The coastal city of Malmo is one of the most family-friendly destinations in Northern Europe. Its historic squares are easy to get around on foot, and you’re likely to see interesting art installations and street performances all year round. The city is also known for its sprawling parks, many of which have playgrounds, mini zoos, and open-air stages for cultural events.
If the weather is less than favorable during your trip, Malmo has many indoor entertainment centres that can entertain your little ones for hours. Make sure you pay a visit to the city’s museums, where you get to see interesting exhibits on fashion, art, military, and natural history. Read on for our guide on the best family-friendly places in Malmo.
Try the products on a tasting tour
Good for: Families, History, Food
Malmö Chokladfabrik (Malmo Chocolate Factory) appeals to sweet-toothed travelers with its quality pralines, truffles and bars, all made using self-roasted cacao beans. Located in central Malmo, it has a museum displaying traditional tools and molds dating back to the late 1800s. Chocolate tastings are available at Malmö Chokladfabrik for about 280 kr per person, and you get to enjoy discounted prices if you’d like to bring some chocolates back home.
Location: Möllevångsgatan 36B, 214 20 Malmo, Sweden
Open: Monday-Friday from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturdays from 10 am to 3 pm (closed on Sundays)
Phone: +46 (0)40-45 95 05
Malmo Chocolate Factory
Enjoy hours of playtime at this indoor entertainment center
Good for: Families
Busfabriken, located 5 km southeast of Folkets Park, is an indoor amusement park for kids of all ages. It has a large playground that’s suitable for those below the age of 8, plus dozens of colorful trampolines, inflatable castles, slides, and hanging bridges for older kids. There’s also a multisport arena where you get to play soccer or air bazookas, ride bumper cars, and more. Live shows take place on weekends at midday and 5pm.
Location: Jägersrovägen 202, 213 77 Malmo, Sweden
Open: Daily from 10 am to 8 pm
Phone: +46 (0)40-12 03 12
Busfabriken
Enjoy pony rides at the mini farm
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Folkets Park is a recreational park where you get to enjoy outdoor activities and seasonal events in Malmo. One of the largest parks in the city, it spans 24,000 sq m of gardens, with picnic areas, playgrounds, and benches. Animal lovers get to visit exotic birds and reptiles at the Malmös Reptile Center, and play with rabbits and ponies at the Malmo Mini Zoo. Live theatre, dance and circus shows take place at the Barnens Scen Center all year round. In the summer, Folkets Park has inflatable houses and trampolines for children to play in.
Location: Amiralsgatan 35, 214 37 Malmo, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)40-34 10 00
Folkets Park
Cycle around the Stora Dammen Lake
Good for: Couples, Families, History, Photo, Budget
Kungsparken is an English-style garden dating back to 1869. It’s known for its collection of unique tree and plant species, including a 29-meter-tall Turkish oak tree and a sweet chestnut tree from China. Paved trails surround a beautiful lake called Stora Dammen, making it a popular spot among joggers and cyclists. Kungsparken’s centerpiece is a 19th-century cast iron fountain, surrounded by a lush lawn overlooking the park’s canal and Malmo Castle.
Location: Slottsgatan 33, 211 33 Malmo, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)40-34 48 60
Kungsparken
Explore a World War II submarine
Good for: Families, History, Single, Group
The Technology & Maritime Museum of Malmo showcases the city’s industrial and military past through interactive exhibits. It has an extensive collection of vehicles dating back as far as the 1700s, including horse-drawn tramcars, tractors, aircraft, and locomotives. You get to explore the U3 submarine that was used during the Second World War. Guided tours take place on Tuesdays and Sundays from 1pm to 4pm, with former crew members sharing about their life onboard the submarine.
Location: Malmöhusvägen 7A, 211 18 Malmo, Sweden
Open: Daily from 10 am to 5 pm
Phone: +46 (0)40-34 44 38
Technology & Maritime Museum of Malmo
Enjoy a picnic with views of Malmo Castle
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Slottsträdgården is a large botanical park overlooking the historic Malmo Castle. Spanning 210,000 sq m of lush gardens, it’s filled with around 500 plant species. The kitchen garden and orchard cultivate local vegetables and fruits such as plums and pears, which you can purchase at the onsite nursery when they’re in season. The meadow features park benches overlooking Malmo Castle, making this grassy expanse a popular spot for picnics and fika (coffee break).
Location: Malmöhusvägen 8, 211 18 Malmo, Sweden
Phone: +46 76 890 16 49
Slottsträdgården
Grab a board and enjoy for free
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo, Budget
Stapelbäddsparken spans 3,000 sq m of curved walls, ramps, and obstacles that suit all skill levels. The public park is free all year round, making it a popular spot for youngsters looking to practice their skateboarding. There are plenty of benches surrounding the bowl landscape, so you can sit and watch them attempting gravity-defying tricks, if you’re not up for joining them. There are many international championships, art installations, and street parties taking place at Stapelbäddsparken all year round, especially during the summer months.
Location: Stapelbäddsgatan 3, 211 75 Malmö, Sweden
Phone: +46 (0)20-34 45 00
Stapelbäddsparken (Skate Park)
Enjoy views of Kungsparken (King’s Park) at this city library
Good for: Families, Photo, Budget, Single
The Malmo City Library displays over 500,000 materials, including books in different languages, DVDs, and CDs on various topics. It occupies a Renaissance building with a modern architectural design by Danish architect Henning Larsen. It’s also called the Calendar of Light as its massive glass façade, which overlooks King’s Park (Kungsparken), allows the library to be illuminated with natural light. The Malmo City Library has an onsite café that serves light lunches, pastries, and coffee for those looking to enjoy a fika during their visit.
Location: Kung Oscars väg 11, 211 33 Malmo, Sweden
Open: Monday-Thursday daily from 10 am to 8 pm, Fridays from 10 am to 6 pm, Saturday-Sunday from 11 am to 5 pm
Phone: +46 (0)40-660 85 00
Malmo City Library
See the city from a different angle
Good for: Couples, Families, Photo
The canals of Malmo are best explored on a boat, from which you can glide past many charming houses and historical buildings within the city center. It’s also a way to bond with each other while vacationing in this coastal town, as pedaling and navigating through the waterways require some team effort. Head to Raoul Wallenbergs Park to rent a 4-seat pedal boat from City Boat, which cost around 120 kr for a 30-minute ride.
Location: Rörsjökanalen, Gamla staden, Malmo, Sweden
Relax in a traditional bathhouse
Good for: Couples, Families, Budget, Single, Group
Ribersborgsstranden is a 1.5-km-long stretch of sandy beach nearby Malmo Castle. It’s where many locals enjoy sunbathing, swimming, and playing beach games during the summer. The grassy expanse behind the beach features playgrounds and ponds, as well as a mini-golf course and soccer field. Ribersborgsstranden also has a wooden bathhouse at the end of a pier, which features 5 traditional saunas and outdoor pools with views of the ocean.
Ribersborgs Beach
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