Discover what’s new before everyone else:

Get our free on-the-go Nordic hotspot map!

The Nordic Nomad

Malmö, Sweden

48 hours in Malmö, Sweden

The Nordics • Insider guides • 48 hours in Malmö, Sweden

Where to stay, eat, shop and play in Malmö

Want to make the most of your weekend in Malmö? With stylish hotels, cosy cafés, hot restaurants and cool retail aplenty, it certainly isn’t easy to narrow down the list of must-visits. Explore our curated 48 hour city guide for where to stay, eat, shop and play in Malmö.

Day 01

15.00

It’s check-in time

Although originally a Stockholm hotel concept, few hotels feel as Malmö-esque as Story Hotel, with its rough-luxe look. The raw concrete walls and streamlined interiors of the rooms draw attention to the large windows, which frame the views of the city’s unique skyline and industrial harbour. Story Hotel is located on the top floors of Studio, a building designated for coworking and creative enterprise, and features a 250 sq m rooftop terrace.

Read the full article on Story Hotel or explore the best boutique and luxury hotels in Malmö.

Story Hotel
Tyfongatan 1
Malmö
Sweden

Affiliate link (what is it?)

Photography courtesy of Story Hotel

17.00

Time for a tipple

Care Of is Malmö’s most cosmopolitan and darkest bar, where you can chill out while sipping well-crafted cocktails late into the night. This speakeasy is slightly geeky and was opened by bartenders who have nothing but mixology on their minds. Setting the tone are seasonal drinks in well-selected glasses, such as ‘Tonica Frutto’ and ‘Martini Natur’.

Other Malmö cocktail spots to try are Liket, MJ’s, Bar Bisou, Scania and Kitchen & Table sky bar.

Care Of
Fiskehamnsgatan 11C
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Care Of

19.00

Bite-sized food for thought

Chef Alexander Sjögren opened Mutantur towards the end of 2017, which translates to “times change, and we change with them.” The vast, ever-changing menu features Nordic-inspired appetizers and small meals with Asian influences. Mutantur’s inventive bite-sized meals appear to be part of a fine dining tasting menu, but the greatest part is that everything can be ordered à la carte.

For other top-quality dining experiences, try Aster, Vollmers, Lyrans Matbar and Atmosfär.

Mutantur
Erik Dahlbergsgatan 14
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Mutantur

Day 02

9.00

Breakfast for aesthetic champions

At this trendy all-day café, bakery, and deli, the open kitchen takes centre stage, and the locals have embraced it passionately. Breakfast at Ruths, which is offered until 10.30 a.m., is our favourite meal of the day. Breakfast options include yoghurt with almond granola, pomegranate semolina porridge, scone with cream cheese and marmalade, grilled cheese croissants, and French toast.

Other great breakfast and brunch spots in Malmö include Noir Kaffekultur, Lilla Kafferosteriet and Jord.

Ruths
Mäster Johansgatan 11
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Ruths

10.00

The gateway to Malmö’s design scene

Malmö boasts a thriving and vibrant design scene that contrasts sharply with Stockholm’s and Copenhagen’s more established design communities. For an introduction to the local scene, visit the Form/Design Center, the primary platform for architecture, design, and crafts in southern Sweden. A massive brick granary was reconstructed to produce sufficient exhibition space and is available to the public Tuesday through Sunday, with entrance free.

Visit some of the local design studios, such as Stoft Studio, Butler/Lindgrd, Studio Kajsa Willner, Lab La Bla,and Ebba Lindgren, for further inspiration.

Form/Design Center
Hedmanska gården
Lilla Torg 9
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Daniel Engvall and Form/Design Center

12.00

Lunch in the old harbour

Continue past huge loading docks and vacant factories with broken windows – you’re on the right track. Ola Rudin and Sebastian Persson still offer what many believe to be the greatest lunch in town in their somewhat sleazy and stripped-down establishment on the outskirts of town. The space is made up of rough concrete walls, long wooden communal tables with benches, wide windows spanning one wall, and a low counter where diners order the dish of the day or the veggie option of the week. Dishes, made of the very best produce, are served on handmade ceramics in this austere and cool spot.

Other great lunch spots in and around Malmö are Smak, Mygel, Slottsträdgårdens Kafé and Spoonery.

Saltimporten Canteen
Grimsbygatan 24
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Jonas Lindvall and Saltimporten Canteen

13.00

Do an architour of the city

Malmö has become one of the world’s most environmentally friendly cities by pursuing long-term solutions in all aspects of urban planning and design. Architecture has played a significant role in the city’s transformation from a defunct industrial town to a flourishing metropolitan centre.

