If you’re visiting Copenhagen, you’re already in one of the most beautiful cities in the world! The great, and slightly addictive, thing about traveling in Europe is that you can typically visit multiple countries in one trip. It can be easy to pack too much into the itinerary, but this quick day trip is very simple and stress-free. If you’re in Copenhagen, or planning to visit soon, Sweden is only 40 minutes and $19 away.
A quick day trip from Copenhagen to Malmö is the perfect way to dip your toe into Sweden and it was one of my favorite European day trips of all time. You’ll be able to add another country to your list, experience some Swedish food and architecture, and you can can completely avoid the airport hassle. I personally go out of my way to travel by train in Europe, and this is the perfect train-centric day trip to add to your bucket list!
Getting There: The Øresund Bridge
From Copenhagen, hop on the train to Malmö.
The journey itself is half the fun and part of the route actually goes underwater. You’ll cross the iconic Øresund Bridge, an incredible piece of engineering that connects Denmark and Sweden.
Opened in 2000, the Øresund Bridge carries both cars and trains across nearly five miles, and it’s designed to withstand the area’s intense weather conditions. You’ll glide beneath the sea, then emerge to sweeping views of both the Danish and Swedish coastlines. It’s one of those rare travel moments that feels cinematic, even though you’re just sitting on a regular train.
Fall/Winter Fashion Favorites For Travel
Arriving in Malmö
When you arrive in Malmö, you can walk right into the town center from the station. It’s cozy, charming, and distinctly Swedish. You’ll instantly notice the shift in architecture and atmosphere, which is what I was so excited about.
Spend the day wandering through cobblestone streets lined with cafés and boutiques. Grab a coffee at one of the city’s many hyggeligt (Swedish for cozy) spots, explore Malmö Castle (which had a great little art museum inside) or St. Peter’s Church. If you have time, pop into a few of the local museums and shops. I saw an incredible Andy Warhol exhibit when I visited in the Moderna Museet.
Malmö is small enough to explore in an afternoon, but big enough to give you a true taste of Swedish life. I’ve been dying to go back to Sweden since this visit.
When You’re Ready to Head Back
Simply hop back on the train and you’ll be in Copenhagen in under an hour. This is maybe one the easiest international day trip you’ll ever take, besides Bratislava & Vienna which I’m writing about next. 😉
If you’re planning a trip to Denmark, don’t miss this quick Swedish detour! This is the perfect way to make your next Copenhagen visit a little more unforgettable.
