think, until now haha!

    1. The bridge is for cars and trains! The engineering is really innovative in that there’s two layers to the bridge with the cars going along the top and the train underneath! You should totally rent a car!!

      1. I’m visiting Copenhagen jingle January 2017 and wold love some tips on best attractions to see or restaurants to visit.

        1. Hi Jennifer, sorry for the delay in getting back to you. Whilst you’re in Copenhagen I suggest you look at this 10 Top list I put together for more inspiration: http://www.theculturemap.com/10-must-see-do-attractions-copenhagen/

          Also, not on the list but highly recommended if you have more time is Lousiana Sculpture Park, it’s one of the best galleries I’ve ever visited and it’s set in a beautiful location (though might not have the same buoyancy in winter)! It takes approximately 35 minutes to get there from Copenhagen on the train – the station you need to get off at is Humlebæk. https://en.louisiana.dk/exhibition/sculpture-park

          Hopefully Tivoli will still have all its Xmas decorations up by the time you go, you’ll be in for a treat if it does!

          In terms of food, I recommend checking out this comprehensive food map and you can search by area/ rating and cuisine: http://cphpost.dk/foodie-map
          Make sure you don’t miss Torvehallerne food market, and also the Meat Packing district for some great restaurants. If you want to book somewhere for a treat I recommend Geranium, but you need to book in advance! Let me know if you have anymore questions!

          1. Hi Shing, I am visiting Copenhagen for new year and would love to visit Malmo aswell. Sadly I only have a 3 night stay in total and my visit to Malmo would have to be New Year’s Day. Would there be enough open on this day. Thanks for your help

  3. This is great Shing! And your photos are marvellous as usual.
    Being that I have a school-aged child, I plan destinations well ahead of time!!! The Easter holiday is booked as we’re going to Spain & Portugal and I was looking for somewhere to go for a week in the summer as we’re booked out with summer camp, grandparents in Northern Germany, etc and I needed somewhere closer to Germany. And now I know where to go – Denmark! I used to go quite a lot as it’s “just around the corner” from Germany lol but it’s been years since I last went to Copenhagen.

    Will I visit Malmo if I go to Copenhagen? Absolutely!

    1. Yey, Denmark is so close to Germany so it would be a perfect short-break getaway for you and your family! Hopefully you’ll see some changes since your last visit, especially if you go across to Malmo!

  4. It’s funny how sometimes very often, something interesting is so near to us and we don’t see it. Like the case with Malmo and Copenhagen. Thank you for the beautiful urban pictures!

  5. Hi Shing,

    Great post! I’m flying in to Copenhagen with my partner in a few weeks. We will be there for 10 nights, but he’ll be off to a conference near Aarhus midway through the trip. We’re definitely planning on hopping over to Malmo even for just a day trip. But for the 2nd half of the trip when I will be myself, and will have seen much of Copenhagen, I wonder if you have any advice on where else one should go to in Denmark?

    Thanks,

    Irvin

    PS., love your blog!

    1. Hey Irvin, great to hear you’ll be heading to Copenhagen for a decent amount of time, and that you’ll be taking a trip to Malmo!

      In the 2nd week you should definitely take a trip to Lousiana Sculpture Park, it’s one of the best galleries I’ve ever visited and it’s set in a beautiful location. It takes approximately 35 minutes to get there from Copenhagen on the train – the station you need to get off at is Humlebæk. https://en.louisiana.dk/exhibition/sculpture-park

      Another day I recommend you take the train to Helsingor, famous for Hamlet’s Castle (approx 55mins from Copenhagen). From this town you can also take the 20-minute ferry across the Oresund to Helsingborg in Sweden and wander around for a few hours. You can visit both as a day trip!

      I hope you have a fabulous time, and if you have any questions don’t hesitate to ask! 🙂

  6. Hi Shing,

    Your post really helps to plan my trip! Me and a friend of mine would be visiting Copenhagen in about a month’s time, and we are wondering if staying in Malmo and commuting to visit Copenhagen is a good idea? And of course at the same time, to visit Malmo as well. We’ll be there for about 4 days. Or do you have any suggestions? Any other inside tips are also very welcomed, especially for food both in Malmo and Copenhagen.

    Thank you!
    Jacinth

    1. Hi Jacinth, sorry for the late reply. Staying in Malmo and commuting to Copenhagen is a good idea if you’re on a budget as the hotels are better priced. However, there’s a lot more to do in Copenhagen so I would stay in Copenhagen if that was your initial intention. However, you could spend 2 nights in Copenhagen and 2 nights in Malmo… that way you get to see more of south Sweden too. From Malmo, the historical town of Lund is only 20 minutes on the train. And Ystad and Helsingborg are approx 45-55 mins. All places are worth visiting. If the weather is sunny I recommend going to Ystad because it’s a really pretty town and by the sea: http://www.theculturemap.com/ystad-the-wisteria-lane-of-south-sweden/
      However, if the weather isn’t good, I recommend staying in the bigger cities because there are more things to do.
      Let me know if you’ve got anymore questions!

  7. Hi Shing, I have only just discovered your fantastic blog whilst digging around for some information on Copenhagen which I am visiting for the first time in a couple of weeks. This is a great post and is something that I have discussed with my friend who I am travelling with, the opportunity to visit two countries on a long weekend away sounds too good to pass up.

