Christmas in Malmö 2024: Where to Find the Best Christmas Markets & Christmas Shopping
Get into the holiday spirit in the capital of Scania and find unique Christmas gifts to put under the tree | Hi! We're Alex & Victoria - a digital nomad couple from Copenhagen escaping 9-5 to chase adventures in our beautiful world. Learn more about us here. |
A magical time of year
Malmö is always a delightful city to visit.
The cosy streets, speciality shops and excellent food keep us coming back time and time again.
When living in Copenhagen, a day trip to Malmö is so easy and fun.
Malmö in December? Even better!
Whether you’re visiting from Copenhagen or staying in Malmö, we highly recommend embracing the Christmas spirit and perhaps picking up a unique Christmas present or two.
The snow was gently falling when we visited Malmö at the beginning of December, and although it didn’t settle, the Christmas spirit was enchanting.
The shops are beautifully decorated. Christmas trees and ornaments adorn the squares. And as darkness falls, it becomes clear that Christmas lights are everywhere throughout the streets.
Especially at Gustav Adolfs Square, where the Christmas market becomes the city’s central gathering place for gift shopping and festive cheer.
In this Christmas guide to Malmö, we share tips and ideas for Christmas markets, shops and cafés to visit during the holiday season.
Update 2024: Dates and opening times for the Christmas markets have been updated for November and December 2024.
Where to stay in Malmö?
- Budget: HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City – Centrally located hotel/hostel where you can choose between a double bed or a bunk bed if you want to save even more money.
- Value for money: Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House – Where we’ve personally stayed. A very nice, quirky hotel with a gym and sauna in Malmö’s most lovely area.
- Luxury: The Duxiana – Sleep in luxury beds from DUX. Probably the best hotel in town.
Search for the best and cheapest hotels in Malmö here.
Table of contents
Why visit Malmö for Christmas?
Christmas in Copenhagen is magical. Just check out our guide to the best Christmas markets in Copenhagen.
As Copenhageners, we still love visiting Malmö for Christmas though!
The shops offer a unique selection of special items and prices are generally much lower than in Denmark – particularly when it comes to clothing and food. This is especially true given the remarkably favourable exchange rate at the moment, where you can get 152 SEK for 100 DKK (as of October 2024).
Visiting Malmö on a day trip from Copenhagen is great if you want to combine (Christmas) shopping with exciting things to do in one of Sweden’s nicest cities.
We’re huge fans of doing our Christmas gift shopping in Malmö.
With the money we save, it feels like the trip pays for itself and we also enjoy a wonderful holiday experience that truly gets us into the Christmas spirit. It’s simply perfect!
It only takes 40 minutes to take the train from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station. If you get off at Triangeln Station, it only takes 36 minutes.
Before you know it, you’re in Sweden.
PS: If you’re already staying in Malmö, you should consider visiting Copenhagen as well – Christmas time or not.
Christmas markets in Malmö
The Christmas market at Gustav Adolfs Torg
Don’t miss the Christmas market at Gustav Adolfs Torg in the heart of the city.
Stalls are set up selling everything from pancakes and churros to Christmas trees, ceramics and annual calendars featuring adorable dogs.
The large square has been nicely decorated for the festive season with illuminated Christmas presents, hearts and stars hanging in the trees to create a magical atmosphere.
Update 2024: During Christmas 2024, the Christmas market at Gustav Adolfs Torg will be open from 28 November to 22 December, every Thursday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 18:00.
The Christmas market at Gustav Adolfs Torg is open:
- 28/11 – 1/12 (11:00 – 18:00)
- 5/12 – 8/12 (11:00 – 18:00)
- 12/12 – 15/12 (11:00 – 18:00)
- 19/12 – 22/12 (11:00 – 18:00)
Christmas in Folkets Park
Just a 15-20-minute walk from Gustav Adolfs Torg you’ll find Folkets Park (the People’s Park), which is seasonally adorned during Christmas season.
Here, you’ll find festive decorations and Christmas lights along with a skating rink where you can rent skates or bring your own.
The Christmas market in Sankt Gertrud
The Christmas market in Sankt Gertrud is a Christmas classic in Malmö.
Update 2024: In 2024, the Christmas market in Sankt Gertrud will take place on Saturday, 14 December, right next to Caroli Church, located on Östergatan – just a five-minute walk from Stortorget.
It is open from 10:00 to 16:00.
The event takes place under a tent, providing protection from any potential downpours.
PS: A Christmas market will also be held at Drottningtorget nearby on Saturday, 14 December, from 09:00 to 14:00.
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Other Christmas markets near Malmö
Several other Christmas markets in Scania are well worth a visit if you’re planning a Christmas trip to southern Sweden.
Christmas at Katrinetorp
Christmas at Katrinetorp (Julmarknad på Katrinetorp) is a Christmas market located a short 20-minute drive from Malmö in an old manor house.
Here, you’ll discover an abundance of Swedish delights and a variety of delicacies. The Christmas atmosphere is truly enchanting with beautiful decorations, a festive Christmas tree, engaging activities, music and much more.
Christmas at Katrinetorp typically takes place on one of the first weekends in December. A free bus service runs from Gustav Adolfs Torg in Malmö to Katrinetorp, departing every hour on the hour from Malmö and returning every half hour from Katrinetorp.
Update 2024: In 2024, Christmas at Katrinetorp will be held over the weekend of 6 to 8 December.
