Malmö Madness #12

Getting there

Before my Swedish trip I was in Denmark. Getting to and fro from each country is pretty easy. You could easily take the regular train from Copenhagen to Malmö. This guide will focus on the city of Malmö which is rich in history as it is the nearest Swedish city to northern Europe which makes it a great spot for port merchants and such. Let's start the beginning of this trip with the crossing of Øresund Bridge.

Øresund bridge

Øresund bridge is a combination of underwater and overwater segments combined to make this bridge. I recalled doing a bit of reading during the short trip between the two cities. I read how when they decided to start building this super bridge in the 20th century there were issues with seamines. This apparently had not slowed down the whole building process to much as they completed three months ahead of schedule on June 2000. One thing worth noting is the amount of security on the train. Due to the European migrant crisis in the last couple of years.

I actually noticed the severity of the security the further north into Europe you go. For example, while taking my train to Denmark I had been interrogated by a couple of well disciplined border police. We literally shot questions and answers back and forth at an incredible rate that it felt scripted. Regardless, the border police are respectful and I do recommend full cooperation and as little attitude as possible so you could be well on your way. Anyway, I barely did any planning for my Swedish trip as I was meeting a mate who was on exchange in Australia who offered to tour me around.

I recommend getting off at Malmö central station. This rectangular glass roofed structure exit will place you in a great spot close to bus stops that would take you closer into the heart of the city. I had to grab a more southern train station as I was meeting up with my mate.While it is the middle of August it still gets quite cold up north. It sometimes gets misty. This is especially true early in the morning as its a quite humid area. One thing worth noting is that in Sweden they use the Swedish Krona. As I had recommended before in other articles it is better to exchange your currency to the local one in currency changers outside airports and train stations. If needed, convert the amount you need to get to your accommodation at the trainstation.

Looking around

My mate was waiting for me at the stop. After saying our greetings we immediately began exploring. We walked quite randomly to get to wherever we were going to check out attractions. Unfortunately, as it was so random and we zigzagged so much that I can’t really recall the chronology of events. So what I’ll do is talk about all the different places I had visited and any useful tips or stories in between.

(Source:https://www.pinterest.com.au/pin/510947520196725976/)

Kungsparken

One of the most beautiful parks that you can visit in this part of Sweden is the Kungsparken. The fountain is well maintained and elegantly designed. The fountain is very exquisite and surrounded by a very serene area. I recalled how we visited this park on a Sunday. It had been a sunny day and there where people all around. Many individuals walking their dogs. I noticed how the dogs here are fluffier and hairier than the ones I spot more towards the South of Europe. There were also people out on picnic blankets or simply lying on the glass. There were kids all around running and playing. Even with the latter this place seemed very peaceful and welcoming.

There is also a body of water that compliments the area well. The water, I quickly noticed within the first hour of my visit, is very pristine and clean. It glimmered beautifully on the sunny day. If you find yourself in need to relax for a bit then I would definitely recommend to stop by here. Having lunch or a snack break is also a good idea. There is a local supermarket relatively nearby where you can grab all the food you would need.

Little square

Another place you should check out is the ‘Little Square’. While little, there is quite a bit to do here. It's a great place to meet the locals. This square is located just off the main square. One thing I quickly noticed about Malmö is the lack of large droves of tourists. So you’re able to experience a more authentic feel of local life. This place is great to see some historical buildings set up here. The place honestly looks like it was taken out of a Medieval Europe history book. The cobblestone main area of the plaza is surrounded by nothing but pure history. There are quite a few shops and coffee spots to enjoy a shot of energy. This square also offers an open air market where you could find local and international foods to enjoy. The square itself was built in the late sixteenth century.

St. Peter's church

We also passed by the Malmö St. Peters church. I’ve seen my fair share of churches during my Eurotrip so I was not especially looking forward to any more churches. Although my mate highly recommended that I check it out with him. I’m glad I did. As I had mentioned previously in my Eurotrip blog, I had fallen in love with the different styles of architect of Medieval Europe. I immediately recognised the gothic style that was used by the church with its signature tall tower. It was a very elegant.

(Source: http://www.alexgaliano.com/2012/05/20/st-peter-church)

Although, the best part is the interior. I expected to see aged stone similar to the exterior. However, I was happily mistaken. The inside of the church the walls are bright white rising high above to the church ceiling which also shares the same color. The lamps that illuminate the church compliment the white walls to give off a golden hue wherever the light touches. The church itself is a decent size and majestic. I highly recommend you check this place out due to its beauty and history as its been around for 699 years. An honestly frustrating number. Can’t wait for the big seven centuries celebration.

Malmö city hall 

Malmö city hall is another place worth visiting. It's a very beautifully designed building. It was a throwback to the style of architecture found in mainland Europe. The area around it has much to offer. There are plenty of different restaurants and cafes to enjoy a break. I recalled going to one shop that sold many different types of house decorations. From a tri-way chess board to dozens of figurines that match the crafting style of Swedish people several centuries in the past. Here is the main area where you’ll find quite a lot of life and a few tourists. Although, you’ll mainly find locals here.

I recall crossing a bridge nearby that had different types of shoes and high-heels placed on each side of the bridge facing upwards. Here, they had different stars’ name written by each pair of shoes. This bridge would be the entrance to the inner part of the city and take you to Malmö’s city hall.

