Malmö
Day Trip 1 from Copenhagen: Exploring Malmö, Sweden
For our first day trip from Copenhagen, we chose Malmö, a laid-back and walkable Swedish city just across the Öresund Bridge. Crossing the bridge alone feels like a little adventure — one moment you’re in Denmark, gliding over the sea with wind turbines in the distance, and within minutes you’re in Sweden. Getting there couldn’t be easier: you can buy a train ticket at any station in Copenhagen and arrive in Malmö in about 30 minutes.
Before catching the train, we enjoyed a tapas-style breakfast at Mad & Kaffe in Copenhagen, After arriving at Malmö Central Station, we began exploring the city center, which is full of charm and beautifully preserved architecture.
Our walk took us first to Stortorget, one of Malmö’s central squares, and from there we visited St. Peter’s Church — a striking red-brick Gothic church that dominates the skyline. Afterward, we wandered into Gamla Väster, a colorful and artistic neighborhood filled with yellow houses, cobblestone streets, and picture-perfect corners.
From there, we continued into the city’s green heart: Kungsparken, one of Malmö’s most beautiful historic parks. With its picturesque bridges, ponds, and sweeping lawns, it was a peaceful place to slow down. Right beside it, we explored Slottsparken, another lush and tranquil park filled with winding paths, lakeside views, and plenty of shade. This entire green belt made the city feel calm and refreshing.
A little further along, we stopped by Malmö Old Cemetery (Gamla Kyrkogården) — a quiet, beautifully landscaped space that feels more like a serene garden than a traditional cemetery. Tall trees, sculpted stones, and peaceful corners gave the park a poetic, reflective atmosphere.
Right next to the parks is the stunning Malmö City Library, a modern glass-front building with huge open reading spaces — definitely worth a quick look even if you're not planning to read.
From there, we walked toward one of Malmö’s most unique sights: Fiskehoddorna (the Fisher Huts) — a row of traditional, brightly painted wooden huts where local fishermen have sold their catch for decades. Even if you’re not buying fish, the area is full of charm, color, and authentic Malmö character.
Later in the afternoon, we headed toward the canals to begin the activity we were most excited about: pedal boating. There’s a small ticket booth by the water where you can rent the boats. We spent about an hour pedaling through Malmö’s canals, enjoying the quiet, working our legs, and seeing the city from a totally new perspective. It was peaceful, relaxing, and so much fun.
After returning the boat, we walked all the way to the seaside, passing by Ribersborgs Kallbadhus — the iconic spa and sauna where locals jump from the hot sauna into the icy sea. It’s something we didn’t get to try on this trip, but definitely something to consider next time.
Because no Sweden visit is complete without trying local food, we ended the day with a classic plate of Swedish meatballs at Spoonery, served with cranberry jam, pickles, and potatoes. Earlier, we had also stopped at a food hall for cinnamon rolls and dirty chai at St. Jakobs — a perfect mid-day treat.
We left Malmö feeling completely satisfied with our day. The city is small, safe, colorful, incredibly walkable, and full of cozy corners — the perfect first day trip from Copenhagen.
