NAME: Lynnea
CITY: Malmö
COUNTRY: Sweden
YEAR OF TRIP: (My whole life)
HOW LONG WERE YOU THERE? My whole family lives there – I visit twice a year
BEST TIME TO GO: Summer (Mid June through Mid August)
GREATEST CHALLENGE: Everything is pretty expensive because the exchange rate between the Swedish Krona and the US Dollar isn’t too great.
WHAT MAKES THIS PLACE SPECIAL? Swedish seasons are very extreme in terms of light – in the summer, there are nearly 18 hours of daylight, but in the winter there are only 6. Because of this, Swedes take full advantages of their summers, rarely working and spending all of their time outside. Sweden also has what has become known as Nordic Social Democracy, a governing system that boasts free healthcare, impeccable infrastructure, virtually no poverty, and some of the best public education in the world.
MUST EAT:
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Granden (beautiful outdoor courtyard to dine in, but only open seasonally)
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Bastard
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A Slice of Swedish Hospitality (allows tourists to dine at a local’s house)
MUST SEE:
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Gamla Stan (the “Old City”), namely Lilla Torg, a historic square with restaurants, bars, and cafes
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Turning Torso (the tallest building in Scandinavia)
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Moderna Musseet
MUST DO:
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Participate in the Swedish tradition of “Fika,” which is roughly the equivalent of a Spanish siesta but for coffee, pastries, and socializing for a few hours midday
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Go for a dip at Kallbadhuset at Ribbersborgs beach – a bar and café situated at the end of a pier where, in the nude, you are meant to alternate between swimming in the freezing cold ocean and relaxing in the sauna
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Have a picnic and wander around King’s Park
Other Recommendations: Bike around and explore (there’s 420 km of cycle paths throughout the city!), take a canal boat tour, take a day trip to Copenhagen (just a short train ride across the Oresund sound), catch a concert at Malmö Live (or just a drink at the beautiful rooftop bar!)