I also recalled how expensive Sweden is. If you’re on a budget trip then never fear. While many places you will be staying at are probably pricey, that's where most of your cost will be. You could shop from supermarkets strewn all around the city. You’ll even be able to get good food for great prices. When my mate and I went shopping for brunch we went into the store that had a small salad bar. They had about 8 different options to fill your cup with. My mate told me that these types of food bars were popular as the locals tend to be more health-conscience. We also grabbed some pastries from the bakery section that were fresh and heavenly to eat.

Turning Torso

Moving on, one of my favourite spots was the Turning Torso. I recall how we walked from the inner city towards the Torso itself. It had been a sunday so most of the stores on the way were closed. I would recommend not visiting Malmo on a sunday if you’re looking to do shopping and such as most places are not open for business. Along the way I spotted a skate park which was bustling with activity. If you enjoy skating you could actually rent a skateboard from one of the local shacks. It might be an issue if it rains as they create pools of water and slippery slopes the next day. The area is mostly populated by kids and teens.

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After a bit more walking I finally spot the Turning Torso. At first sight I was in awe. This building was something out of a distant future civilisation. My mate explained that this building was the tallest one in Scandinavia. It is known as the first twisted skyscraper that has been ever built in the world I was proud to find out from my mate that the architect is Spanish. I circled around the build while trying to soak in the majesty of this place. My mate explained how the building follows the style of a sculpture with a similar name which showcases a human being twisting himself.

It was slightly refreshing to see some futuristic architect after spending the last three weeks in Medieval styled Europe. The north does not have as many historical buildings as the south. Although, that frees up plenty of space to build a futuristic society. Which really goes well with the whole idea that Scandinavia are successfully trying to be as progressive as possible.

I spotted two men and a lady walking out of the skyscraper in suits. I reckoned that many of the rooms were leased by businesses. It's quite a prestigious (and expensive) place to maintain your business. I could imagine how the people who were visiting from foreign countries to do business with these companies would be in awe of the torso. Perhaps it contributes to the company’s image well and makes up for the high cost of renting the building.

Sundspromenaden

We ended up walking further down the road towards the seaside. Along the way there were more very modern looking houses. Some looked as if they were built simply a couple of years ago. By the end of it we reached the stone shore-line. My mate explained how the Sundspromenaden street was once very popular hundreds of years ago for trade and fishing. The buildings in the area looked very elegant. I quickly realised this was prime real-estate. I also realised that this place must be frigid cold during the winter. The wind had been cutting us even on a summer’s day.

It's easy to jump into the water or simply walk down the steps that lead to it. The waters seemed calm at the time although I am not sure this is the case for most days. The day was relatively clear and we were able to spot the Øresund bridge in the distance. It was a breathtaking sight to witness. If you find yourself in this part of Sweden on a clear day then I would highly recommend you check this place out. Perhaps grab some food and sit down by the edge of the water while soaking in the pristine waters and the distinct train tracks.

(Source: http://foto.topos.se/?p=806)

There were actually quite a few tourists here. There was also a food cart strategically placed in between all the tourists. I decided to grab one of his sausages to warm up a little and soak in some energy to top up in energy. After sitting by and relaxing for some bit we continued to make our way southwards to the nearest park: the Ribersborgsstranden.

Ribersborgsstranden

This park is quite large and enjoyable to walk through. Often you’ll see joggers and dog walkers here due to its scenic location next to the see. The pier down the park also holds many luxury yachts or regular boats. It’s a very serene environment. This park is also inhabited by rabbits. I was shocked when I first saw one. Then another jumped out of the bush. I had not seen too many rabbits during my eurotrip and I was glad I got to see some of the local wildlife. Nearby the park there is an indoor hockey facility. I was then reminded that the Swedish were very proficient hockey players. They had some disposed ice that was left just outside. I couldn’t really believe my eyes at first, there was a large pile of snow in the middle of August.

We tossed a couple of snowballs at each other and had a few laughs. It quickly clouded up and light showers were beginning to ruin the blue skies.We kept on walking till we made it back to my mate’s place. The next day we spent it hanging out with other mates of his. It was a pretty hectic day. The nightlife in Malmö isn’t too bad. You’ll probably have to pre-drink somewhere as the prices are pretty expensive at the bars.

If you’re looking to head more towards the eastern part of Europe fast then I would recommend taking a plane over the ‘pond’ dividing Sweden and Poland. Poland was my next destination and I was not keen to take a few trains all away around through Denmark and Germany simply to get to Poland. If you’re looking for a budget airlines I would recommend Wizz Air. I managed to get a pretty cheap flight from Malmö to Warsaw. Although, if you have quite a bit of luggage (more than 10kg) then I would recommend looking into another airline unless Wizz Air is having a deal of some sort.

Getting to the airport itself from Malmö isn’t too difficult. Its located outside the city so you’ll need transport. Luckily, you could grab a public bus that can take you there for the price of a single fare. Then you’ll be able to make it. I would make sure to calculate the time carefully as public transport is not always the most reliable way to get to and fro.

Overall, I enjoyed my Swedish experience. It was probably my coldest experience in my Eurotrip. As in, I actually had to wear a jacket against my permanent sleeveless shirts I kept wearing. If you’re looking for some edible souvenirs then I would grab some of the iconic Swedish fish candy or any of their regular or super salted licorice confectionery. I was very excited for my next trip. I’ll be celebrating my birthday there and also meeting up with one of my closest childhood friends in Warsaw.

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