Southern Sweden

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.

The district of Haga is Gothenburg's most charming and oldest: cobblestone streets, wooden houses from the 19th century (the typical Landshövdingehus — a Swedish house type with a stone ground floor and two wooden floors above), independent boutiques, antique shops, and the best cafés in the city.

The Haga Nygata is the main street — here you will also find the legendary Café Husaren, famous for the "Hagabullen", supposedly the largest cinnamon bun in the world (as big as a head, about 300 grams!). One costs 65 SEK and is easily enough for two people — or for one particularly hungry Swede. The café itself is an institution with high ceilings, crystal chandeliers, and the charm of bygone times.

Other Haga highlights: Bräutigams (handmade chocolate since 1872), Antikhallarna (huge antique hall with three floors full of treasures), and the small boutiques with Swedish design and vintage fashion.

The nearby Skansen Kronan (historic fortress from the 17th century on the Risåsberget hill) offers the best panoramic view over the city — over the canals, the harbor, and on clear days, all the way to the archipelago. The climb takes 10 minutes and is especially worthwhile at sunset.

The Feskekôrka (Fish Church) is Gothenburg's most iconic institution and a must for every visitor: A market hall from 1874 that actually looks like a Gothic church (the name is Gothenburg humor), but sells fish and seafood. The neo-Gothic pointed arch windows and the vaulted wooden ceiling are reminiscent of a cathedral — a cathedral of fish.

Reopened after a comprehensive renovation in 2023, it offers the freshest shellfish, oysters, crabs, shrimp, and fish from the west coast. At the entrance, you are greeted by the smell of the sea and fresh fish. The main stalls:

• Feskekôrka Fisk: Whole fish, fillets, smoked salmon, shrimp — to take away or ship.
• Restaurant Gabriel: Right in the hall — here you eat oysters at the counter (6 pieces from 180 SEK), Räksmörgås (shrimp sandwich, 165 SEK), and the daily fresh catch.
• Feskebar: Fish & Chips, Fiskburgare, and Fisksoppa (fish soup) in a casual style.

Gothenburg's seafood culture is legendary: The city has five Michelin-starred restaurants, most of them specializing in fish and seafood. The cold west coast produces world-class lobster, oysters, shrimp, and mussels — the cold, nutrient-rich water ensures slow growth and intense flavor.

Gothenburg's Best Fish Restaurants

• Sjömagasinet · Klippans kulturreservat — Michelin-starred restaurant in a historic warehouse by the harbor. Seafood tasting menu (7 courses) from 1,295 SEK. The langoustine is a poem.
• SK Mat & Människor · Johanna Priest & Stefan Karlsson — Creative Nordic cuisine with a seafood focus. One of Sweden's best chefs.
• Fiskekrogen · Lilla Torget 1 — Classic fish restaurant since 1985. The Fiskbricka (fish platter, 395 SEK) is an institution.
• Restaurang Sjöbaren · Haga Nygata 25 — Located in Haga: uncomplicated seafood, excellent fish soup for 145 SEK.

★★ Universeum

Scandinavia's largest science center and aquarium in one — a seven-story building in the middle of Gothenburg, housing a real rainforest (with free-flying tropical birds, sloths, and butterflies), an aquarium (sharks, rays, tropical fish), and interactive science exhibitions under one roof. The rainforest spans three floors and is astonishingly authentic — humidity, warmth, and sounds make you forget Gothenburg for a moment. Children (and many adults) are thrilled. Plan 3–4 hours.

Admission: 295 SEK (26 €), children 195 SEK (17 €). Daily 10:00–18:00 (summer until 20:00).

★★ Gothenburg Museum of Art

Located at Götaplatsen (with the iconic Poseidon statue by Carl Milles in front), it is one of the best art museums in Scandinavia: Works by Carl Larsson, Anders Zorn, and Edvard Munch, along with an excellent collection of Nordic and international art. The Hasselblad Foundation in the same building presents top-notch photo exhibitions.

★ Gothia Towers & Upper House

The Gothia Towers (three hotel towers next to Liseberg) are Scandinavia's largest hotel — and the Upper House in the tallest tower offers a spa area and a sky bar on the 23rd floor with panoramic views over the entire city, the harbor, and on clear days, all the way to the archipelago. Cocktails from 165 SEK — the view is priceless. Also accessible to non-hotel guests.

★ Röhsska Museum

Sweden's only museum for design and crafts: From historical Scandinavian design to contemporary fashion to Japanese ceramics. Perfect for design enthusiasts. Free admission!

