Day trip, or stay the night?
We absolutely love Malmö.
Ever since we got to know each other back in 2010, we’ve popped across the Øresund more times than we can count, and we still find new corners of the city to fall for.
From Copenhagen, you can squeeze a surprising amount out of Malmö on a day trip.
But if you’re coming from further afield, you want to explore all of the best things to do in Malmö or just fancy lingering over the amazing food a bit longer, we’d happily nudge you towards spending a night (or three).
In this guide to where to stay in Malmö, we’ll tell you about our favourite areas for solo trips, weekends with friends, romantic getaways and family adventures.
We’ll also share our pick of the best hotels in Malmö across every budget – from cheerful hostels to proper luxury.
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 stayed ourselves. A quirky, characterful spot with a gym and sauna in our favourite pocket of the old town.
- Luxury: MJ’s – Colourful and exclusive rooms in a cosy hotel near Lilla Torg.
Search for the best hotels in Malmö here.
Table of contents
Map of Malmö
Malmö is the third largest city in Sweden after Stockholm and Gothenburg.
The city is located in the southwestern part of Scania, very close to Copenhagen.
All you need to know about Malmö, Sweden, including what to do, when to visit, where to eat and where to stay
Read moreHow long should you stay in Malmö?
Before picking the best hotel in Malmö for your trip, it’s worth deciding how long you actually want to stay.
So, how many days do you need in Malmö?
For most people, it will be optimal to spend 2-3 days in Malmö. It really is a perfect weekend destination.
But how long you should stay in Malmö obviously depends on what you would like to experience, your travel style and your budget.
Here are our thoughts…
- 1 night in Malmö: With a single night in Malmö, you get to see and do so much more than on a day trip. Have dinner in peace, walk through the quiet streets in the evening and wake up with the city the next morning. It feels very different not to have to go home on the same day that you arrive, and the next day, Malmö already feels a little more homely.
- 2-3 nights in Malmö: With two or three nights in Malmö, most people will find that they can see all the sights they would like without any kind of stress. You can even consider spending half a day visiting Lund, Båstad or Helsingborg if you want to see more cities or go to Måkläppen Nature Reserve, Kullen or Söderåsen National Park if you need some more Swedish nature in your life.
- 4-7 nights in Malmö: Fortunately, there are enough exciting places to eat in Malmö to eat at a new, delicious place every night if you stay in the city for a week. In addition to being able to experience all of Malmö’s areas and highlights (including some of those that are not directly in the city centre), you also get to see quite a bit more of beautiful Scania.
Keep in mind that there’s a real difference between visiting Malmö in summer and winter.
In June, you can get almost 18 hours of daylight to explore the city, whereas in December, the days can be as short as 7 hours.
What to see and do on a day trip to Lund, Sweden + how to get there
Read moreThe best areas to stay in Malmö
The city is wonderfully walkable, but it still pays to think about where to stay in Malmö before you book.
Most visitors will be happiest based in Gamla Staden (the city centre), right in the thick of things – but each of the neighbouring areas has its own personality, and the “right” choice really depends on the kind of trip you’re after.
Below, we cover the best areas to stay in Malmö and include the best hotels in each neighbourhood.
The best areas to stay in Malmö:
- Gamla Staden – Malmö’s heart. A good area for all travellers.
- Gamla Väster – Cobbled streets and colourful houses in the centre. The best area for romantic trips.
- Möllevången – A very multicultural area. The best choice for a group of friends.
- Västra Hamnen – Malmö’s modern waterfront district. A nice neighbourhood for solo travellers and families.
Search for the best hotels in Malmö here.
Gamla Staden – Malmö’s heart
For most people who visit Malmö, Malmö is equal to Gamla Staden (“the old town”).
This is where you will find the city’s best shopping, most cafés and restaurants and a large part of Malmö’s attractions.
If you stay in Gamla Staden, you are in the middle of it all.
