We sent celebrity blogger and globetrotter Vanessa Rudjord to explore Malmö in southern Sweden. It’s a frequently forgotten city that’s well worth a visit, so make sure to check out Vanessa’s big guide on how to “do” Sweden’s third city with tips about award-winning restaurants, entertainment and experiences. Join us for 24 hours in Malmö!

Breakfast in bed, Malmö on your doorstep & bike rides

Vanessa wakes up at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live, right in the centre of Malmö. Breakfast in bed is the first thing on the list. The hotel is a classic skyscraper providing stunning panoramic views of Malmö and Öresund, basically from all over the hotel. The hotel has bikes available for hire, so off we go. The people of Malmö are big on bikes – not surprising really considering that it’s the easiest way in which to experience the city.

Vanessa gazes out across Malmö from her hotel room at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live.

Malmö from above

Hotel room at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live.

Take the opportunity to borrow or rent a bike when you’re in Malmö. The landscape is flat and it’s really easy to get around on a bike!

Morning dip at Ribersborg Kallbadhus

The cold bath house is located on a pier on Ribersborg beach, one of Sweden’s loveliest. It’s totally idyllic and conveniently located just a short walk or bike ride from central Malmö.

Going for a swim at a cold bath house is a typically Scanian tradition. You’ll step straight down into the sea, ideally naked, and then you can enjoy the sauna and a snack afterwards. At Ribersborg Kallbadhus, you can engage in this tradition all the year round, depending on how brave you are. Make sure to visit the gorgeous restaurant when you’re here too!

Visit Malmö Saluhall

Malmö Saluhall is an amazing food market that offers culinary treasures from all over the world. You can enjoy a great range of pastries, delicatessen, coffees, salads, flowers and seafood. Malmö Saluhall was designed by the well-known architect Gert Wingård and the building itself is reminiscent of classic nineteenth century food markets. Malmö Saluhall is located just 200 metres from the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live.

Do make sure to visit Gram in the food market to enjoy a wide range of organic produce – and it’s all sold by weight!

Coffee breaks at Söderberg & Sara St:Knut and Solde Kaffebar

Söderberg & Sara St:Knut is a wonderful bakery that also has great coffee! It is located at St Knut’s Square, one of the top locations in Malmö. And you absolutely cannot leave this place without trying their supreme chocolate biscuits (the best ever according to Vanessa!).

Solde Kaffebar is a classic coffee house that also roasts its own coffee. This place takes coffee very seriously with an exquisite selection of coffee beans that are delivered to cafés all over Malmö, but you can even try a whole lot of a yummy pastries here!

Folkets Park and Möllevångstorget

Vanessa Rudjord cykel StrawberryFolkets Park in Malmö is the oldest folkpark (public park created by the labour movement) in the world and one of Sweden’s most visited places. People have been coming here for more than 125 years.

The Möllevångstorget square (Möllan) and Folkets Park are almost next to each other. The “Möllan” square is the ultimate oasis for foodies with plenty of restaurants and cafés serving international cuisine. Möllan is also one of the most colourful places in Malmö thanks to all the stalls selling fresh fruit and vegetables every day! It is this continental vibe that makes Malmö such an exciting and inviting city. Folkets Park is just a short walk away from Möllan and you really should try to plan a visit here. Other than being a pretty park, there’s always lots to do here with concerts, salsa classes, paddling pools, Superdupersommar, adventure gold, ice cream bar, as well as a restaurant, café and bar. Entry to Folkets Park is free of charge.

Lunch at Saltimporten Canteen

You can catch glimpses of Turning Torso all over the city – this is the view from outside Saltimporten Canteen.

Saltimporten Canteen has one goal – to serve the best lunch in the world! And they do a great job! Every day, the people of Malmö come and queue up here to get their lunch. Although the menu is limited to a daily special and a vegetarian option, you won’t be disappointed. Those of you with a sweet tooth can enjoy a fancy soft scoop ice cream after lunch too!

Unique art at Moderna Museet

Moderna Museet is one of Europe’s leading museums of modern and contemporary art. It was opened thanks to a unique collaboration between Malmö, Skåne Regional Council and the Swedish government. This stunning building is a former electrical power plant, and the museum that it now houses is a symbol of the many contrasts visible in Malmö.

Shopping galore

In Malmö, you can find everything from luxury brand stores to unique vintage shops and small boutiques stocking local designers. Liebling features a great range of carefully selected clothes, shoes and accessories, and its focus is on locally produced, slow fashion and sustainability.

A drink in the sky bar before dinner

The impressive Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live.

The sky bar offers delicious drinks and stunning views.

The reception at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live.

The sky bar at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live is part of the restaurant located on the 25th floor of the hotel. Come here to enjoy fabulous cocktails and magical views over Malmö and Öresund.

Dinner at Bastard

Bastard is Vanessa’s absolute favourite place here in Malmö! Visit this gastro bar and enjoy its rustic vibe and charming décor. The food is simply wonderful, the service fun and friendly, and as an added bonus you can spill out into the gorgeous backyard that is open all summer long!

Feeling French at Boulebar

The Boulebar on Drottningtorget in central Malmö is like a little piece of the South of France in the South of Sweden. This restaurant is part of a chain of six bowling bars in Sweden and Denmark, and we think the one on Drottningtorget is the nicest of them all. There are plenty of drinks on offer (including pastis of course), bistro cuisine and traditional bowling alleys both indoors and outside in their French park.


Want to find out more about Vanessa?

Check out Vanessa Rudjord’s blog.


Links and addresses to places that we’ve visited in Malmö

Hotels

Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live

Address: Dag Hammarskjölds Torg 2

Read more about the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live

Restaurants & cafés

Malmö Saluhall

Address: Gibraltargatan 6

Read more about Malmö Saluhall here

Gram

Address: Inside the Malmö Saluhall food market / Mäster Danielsgatan 3

Read more about Gram here

Söderberg & Sara St: Knut

Read more about Söderberg & Sara here

Solde Kaffebar

Address: Mejselgatan 3

Read more about Solde Kaffebar here

Saltimporten Canteen

Address: Hullkajen, Grimsbygatan 24

Read more about Saltimporten Canteen

Bastard

Address: Mäster Johansgatan 11

Read more about Bastard

Boule Bar Drottningtorget

Address: Drottningtorget 8

Read more about Boulebar

The sky bar at the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live

Address: Floor 25 of the Clarion Hotel & Congress Malmö Live, Dag Hammarskjölds Torg 2

Read more about the sky bar here

Shops

Liebling

Address: Davidshallstorg 8

Read more about Liebling and visit their online store here

Sights/Experiences

Ribersborg Kallbadhus

Address: Limhamnsvägen, Brygga 1

Read more about Ribersborg Kallbadhus here

Folkets Park

Address: Falsterbogatan 9

Read more about Folkets Park

Möllevångstorget

Address: Möllevångstorget /Bersgatan

Read more about Möllevångstorget

Moderna Museet

Address: Ola Billgrens Plats 2-4

Read more about Moderna Museet