Malmö & Skåne

The Turning Torso (2005) is Malmö's landmark and an architectural masterpiece: A 190-meter-high skyscraper that twists 90 degrees around its own axis, designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava — inspired by a twisted sculpture. At its completion, it was the tallest residential building in Europe (since surpassed, but architecturally unmatched). The tower consists of nine pentagonal segments spiraling on top of each other — depending on the location, it looks completely different. The best photo position is from the Sundspromenaden by the sea, with the Öresund Bridge in the background.

The surrounding district of Västra Hamnen (West Harbor) is a model project for sustainable building that is studied worldwide: The former shipyard site was converted into a CO2-neutral district from 2001 — powered by 100% renewable energy (wind, solar, geothermal), green roofs, integrated green spaces, and direct access to the sea. The architecture is experimental: every house is different, designed by various international architects.

In summer, Malmö residents swim at the Ribersborgs Kallbadhus — a historic open-air bathhouse from 1898, standing on stilts in the sea. Separate areas for women and men (nude bathing!), plus a sauna raft and a café. Admission: 80 SEK (7 €). Open year-round — the hardy swim even in sub-zero temperatures in the Öresund.

Malmö's historic center around the Stortorget (Great Square) and the Lilla Torg (Little Square) is charming and compact. The Town Hall (Rådhuset) from the 16th century dominates the Stortorget with its Dutch Renaissance facade — in the basement is the atmospheric Rådhuskällaren, one of Sweden's oldest restaurants. The Lilla Torg with its colorful half-timbered houses from the 16th–18th centuries is Malmö's coziest square — full of restaurants and cafés, especially beautiful in summer under the open sky when the terraces are filled until late in the evening.

★★ Malmöhus

Scandinavia's oldest preserved Renaissance castle (built in 1434, rebuilt in the 16th century) houses several museums: an art museum (Swedish painting from the 16th century to today), a natural history museum (with a walk-through aquarium and a life-size whale bone skeleton), a city museum (Malmö's history from the Hanseatic League to today), and changing exhibitions. The castle itself — surrounded by a moat and a park (Kungsparken) — is architecturally impressive. Here, the Danish-Swedish King Erik XIV was imprisoned in 1568.

Admission: 40 SEK (3.50 €). Daily 10:00–17:00.

★★ Moderna Museet Malmö

Branch of the Stockholm Moderna Museet in a former turbine hall — the orange extension made of perforated steel is a work of art in itself. Changing exhibitions of contemporary and modern art of world-class. Free admission!

★ Folkets Park

Sweden's oldest public park (since 1891) — a green meeting place in the middle of the city with playgrounds, mini-golf, a small zoo, street food stalls, and open-air events in the summer. Here, families and young people of all cultures meet — Malmö's multicultural soul in a park.

Dining in Malmö

Malmö's restaurant scene is one of the most diverse in Scandinavia, thanks to the 180 nationalities in the city:

• Bastard · Mäster Johansgatan 11 — New Nordic Cuisine meets street food. Sharing concept, seasonal menu, natural wines. Main course: 195–295 SEK. The best restaurant in the city for modern cuisine.
• Saltimporten Canteen · Grimsbygatan 24, Västra Hamnen — Lunchtime institution in the harbor district. Fresh, creative cuisine for 135 SEK including salad, bread, and coffee. Only Mon–Fri.
• Falafel No. 1 · Bergsgatan 28 — Malmö has the best falafel in Sweden (some say: in Europe). Falafel wrap for 60–80 SEK. Bergsgatan is Malmö's "Falafel Mile".
• Vollmers · Tegelgårdsgatan 5 — 2 Michelin stars. Skåne's fine dining pinnacle: seasonal, local ingredients in 8–10 courses. Menu from 1,795 SEK. Reservation weeks in advance.
• Far i Hatten · Folkets Park — Restaurant in the public park with outdoor terrace and Swedish-international menu. Family and child-friendly.

The province of Skåne is Sweden's southernmost region and sometimes feels more Danish than Swedish — the gently rolling agricultural landscape, the beech forests, the sandy beaches, and the brick churches are reminiscent of Denmark and northern Germany. Until 1658, Skåne actually belonged to Denmark — and some Skåne residents have not quite gotten over the separation to this day.

★★ Ales Stenar — Sweden's Stonehenge

On a cliff above the sea near Kåseberga (25 km southeast of Ystad) lies Sweden's most mysterious monument: Ales Stenar, a 67-meter-long, ship-shaped stone setting made of 59 boulders, dating back to around 600 AD. The stones form the outline of a Viking ship and, according to one theory, mark a solar calendar indicating solstices and equinoxes. The view from the cliffs over the Baltic Sea is breathtaking, especially at sunset. A mystical, almost spiritual place.

Free access. Parking: 40 SEK. 15-minute walk from the parking lot. In Kåseberga: Smokehouse with freshly smoked eel — a Skåne specialty!

★★ Ystad — Wallander Town

The medieval town of Ystad became world-famous through Henning Mankell's Wallander crime novels — Inspector Kurt Wallander investigates in the half-timbered houses, narrow alleys, and gloomy beaches of this small town. Over 300 well-preserved half-timbered houses (korsvirkeshus) from the 16th–18th centuries make Ystad one of Sweden's most charming towns. Wallander fans can visit the filming locations on their own: the police station (Kristianstadsgatan), Wallander's apartment (Mariagatan 10), and the cemetery grounds. Guided Wallander tours: from 150 SEK.

Ystad is also a ferry port to Bornholm (Denmark, 1h 20 by fast ferry) and a starting point for Ales Stenar.

★ Lund — University Town

The old university town of Lund (15 minutes by train from Malmö) is a gem: The Cathedral of Lund (Domkyrkan, 1145) is one of the oldest and most beautiful Romanesque churches in Scandinavia — the astronomical clock (Horologium mirabile Lundense, 14th century) shows a medieval figure play every day at 12 pm and 3 pm. The university (founded in 1666) gives the town a student flair, and the Kulturen (open-air museum with medieval houses) is free. Lund also has the best student pubs in Sweden — the "Nationerna" (student associations) are partly open to the public.

Malmö and Copenhagen together form the Öresund Region — one of the most dynamic metropolitan regions in Europe. The Öresund Bridge (2000) has turned two separate cities into a twin metropolis: Malmö residents go to Copenhagen for theater and concerts, Copenhageners travel to Malmö for shopping (lower prices in Sweden for some goods) and nightlife. Over 30,000 commuters cross the bridge daily.

For travelers, this means: Combine Malmö and Copenhagen! The Öresundståg runs every 20 minutes (35 minutes, about 130 SEK). A perfect weekend: 2 days in Copenhagen + 1 day in Malmö or vice versa. The train ride over the bridge — first through the Drogden Tunnel, then over the open bridge with views of both coasts — is an experience in itself.