Everything is only a short walk away, and there are also several fantastic hotels to be found here.
The best hotels in Gamla Staden:
- Mayfair Hotel Tunneln – Nice, classic hotel right by Stortorget.
- Radisson Blu Hotel Malmö – Quiet accommodation in the middle of the Caroli district with organic breakfast.
- 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.
- Moment Hotels – Small double rooms by the canal in Gamla Staden serving good breakfast.
Search for the best hotels in Gamla Staden here.
Map of Gamla Staden
Gamla Väster – Cobbled streets and colourful houses in the centre
Gamla Väster is the western part of Malmö’s old town (Gamla Staden). Here you’ll find the city’s best location.
Gamla Väster is close to the leafy Kungsparken and Slottsparken, with most of Malmö’s restaurants and shops just a short walk away.
The charming cobbled streets become completely quiet in the evening and lay the perfect ground for romantic strolls.
Everyone will surely enjoy staying here, but Gamla Väster is particularly suitable for couples.
The best hotels in Gamla Väster:
- MJ’s – Colourful and exclusive rooms in a cosy hotel near Lilla Torg.
- Elite Hotel Esplanade – Spacious rooms in Malmö’s old market hall with exposed brick walls and an included breakfast buffet.
- Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House – A very nice (and quirky) hotel with a gym and sauna.
Search for the best hotels in Gamla Väster here.
Map of Gamla Väster
Möllevången – Multicultural area
The Möllevången neighbourhood is also just called “Möllan” by locals.
This is where you’ll really feel how multicultural Malmö is. People from more than 185 countries live here!
You’ll find food from every corner of the world in Möllan, alongside an energy that’s exhilarating one minute and a bit hectic the next.
If you want to party at the weekend, this is the perfect place to stay in Malmö for a trip with friends.
But if you’re staying a bit further back from Möllevångstorget, Möllevången is also perfectly fine for families who want to be close to Folkets Park and all the fun playgrounds and attractions there.
Something mostly everyone will be able to appreciate: The neighbourhood is known for being one of Malmö’s cheapest areas when it comes to both food and accommodation.
Search for the best hotels in Möllevången here.
Map of Möllevången
Västra Hamnen – Malmö’s modern waterfront district
Västra Hamnen (“the western harbour”) is located northwest of Malmö’s Central Station and is most famous for the iconic skyscraper Turning Torso.
Once a working harbour, today Västra Hamnen is one of Malmö’s most exclusive addresses with bold architecture and waterside cafés.
Sustainability is a top priority, and there are ample opportunities for swimming in the sea from Scaniabadet and Ribersborg Beach nearby.
The best hotels in Västra Hamnen:
- Story Hotel Studio Malmo – “Work, stay, play” big city atmosphere with a view over Malmö’s roofs.
- The More Hotel Västra Hamnen – Modern apartments with a kitchen and living room.
Search for the best hotels in Västra Hamnen here.
Map of Västra Hamnen
The 10 best hotels in Malmö
The overall quality of hotels in Malmö is high, and fortunately, the prices are not.
Even when exchange rates wobble, you tend to get excellent value for money in Sweden, and Malmö in particular feels generous compared with pricier Stockholm.
It’s also noticeably cheaper than Copenhagen, so much so that some travellers use Malmö as a base for exploring the Danish capital instead of the other way round.
Here are our personal picks for the best hotels in Malmö, from budget bunks to luxury accommodation.
Search for the best hotels in Malmö here (adlink).
The best luxury hotels in Malmö
- MJ’s – Colourful and exclusive rooms in a cosy hotel near Lilla Torg.
- Elite Hotel Esplanade – Spacious rooms in Malmö’s old market hall with exposed brick walls and an included breakfast buffet.
- Story Hotel Studio Malmo – “Work, stay, play” big city atmosphere with a view of Malmö’s roofs.
