Located in the South of Sweden and less than an hour away from Copenhagen airport, you’ll find Malmö, Sweden’s own “little Berlin”. Most people who visit Malmö for the first time spend half their time trying to figure out where they should actually stay and what neighborhoods they should visit. Even though the city is small, Malmö’s neighborhoods have completely different vibes. So, choosing the right area matters a lot depending on what you’re looking for. This guide breaks down the parts of Malmö that make sense for travelers, what each area is really like, and who they fit best. It should save you a lot of guessing. Below are the Malmö neighborhoods that are worth considering for a short-stay.

Malmö is a lot more compact than its neighbor, Copenhagen, and a lot less intimidating too. Everything you need as a visitor probably sits around Gamla Staden, Lilla Torg (otherwise known as Lilla). Davidshall, or Möllan.

Gamla Staden

Gamla Staden is Malmö’s old town (which is also a direct translation). It’s known for its classic Scandinavian streets, abundance of cafés and restaurants on every block, beautiful squares, and its proximity (5-7 minutes walk) to Malmø’s central station. If you want everything at your doorstep from museums to churches to restaurants and bars, this is the most practical (and fanciest) area to stay in.

Davidsall

Right beside the city center, you will find Davidshall, a lovely neighborhood in Malmö that is calm, stylish, and a little bit artsy without trying too hard. The streets are lined with amazing restaurants from all over the world, small cafés, wine bars, vintage stores, and independent boutiques. Here you will get that “nice to walk around” feeling without the tourist crowding you get in the old town. The trade-off here is that the evenings can feel quiet and there’s not as many attractions at your doorstep as you would find in the old town.

Västra Hamnen  

Next on the list of Malmö’s neighborhoods is Västra Hamnen, known for its clean, quiet, and modern vibes, and ocean views. It’s perfect for families, visitors who want quiet, ocean views, scenic walks, and sunsets. It’s also worth mentioning that Västra Hamnen is more “visit worthy” in the summer. The cons of staying in Västra Hamnen is its lack of nightlife, its distance from the city center (25-30 minutes walk), and basically the lack of life in the evening.
 

Möllan  

On the far end of the spectrum from the quiet life in Västra Hamnen is Möllan, originally a working class neighborhood that has since transformed into an alternative, multicultural and hip area. Möllan is chaotic, crowded, full of life, and impossible to ignore. In Möllan, the food is cheap, the bars stay open late, and the music is loud. While Möllan might not be as pretty or polished as the center of Malmö, this is the place to be if you are looking for energy.  

Limhamn  

The last neighborhood on our list is Limhamn, the charming coastal neighborhood known for its stunning views of the Oresund bridge where you can watch the ships go by and enjoy the sunsets. The neighborhood is known for the local Swedish cuisine and the fresh seafood restaurants. If you’re in Malmö during the summer, and you’re into sailing, fishing, or other water activities, Limhamn could be the place for you if you don’t mind being a bit outside the center.  

Summary

 Choosing the right neighborhood in Malmö comes down to the kind of trip you are looking for. Some neighborhoods are calm and polished while others are loud and buzzing with life. At the end of the day, the city is small enough that you can walk almost everywhere and all these neighborhoods are worth checking out, even if it’s only for an afternoon. If you prefer being in the city center with cafés, restaurants, and the old town at your door step, check out our available rooms and suites at Hotel TwentySix.