‘I visited Copenhagen but no one goes to this gorgeous hidden gem’ | Europe | Travel

Copenhagen, the capital and most  populous city of Denmark, is steeped in history and boasts stunning architecture. A mere two-hour flight from London, it’s brimming with delightful restaurants, shops and cafes.

However, when when journalist Sophie Harris sought to explore further afield, nothing particularly stood out until she discovered that Sweden was less than 30 minutes away. Sweden is renowned for its bustling cities like Stockholm, but Malmo, the country’s third-largest city, was relatively unknown to me. Situated at the eastern end of the impressive Öresund Bridge, Malmo is nestled in the far south of Sweden, with this long road and railway bridge connecting it to Copenhagen.

Intrigued by the prospect of visiting two countries in one trip, she bought her tickets and found herself in Sweden within half an hour.

After conducting some research, she made her way to Lilla Torg in the city centre, a charming cobblestone square teeming with cafes, restaurants and half-timbered houses.

Established in 1952 as a market square, it proved to be a picturesque spot to enjoy a drink and a bite to eat.

Malmo ranks among the top 10 cycling cities globally, and while she didn’t traverse the city on a bike, many others were doing so.

The city centre features an extensive network of bike lanes and scenic waterfront paths for sightseeing.

One notable landmark in the region is the Turning Torso, a neo-futurist residential skyscraper designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatrava.

Completed in 2005, it draws inspiration from one of his earlier sculptures named Twisting Toso, a white marble piece that mimics the form of a twisting human being and was the world’s first twisting skyscraper.

Other must-see attractions include the Disgusting Food Museum, Malmo City Library, St. Peter’s Church and Malmohus Castle.

The Western Harbour is another must-visit spot in Malmo, offering a respite from the city’s hustle and bustle.

It’s a short stroll from the city centre where locals enjoy a game of football on the grass, indulge in ice cream from local shops and take in the sea views towards Denmark.

Sophie said: “Sweden is also known for its famous sweets, known as Bubs, so I was sure to pick some up from the many sweet shops located in the centre.

“There was also a huge shopping centre full of well-known chain restaurants and shops, which was handy when looking for some supplies.

“Malmo was a gorgeous city to visit and with lots of green space, it didn’t feel like a city at all. I’d highly recommend making the trip over to Sweden if you do visit Copenhagen.”