MJ’s – Colourful and exclusive
The city has many amazing hotels, but MJ’s (on Mäster Johansgatan in Gamla Väster) can rightly be said to be one of the best hotels in Malmö and probably the most exclusive.
It’s even listed in the Michelin Guide as a hotel.
The interior features dark tones, drapes, oversized sofas, tassels, heavy fabrics and carpets covered in flowers. About as far from Nordic minimalism as you can get.
We have to admit that we are far from being this creative and colourful in our own interior design at home. But we love the bold style!
Rooms have locally produced goodies like crisps, liquorice, chocolate and beer in the minibar, and breakfast is served under the atrium’s glass roof – it’s also locally sourced and organic.
It’s worth noting that MJ’s doubles as one of Malmö’s hottest social spots, with DJ sets making it a lively evening destination, but don’t worry, rooms have double doors that make them almost soundproof.
Check prices and availability at MJ’s (adlink).
Elite Hotel Esplanade – A brilliant spot by Lilla Torg
Just opposite MJ’s, on the same street, you’ll find another of the best hotels in Malmö: Elite Hotel Esplanade.
It’s a stone’s throw away from the cosy square, Lilla Torg, in the centre of Gamla Staden, just an 8-minute walk from Malmö Central Station and a quick stroll from Slottsparken and Malmöhus Castle in the other direction.
In other words, pretty much everything on your Malmö to-do list is on foot from the front door.
The building itself used to be Malmö’s old market hall, and several rooms have kept their original exposed brick walls.
Rooms are spacious and properly quiet (an underrated luxury), with air conditioning, Smart TVs, mini-bars and tea and coffee in the room. There’s even a pillow menu.
Spring for one of the extra-comfortable categories and you also get an espresso machine and turn-down service.
A breakfast buffet is included and served at the hotel’s restaurant Quan – an Asian-inspired spot that’s popular with locals, not just hotel guests. The buffet gets consistently good marks in reviews, and it has vegan options (something we always pay attention to).
Check prices and availability at Elite Hotel Esplanade (adlink).
Story Hotel Studio Malmo – part of JdV by Hyatt
When strolling through the charming streets and alleys of Malmö, you might not feel like you’re in a metropolis.
However, take a look over the rooftops from one of the rooms at Story Hotel Studio, and you suddenly realise that Malmö is far from being a small town.
In fact, it’s one of Sweden’s fastest-growing cities and a significant hub for innovation.
Story Hotel Studio is situated a short walk from Malmö’s Central Station in the Story building, which houses dozens of smaller creative businesses on its lower 10 floors.
The hotel occupies the top floors of the building, and at the very top on the 14th floor, you’ll find the sky bar with a spacious outdoor terrace.
Check prices and availability at Story Hotel Studio Malmo (adlink).
The best hotels with good value for money in Malmö
- 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.
- Radisson Blu Hotel Malmö – Quiet accommodation in the middle of the Caroli district in Gamla Staden with organic breakfast.
- The More Hotel Västra Hamnen – Modern apartments with a kitchen and living room.
- Mayfair Hotel Tunneln – Classic hotel right by Stortorget.
Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House – Where we have stayed
We have stayed at Hotel Noble House for a few nights while visiting Malmö and loved being right in the very centre of Gamla Staden.
Each room has a film theme – ours was “Pretty in Pink”, and the cinematic touch carries through the rest of the hotel.
We also enjoyed the small but well-equipped gym and the sauna after a rainy evening – both are free to use for hotel guests. Kids will love the fun area at the breakfast buffet.
A nice bonus: Hotel Noble House has been awarded the Nordic Swan Ecolabel for its sustainable practices.
Check prices and availability at Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House (adlink).
Radisson Blu Hotel Malmö – Quiet accommodation with organic breakfast
With a fantastic location in one of the quiet parts of Gamla Staden, the Radisson Blu Hotel in Malmö is a perfect place to stay for couples on a weekend break or families looking for a high-quality hotel room.
