Just across the Øresund Bridge in southern Sweden, Malmö offers historic squares, modern architecture, parks, beaches, food markets, museums and a relaxed city atmosphere that pairs perfectly with a Copenhagen trip.
Visit Malmö from Copenhagen Airport
If you are planning a trip to Copenhagen and want to add Sweden to your itinerary, Malmö is the natural place to start. The city is close to Copenhagen, easy to reach by car and compact enough to explore in a single day, while still offering plenty of culture, food, shopping and waterfront views.
Booking car rental through Terminal3.dk gives you the flexibility to collect your vehicle at Copenhagen Airport and drive across the Øresund Bridge to Malmö at your own pace. Before driving into Sweden, always check your rental agreement, as cross-border travel may require permission, extra insurance or additional fees.
How to get from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö by car
The most direct route from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö is across the Øresund Bridge. The bridge connects Denmark and Sweden and is one of the most impressive road-and-rail crossings in Europe. It is also a toll bridge, so check current prices and payment options before travelling.
The drive is straightforward, but travel time can vary depending on traffic, weather and border conditions. Once you arrive in Malmö, park in an official parking area and explore the city centre, harbour and main attractions on foot.
Why Malmö is worth visiting
Malmö is a good contrast to Copenhagen. It has a Swedish feel, a multicultural food scene, a compact old town, modern waterfront development and easy access to beaches and parks. It works well as a full-day trip, a short overnight stop or part of a longer southern Sweden itinerary.
Visitors come to Malmö for:
- Malmöhus Castle and the city’s museum district
- Turning Torso and the modern Västra Hamnen waterfront
- Lilla Torg and Stortorget for historic squares, cafés and restaurants
- Ribersborg Beach for sea views and a relaxed coastal atmosphere
- Folkets Park for families, events and local city life
- Möllevångstorget for markets, food and Malmö’s multicultural character
Explore Malmöhus Castle and Malmö Museums
Malmöhus Castle is one of Malmö’s most important historic landmarks. The castle dates back to the Renaissance period and has served several roles over the centuries, including fortress, royal residence and prison.
Today, the castle area is part of Malmö Museums, where visitors can explore exhibitions about history, art, natural history, technology and maritime culture. This makes Malmöhus a strong first stop if you want context for the city before continuing into the old town or harbour areas.
See Turning Torso and Västra Hamnen
Turning Torso is Malmö’s most recognisable modern landmark. Designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava, the twisting tower rises above Västra Hamnen and has become a symbol of Malmö’s transformation from industrial harbour city to modern urban waterfront.
The building is primarily residential, so most visitors admire it from the outside rather than entering. The surrounding Västra Hamnen district is worth exploring for waterfront walks, modern architecture, sea views, cafés and views back toward the Øresund Bridge.
Walk around Lilla Torg and Stortorget
Malmö’s old town is centred around historic squares such as Stortorget and Lilla Torg. Stortorget is one of the city’s main squares, while Lilla Torg is smaller, more intimate and known for cafés, restaurants, cobblestones and older buildings.
This area is ideal for lunch, coffee, shopping or an easy walk after arriving from Copenhagen. It also works well as a base before continuing to Malmöhus Castle, St. Peter’s Church or the waterfront.
Visit St. Peter’s Church
St. Peter’s Church is one of Malmö’s most important historic buildings. Located close to Stortorget, it is a good stop for visitors interested in architecture, medieval history and quiet cultural spaces.
Because it is centrally located, St. Peter’s Church is easy to add to a walking route through Malmö’s old town.
Relax at Ribersborg Beach
Ribersborg Beach, often called Ribban, is Malmö’s best-known beach area. It offers views across the Øresund, walking paths, swimming areas and a relaxed local atmosphere close to the city centre.
In warmer months, it is a popular place for swimming, picnics and sunbathing. In cooler months, it is still worth visiting for a walk by the water and views toward the bridge and Copenhagen.
