The coastal city of Malmo is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Northern Europe. Its historic squares are easy to get around on foot, and you’re likely to see interesting art installations and street performances all year round. The city is also known for its sprawling parks, many of which have playgrounds, mini zoos, and open-air stages for cultural events.

If the weather is less than favourable during your trip, Malmo has many indoor entertainment centres that can entertain your little ones for hours. Make sure you pay a visit to the city’s museums, where you get to see interesting exhibits on fashion, art, military, and natural history. Read on for our guide on the best family-friendly places in Malmo.

  • 1

    Malmo Chocolate Factory

    Try the products on a tasting tour

    Malmo Chocolate Factory
    • Families
    • Food
    • History

    Malmö Chokladfabrik (Malmo Chocolate Factory) appeals to sweet-toothed travellers with its quality pralines, truffles and bars, all made using self-roasted cacao beans. Located in central Malmo, it has a museum displaying traditional tools and moulds dating back to the late 1800s. Chocolate tastings are available at Malmö Chokladfabrik for about 280 kr per person, and you get to enjoy discounted prices if you’d like to bring some chocolates back home.

    Location: Möllevångsgatan 36B, 214 20 Malmo, Sweden

    Open: Monday-Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays)

    Phone: +46 (0)40-45 95 05

    Map
  • 2

    Busfabriken

    Enjoy hours of playtime at this indoor entertainment centre

    Busfabriken
    • Families

    Busfabriken, located 5 km southeast of Folkets Park, is an indoor amusement park for kids of all ages. It has a large playground that’s suitable for those below the age of 8, plus dozens of colourful trampolines, inflatable castles, slides, and hanging bridges for older kids. There’s also a multisport arena where you get to play football or air bazookas, ride bumper cars, and more. Live shows take place on weekends at midday and 5pm.

    Location: Jägersrovägen 202, 213 77 Malmo, Sweden

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm

    Phone: +46 (0)40-12 03 12

    Map
  • 3

    Folkets Park

    Enjoy pony rides at the mini farm

    Folkets Park
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    Folkets Park is a recreational park where you get to enjoy outdoor activities and seasonal events in Malmo. One of the largest parks in the city, it spans 24,000 sq m of gardens, with picnic areas, playgrounds, and benches. Animal lovers get to visit exotic birds and reptiles at the Malmös Reptile Center, and play with rabbits and ponies at the Malmo Mini Zoo. Live theatre, dance and circus shows take place at the Barnens Scen Center all year round. In the summer, Folkets Park has inflatable houses and trampolines for children to play in.

    Location: Amiralsgatan 35, 214 37 Malmo, Sweden

    Phone: +46 (0)40-34 10 00

    Map

    photo by Jorchr (CC BY 3.0) modified

  • 4

    Kungsparken

    Cycle around the Stora Dammen Lake

    Kungsparken
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families
    • History
    • Photo

    Kungsparken is an English-style garden dating back to 1869. It’s known for its collection of unique tree and plant species, including a 29-metre-tall Turkish oak tree and a sweet chestnut tree from China. Paved trails surround a beautiful lake called Stora Dammen, making it a popular spot among joggers and cyclists. Kungsparken’s centrepiece is a 19th-century cast iron fountain, surrounded by a lush lawn overlooking the park’s canal and Malmo Castle.

    Location: Slottsgatan 33, 211 33 Malmo, Sweden

    Phone: +46 (0)40-34 48 60

    Map
  • 5

    Technology & Maritime Museum of Malmo

    Explore a World War II submarine

    Technology & Maritime Museum of Malmo
    • Families
    • Group
    • History
    • Single

    The Technology & Maritime Museum of Malmo showcases the city’s industrial and military past through interactive exhibits. It has an extensive collection of vehicles dating back as far as the 1700s, including horse-drawn tramcars, tractors, aircraft, and locomotives. You get to explore the U3 submarine that was used during the Second World War. Guided tours take place on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, with former crew members sharing about their life onboard the submarine.

    Location: Malmöhusvägen 7A, 211 18 Malmo, Sweden

    Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +46 (0)40-34 44 38

    Map

    photo by Jorchr (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified

  • 6

    Slottsträdgården

    Enjoy a picnic with views of Malmo Castle

    Slottsträdgården
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    Slottsträdgården is a large botanical park overlooking the historic Malmo Castle. Spanning 210,000 sq m of lush gardens, it’s filled with around 500 plant species. The kitchen garden and orchard cultivate local vegetables and fruits such as plums and pears, which you can purchase at the onsite nursery when they’re in season. The meadow features park benches overlooking Malmo Castle, making this grassy expanse a popular spot for picnics and fika (coffee break).

    Location: Malmöhusvägen 8, 211 18 Malmo, Sweden

    Phone: +46 76 890 16 49

    Map

    photo by Holger.Ellgaard (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified

  • 7

    Stapelbäddsparken (Skate Park)

    Grab a board and enjoy for free

    Stapelbäddsparken (Skate Park)
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    Stapelbäddsparken spans 3,000 sq m of curved walls, ramps, and obstacles that suit all skill levels. The public park is free all year round, making it a popular spot for youngsters looking to practise their skateboarding. There are plenty of benches surrounding the bowl landscape, so you can sit and watch them attempting gravity-defying tricks, if you’re not up for joining them. There are many international championships, art installations, and street parties taking place at Stapelbäddsparken all year round, especially during the summer months.

    Location: Stapelbäddsgatan 3, 211 75 Malmö, Sweden

    Phone: +46 (0)20-34 45 00

    Map

    photo by Fredrik Lundhag (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 8

    Malmo City Library

    Enjoy views of Kungsparken (King's Park) at this city library

    Malmo City Library
    • Budget
    • Families
    • Photo
    • Single

    The Malmo City Library displays over 500,000 materials, including books in different languages, DVDs, and CDs on various topics. It occupies a Renaissance building with a modern architectural design by Danish architect Henning Larsen. It’s also called the Calendar of Light as its massive glass façade, which overlooks King’s Park (Kungsparken), allows the library to be illuminated with natural light. The Malmo City Library has an onsite café that serves light lunches, pastries, and coffee for those looking to enjoy a fika during their visit.

    Location: Kung Oscars väg 11, 211 33 Malmo, Sweden

    Open: Monday-Thursday daily from 10 am to 8 pm, Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday-Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm

    Phone: +46 (0)40-660 85 00

    Map

    photo by Susanne Nilsson (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 9

    Pedal boat rides on Malmo's canals

    See the city from a different angle

    Pedal boat rides on Malmo's canals
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Photo

    The canals of Malmo are best explored on a boat, from which you can glide past many charming houses and historical buildings within the city centre. It’s also a way to bond with each other while vacationing in this coastal town, as pedalling and navigating through the waterways require some team effort. Head to Raoul Wallenbergs Park to rent a 4-seat pedal boat from City Boat, which cost around 120 kr for a 30-minute ride.

    Location: Rörsjökanalen, Gamla staden, Malmo, Sweden

    photo by Maria Eklind (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

  • 10

    Ribersborgs Beach

    Relax in a traditional bathhouse

    Ribersborgs Beach
    • Budget
    • Couples
    • Families
    • Group
    • Single

    Ribersborgsstranden is a 1.5-km-long stretch of sandy beach nearby Malmo Castle. It’s where many locals enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and playing beach games during the summer. The grassy expanse behind the beach features playgrounds and ponds, as well as a mini-golf course and football field. Ribersborgsstranden also has a wooden bathhouse at the end of a pier, which features 5 traditional saunas and outdoor pools with views of the ocean.

    Map

    photo by Maria Eklind (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified

Penny Wong | Compulsive Traveller