You’ll find a gym, organic breakfast from Saltå, air conditioning in the rooms and much more.
Check prices and availability at Radisson Blu Hotel Malmö (adlink).
The More Hotel Västra Hamnen – Modern apartments close to the water
If you like the idea of having your own space rather than a standard hotel room, The More Hotel is a brilliant option for where to stay in Malmö.
It’s close to bathing facilities and the centre of the city, and it’s reasonably priced.
Each apartment comes with a balcony, parquet floors, a fully equipped kitchen and a dining area, which makes it particularly good value for families or anyone planning a longer stay who doesn’t fancy eating out for every single meal.
Free coffee, tea and hot chocolate are available around the clock, and there’s also a sauna, fitness centre, garden and terrace on site.
The laundry facilities are free and easy to book. A useful touch that most hotels quietly charge a fortune for.
The overall vibe is calm and residential rather than a busy hotel lobby, which is either exactly what you want or not really your thing – worth keeping in mind before you book.
Check prices and availability at The More Hotel Västra Hamnen (adlink).
Mayfair Hotel Tunneln – A classic hotel by Stortorget
The location in Gamla Staden right by Stortorget means that you are only a few steps from the heart of Malmö with everything you could want in terms of culture, shopping and restaurant and café life.
Opt for one of the small double rooms with a 140 cm bed (cosily narrow for two adults, but doable), and you get a lot of hotel for your money.
Deluxe double rooms with bigger beds are also on offer.
Check prices and availability at Mayfair Hotel Tunneln (adlink).
The best budget hotels in Malmö
- HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City – Centrally located hotel/hostel with the option of either a double bed or a bunk bed.
- Moment Hotels – Small double rooms by the canal in Gamla Staden serving good breakfast.
- Good Morning+ Malmö – A nice place to save some money on accommodation if you don’t mind there being ~2 kilometres to the centre.
HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City – Budget-friendly hotel/hostel
If you are looking for a cheap place to stay in Malmö with a great, central location (right next to our favourite cafe Farm2Table, favourite bakery Leve and favourite shop AB Småland!), you should consider staying at HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City.
There are both budget double rooms (with and without private bathrooms) and dormitories with bunk beds, so it’s a good option for solo travellers or friends travelling together.
Check prices and availability at HOTEL N Hostel Malmö City (adlink).
Moment Hotels – Small double rooms in Gamla Staden
With a nice location right by the canal in Gamla Staden (very close to Malmö Central Station), you get a solid, albeit small, double room for a relatively low price at Moment Hotels.
Check prices and availability at Moment Hotels (adlink).
Good Morning+ Malmö – A slightly out-of-the-way location at a good price
With a location on the other side of Pildammsparken, Good Morning+ Malmö is just 2 kilometres away from the city centre.
If you don’t mind the added transport time (the stroll through the park is actually very pleasant), you get a nice room for your money here.
Check prices and availability at Good Morning+ Malmö (adlink).
Everything you need to know about finding the most delicious vegan and vegetarian places in Malmö, Sweden
The best places to stay near Malmö Arena
The 3 best hotels in Malmö near Malmö Arena:
- Best Western Malmo Arena Hotel – Comfortable rooms, modern facilities and easy access to the arena.
- Quality Hotel View – Also a really good option. The two hotels are quite similar and are located only 500 metres apart. From here the view is perhaps a little better.
- Good Morning+ Malmö – Located in Södervärn, halfway between Malmö Arena (a 10-minute bike ride away) and the city centre of Malmö, Good Morning+ offers a more budget-friendly accommodation option.
Search for the best hotels near Malmö Arena here.
Staying in Copenhagen for events at Malmö Arena
With less than a 15-minute train ride from Copenhagen Airport to Malmö Arena, staying in Kastrup (by the airport) or in the centre of Copenhagen is a viable accommodation option indeed.