Explore Möllevångstorget
Möllevångstorget, often called Möllan, is one of Malmö’s most vibrant neighbourhood areas. It is known for food shops, markets, international restaurants and a multicultural atmosphere.
This is a good place to experience a more local and energetic side of Malmö. It is especially useful for travellers interested in casual food, street markets and neighbourhood life beyond the main tourist squares.
Visit Folkets Park
Folkets Park is a popular green space and entertainment area in Malmö. It is a good stop for families, especially if you are travelling with children and want a break from museums, shopping and city walking.
The park often hosts seasonal activities, events and local gatherings. Check current programming before your visit if you want to plan around a specific event.
Art, culture and Malmö Opera
Malmö has a strong cultural scene, with art museums, galleries, music venues and performance spaces. Malmö Art Museum is connected with the wider Malmö Museums area, while Malmö Opera is one of the city’s major cultural venues.
If you are staying overnight or visiting in the evening, check the current programme for concerts, opera, theatre and exhibitions before travelling.
Should you drive to Malmö?
Yes, Malmö is a good destination for travellers renting a car at Copenhagen Airport, especially if they want to explore Sweden at their own pace. A car gives you the freedom to cross the Øresund Bridge, stop in Malmö, continue to Lund, Helsingborg or Landskrona, and return to Copenhagen when it suits your schedule.
For Malmö city centre itself, park once and explore on foot. Many attractions are close together, and central streets can be busy. Use official parking areas and check local parking rules carefully.
Why rent a car at Copenhagen Airport?
Renting a car at Copenhagen Airport is useful if your trip includes more than central Copenhagen. While Copenhagen’s old city centre is often best explored on foot, by bike or by public transport, cross-border day trips such as Malmö are easier with a car.
With car rental from CPH Airport, you can combine Malmö with the wider Øresund region, including Lund, Helsingborg, Landskrona, Ven, Helsingør and North Zealand.
Easy places to combine with Malmö
With a rental car, Malmö fits well into a wider Denmark-and-Sweden road trip.
- Lund for historic streets, university atmosphere and Lund Cathedral
- Landskrona for the citadel, harbour and ferry connection to Ven
- Ven for cycling, island scenery and Tycho Brahe history
- Helsingborg for Kärnan, the waterfront and Sofiero Palace and Gardens
- Copenhagen for Nyhavn, Amalienborg, Tivoli Gardens and the old city centre
- Copenhagen Airport for easy arrival and departure logistics
Suggested Malmö itinerary from Copenhagen Airport
Morning: Arrive at Copenhagen Airport, collect your rental car and drive across the Øresund Bridge to Malmö.
Late morning: Park near the city centre and explore Lilla Torg, Stortorget and St. Peter’s Church.
Lunch: Eat in the old town, Möllevångstorget or near the waterfront.
Afternoon: Visit Malmöhus Castle and Malmö Museums, then continue to Västra Hamnen to see Turning Torso and the harbourfront.
Late afternoon: Walk by Ribersborg Beach or relax in Folkets Park if travelling with children.
Evening: Drive back to Copenhagen, continue to Lund or Helsingborg, or stay overnight in Malmö.
Practical tips for visiting Malmö by rental car
- Check your rental agreement before driving from Denmark into Sweden.
- Bring a passport or valid travel ID when crossing the border.
- Plan for Øresund Bridge tolls.
- Use official parking areas in Malmö and check local parking rules.
- Park once and explore the city centre on foot.
- Check opening hours for museums, restaurants and cultural venues before travelling.
- Allow a full day if combining Malmö with Lund, Landskrona or Helsingborg.
Book car rental at Copenhagen Airport and explore Malmö
Malmö is one of the easiest international day trips from Copenhagen Airport. With historic squares, Malmöhus Castle, Turning Torso, Västra Hamnen, Ribersborg Beach, parks, food markets and a relaxed Swedish city atmosphere, it offers a perfect introduction to southern Sweden.
Book your Copenhagen Airport car rental with Terminal3.dk and enjoy the freedom to explore Malmö, the Øresund Bridge and the best cross-border day trips at your own pace.
