City in Skåne County, Sweden
Malmö
Multicultural, bike-friendly city across the bridge from Copenhagen, with cheaper rent, great falafel and a relaxed waterfront. Gang violence in some districts and gray winters are the trade-offs.
At a glance
- Safety4/5Safe with normal careDetails
- Monthly budget$1,890–2,790Comfortable, one person · kr19,000–28,000Details
- Value for money45/100Better value than 44% of places we coverDetails
- Best time to goMay–SepWarmest: Jul, 21°CDetails
- Air quality9 µg/m³PM2.5 annual average (2020) · Fairly cleanDetails
- Internet196 MbpsFixed broadband, Sweden medianDetails
- Tap waterYes, drinkableExcellent tap water; refill freely and ask for free tap water in restaurants.Details
- LGBTQ+5/5Very welcomingDetails
- Solo travel4/5English: spoken almost everywhereDetails
- Doctor's visit$80–149Private clinic, without insuranceDetails
- Getting aroundUberWalkable centerDetails
- Cash or cardPractically cashlessPractically cashless: cards and Swish work everywhere; some cafés and kiosks do not accept cash.Details
Where to stay in Malmö
Areas visitors base themselves in.
| Area | Good for |
|---|---|
| Möllevången | Cheap eats, bars and multicultural street life; lively |
| Davidshall and Old Town | Central, near the station, cafés and Lilla Torg |
| Västra Hamnen | Modern waterfront, beaches and Turning Torso views |
| Limhamn | Quiet seaside suburb; calmer and good for longer stays |
Apps that work in Malmö
Ride-hailing
- Maps: Google Maps
- Messaging: WhatsApp, Messenger
- SL: Stockholm transit tickets and journey planner
- SJ: Train tickets and seat bookings
- Taxis: Taxis set their own prices and can be pricey; check the fare before setting off. Buses and bikes cover most trips.
Cash, cards and tipping
What to carry and how to pay. Money in Sweden.
- Practically cashless Practically cashless: cards and Swish work everywhere; some cafés and kiosks do not accept cash.
- Currency: Krona (SEK). US$1 ≈ kr10.04 on 03 Oct 2026.
- ATMs: ATMs (Bankomat) are scarce but usually add no local fee; avoid Euronet and decline currency conversion.
- Tipping: Not expected. Rounding up or 5–10% for good table service is common; nothing at counters.
- Paying by phone: Apple Pay and Google Pay work everywhere; Swish needs a Swedish bank account and BankID, so visitors can't use it.
Before you go
Visa and entry
- Schengen member: non-EU visitors give fingerprints and a face photo to the Entry/Exit System (EES) on first entry.
- ETIAS pre-travel authorisation isn't required yet and has no confirmed start date; check the EU site before you fly.
Emergency numbers
Police 112 · Ambulance 112 · Fire 112 · All emergencies 112
Plugs
Type C, F · 230 V, 50 Hz. Do I need an adapter?
SIM and eSIM
Comviq and Lycamobile prepaid SIMs sell at Pressbyrån, 7-Eleven and supermarkets; EU roaming rules apply to EU SIMs. eSIMs work for visitors.
More places in Sweden
Going to Malmö solo?
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Sources
Prices are SoloSquare estimates; climate, air, safety and visa figures come from the sources listed. Compiled and reviewed by SoloSquare. How we compile and score this. Spotted something out of date? Tell us.