Take a bike ride out of the city centre to the Västra Hamnen port region to see the city’s main architectural features. You’ll pass past Terroir and Kim Utzon Arkitekter’s World Maritime University (pictured), the Malmö Live hotel and conference hall, the striking university area, the famous 1958 Kockumshuset, and the Bo01 neighbourhood on your route to Santiago Calatrava’s Turning Torso landmark building.

Photography courtesy of World Maritime Museum

15.00

Get your caffeine and gluten fixes

Bageri Leve is a pioneer in the Swedish baking industry. What is sacrosanct here is artisanal quality, sustainability, and organic and plant-based ingredients; this truly is every vegan’s dream destination. Everything is baked without industrial additives and with the best that regional farmers have to offer in season. Every Friday is ‘doughnut Friday’, and due to their popularity, these seasonally flavoured treats must be reserved online in advance.

Other great cafés and coffee shops in Malmö are Solde Kaffebar, Söderberg & Sara, Noir Vin & Kaffekultur, Kaffebaren på Möllan and Pâtisserie David.

Bageri Leve
Östra Rönneholmsvägen 6
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Bageri Leve

16.00

Take the plunge

Ribersborgs Kallbadhus is a must-see for any visitor to the city. This public bath, which is open all year, is somewhat of an institution, popular with both residents and visitors. It features five saunas and two wood-fired hot tubs at the end of a pier on the city’s long sandy beach, but it’s a plunge in the sea-water pools that locals suggest for the endorphin-boosting advantages. Be brave: the average water temperature in June is 14 degrees Celsius.

Other Malmö spots to take a dip include the Ribersborg beach and Scaniabadet in Västra Hamnen.

Ribersborgs Kallbadhus
Limhamnsvägen
Brygga 1
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Werner Nystrand

17.00

Wine o’clock

Bar Cuccurucucù, a wine and fruit pet-nát bar from Fruktstereo, the Swedish cider maker, is located on the second level of Maya Cantina. Malin Spång and Beatrice Alverdal run the eye-catching, pastel-coloured pub, which was designed by Stockholm-based designer Gustaf Westman.

Other good wine bars, sans the fruit, are Julie, L’enoteca and Ava Vinbar.

Bar Cuccurucucù
Drottninggatan 36
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Bar Cuccurucucù

19.00

A multiculti foodie spot

Malmö is a diverse city with inhabitants from 179 different nationalities. It should come as no surprise that this diversity is reflected in the city’s food scene, with plenty of national cuisines represented. One of the most popular restaurants in town is Soi 29, where Alexander Norén and Johanna Jarevik serve authentic Thai street food. The wonderful ambience is created by Johan Sundberg Arkitektur.

Malmö has a wide range of cuisines to choose from, including Saiko for Japanese, Köket Lu for Chinese street food, Namu for Korean, and Shamiat for Syrian.

Soi 29
Bergsgatan 29
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Frantzén and Erik Lefvander

Day 03

9.00

An airy start to the day

This venue’s enormous windows overlooking Skvadronsgatan, as well as the lovely outdoor eating space, are dominated by light and vegetation. Atrium is our favorite place for breakfast, brunch and coffee. The menu, which includes eggs benedict, shakshuka, an avocado sandwich, and a cast iron pancake baked with buttermilk, is well-thought-out and includes something for everyone. The coffee is perfect, and the staff’s calm and professional approach blends in nicely with the tranquil ambience.

If Atrium is full with brunchers, St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri is across the street.

Atrium
Skvadronsgatan 13
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Atrium

10.00

An artsy side of town

Malmö Konsthall, which was inaugurated in 1975, has one of the largest exhibition halls for contemporary art in Europe. The hall was created by architect Klas Anshelm, who was influenced by sculptor Constantin Brâncuși’s Paris workshop. The room is so beautiful, in our opinion, that even if there was no art, it would be worth seeing for the use of light and space alone. Malmö Konsthall has previously shown the art of Damián Ortega (shown), Siri Aurdal, Rosa Barba, Mike Nelson, and Tauba Auerbach.

We also enjoy visiting Moderna Muséet for contemporary art, as well as independent art galleries like Format, Nordic Art Agency, and Macken.

Malmö Konsthall
S:t Johannesgatan 7
Malmö
Sweden

Photography courtesy of Malmö Konsthall

12.00

The last meal

A restored 1800s warehouse will nicely frame your gourmet excursion as you experience the tempting array of stalls, shops, and small cafes. Include this hidden treasure, developed by Wingårdh, on your schedule while planning your day in Malmö, since it is an absolute must for any foodie looking for exceptional products and exquisite meals.

Our favourite restaurant stalls at Malmö Saluhall are Falafel & Burgers, Pink Head, and Papi. Make sure to stop by Favvo for some ice cream – the chocolate ice cream is to die for.