Malmö: Day Trips and Tours from Copenhagen

Once a part of Denmark, the city of Malmö now belongs to Sweden and is easily reached from the Danish capital of Copenhagen.

The third largest city in Sweden, Malmö is famed for its medieval architecture, which fuses perfectly with its modern-day elements.

Day trips to Malmö from Copenhagen are simple to arrange and travel along the longest bridge in Europe, which connects the destinations. Visiting the city is a must for anyone planning a break to this corner of Scandinavia.

Check out what you need to know about Malmö, one of the most exciting day trips from Copenhagen.

What are the travel options to Malmö from Copenhagen?

Malmö is located on the southwestern tip of Sweden, just over 40 kilometers from Copenhagen.

From Copenhagen to Malmö by car

The easiest way to make the journey to Malmö is by car. You’ll simply leave Copenhagen and travel over the Øresund Bridge, which connects the two cities. The entire route takes around 40 minutes.

From Copenhagen to Malmö by public transport

Another option is to make the jaunt to Malmö by public transport instead.

You can take a direct train from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Centralstation, which takes approximately 40 minutes and leaves several times an hour throughout the day.

Alternatively, you can catch a bus from Copenhagen Ingerslevsgade, which travels to Malmö Norra Vallgatan bus station. This typically takes a little longer — just over an hour — and buses run regularly.

Guided tour to Malmö from Copenhagen

You can also choose to take one of several guided excursions to Malmö, which typically last between 3 and 9 hours.

You’ll usually meet at a pre-determined spot in the center of the city between 9:30 AM and 10:30 AM, and return to the same point in the afternoon or early evening.

What is the typical itinerary of a tour to Malmö?

Malmö day tours vary significantly in the itinerary, depending on the type of excursion you choose. However, you’ll always begin by meeting your friendly guide in Copenhagen.

While most tours ask you to meet at a well-known landmark in the city, others provide a complimentary hotel pickup service.

You may travel to Malmö by private car, coach or train, and some tours stop off at other cities on the way, including Helsingør, and Lund.

Others travel into the Scanian countryside to get a feel for the Swedish lifestyle at local farms and try their produce.

Upon arrival in Malmö, you’ll normally enjoy some free time to explore the city at your leisure.

You may have an audio guide to keep you company as you wander to the most celebrated landmarks or alternatively, you might have a knowledgeable local to lead the way on a walking tour.

After discovering the main streets of the city, you’ll return to Copenhagen where your Malmö day trip ends.

What kinds of Malmö tours are there?

There are many different types of Malmö day trips to choose from, depending on the destinations you’d like to visit and the experience you wish to have.

Day trip to Malmö from Copenhagen

Day trips to Malmö begin with an audio-guided drive to the city from Copenhagen, learning about the sites you pass en route, including the Øresund Bridge. Upon arrival at your destination, you’ll set off to explore its attractions at your own pace.

Peek inside St Peter's Church, stroll the grounds of Malmö Castle or spend your time sampling local delicacies, such as aggakaka — a savory egg cake.

If you prefer to discover a destination with a knowledgeable local at your side, you’ll have the option to participate in a guided walking tour of Malmö for an additional fee.

Food tour to Malmö from Copenhagen

Those who prefer to let their taste buds introduce them to a destination can opt to join a food tour in Malmö.

After a comfortable transfer from Copenhagen, you’ll arrive in the Scanian countryside to visit two different farms and sample their fresh produce.

Continuing on, you’ll dive into the culinary delights of the city, trying local Scanian fare, as well as famed Swedish dishes, such as Swedish meatballs.

Relax as you finish the tour off by enjoying an unbeatable view over Malmö while tucking into a decadent slice of cake.

Private tour to Malmö from Copenhagen

A private day tour to Malmö guarantees you a more personalized experience. You’ll be able to walk alongside your guide, discussing each of the landmarks you discover and asking any questions that spring to your mind.

You’ll explore several different attractions, including the 15th-century Malmö Castle, Ebba's House and the Gothic St. Peter's Church. Stop for a coffee and local snack as you soak in the city atmosphere before returning to Copenhagen.

Day trip to Malmö plus Lund from Copenhagen

If you want to discover as much of Scandinavia as possible on your city break, you can choose a day tour that encompasses both Malmö and Lund.

You’ll begin by paying a visit to the medieval town of Helsingør where you can amble along the quaint streets and admire brightly painted houses.

From there, you’ll travel to the Swedish city of Lund to visit the Lutheran Lund Cathedral before ending your excursion by heading into Malmö for some free time to explore the cobblestone alleys and historic architecture.

How much does a day trip to Malmö from Copenhagen cost?

A basic day trip to Malmö from Copenhagen costs approximately €80 per person, while one that includes Lund in its itinerary costs between €100 and €130 each.

You can expect to pay around €240 per person for a private Malmö day tour, which travels to the city via train.

Malmö food tours cost approximately €810 per group of up to three participants and take place privately. They include a four-course meal, as well as a convenient hotel pickup service.

Broken down with the maximum number of people in your party, the cost is around €270 per head.

What will you see and do there?

Malmö Castle

Malmö Castle was originally built in the first half of the 15th century by King Eric of Pomerania, who acted as the king of Denmark, Sweden and Norway throughout his lifetime.

However, after partial destruction, a new fortress was rebuilt in its place 100 years later.

The castle was once one of the most secure strongholds in Denmark when Malmö formed part of the Scandinavian nation. The site has served as a prison, as well as a fortress over the centuries, and is now home to a museum, educating visitors on the history of the city.

St. Peter’s Church

St. Peter’s Church is a Gothic religious site, which was built in the 14th century, replacing an older church on the same ground.

The church was one of the main religious monuments in use during the Reformation of Denmark, Norway and Holstein when the nations switched from Catholicism to Lutheranism.

This change caused a stir in the community, leading to significant damage to the church at the hands of the public.

Stepping inside St. Peter’s Church, you’ll find several murals that date back to the 15th century, as well as a large wooden altarpiece, featuring a depiction of the Last Supper.

Øresund Bridge

All Malmö day trips cross the Øresund Bridge, which connects Denmark and Sweden, and is the longest bridge in Europe, spanning approximately 8 kilometers.

The bridge was built over a 4 year period in the 1990s after originally being proposed in 1936. Progress with the idea was halted when WWII broke out and was finally agreed upon in the 1970s.

Halfway across the length of the bridge, the structure dips underwater. This design feature was decided upon by architects because of the fear of airplanes crashing into a supporting element of the bridge.

What time of year should you go to Malmö?

The best time to plan your Malmö day tour is between June and August when the weather is mild, averaging between 20, and 22 degrees Celsius.

However, this is the busiest period of the year for tourism, so if you wish to avoid the crowds, you may consider visiting during the shoulder months of May or September instead.

Travel tips

• Day trips to Malmö usually involve a fair amount of walking so ensure you’re wearing comfortable clothes and shoes.
• Pack a raincoat when visiting Malmö as the weather can be unreliable throughout the year.
• Sweden experiences up to 18 hours of sunshine per day during June, making this a great month to plan your visit.