10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Malmö
Interesting Places in Malmö Only Locals Know
Malmö offers a wide range of exciting and contrasting experiences for travellers wanting to veer off the beaten path and swap traditional tourist sights for something a little more alternative in the heart of Sweden’s third biggest city. Explore the city by foot or from the saddle of a bike for a taste of contemporary art or historic architecture.
And on the subject of taste, you’ll find plenty of chances to sample something sweet and tasty, but why not try something a bit out there and put your taste buds to the challenge? Discover exotic flavours in the city’s most international neighbourhood, or try something super local in one of Malmö ‘s modern taprooms. And don’t miss your chance to follow in the footsteps of football legend Zlatan Ibrahimović – after all, he is probably the most famous Malmöite in the world right now.
1. Matkaravan International Food Walk
Discover an exciting world of flavours
Good for: Food
The Matkaravan International Food Walk is a great way to discover the many specialist and award-winning grocery stores and cheese mongers that line the city’s Möllevång Square. The food walks are all led by former chefs, sommeliers and food writers, so you’re guaranteed an expert take on all that the square and the city have to offer. You’ll even get to pick up a few professional tips to try out in your kitchen at home.
Be sure to arrive on an empty stomach so you have plenty of room for the wide array of Asian, Middle Eastern and European flavours.
Phone: +46 707 344 136
2. Rent a bike and check out street art
Malmö is brimming with colourful public art
Good for: Families, Photo, Adventure
In recent years, Malmö has become a hugely colourful city thanks to the exciting array of modern street art that adorns many of the city’s facades in both the centre and the outskirts. A bike makes for a great way to explore the art on offer while simultaneously seeing more of marvellous Malmö.
Begin in the Old Town (Gamla staden) where you’ll find a huge and alluring mural depicting a girl with an octopus, then set off towards the neighbourhood of Davidshall to check out the curious creatures created by British artist Phlegm, a sweet little girl with a fox and a brightly vibrant cosmos. The district of Holma is also a key area for street art and a great place to finish the day.
3. Malmö Chocolate Factory (Malmö Chokladfabrik)
Sample both innovative and classic confections
Good for: Families, Food
Malmö Chocolate Factory (Malmö Chokladfabrik) is home to both classic chocolate creations and more modern flavours. The factory is located just a stone’s throw away from the People’s Park (Folkets park) and can be easily reached by bus. Simply get off at the Barkgatan Stop and you’ll find the factory around the corner.
Taste chocolates with notes of vanilla and violet or pear and cardamom. Pick up a chocolate-filled cone adorned with a sweet personal message for that special someone back home. Discover the richness of real, dark and organic chocolate or try a little bit of everything in an assorted selection box.
Location: Möllevångsgatan 36B, 214 20 Malmö, Sweden
Phone: +46 40 459 505
Malmö Chocolate Factory (Malmö Chokladfabrik)
4. Malmö Brewing Co.
Try some local beers from all across Scania
Good for: Food, Nightlife
Malmö Brewing Co. is not just a brewery offering its own exciting concoctions, but a taproom with beers from all across the Scania region. It is located just a stone’s throw away from the People’s Park (Folkets park) and can be easily reached by bus. Simply get off at the Barkgatan Stop and you’ll find the brewery right at your feet.
Take a guided tour through the facility and sample some of the brewery’s own exciting varieties, like an apricot-flavoured wheat beer or a sweet porter with notes of vanilla. You can even sample drinks from other breweries, too. How about a classic Malmö mead or a wild-yeast blackcurrant beer from nearby Staffanstorp?
Location: Bergsgatan 33, 214 22 Malmö, Sweden
Open: Sunday–Thursday 4 pm to midnight, Friday 4 pm to 3 am, Saturday 4 pm to 3 am
Phone: +46 733 921 966
Malmö Brewing Co.
5. Zlatan Court
Play football on Zlatan’s home turf
Good for: Families, Budget, Adventure
Zlatan Court is the very place where world-famous footballer, and possibly the most famous Malmöite of our time, cut his teeth in the beautiful game. Check out the star’s autograph and footprints before a game of five-a-side in this unique and inspiring environment. The actual pitch itself is made from recycled athletic shoes.
