Malmo tourist information
Malmö is the commercial centre of southern Sweden and an international city. This is expressed, not least, by the fact that Malmö has 265.000 residents who speak some 100 languages and belong to 164 different nationalities.
Malmö is also undergoing a transition from being an industrial city to a city of knowledge. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology and training programmes of high calibre. Malmö University, which opened in 1998, is Sweden's latest venture in the field of higher education, accommodating some 15.000 students.
The strongest sectors in Malmö are logistics, retail and wholesale trade, construction, and property. There are also a number of well-known companies within biotechnology and medical technology, environmental technology, IT, and digital media fields. Co-operation between colleges, science parks, and companies provides a sound basis for entrepreneurs and creative development in Malmö.
An exceptionally well developed infrastructure makes Malmö very easy to reach, whatever means of transport you use to get here: boat, plane, train or car. Malmö has an international harbour and the airports Kastrup and Sturup are only half an hour's journey from the centre of Malmö. The motorway reaches right into the city centre and Malmö has excellent rail connections with the rest of Sweden and Europe.
The City of Malmö is enhancing an attractive business environment and a dynamic business community in Malmö.
Don´t miss the fantastic Samurai exhibition at Malmö Museer (Malmö Museums)! Partake in the myths and culture surrounding the fascinating Samurais, whose history stretches over a thousand years. See several hundred unique objects from the collections of the Kunstkammer and the Peter the Great Museum of Anthropology and Ethnography in St. Petersburg, which have never before been exhibited outside Russian borders. Open from 24 October until 24 April 2005.
The first inhabitants of Malmö were fishermen and farmers. The name Malmö comes from the name Malmhauger, which roughly translated means "sand heaps". The actual City of Malmö came into being at the end of the 13th century. Malmö grew to become a vital commercial centre ruled alternately by Sweden, Denmark and the Hanseatic League.
In 1437, Erik of Pomerania granted the City of Malmö its own coat of arms, and this is still the official symbol of the city.
In the 16th century, Malmö was not only an important and prosperous city, but also part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The 1658 Roskilde peace treaty saw the end of Malmö's period as a part of Denmark, when Denmark ceded the county of Skåne to Sweden.
The modern development of the city dates from the late 18th century, when merchant Frans Suell took the initiative to construct a proper harbour in Malmö. Since then, the city has been growing steadily. In the course of the late 19th century, it became one of the most important industrial cities in northern Europe. The Kockums Shipyard was its main industry, together with a substantial textile and ready-to-wear market.
Today, Malmö is Sweden's third-largest city, with 266 000 inhabitants, and the commercial centre of southern Sweden. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology and training programmes of high calibre. Malmö University, which opened in 1998, is Sweden's latest venture in the field of higher education, accommodating some 21 000 students.
The old city of Malmö is surrounded by a system of canals criss-crossed by bridges. The city centre offers a continental mix of old and new. Shops, restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment all have their part to play in the historic environment.
At Stortorget (the Main Square) you will find Malmö Town Hall, the 16th century home of the former Danish mayor Jörgen Kock, and the Kramer Hotel, which was built in the style of a French chateau. The equestrian statue, also in Stortorget, is of King Karl X Gustav, who made Malmö a part of Sweden.
The majestic church of St Peter (St Petri) dates back to the 14th century and the days of the Hanseatic League.
Lilla Torg (the Little Square), with buildings dating back to the 1590s, boasts many beautifully restored houses as well as vibrant nightlife.
Kungsparken, Slottsparken and Pildammsparken are among some of the most beautiful parks in the country. Within walking distance of the city centre is Ribersborg beach, 2 km long and without equal in northern Europe.
The City Theatre, which boasts one of the largest stages in Europe, offers operas, musicals and ballet. Malmö has a high-class drama theatre, a number of successful private theatres and several flourishing free theatre groups.
The Malmö Symphony Orchestra is renowned throughout Europe, and Malmö Konsthall and Rooseum are both equally famous for their innovative and international art exhibitions. The new City Library was designed by famous Danish architect Henning Larsen and has already won two design awards.
Malmöhus Castle, an evocative moated fortress, can be found at the northern edge of Kungsparken and Slottsparken. Malmöhus is Scandinavia's oldest surviving renaissance castle, and a reminder of Malmö's Danish period. Today, this building is home to the Malmö Museum.
Perhaps it is the city's proximity to Denmark and Germany which gives Malmö a very special continental atmosphere. Or perhaps the many immigrants from Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa are what give the city its international touch. More than one in five residents in the city is of foreign descent.
From the open and typically Scandinavian city centre, it is just a five-minute trip by bus to the square of Möllevångstorget, where a completely different world awaits you. Every nationality is represented here. Visitors can buy food and different products from all over the world in the shops and at the market here.
Every year in August, people of all nationalities gather to celebrate the Malmö Festival. A week of festivities starts with an enormous traditional Swedish crayfish party. Enjoy music, dancing, poetry reading, theatre performances and food from all the corners of the globe.
Malmo aerial map
Please click on any icon on the Malmo aerial tourist map, to find close by places, offering hotels and tourist information. You can zoom in and zoom out our touristical map as well as switch between satelite and map view of Malmo.
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