Not a generic “top 10” guide, but places we actually go ourselves – for fika, good food, beach days and easy day trips around southern Sweden.
We live in Malmö and this list is not based on rankings or paid placements. These are simply places we like and often recommend to guests. Some are right in the city; others are worth half a day or a full day with a car.
Opening hours, access and seasonal rules can change, so we link directly to the relevant business or official visitor information where possible.
When friends visit and we want to show them an easy, very Malmö kind of afternoon, we often combine Västra Hamnen with Ribersborgsstranden – usually just called “Ribban” locally.
Walk along the waterfront in Västra Hamnen, continue towards the beach and stop by the sea if the weather is good. Ribban is not a remote nature beach, and that is part of the charm: the sea, piers and open space are right next to the city.
For an easy plate of Swedish meatballs, we like Spoonery. It is not a formal restaurant experience – more the kind of straightforward lunch or dinner we would happily choose ourselves.
If you would rather have several options in one place, try Malmö Saluhall. The food hall has different traders and small eateries under one roof, which works especially well when everyone wants something different.
For a long breakfast, a really good bun or simply excellent coffee, these are our favourites depending on the mood.
Great for breakfast, pastries or when a coffee break is allowed to turn into a longer one.
Open website ↗ BakeryA reliable stop for bread, cardamom buns and cinnamon buns.
Open website ↗ Sourdough · BakeryA small bakery near Värnhem, especially good if you like sourdough and handmade baking.
Open website ↗ Our coffee pickIf the quality of the coffee is the main thing, this is where we would start.
Open website ↗If you want more dramatic scenery, drive towards Mölle and Kullaberg. Skåne suddenly becomes rocky here, with cliffs, sea views and walking trails around the tip of the peninsula.
We would not over-plan the day. Explore Kullaberg, walk for a while, then continue to Mölle or the coast around Skäret and leave some time simply to stop wherever the view looks best.
Stenshuvud National Park is one of our favourite suggestions for a full day towards Österlen. You get forest, open scenery, viewpoints across Hanö Bay and lovely stretches of beach below the hill.
It combines nicely with Kivik or another stop in Österlen, but Stenshuvud is also enough for an unhurried outing on its own.
At the far south-western tip of Skåne lies Måkläppen, a protected nature reserve and an important resting area for harbour and grey seals. In the right season it can be a very special winter outing – but the protection rules matter.
You do not have to travel far from Malmö to get sand under your feet. Which one we would choose mostly depends on how much of the day you want to spend by the sea.
The easiest choice if you want city and beach on the same day.
Info ↗ North of MalmöA broad sandy beach that works well for an easy half-day by the sea.
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A long sandy beach and the feeling of a proper seaside holiday day.
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Fine pale sand and, for us, one of the loveliest beach stops when you are visiting Österlen.
Info ↗If you still need somewhere to stay, Penny's Lodge is our detached guesthouse in Malmö – with a private sauna, kitchen, patio and free parking.
Västra Hamnen from Ribersborg: Johan Jönsson (Julle), CC BY-SA 4.0 · Malmö Saluhall: Lars A, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Fika: Johannes Jansson / norden.org, CC BY 2.5 DK · Kullaberg: David Castor, CC0 · Stenshuvud: Fish-guts, Public Domain · Måkläppen: Zaki Habibi, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Falsterbo: Nils Raabe, CC BY-SA 4.0 · Sandhammaren: Jorchr, CC BY-SA 3.0 / GFDL. The source files are linked next to the relevant images.
