Malmö by the Sea: My Local Guide to Sweden's Coastal City

In paid partnership with Malmö Town /  all words and pictures are my own.

Hej där vänner! As many of you know, I've lived in Malmö for over 22 years (where did the time go?), and summer has always been my favourite season. As soon as the sun comes out, the coastline comes alive. People flock to the beaches, cool off in the sea, play volleyball, linger over drinks by the water, and gather to watch those long, beautiful sunsets.

For me, life by the sea is one of Malmö's greatest joys. From morning dips and saunas to beach cafés, sunset spots and waterside restaurants, here are some of my favourite ways to enjoy summer on Malmö's coast, in case you fancy coming for a visit!

City centre and Dockan

One of the best things about Malmö is that you're never far from the water. On a sunny day, grab a pedal boat or hire a small motorboat from Book a Boat and set off to explore the city's canals and waterways. Don't forget to pack a picnic, and then cruise past waterside cafés, leafy parks, and enjoy seeing Malmö from a whole new angle. It's one of my favourite summer activities in the city.

City centre and Dockan

Feeling peckish? Grab fish and chips and a chilled glass of rosé by the harbour at Fisky Business or settle in at Cantin for tasty street food and summer vibes by the water.

Västra Hamnen

Västra Hamnen is my neck of the woods, and I feel really lucky as I think it's one of the best places to spend a summer's day in Malmö. Once an industrial shipyard, it's now home to Turning Torso designed by the world famous architect Santiago Calatrava, and a vibrant waterfront neighbourhood where locals and visitors alike come to swim, sunbathe, stroll along the boardwalk and enjoy life by the sea.

It's a great place to take a dip from one of the many bathing decks, settle in with a picnic, or simply sit back and watch the boats glide by, with famous Öresund bridge and the city of Copenhagen visible in the distance. 

There's always something happening in Västra Hamnen, from sunset salsa dancing to live bands by the sea. This week, a pop-up sauna rolled in, and Tobias treated guests to a sauna and cold-water dip as well as other rituals. It's one of the many reasons I love calling this neighbourhood home.

Make sure you take a wander around the neighbourhood and soak up the architecture. Much of Västra Hamnen was built as part of the Bo01 housing exhibition in 2001, a pioneering project that put sustainable living on the map and transformed the old shipyard into the vibrant waterfront district we know today. I never tire of strolling these streets, there's always a new detail to spot.

Once you've worked up an appetite, you're spoiled for choice. On a sunny day, grab a table at Beach Garden for laid-back seaside vibes, or book a spot at Kontrast (my pick for the best Indian food in town!), or next door, slurp your way through a bowl of ramen or tuck into sushi.

Ribbersborg

Just a few minutes' walk away is Ribersborg beach. With its long stretch of sand and shallow waters, it's especially popular with families. In fact, I spent many happy summer days here when my children were small, building sandcastles, paddling in the sea and enjoying picnics by the shore.

These days, the coastline buzzes with activity all summer long, from beach volleyball and basketball to yoga sessions by the sea. It's a wonderful place to soak up Malmö's laid-back summer atmosphere."

There are countless ways to enjoy the sea here. We love to sail, but if you're just in town for the weekend, you can try everything from wakeboarding and paddle boarding at Malmö Wake Park. Many of the kayaks can be rented through an app, making it easy to head out for an adventure at a moment's notice. The lack of tides makes the water feel a little less intimidating, but always keep an eye on the wind and weather before setting off.

While I've already mentioned saunas, no guide to Malmö's coastline would be complete without Ribersborgs Kallbadhus. Perched at the end of a long pier stretching into the Öresund, this iconic wooden sauna is a true Malmö institution. It's one of the first places my friends and family ask to visit when they come to stay (pictured here are my nieces racing down the pier towards it!), and somewhere I regularly visit with friends too.

The routine is simple: sauna, sea dip, repeat. And don't forget, swimwear stays at home, as bathing is traditionally enjoyed au naturel in separate men's and women's sections. Afterwards, warm up over lunch or a coffee at the café at the end of the pier. Perfect if the weather gods aren't quite cooperating, it is Sweden, after all! 

Feeling peckish but don't fancy the trek out to the pier? You'll find a handful of casual kiosks dotted along the seafront, serving everything from ice creams and sandwiches to hot food. They're perfect for a quick bite between swims!

Limhamn

Continue south and you'll reach Limhamn, a former fishing village with a charming old harbour that's especially nice in summer. We sometimes cycle down there for a bite to eat by the water. Enjoy a pizza and Aperol Spritz at Mastio, cool off with an ice cream from Limhamns Glassmejeri, or settle in for fresh fish and shellfish at Limhamns Fiskrökeri. 

And, of course, Limhamn has its own kallbadhus, Sibbarps Kallbadhus. Because this is Sweden, and no stretch of coastline would be complete without a sauna!

I have a real soft spot for this one as it's a little quieter than Ribersborg, with a cosy café selling coffee, cakes, open herring sandwiches and locally made ceramics.

On selected Fridays throughout the summer, they host Sip & Sauna evenings. Surely one of the most Swedish ways imaginable to spend a summer evening: sauna, sea dip, drink, repeat.

The owner, Bea, also runs Ateljén just down the road, a lovely restaurant and ceramics studio that's well worth a visit.

Back into the city for the evening!

After a day of swimming, sailing, sauna-hopping and ice cream stops, it's time for one of my favourite summer pastimes: dinner by the water. Malmö really comes into its own on a warm summer evening, when the sea is calm, it's light until 11pm and a seafood supper feels like the only sensible option.

First stop, La Fonderie. One of Malmö's newer waterfront restaurants, this charming French bistro sits beside an inner harbour waterway with views across to the city beyond. On a warm summer evening, it's the kind of place where you can happily while away a few hours over moules-frites and a crisp glass of wine. Inside, you'll find beautiful artwork by Sara Bergman, whose inspiring home I once featured here.

For spectacular sunset views, head to Grand Italian Brasserie on the top floor of Clarion Malmö Live. Order a cocktail, tuck into Spaghetti Vongole and gaze out over the city, and the coastline beyond. It's one of my favourite spots for watching the sun go down. 

I hope you enjoyed my guide to Malmö by the sea! 

Perhaps I'll see you here this summer? We so look forward to welcoming you if so – and hope you love it here as much as we do! 

Visiting in winter? Here's my guide.

If you've got any questions about anything, please do let me know below and I'll be happy to try to help. 

Niki

Ps I'll be back with a home tour very soon!