There are so many incredible places to visit in Malmo. This Swedish city really surprised us during an October road trip to see some friends.

I didn’t know what to expect, but this charming small city turned out to be one of our favorite stops on our trip! The vibe was relaxed, every meal was delicious, and it was much more affordable than nearby Copenhagen, which is just a short drive over the bridge.

Plus, there are plenty of fun and interesting things to do. Here are our top picks for the best things to do in Malmo with kids, plus a couple of hidden gems to explore too!

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Best Time To Visit Malmo

Peak Season (July-August): Peak season runs from July to August when tourist crowds and prices are at their highest.

However, temperatures during summer average a comfortable 15°C to 25°C (59°F to 77°F) with long daylight hours perfect for exploring, making it ideal for families wanting the warmest weather and longest days.

That said, even during peak season, Malmö is not as popular of a destination as Florence or Dubrovnik, for example, so the crowds won’t be too intense.

Shoulder Season (Late May, June & September): For the sweet spot of good weather with fewer crowds and better prices, this is your best bet. June and September offer fine weather with good deals on hotel rooms and flights.

I have heard that early May is actually one of the busiest months for tourism (likely due to pleasant spring weather and the appeal of Sweden’s beautiful spring season). Late May still brings mild temperatures and blooms while September offers crisp air and fall colors.

September might be your ideal choice with pleasant temperatures around 15-20°C (59-68°F), manageable crowds, and reasonable prices.

Off-Season (Winter): Winter can be quite cold with temperatures dropping to around -2°C (29°F), but if you don’t mind bundling up, you’ll find the lowest prices and smallest crowds during this time.

Just keep in mind that some outdoor attractions and activities may have limited hours or be closed entirely.

Explore Gamla Staden

Gamla Staden is Malmo’s old town and is one of the most lovely and historic places to visit in Malmo, Sweden. I love wandering through cities and discovering hidden gems, and Gamla Staden didn’t disappoint! You’ll find vintage-looking retro art on buildings, adding a unique touch to the streets.

Here are a few must-see spots. 

St. Peter’s Church

This gothic church may seem simple on the outside, but step inside, and you’ll be wowed by the stunning contrast of its bright white walls and dark wooden accents.

As the oldest building in Malmö, St. Peter’s Church holds centuries of history within its walls.

Don’t miss the fascinating medieval murals – these late medieval frescoes of recognized high quality create a striking visual contrast against the whitewashed walls that were painted over during the Reformation, making the remaining artwork all the more precious and captivating.

Stortorget

One of Malmo’s most iconic and photographed squares, Stortorget is where you’ll find a statue of the Swedish conqueror, King Karl X Gustav.

This large square is surrounded by majestic buildings like Malmö Rådhus, and hosts events and festivals year-round and is big enough for little ones to run around and not crash into anyone.

The Malmö Festival is one of the largest festivals in Scandinavia that takes place in Malmö every year in August right here in Stortorget. It has a wide range of music, food, culture and activities for all ages and interests if you are visiting during that time.

You’re likely to see interesting art installations and street performances all year round in this historic square, making it a perfect spot for families to explore and enjoy spontaneous entertainment while soaking up the city’s vibrant atmosphere.

Malmö Town Hall 

Right in Stortorget stands Malmö’s historic town hall, Malmö Rådhus. This beautiful building with its striking facade is a showstopper. You can enter for free and sometimes there are even free concerts inside!

Lilla Torg

Lilla Torg is a quaint, charming square in Gamla Staden lined with inviting restaurants, bars, and cafes.

The beautiful old houses surrounding the square date back to the 14th and 15th centuries giving families a real sense of medieval history.

The cobblestone streets, which are pedestrian only, and historic architecture make it the perfect place to sit down and grab a gelato or hot chocolate, relax, and people-watch while enjoying the vibrant atmosphere.

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Disgusting Food Museum

If you’re looking for something unique and fun to do in Malmo with kids, the Disgusting Food Museum is a must-visit! From the outside, it might not look like much, but inside, it’s a world of weird and strange food.

It doesn’t look all that big. While we hesitated at first, the kids all voted to go, so we ended up giving it a chance. We are so glad we did!

Learning about all the food is interesting, but the best part is that it’s interactive. You can smell stinky cheese and other strange foods as you learn and you can even taste unique foods like durian fruit and ants at the end!

It might sound gross, but it’s actually super fun for the whole family. Even our picky eater had a blast trying new things.

There’s no need to buy tickets in advance. To give you an idea of the costs, adults were $22, kids, ages 6-15 were $7, and children under 6 were free. These prices are approximate and depend on exchange rates, so check the website for more accurate pricing.

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Cruise The Canals With GoBoat Malmö

I am always a fan of getting on the water wherever I go if you haven’t noticed from reading any other blogs of mine. Malmö is another location where you can rent a boat and tour the city by water. 

There are a couple of different options for canal tours in Malmö, but I would recommend renting a GoBoat and driving the canals on your own.

You can see the city from a new perspective, choose your route and go at your own pace!

Some popular attractions you can see from the canals are:

• Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) – Scandinavia’s oldest surviving Renaissance castle
• The Castle Mill
• St. Peter’s Church
• Malmö City Library 
• Kungsparken
• Slottsparken
• Non-Violence Statue

The quiet boats are electric and run on solar, wind and water energy, which means they’re also eco-friendly. Kids love being on the water too making this one of the top activities in Malmo for kids. What’s not to love!