On Friday, the market is open from 11:00 to 19:00, while on Saturday and Sunday, it operates from 10:00 to 17:00.
Admission is 80 SEK for adults and children under 15 enter free of charge.
Kulturen in Lund
If you make the trip to nearby Lund (a charming city in southern Sweden that is definitely worth checking out), you might consider exploring the fantastic museum, Kulturen.
During the Christmas season, the museum focuses on the holiday’s historical context, featuring Christmas food, themed tours, storytelling and activities for all ages.
The Christmas market is usually held on the first Advent weekend.
Update 2024: In 2024, “Julstök med julmarknad” will take place at Kulturen in Lund during the weekend of 29 November to 1 December.
On Friday, the museum and market are open from 16:00 to 20:00, and on Saturday and Sunday, they are open from 11:00 to 17:00.
Admission is 160 SEK for adults, 110 SEK for students with a student card, and entry is free for children under 18.
Here is a link to the Christmas program.
Shopping in Malmö
We love shopping in Malmö.
While the main street is naturally quite commercial and features several chain stores, many of the shops and cafés have Swedish origins and blend seamlessly into the local atmosphere – for example H&M, Espresso House, Max Burgers, Granit, Naturkompaniet, Stadium, Filippa K, Indiska, Peak Performance, Tiger of Sweden etc.
In addition, both the main street and many side streets are lined with specialist shops that offer exceptional quality.
Here, you’ll find a range of smaller, emerging brands and independent stores showcasing exciting products.
Specific shops
The interior shops AB Småland and Granit are two places we always make a point to visit when we’re in Malmö. Both offer exquisite Christmas decorations and delightful gifts for others (and yourself, of course!).
LillaSkåne features unique, handmade Scanian products that make perfect Christmas presents, while the vibrant and imaginative bath bombs from LUSH are a treat for anyone with a bathtub.
Additionally, you can find delicious edible gifts like chocolate, liquorice, coffee, and tea.
The best cafés and restaurants in Malmö
The food scene in Malmö is amazing, and we’ve created a comprehensive food guide with the best cafés and restaurants in Malmö.
On a day trip, it’s impossible to sample all the wonderful places we’ve highlighted.
Fortunately, there are numerous excellent eateries in the area between Malmö Central Station and Triangeln Station – routes you’ll naturally traverse while exploring the shops along the main street and in the side streets.
Here are a few of our favourites:
Coffee and fika (the Swedish concept of enjoying a coffee and cake break together):
- Bageri Leve. The best croissants (and other baked goods) in Scandinavia, right by Triangeln station.
- AB Småland. Experience the Swedish fika atmosphere in aesthetic surroundings, where you can also purchase home goods, clothing and items for children.
- Lilla Kafferosteriet. A spacious, inviting café in the old town that serves excellent coffee.
- Espresso House. A Swedish coffee chain offering great coffee with a wide range of plant-based milk alternatives and tempting pastries (including several vegan options).
- Solde. Speciality coffee in the centre of Malmö.
Brunch and lunch:
- Café Holmgången. Brunch plate, lasagna, cakes and other tasty plant-based dishes.
- Farm2Table. Cosy café serving some of the best breakfast in the city (including scrumptious options like smoothie bowls and waffles).
- Hummusson. Hummus bar with great hummus, falafel and pita – perfect for a quick lunch.
- Vegegården. A fully vegan Asian buffet for those with a hearty appetite.
Dinner:
- Far i Hatten. Well-crafted pizzas served in the charming surroundings of Folkets Park.
- The Vegan Bar. Burgers and speciality beer with a hip atmosphere and loud music. Both Far i Hatten and The Vegan Bar are located a bit off the beaten path, but are well worth the trip.
- Bastard Burgers. Good burgers a little closer to the centre.
- Malmö Saluhall. A food market with many stalls near Malmö Central Station.
Transport to Malmö from Copenhagen
By train or bus
Trains and buses run to and from Malmö several times an hour all year round.
If you want to visit Malmö on a day trip from Copenhagen, you can travel from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station in approximately 40 minutes.
If you get off at either Hyllie, Triangeln or Malmö Central Station, you can use the Danish “rejsekort” (travel card). Just remember to check in and check out. Alternatively, train tickets can be bought at the train stations.
Buses, primarily FlixBus, can be more affordable than the train; however, the journey time from Copenhagen to Malmö is slightly longer (approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes).
By car
It’s easy to drive from Denmark to Malmö.
A quick trip over the Øresund Bridge and you’ll find yourself in the middle of the city before you know it. From Kastrup Airport, it takes less than half an hour.
There are plenty of central indoor parking facilities in Malmö. Prices typically range from about 150 to 200 SEK per day.
Where to stay in Malmö
We’ve visited Malmö on day trips from Copenhagen many times, and you can experience a lot of what the city has to offer (including several Christmas markets!) in just one day.
However, there’s something special about staying overnight.
It transforms your visit from a simple excursion into a memorable journey. Just one night can make all the difference.
If you’re looking for inspiration on where to spend the night in Malmö, check out our comprehensive guide on where to stay in Malmö with the best areas and best hotels.
Thank you for reading
We hope our guide to visiting Christmas markets in Malmö has been useful.
What are your thoughts on Malmö? Could you see yourself visiting for a Christmas trip?
If you haven’t been to Malmö yet, don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments! We are happy to help.
And if you’ve already visited Scania’s charming capital, we’d love to hear your best tips.
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