The journey between Hyllie (where Malmö Arena is located) and Copenhagen Central Station only takes approximately 30 minutes.
Malmö is a wonderful city. However, if accommodation options in Malmö are fully booked or if you simply prefer to stay in Copenhagen, it’s certainly a good choice as well.
Search for the best hotels at Copenhagen Airport here or in the centre of Copenhagen here (adlinks).
Everything you need to know about sparkling Stockholm, including what to do, where to eat and our top tips
Read moreHow to get around Malmö
Malmö is really compact and it is easy to walk to everything.
It is also a very bike-friendly city, and we borrowed two bikes on one of our visits.
Most of the time we just walked, but the bikes came in handy when we wanted to get to a restaurant faster or for example get to the area around Västra Hamnen, which is otherwise about 30 minutes of walking from Gamla Staden.
We haven’t used it that much ourselves, but the public transport system in Malmö is great and easy to use.
Everything you need to know about Helsingborg in Sweden, including what to do, where to stay and our best tips
Read moreHow to get to Malmö
Trains and buses run to and from Malmö several times per day all year round as the city has good connections to other large cities in Sweden and to Copenhagen in Denmark.
If you want to travel to Malmö from Copenhagen, you can travel from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö Central Station in approximately 40 minutes.
Buses from Copenhagen (mostly Flixbus) can be a little cheaper than taking the train. The journey time is about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
If you’re flying in, you can get to the centre of Malmö in just about 20 minutes from Copenhagen Airport.
From Stockholm, the train ride is a bit longer at about 5 hours.
Forests, cliffs, streams and panoramic views from Kopparhatten
Read moreOur best tips for visiting Malmö
- Drink tap water. The water quality in Malmö is excellent.
- Walk around. Malmö is a very compact city and walking from one place to another is often the best option.
- Explore the parks. The parks in Malmö are great places to unwind and breathe fresh air.
- Bring layers – even in summer. The city is right by the sea and can feel surprisingly windy along the waterfront or the beach.
- Eat falafel. The falafels in Malmö are known to be the best in Sweden.
- Don’t forget fika. Having a cup of coffee and something sweet is a great way to spend the afternoon.
- Pay by card everywhere. Sweden is famously cash-light, and many places barely handle cash anymore.
- Take it slow. Malmö is a place to relax and enjoy life at a slower pace.
- Check opening hours on Sundays. Shops, cafés and even some attractions may open later on Sundays or be closed for the day, so it’s worth checking opening hours in advance.
- Stay at least one night in Malmö. While day trips are enjoyable, spending the night offers an entirely different, and often even better, experience of the city. It allows you to immerse yourself in the local culture and appreciate all that Malmö has to offer.
FAQ about where to stay in Malmö
Here are some of the questions we get most often about where to stay in Malmö – and our honest answers, based on more than a decade of popping across the Øresund.
If your question isn’t here, drop us a note in the comments, and we’ll happily help.
Where is the best area to stay in Malmö?
For most visitors, the best area to stay in Malmö is Gamla Staden – and ideally the western pocket of it, Gamla Väster (adlinks).
You’re right in the middle of everything with cobbled streets, the city’s best restaurants and Kungsparken all on your doorstep. If you only have a night or two, this is where we’d send you.
Is Malmö safe?
Yes – Malmö is a safe city for visitors, and we wouldn’t keep coming back with our children if we felt otherwise.
Like any city of its size, it has neighbourhoods with social challenges, but these are well outside the areas you’d ever stay or sightsee in as a tourist.
Stick to Gamla Staden, Gamla Väster, Västra Hamnen or central Möllevången, and you’ll be completely fine, day or night.
Is it better to stay in Malmö or Copenhagen?
Honestly, both are wonderful, and it depends on what you’re after.
If you want a smaller, calmer, more affordable base with great food and easy access to Copenhagen (just 40 minutes by train), Malmö is a brilliant choice.