Zlatan Court is located in the district of Rosengård, scarcely 100 metres away from Rosengård Train Station. Or if you prefer to travel by bus, there is a local stop around 200 metres away.
Location: Bennets väg 2, 213 67 Malmö, Sweden
Zlatan Court
6. Disgusting Food Museum
Challenge yourself to try something truly disgusting
Good for: Food
The Disgusting Food Museum is the perfect destination for self-professed adventurous eaters who want to put their worldly and tolerant taste buds to the test. You’ll find the Disgusting Food Museum in the Caroli Shopping Centre in central Malmö. Local buses stop right outside the museum or if you feel like working up an appetite, you can walk from Malmö Central Station in just a couple of minutes.
Inside you’ll find a permanent exhibition featuring 80 dishes from all over the world. Can you stomach the strange consistency of fermented shark from Iceland or the stench of Thailand’s most pungent fruit?
Location: Kvarteret Caroli, Östergatan 12, 211 25 Malmö, Sweden
Open: Wednesday–Sunday noon to 6 pm
Phone: +46 40 101 771
Disgusting Food Museum
7. Non-Violence Sculpture
Check out an internationally renowned artwork
Good for: Families, Budget
The Non-Violence Sculpture, also known as the Knotted Gun, is a famous artwork known the world over. The first iteration of the sculpture was created by Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd following the murder of Beatles legend John Lennon. Several versions of the same statue have since been installed all around Sweden and across the world. One of the most widely visited of the original statues is located outside the UN Headquarters in New York, but the Malmö sculpture has been in place the longest.
The Non-Violence Sculpture is located in the Västra Hamnen district across the canal from Malmö Central Station. The area is easy to reach either by bus or by train with the sculpture located just 150 to 300 metres away from the stop.
Non-Violence Sculpture
8. Cycle around 1930s Malmö
Travel through time from the saddle of your bike
Good for: Families, Adventure
The early 20th century was an important time in Malmö‘s history when the city was growing rapidly, and the 1930s Malmö Cycle Guide is a great way to get a taste for this exciting age. Begin your trip at Malmö Museum (Malmö Museer), just over half a mile from Malmö Central Station, where you can borrow or buy a copy of the in-depth guide that the museum has had produced. Then set off and discover the Malmö of days gone by right from the comfort of your bicycle saddle.
The guide will not only transport you through time and space, but via its photos and evocative descriptions it will give you a better understanding of the architectural styles you see and a sense for the city’s nightlife and culture in the inter-war years.
9. Öresund Bridge Abutment (Öresundsbrons brofäste)
Enjoy gorgeous views of the Öresund
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget
The Öresund Bridge Abutment (Öresundsbrons brofäste) is a great place to enjoy magnificent views over both the impressive bridge and the gorgeous sound, Sweden’s gateway to Europe. Be sure to bring your camera as the view is well worth capturing on film. Besides a fantastic view, you’ll also find lots of great walking trails and picnic spots in the area.
The viewing spot is located in Limhamn, just under 5 miles from central Malmö, and is most easily reached by car or bike. But if you’d rather arrive by public transport, take the bus to Sibbarp and then walk for about a mile along through the leafy recreational area.
Location: Utsiktsvägen 10, 216 30 Limhamn, Sweden
Öresund Bridge Abutment (Öresundsbrons brofäste)
10. Zlatan Statue
See the famous footballer immortalised
Good for: Families, Budget
Zlatan Ibrahimović is probably the most famous Malmöite of his generation so it’s no surprise that the international sporting legend has been forever immortalised in bronze in his home town. The statue can be found outside Malmö Stadion and is easily reached by one of the buses that service the arena.
The 3-metre tall statue depicts the bare-chested football sensation running triumphantly over the globe with his arms stretched high out into the air. On the ground around the statue, you can read the names of the clubs Zlatan has played for and the titles he has won.
Zlatan Statue
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