Malmo: A Quick International Escape From Copenhagen Across the Bridge

The Danish adventure was gaining momentum, but we wanted to take it even further—literally across the border. And let’s be honest: an international trip always sounds better than staying put, right? So, we decided to take a day trip to neighboring Sweden. Yes, you read that right—traveling from Denmark to Sweden by train, across the iconic Øresund Bridge that links two countries, two cultures, and two worlds for just a few euros. Destination: Malmö.

Our base was conveniently located right next to Tårnby Station, which meant the train was only a few steps from our bed. We hopped on, grabbed a window seat, and watched the misty Danish morning blur past us. The fog on the bridge covered most of the views, but it still had its charm—kind of like something out of the Netflix crime series The Bridge, which, by the way, is set right here.

A little after 10 a.m., we arrived in Malmö—the first and main stop for trains coming from Copenhagen. Malmö is Sweden’s third-largest city, but also compact enough to explore in a single day. Once an industrial hub, it has transformed into a modern, sustainable city full of green spaces, design, and contrasts. It feels like a Scandinavian experiment—where history meets the future, and the chilly Nordic vibe mixes with a surprisingly warm soul.

Where should your steps take you first?

As is our tradition whenever we arrive somewhere new, we head straight to the main square or the largest open space to soak in the local atmosphere. And Malmö was no exception. Our first steps took us to Stortorget – the main historical square in the city center.

This square is the oldest in Malmö, dating back to the 16th century. Its dominant feature is the impressive City Hall, originally built in 1546 and later renovated in a Neo-Renaissance style. Its ornate façade and intricate details are sure to catch your eye. Surrounding it are several other notable buildings, including the Hotel Kramer and a centrally placed equestrian statue.

Center of Attention

That statue in the middle? Of course – King Karl X Gustav! Thanks to him, Malmö became a Swedish city in 1658 when Denmark lost the Skåne region to Sweden. So nope, that’s not just some random guy on a horse – he’s a pretty key figure in the history of this area.

And speaking of statues, we also noticed a few quirky little troll-like figures – small metal characters scattered around the square. It’s kind of like a city scavenger hunt, where you’re meant to spot and discover each one. Little details like this are what make cities feel alive and playful.

A Sacred Surprise

Just about 100 meters from Stortorget, we stumbled upon another gem – St. Peter’s Church (Sankt Petri kyrka). From the outside, it looked like your typical Gothic building – nothing too flashy. But once we stepped inside… jaws dropped.

This is the oldest surviving building in Malmö, dating back to the early 14th century. The interior is decorated with stunning stained glass windows, ancient wooden pews, and a soaring Gothic ceiling. But the biggest surprise? An interactive game for visitors – a sort of treasure hunt where we searched for hidden rats scattered throughout the church, each one leading us to the next clue. At the end? A little “treasure” – just a small souvenir for tourists, but honestly, it made our day.

And yes, you could even speak inside the church. (Yep – Hugo gave a sermon. Don’t worry, no political campaigning involved.) (Okay, I didn’t actually say anything – I just pretended to out of boredom.)

Other Spots Worth Exploring

Our journey continued with a relaxing stroll through Kungsparken, one of Malmö’s oldest public parks. This place is pure chill – green lawns, small bridges, streams, flowers, and total peace. Right next to it is Slottsparken, which blends into Kungsparken and offers even more quiet corners to unwind.

As we walked along, we passed Slottsträdgården – a community garden where locals grow their own veggies, herbs, and flowers. Eventually, we arrived at a classic Swedish symbol – the Slottmöllan windmill. This charming wooden structure looks like it’s straight out of a fairy tale, perched on a little hill and just begging for a photo. Of course, I had to get a shot there – it would’ve been a crime not to.

But just around the corner was the real highlight of this part of our adventure – Malmo Castle (Malmöhus slott). This fortress has a serious past – built in the 16th century, it’s one of the oldest Renaissance castles in Scandinavia. It served as a royal residence, a military stronghold, a mint, and even a prison.

So, What Was It Really Like?

Well! We were already a bit pressed for time and knew that exploring the inside of the castle properly would take more than just five minutes. So, we opted for a quicker alternative – the Malmö Museer, located right next door in the former castle grounds.

And it turned out to be a great choice! The museum pleasantly surprised us – we found everything from submarines, to interactive science exhibits, prehistoric human findings, as well as classic cars, old-school tech, and rotating exhibitions. It was honestly a lot of fun – kind of random at times, but exactly the kind of museum where everyone can find something they enjoy.

The best part? If you’re under 19, entry is completely free. And even if you’re a student, you only pay a few Swedish kronor. Nobody even checked our ISIC cards – classic Swedish chill vibes. Just like I mentioned [HERE], being a student really pays off when you travel.

What Culinary Adventure Did We Find?

After this jam-packed dose of knowledge and walking, we were seriously starving. We considered something local, but hunger won over our foodie ambitions, and so the winner ended up being a local McDonald’s. Nothing groundbreaking, but at that moment it was the only logical solution. Survival mode: activated.

And the Day Continues – The Sea!

To wrap up the day, we couldn’t resist heading toward the sea – or at least what we assumed was the Baltic Sea. The place we ended up in is called Stenstrand – a spacious seaside park with grassy areas, tons of greenery, and huge rocks you can climb like a mountain goat on holiday. Locals were out having picnics, jogging, playing frisbee, or simply relaxing on blankets, soaking in the view of the water.

We also sat down, breathed in that chilly Swedish air, and took one final break before heading back. After a full day on our feet, we felt like wrung-out towels – but still smiling, knowing we had just managed to visit another country in a single day.

We packed up and caught the train back to Copenhagen, luckily getting off just one stop before the central station – right at our accommodation in Tårnby. The ride across the Øresund Bridge was already in the dark, but the experience of this Malmö day trip is one that will stay with us for a long time.

Cesta na letisko

Ráno sme sa zobudili a zamierili rovno na letisko. A keď hovorím rovno, myslím tým doslova – vlak ťa dovedie priamo pod zem do bunkra, kde sa nachádza vlaková stanica Kastrup Airport. Letisko v Kodani je prehľadné a moderné, blízko centra a dobre značené. Stačí nasledovať „Departures“ a o pár minút už hľadáš svoj gate.Letiskový robot

And then things moved quickly – security check, a final glance at the Danish souvenirs, and we were already waiting for boarding. This beautiful, yet seriously expensive country will surely be missed – for its atmosphere, its architecture, and that distinct Nordic calm.

If you’re also thinking about escaping your daily routine, make sure to follow me on Instagram and sign up for the newsletter so you don’t miss the next chapter of The Flying Easterner. In that one, I’ll take you to a country that’s often known among entrepreneurs for its tax advantages – but we’ll look at it from a completely different perspective – through the eyes of a traveler, and what it’s really like on the ground.

Cross your boundaries – that’s where the treasure you’re seeking is hidden.

Flying Easterner