The heart of Malmo lies in its oldest public square, a historical centre with free Malmo Festival cultural events in summer.
Stortorget is the historical centre of the Old Town and the oldest square in the city. It has some of Malmo’s most significant buildings and hosts many cultural events. The square is dotted with the outdoor dining terraces of numerous cafés and restaurants. The square dates back to 1536, when it was built by former major Jorgen Kock. At the time, it was among the largest city squares in Northern Europe.
Heritage architecture and half-timbered houses are located around the square and make for fantastic photo opportunities. Check out the Malmo Town Hall and its intriguing Dutch Renaissance façade, which features notable characters from Malmo’s history, such as Jorgen Kock himself. The Apotetek Lejonet, a 19th-century building and heritage pharmacy, is located nearby. Visit the equestrian monument, dedicated to King Karl X Gustav, in the square’s centre. According to legend, this king was behind the liberation of Sweden’s southern Skane region from Denmark.
Take a seat in an outdoor café and admire the surrounding architecture. Enjoy a beer or a mulled wine from the heated open-air dining area and take in the atmosphere until well into the evening. Try some Swedish cuisine, like veal burgers, seafood or stuffed cabbage.
The Malmo Festival makes Stortorget come alive in August. See art displays, trapeze classes and exhibitions on sports. The full program can be found online, on the Malmo Festival website. In winter, visit the public ice-skating rink that opens in the square. Hire out skates for a small fee and skate around the rink, lit by twinkling fairy lights and holiday decorations.
Walk to the square’s southern border to Sodergatan Street. This pedestrian pathway is lined with shops, bars and cafés and leads to Gustav Adolfs Torg.
Stortorget is located in Malmo’s Old Town in the city centre. The square is just 5 minutes’ walk from Malmo Central Station. Parking is available on the square for a small fee, or take advantage of the Old Town’s convenient pedestrianised streets.
