Day trip to Malmo

A day trip from Copenhagen crossing the Øresund Bridge gave me my first taste of Sweden. Malmö, Sweden's third-largest city, makes for a perfect complement to Copenhagen - different country, different vibe, just 35 minutes away by train.

Sweden has 10.5 million people and consistently ranks among the world's most livable countries. Malmö itself has transformed from an industrial port city into a modern, multicultural hub. Fun fact: the Øresund Bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden is the longest combined road and rail bridge in Europe at 7.8 km, plus a 4 km tunnel.

What I Experienced

The Turning Torso tower immediately catches the eye. This 190-meter twisted skyscraper is Scandinavia's tallest building and looks like something out of an architecture magazine. The waterfront area around it, Västra Hamnen, is a showcase of sustainable urban design.

The old town (Gamla Staden) around Stortorget square has a different character - Renaissance buildings, cobblestone streets, cozy cafes. The contrast between historic and ultra-modern is very Swedish.

My favorite discovery was the Ribersborgs Kallbadhus - a public bathhouse 100 meters out into the sea, accessed by a wooden pier. Saunas on one side, cold water plunge on the other, all with views of the Øresund Bridge. Very Swedish, very memorable. The sunset views of the bridge from here are perfect.

Practical Notes

• Swedish Krona is the currency (cards accepted everywhere)
• The Øresund Bridge train runs every 20 minutes from Copenhagen
• Malmö is easily walkable once you arrive
• The bathhouse is worth the trip alone (small entrance fee)
• English is spoken fluently by nearly everyone

Malmö deserves more than a day trip. The relaxed Scandinavian atmosphere, the design-forward architecture, and that bathhouse sunset made me want to return.