Our Two-Day Sweden Getaway from Copenhagen
I picked this trip because I was craving fresh air, greenery, and slow, scenic walking routes. Malmö gave me gentle city charm, while Lund offered forests, fields, and a nature adventure with trolley cycling — exactly the peaceful balance I needed.
Trip Recap
- Day 1: Malmö's charm and beauty made our Copenhagen day trip unforgettable.
- Day 2: Today, we explored Lund, cycled on trolleys, and enjoyed delicious poke bowls!
Highlights
Romeleåsen Ridge
trolley cycling
Gamla Väster
Öresund Bridge
Fiskehoddorna
Lundagård
Pedal boating in Malmö
cinnamon rolls
Day 1
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.
Day 2
Day Trip 2 from Copenhagen: Lund, Sweden
Our second day trip from Copenhagen began with a delicious breakfast at 42 Raw, where we tried their bright blue spirulina and matcha bowls — fresh, colorful, and the perfect energizing start to the day. After fueling up, we caught our train and headed to Lund, a charming university town in southern Sweden just 45 minutes away.
When we arrived, we spent some time wandering through Old Town, where cobblestone streets, quiet alleys, and a beautiful fountain created the perfect first impression of southern Swedish charm.
Before heading out for our adventure, we explored several of Lund’s highlights: the historic Lund University, the impressive Lund Cathedral, and the peaceful green spaces of Lundagård. We also walked through Hospitalsgatan and Hjortgatan, two picturesque streets lined with traditional houses that perfectly capture the city’s cozy atmosphere. A quick stop at the Botanical Gardens gave us a glimpse of Lund’s natural beauty—calm, well-kept, and full of life.
But since we were looking for something a bit more active and adventurous, the main event of the day was waiting for us: trolley cycling.
Lund is home to Omeleåsens Dressincykling, a unique two-person trolley cycling experience along the historic railway tracks of the Romeleåsen ridge. The route stretches 6 km one way between the villages of Björnstorp and Veberöd, taking about two hours to complete. It’s an environmentally friendly adventure and an important part of Skåne’s cultural heritage, blending history, lush nature, and quiet countryside charm. The trolley bikes are designed for two people — one person pedals while the other sits comfortably in the front, simply enjoying the scenery — and you can switch anytime you want. We took turns along the way: halfway through, my friend pedaled while I relaxed and soaked in the views, and later we swapped again. It was the perfect mix of activity, calm, and beautiful landscapes.To join the experience, we called ahead (since it runs seasonally and depends on weather), then took a bus from Lund to a small village. From the bus stop, there’s a peaceful 15-minute walk to the starting point—passing lovely villas, traditional countryside homes, and endless stretches of greenery. When we arrived, we were welcomed by the sweetest elderly gentleman who runs the trolley bikes. He kindly explained everything and told us we were free to return the trolley whenever we finished.
Once we started pedaling, the magic began. The route passes through lush forests, open meadows, and serene landscapes where you can hear birds singing, smell the fresh trees, and completely disconnect from the city. We spotted squirrels along the tracks and even caught a glimpse of fallow deer in the distance. It was such a peaceful, grounding experience—and a great workout after all the cinnamon rolls we’d had on the trip!
After finishing our trolley cycling adventure, we returned to Lund city center. For dinner, we headed to Sumorito, where we enjoyed incredibly fresh poke bowls — the perfect light and colorful meal after an active day. We finished the day at Espresso House - which we had already visited also in Copenhagen for their delicious matcha lattes (this time we tried chai tea latte and their cookies, highly recommended!).
With happy stomachs, we made our way back to Copenhagen for the evening.
With this final adventure, our Swedish day trips came to an end. Looking back, we found Sweden incredibly safe, calm, and very suitable for solo female travelers, which made the experience even more enjoyable.
As a small reminder: even in summer, southern Sweden can be surprisingly chilly, especially in the evenings or during outdoor activities like trolley cycling. Make sure to bring layers and always check the weather forecast before planning any nature-based experiences.
Anything you would add or do differently?
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Checking the weather more carefully: Even in summer, Sweden can be surprisingly chilly — especially near the water or during outdoor activities. I definitely would have packed an extra layer.
Trying the sauna + cold plunge at Ribersborgs Kallbadhus: We watched locals do it, but didn’t try it ourselves. It looked unforgettable, and I wish we had made time for it.
Exploring more cafés in Lund: The town has some lovely coffee shops we passed by but didn’t get to try.