If you’re prioritising Copenhagen’s bigger sights and don’t mind paying more, stay there.
The lovely thing is that you really can do both: many of the best hotels in Malmö cost noticeably less than their Copenhagen counterparts, and the train hops back and forth all day.
How many days do you need in Malmö?
Two to three days is the sweet spot for most people.
One night already gives you a completely different feel for the city than a day trip does: you get a quiet evening stroll and a slow morning.
With two or three nights, you can comfortably tick off all the sights, eat your way through Malmö’s excellent food scene, and even squeeze in a half-day in Lund or Helsingborg.
Is Malmö expensive?
Not as expensive as you might fear.
Compared with Stockholm or Copenhagen, Malmö is a noticeably more affordable city – both for hotels and for food.
You can find lovely places to stay for mid-range prices, and even the best hotels in Malmö tend to come in cheaper than equivalent properties across the bridge.
Where is the best area to stay in Malmö for families?
We’d point families towards Västra Hamnen or the quieter edges of Gamla Staden (adlinks).
Västra Hamnen has space to roam, the seaside baths at Scaniabadet and lovely modern apartment hotels with kitchens, which makes life with little ones much easier.
If you want to be closer to playgrounds and Folkets Park, the calmer streets of Möllevången (adlink) work well too.
Where should I stay in Malmö for nightlife?
Möllevången (adlink) – no contest. It’s Malmö’s most multicultural neighbourhood with bars, music venues and late-night food spilling out around Möllevångstorget.
It can get lively at weekends, so if you’d like the buzz without sleeping right above it, pick a hotel a few streets back from the square.
What is the best hotel in Malmö?
The best hotel in Malmö really depends on what you’re after. MJ’s (adlink) is the most creative and design-forward option with bold, colourful rooms in the heart of Gamla Väster.
Elite Hotel Esplanade (adlink) mixes elegant rooms (some with exposed brick from the old market hall) with an excellent restaurant downstairs.
Best Western Plus Hotel Noble House (adlink) is where we’ve personally stayed and loved – quirky film-themed rooms in a lovely Gamla Väster location, with a small gym and sauna thrown in.
And if you’d rather have a kitchen and a bit more space, The More Hotel Västra Hamnen (adlink) offers modern apartments close to the water. Any of the four would make for a brilliant stay.
What is the best luxury hotel in Malmö?
For a proper splash-out stay, we’d point you towards Elite Hotel Esplanade, MJ’s or Story Hotel Studio Malmo (adlinks).
Elite Hotel Esplanade is the most classically elegant, with exposed-brick rooms by Lilla Torg and a popular restaurant on site. MJ’s is the boutique, design-led pick – bold and colourful and one-of-a-kind, also near Lilla Torg.
Story Hotel Studio Malmo sits high above the central station, with wonderful rooftop views and a sky bar on the 14th floor.
Is it worth staying overnight in Malmö?
Absolutely – and we’d argue it’s the single biggest upgrade you can make to a Malmö trip.
Day-trippers see the sights; people who stay overnight get the quiet evening streets, the slow morning fika and the sense that Malmö is a proper destination rather than just a side-quest from Copenhagen.
Thank you for reading about where to stay in Malmö
We hope that our guide to the best hotels in Malmö has been useful.
Do you know where to stay in Malmö when you visit? Which neighbourhood feels like the best one for you?
If you’ve been (and especially if you’ve stayed a couple of nights!), it would be great to hear your top tips.
If you haven’t been to Malmö yet, don’t hesitate to ask us anything in the comments! We are happy to help.
Our favourite travel resources:
- Booking.com for hotels and apartments.
- Momondo for the best flight deals.
- AirHelp for flight delay compensation.
- GetYourGuide for great tours everywhere.
- Airalo for reliable eSIM.
- Discover Cars for transparent car hire.
- SafetyWing for travel insurance. We also like True Traveller. Compared here.
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