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Find The Street Art And Sculptures Around The City

Malmö has a great number of sculptures scattered around the city. Some of my favorites that we saw were the whimsical Shoes on Davidshalls Bridge, the many Cats sculptures (I think we took a picture with every single one!), and the fun Optimistic Orchestra!

Be on the lookout for murals, too, including the popular Magic Book Mural. 

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Folkets Park 

If you’re traveling with kids, Folkets Park is one of the best places to visit in Malmo. This park is filled with fun activities, from playgrounds and a giant bouncy structure to a skate park and a small bike track.

While some attractions were closed during our October visit, summer offers even more, including mini golf, a children’s mini farm, a boulebar and lovely restaurants.

It’s a perfect spot to let the kids run around and burn off some energy. 

Kungsparken

Kungsparken, or King’s Park, is a large, tranquil park located in Gamla Staden. It’s a great place to take a peaceful walk or a refreshing break from the city to enjoy nature.

Be sure to take photos of Malmö Castle and the nearby Castle Mill, a picturesque windmill.

We went inside Malmö Castle, but it wasn’t the best castle we have ever visited. I would skip it. 

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Explore The Harbor Area

There are a few attractions to see in the Western Harbor (Västra Hamnen) area of Malmö. You can visit a small lighthouse, take a leisurely walk along the waterfront to the Malmö Harbor Lookout Point and Malmö Titanic Lovelock Point.

Lastly, gaze up at the impressive Turning Torso, the tallest building in Malmö. Unfortunately, it is not possible to visit the Turning Torso because it is a private apartment building. 

Ribersborgs Kallbadhus

Also in the Västra Hamnen area is Ribersborgs Kallbadhus, a unique Swedish experience. This open-air bath lets you take a dip in the chilly sea, followed by a relaxing sauna session. If you’re up for the challenge of cold water, this is a must-do!

I personally don’t love the idea of jumping into freezing water, so we didn’t go, but our friends braved the cold and really enjoyed this typical Swedish experience.   

Malmö Saluhall

Do you like to eat delicious, quality food on vacation? Then you have to add Malmö Saluhall to the list. This food hall was soooo good. My kids still talk about the food they ate there, and they have eaten in a lot of restaurants. 

My favorite part of eating at a food hall is all the options they have. You can eat Italian, Korean, Swedish, and American all under one roof. It’s fantastic!

We ate some delicious pasta, pizza and gelato this time. Next time I’m getting sushi, a sandwich or maybe ramen! 

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Graffiti Hangaren – Street Art 

If you are a big fan of street art like me, you will want to add Graffiti Hangaren in Malmö to your itinerary. Graffiti Hangaren is a colorful hidden gem in Malmö.

This urban art gallery allows graffiti artists to showcase their work legally. It’s a fun spot to explore and appreciate the creativity of the local artists.

You can enter the hangar and check out all the art Monday – Friday from 7am-3pm. There is even some great graffiti outside to admire.  

Camping Malmö – Mini Golf Bar 

We are a big mini-golf family. Whenever we travel, we have to look up if there is mini golf. The kids can’t get enough and it’s something we all enjoy.

Now not everywhere has good mini golf, but when we find a good one, we like to share it. The Camping Malmö course is fun for everyone, and you can even enjoy drinks and food while playing. 

Malmö is such a vibrant and family-friendly city, full of exciting activities and hidden gems. Whether you’re exploring the charming old town, cruising through the canals, or discovering street art, there are endless fun things to do in Malmo with kids. I hope you enjoy it as much as we did!

Frequently Asked Questions About Malmö, Sweden

Is Malmö, Sweden worth visiting?

Malmö was a great city to visit in Sweden. It is a very walkable city. We stayed in the Trianglen neighborhood and could walk to all of the attractions we wanted to visit.

In addition, it was easy to communicate as everyone we talked to spoke English. The prices were affordable too, especially compared to nearby Copenhagen. 

How Many Days Do You Need in Malmö?

The amount of days you need to visit Malmö depends on what you want to do when you are there. It is not a large city, so you could go to all the best places to visit in Malmo in one to three days.

We stayed for two nights when we visited in October and it was a good amount of time. I would have stayed one more night if it was summertime as there is more to do when its warm.

It is also very easy to take the train from Malmö to Copenhagen for the day, so adding an additional night in Malmö and visiting Copenhagen on a day trip is also a good idea. 

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What To Do In Malmo With Kids?

Malmö offers plenty of family-friendly activities that kids will love! Here are the top things to do in Malmo with kids:

Historic & Cultural Activities:

• Explore Gamla Staden (Old Town) with its cobblestone streets and medieval architecture
• Visit St. Peter’s Church to see fascinating medieval murals
• Wander through Stortorget square and watch street performances
• Check out the free Malmö Town Hall and catch concerts if available

Unique Experiences:

• Visit the interactive Disgusting Food Museum where kids can smell and taste unusual foods
• Take a self-guided GoBoat tour through the canals to see the city from the water
• Hunt for street art and sculptures throughout the city, including the whimsical cat sculptures

Outdoor Fun:

• Spend time at Folkets Park with playgrounds, bouncy structures, and bike tracks
• Relax in Kungsparken and take photos with Malmö Castle
• Walk along the harbor area and see the impressive Turning Torso building
• Try Ribersborgs Kallbadhus for a unique Swedish sauna and cold water experience

Food & Entertainment:

• Eat at Malmö Saluhall food hall with options for every taste
• Visit Graffiti Hangaren to see legal street art displays
• Play mini golf at Camping Malmö while enjoying drinks and snacks

Most attractions are within walking distance in this compact, family-friendly city, making it easy to explore Malmo with kids of all ages!