    I have really enjoyed dipping into Culturemap, what great inspirational places you have visited (and fantastic photos), I think you may have triggered my wanderlust again.

    Best of luck with your studies and keep up the good work.
    Paul

  8. hi doing a bike ride in motala in june , the idea is to
    fly into copehagen and riding up to motala .
    looking to find best way across to malmo , is the bike ferry up and running yet ?
    regards stephen

  9. Hi Shing,
    I am from New Delhi, India and I have been looking at your posts which are very instructing. I shall be visiting Sweden in mid September as a first time visitor to Scandinavia. I am planning to take a train from Stockholm to Malmo and stay there for sometime. Since I also like to visit Copenhagen, I wonder if one can visit it on a daily basis while staying in Malmo. And is it easy to take a transport, may be a taxi, from Malmo to catch a flight from Copenhagen Airport? If so what can one do to ensure a safe journey from Malmo to the Airport in Copenhagen. Regards.

  10. Hello! we will be arriving in Copenhagen April 24 and departing on April 29 on Cruise Ship….we would like to see all we can in the few days we can. we would like to travel via train and / or public transportation. we are looking for moderate hotel for 3 that we can use for home base…do we need special visa to travel to other areas beside our USA passports? Any and all help is appreciated. we are on budget but no hostels or air bb….thanks looking forward to such an amazing journey, We are seniors and have AARP / AAA and our granddaughter is 22….
    all help is appreciated…

    1. Hi Hazel, sorry for the delayed response but great to hear you’re interested in visiting Malmo from Copenhagen!
      To answer your questions, no you don’t need a special visa, you can just hop on the train – it’s really as simple as that. Just ensure you have your passports with you.

      In regards to accommodation, and taking into consideration that you’d prefer to stay in a hotel as opposed to a hostel or Aibnb, I had a look at TripAdvisor and Hotel Astoria ranks well for value for money. The Comfort More Hotel which I do know, and would recommend, offers pretty good value for money, but it is more expensive than the other hotel (but still more affordable than many hotels in the city which are often £100+ a night)

      However, I haven’t stayed in this hotel myself so I can’t vouch for it personally but the price is reasonable and its centrally located (Sadly Denmark and Sweden are always going to be expensive!). I would spend a little time looking at reviews and looking at the amenities of the hotel before booking to see if it suits your needs.

      Reading your comment again, I’m actually wondering if you’re looking for hotels in Copenhagen, or am I correct in understanding you are in fact enquiring about a couple of nights etc in Malmo? If not… let me know and I can provide you with some recommendations for Copenhagen.

      Lastly, for more information and things to do in Malmo and South Sweden, this blog post I wrote might interest you: http://www.theculturemap.com/south-sweden-malmo-ystad-lund-helsingborg/

      Have a wonderful time with your granddaughter and enjoy exploring this part of the world!
      Best wishes,
      Shing

  11. Hi Shing, i came across your blog while looking for information on copenhagen and malmo. My family and i will be in CPH end dec til new year. Just wondering if Malmo and CPH will be open in full swing for visits during that time? We’ll be there 29 Dec – 2 Jan. We’re from South East Asia, and always look forward to winter vacations!! Also, my kids are into christmas decors, will the christmas decors still be up in CPH around that time?

  12. I have 4 days to see the 4 places you mentioned in South Sweden. Would it be better to stay in Malmo or Helsingborg and which city deserves the most time of the 4?

    1. Hi Natasha, there is definitely more to do in Malmo and it sits between Helsingborg and other towns like Ystad and Lund (which are well worth visiting). I’ve written another post about what to do in this area which you should find helpful: https://www.theculturemap.com/south-sweden-malmo-ystad-lund-helsingborg/

      If you stay in Malmo, I would definitely recommend a full day trip to Copenhagen, and I also recommend taking the train up to Helsingborg and catching the ferry across to Helsingor in Sweden. I recall the ferry only being something like 30 mins. If you set off early in the morning you can see both Helsingborg and Helsingor in one day.

      Let me know if you have anymore questions!

  13. Hi! We were considering a day trip over the bridge from Copenhagen to Malmo..but we will only have a Sunday in which to do it..I saw a comment that everything is closed on Sundays which would be really disappointing. I saw two different comments in this thread, one that everything was closed in Malmo on Sundays, and someone else who said more things are open now. Could you please let me know the latest (if you know it?) Thanks!!

  14. Hi. My wife and I will have a 6hr 50 min transit in CPH on our way to Reykjavik from Manila. We are not keen on staying in the airport and having visited Copenhagen before we are eager to explore elsewhere. We would love to cross the beautiful bridge to Sweden and see what we can in Malmo in about 2 hours before heading back to CPH. Is this feasible or recommended? We have Schengen visas .

    1. Hello Emilio,

      I remember that I took a direct train from Copenhagen airport to Malmo and it took approximately 25-30 minutes (this was several years ago so you’d need to double-check online). It would be a very short visit but you would have time to cross the bridge and stroll around for a couple of hours before catching your flight to Manila. Just make sure you keep track of time. Enjoy! 🙂

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