★ Saluhallen

Gothenburg's covered market hall (1889) — similar to Feskekôrka, but with a broader range: cheese, meat, bread, delicacies, freshly squeezed juices, and several small restaurants. The Ostcentralen (cheese stand) has over 200 varieties. Perfect for lunch or a picnic package for the archipelago.

Liseberg is Scandinavia's largest amusement park (founded in 1923 for Gothenburg's 300th anniversary) and one of the most popular in all of Europe — over 3 million visitors per year. The park is located in the middle of the city (10 minutes on foot from the main train station) and offers a mix of thrills, charm, and garden setting that is unique in Europe.

Top Rides

• Helix: The park's most modern roller coaster — 1,380 meters of track, 7 inversions, top speed of 100 km/h. One of the best coasters in Europe.
• Balder: Wooden roller coaster, regularly voted the best in the world (Liseberg has two of the top 10 wooden roller coasters worldwide). 1,070 meters, 90 km/h, airtime hills that lift you out of your seat.
• AtmosFear: A 116-meter-high drop tower — the tallest free-fall tower in Europe. 3 seconds of free fall at 110 km/h. Not for the faint-hearted.
• Valkyria: Sweden's first dive coaster — a vertical drop from 50 meters high with a 3-second hold at the edge. The silence before the plunge is the worst (or best) part.
• Lisebergsbanan: The park's classic steel roller coaster, winding through the trees and gardens.

But Liseberg is more than just roller coasters: The garden area with over a million flowers (in spring), the historic carousels, and the live music on the main stage give the park a special atmosphere. In summer, major concerts take place, and the restaurants in the park (especially the Wärdshuset) are surprisingly good.

In winter, Liseberg transforms into a Christmas market (Jul på Liseberg) — with five million lights, an ice rink, gingerbread houses, glögg (mulled wine), handicrafts, and a magical ambiance that is among the most atmospheric in all of Scandinavia.

Gothenburg's archipelago is more compact and rugged than Stockholm's: bare granite rocks, wind-swept islands, seals, and seabirds. However, it is easier to reach — the tram goes to Saltholmen, from where ferries cross to the islands (30 minutes). The islands are car-free — you get around on foot or by bicycle.

The Islands

• Styrsö: The "capital" of the archipelago — charming village with cafés, fish restaurants (Styrsö Skäret: fresh fish by the water, main course from 185 SEK), hiking trails, and old fishermen's cottages. Inhabited year-round.
• Vrångö: The southernmost inhabited island — nature reserve, rocky bathing cliffs, hardly any cars, crystal-clear water. The hike around the entire island takes 2 hours and offers spectacular views. Perfect for swimming in summer.
• Brännö: The "bicycle island" — flat, with a sandy beach (Brännö Husvik) and a legendary dance floor (Brännö Brygga), where live music is played on summer evenings and Gothenburg residents dance. The happiest island in the archipelago.
• Donsö: Authentic fishing village with rust-red boathouses and the best lobster festival in the region in autumn.
• Marstrand: North of Gothenburg (reachable by car/bus + ferry) — the historic fortress Carlsten (17th century, fortress tours with prison stories), sailing mecca of the west coast, and the Lobster Premiere in September: When the lobster season begins, thousands flock to Marstrand for fresh lobster, champagne, and festive atmosphere.

The Kingdom of Crystal between Nybro and Växjö is home to over a dozen active glassworks, producing mouth-blown art glass since the 18th century. The region became the "Kingdom of Crystal" thanks to a perfect combination: endless forest (firewood for the ovens), sand (raw material for glass), and hydropower. Today, it is a UNESCO-associated cultural heritage and one of the most fascinating craft regions in Europe.

The Main Glassworks

• Kosta Boda: The oldest glassworks in Sweden (founded in 1742, named after founders Koskull and Stael von Holstein). Huge showroom, factory outlet (30–50% discount on slightly flawed pieces — hardly distinguishable from perfection with the naked eye), an excellent glass museum, and the unique Kosta Boda Art Hotel: Each room was designed by a different glass artist — you literally sleep in art. The glass bar in the hotel serves drinks in handcrafted glasses (cocktail from 145 SEK). Overnight stay from 1,495 SEK (130 €).
• Orrefors: Known for elegant, minimalist design — Swedish glass art at its finest. While Kosta Boda stands for colorful, expressive art, Orrefors is the school of clarity and simplicity. Showroom and outlet. The glassworks itself can be visited (you can watch the glassblowers at work).
• The Glass Factory (Boda): Museum for modern glass art with a workshop where you can blow your own glass (Eigenblås workshops, from 350 SEK, 30 minutes — you take your self-blown glass home). The exhibition shows glass art as sculpture, installation, and political statement.
• Bergdala: Small, family-run glassworks where you get particularly close to the glassblowers and can blow your own drinking glass in a workshop (300 SEK).
• Målerås: Known for the "Glashäxan" (Glass Witch) — a tradition where glass figures are designed according to local legends.

