Music lovers from all over the world flock to the south coast of Sweden this week for Eurovisionwith the semi-finals starting on Tuesday, May 7 in Malmö.
Eurovision's grand final will take place in the city on May 11, when one country will take home the coveted glass microphone.
But Sweden's third largest city has much more to offer than just its role as host of Eurovision 2024, and that is certainly the case. a place worth exploring if you get the chance.
Described by Visit Sweden as an 'international melting pot', Malmö is home to people from more than 170 countries, making it incredibly welcoming.
It's also said to be incredibly walkable and a great location for cyclists, with 515 kilometers of cycle paths taking you past parks, squares and along the coast.
According to those who have been there, there's nothing that takes more than 15 minutes to reach, and if you want to travel further afield there are excellent public transport links to the suburbs and other notable destinations including Copenhagen.
Yes, Denmark's capital is just 40 minutes away by train, a journey that will take you over the iconic Øresund Bridge, which you may recognize from the popular Nordic noir series The Bridge.
If you're in Malmö for the Eurovision Song Contest, here's everything you need to know about the coastal city…
How to get to Malmö?
You can easily travel to Malmö from London by booking a flight to Copenhagen in Denmark. This takes around an hour and 50 minutes and currently Ryanair flights from Stansted can be booked from £32 return.
You can also book flights to Copenhagen from Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh and Bristol.
Once you arrive in Copenhagen, you can travel to Malmö from the airport by public transport.
You can also rent a car and drive yourself, but you will have to pay a fairly high toll to cross the Öresund Bridge this way.
The best things to do in Malmö
There is a lot to see and do in Malmö, but a visit to the Old Town in the heart of the city is a must.
Known as Gamla Staden, the area features a number of squares, including Stortorget, the oldest and largest square, which was mentioned in historical records dating back to 1420. Here you'll find beautiful 16th-century architecture, with highlights including the Town Hall and Apoteket . Lejonet. The latter is the oldest pharmacy in the city, with an incredible Art Nouveau interior, with gigantic wooden shelves filled with antique medicine bottles.
Another square you might want to stop by is Lilla Torg, a smaller medieval site, covered in cobblestones and packed with bars, cafes and restaurants. You can sit outside and enjoy people watching with a cold drink, or take a look at the small shops selling items such as wooden clogs.
If you're looking for shopping, head to Södergatan Street, a pedestrian area filled with everything from high-end brands we know and love (like H&M) to high-end luxury fashion and fashion. vintage shops.
Other city highlights include the Turning Torso, a neo-futuristic apartment building, one of the tallest in the Nordic region, St. Peter's Church, a Gothic brick building dating back to the 14th century, and Malmö Castle, the oldest surviving remaining Renaissance castle in the Scandinavian region.
Tourists on TikTok and Tripadvisor can't recommend the city library enough either: Pamut_d gave it a five-star review and wrote: 'The building is fantastic both outside and inside! Truly worth a trip,” while a user named Min Min called it a “haven” for book lovers.
Others praised its 'beautiful' architecture and the 'stunning' views it offers over a park. In addition to having something to read, the library also has a media lab and a café.
Those who like to be outside in nature also have plenty of options in this city, with numerous parks and some beautiful sandy beaches. Ribersborgsstranden is a popular place for swimming and recreation.
Where to stay in Malmö:
Here are the five best hotels in Malmö recommended by Booking.com:
Prices checked in May 2024 for a one night stay in Malmö in August 2024.
What's the weather like? Malmö
The weather in Malmö is usually quite mild, with plenty of rain all year round and many cloudy days.
However, it starts to get warmer in May, with the best weather from June to August, when temperatures reach 22 degrees Celsius.
In winter it can get quite cold, with temperatures sometimes dropping to -3ºC.
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