Things to Do in Malmö

Opened in 2000 and made famous by the popular TV showThe Bridge, the 5-mile (8-kilometer) Øresund Bridge dominates the Øresund Strait—the stretch of water separating Denmark and Sweden. The total length of the road and rail link is 10 miles (16 kilometers), which allows you to travel between the two countries in just 10 minutes.

Dominating the city’s skyline, Malmö’s 623-foot (190-meter) Turning Torso is the tallest building in Scandinavia. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the structure comprises nine 5-story pentagons, and features a top segment that twists 90 degrees from the building’s base.

As one of the oldest buildings in Malmö, the 14th-century St. Peter’s Church is a must-see sight for history buffs. Noted for its flying buttresses, the church also contains late medieval frescoes and a 17th-century altarpiece —one of the largest in the Nordic countries. The church’s interior walls were whitewashed during the Reformation but some elaborate fixtures remain.

Originally built in 1434, Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) was once an important strategic stronghold for Denmark. Having been rebuilt in the 16th century, Malmöhus is Scandinavia’s oldest surviving Renaissance castle and now encompasses the Malmö Museum, a complex dedicated to the natural history of Sweden.

Since Oscar II established it in 1872, King's Park (Kungsparken) has been a favorite among Malmö locals. Covering more than 21 acres (8 hectares) in the center of the city, the park boasts 130 tree species—including a 95-foot (29-meter) Turkish oak and a 100-year-old chestnut tree—several ponds, and an artificial grotto.