★★ Hyttsill — The Kingdom of Crystal Ritual

A special experience is Hyttsill — a tradition practiced since the 18th century: In the evening, when the day's work is done, the residual heat of the glass ovens is used to prepare a meal. Herring (sill), potatoes, bacon, and bread are cooked on hot stones and in the embers. Accompanied by schnapps (snaps), beer, and stories. The glassblowers and their guests sit in the dim light of the hut, surrounded by glowing ovens, and share an ancient ritual. Several glassworks offer Hyttsill evenings — booking in advance is mandatory! From 500 SEK per person, including food and drinks.

Astrid Lindgren's World in Vimmerby is a theme park that brings the stories of Sweden's most famous children's book author to life: Pippi Longstocking in Villa Villekulla, Emil of Lönneberga on the Katthult farm, Ronja the Robber's Daughter in her Mattis Castle, the Children of Noisy Village in the village, and Karlsson-on-the-Roof in his house on the rooftop.

The park is not an amusement park with roller coasters, but a storytelling experience: Professional actors perform the stories live every day (in Swedish, but the stories are so well-known that the language hardly matters). The performances are lovingly staged and surprisingly high-quality — some move adult visitors to tears. Children can play and climb in the authentic settings: You can enter Villa Villekulla, real animals sit on the Katthult farm, and in the Noisy Village, you feel like you're in the 1920s.

For children aged 3 to 12 (and nostalgic adults), it's a dream — many Swedish families come year after year. The atmosphere is heartwarmingly authentic, the staff loving, and the park is clean, quiet, and entirely without the stress of large amusement parks. Plan a whole day.

Astrid Lindgren's Birthplace (Näs)

In Vimmerby itself, you can visit Astrid Lindgren's birthplace — the red wooden house on Prästgårdsgatan, where she was born in 1907 as Astrid Anna Emilia Ericsson. The attached museum tells her extraordinary life story: From growing up in rural Småland to the scandal of her illegitimate pregnancy at 18 to her worldwide success as an author and her political activism (she brought down the Swedish government in 1976 with a satirical tax scandal essay). The gardens are beautiful and designed after Lindgren's books.

Museum: 140 SEK (12 €). May–September daily 10:00–17:00.

Småland is the storybook Sweden: red wooden houses between birches and pines, quiet lakes with their own rowboat, moose in the morning mist, blueberries, and chanterelles in the forest. The region has over 5,000 lakes and is ideal for nature experiences:

Canoeing

The river Emån and Lake Åsnen (a national park since 2018 — Sweden's youngest!) are perfect for multi-day canoe tours through the wilderness. The Åsnen National Park consists of over 1,000 islands in a quiet lake — the combination of water, forest, and absolute tranquility is magical. Canoes can be rented (from 500 SEK/day). Providers often deliver to the starting point and pick up at the destination.

Moose Safari

Småland has one of the highest moose densities in Sweden — about 40,000 moose live here. Guided moose safaris start from Kosta, Vimmerby, or Eksjö at dusk (about 2–3 hours). You drive with an off-road vehicle or walk quietly through the forest. The success rate is about 80–95% — you almost always see at least one moose, often cows with calves. The best time is May to October, especially in June/July (long, bright evenings). Cost: 300–500 SEK per person.

If you search on your own: Drive slowly along forest edges, clearings, and moors at dusk (sunset to 1 hour after). Moose are most active when it gets cooler.

Hiking

The Smålandsleden (long-distance hiking trail) leads through forests, over moorlands, and along quiet lakes. The Höga Kusten-Leden and the John Bauer-Leden (named after the illustrator who drew the trolls and elves of the Småland forests) are particularly atmospheric.

Fishing

Excellent freshwater fishing areas — pike, perch, and trout in clear lakes. Fishing license (Fiskekort) locally available (from 80 SEK/day). The Allemansrätten allows fishing in the sea for free; for lakes, you need the license.

IKEA Museum Älmhult

In the birthplace of IKEA stands the IKEA Museum — housed in the first IKEA store (1958). The exhibition tells the story of a 17-year-old Småland boy (Ingvar Kamprad) who started with mail-order sales and built the world's largest furniture retailer. Interactive, nostalgic, and surprisingly honest (the controversies are also addressed). Admission: 60 SEK.