Sweden's location at the very top of the world and its roughly 2000 km long north-south axis, boasts an exceptionally wide variety of local climates and seasonal variation throughout the year. This provides visitors with a surprising diversity of natural and cultural wonders, including numerous World Heritage sites. Sweden is a genuine year-round holiday destination.

One can start from the top of the enchanted region of Lappland, where the snow-covered mountains and plains not only entice skiiers and mountaineers, but also houses the world famous Ice Hotel. Travelling toward the middle of Sweden, why not stop in Dalarna and visit Santa World, the home of Father Christmas and drop by the village of Nysnäs, the only place in the world where the symbol for Sweden, the Dalecarlian Horse, is manufactured. The archipelago of the royal city of Stockholm is beyond comparison and the Kingdom of Crystal in Småland, which was home to a large number of New World emigrants, is simply not to be missed.

There's so much to see and do that your only problem will be limiting your choices. Like a traditional Swedish smörgåsbord, you will have to make several trips back to make sure you've seen it all!

The first inhabitants of Malmö were fishermen and farmers. The name Malmö comes from the name Malmhauger, which roughly translated means "sand heaps". The actual City of Malmö came into being at the end of the 13th century. Malmö grew to become a vital commercial centre ruled alternately by Sweden, Denmark and the Hanseatic League.

In 1437, Erik of Pomerania granted the City of Malmö its own coat of arms, and this is still the official symbol of the city.

In the 16th century, Malmö was not only an important and prosperous city, but also part of the Kingdom of Denmark. The 1658 Roskilde peace treaty saw the end of Malmö's period as a part of Denmark, when Denmark ceded the county of Skåne to Sweden.

The modern development of the city dates from the late 18th century, when merchant Frans Suell took the initiative to construct a proper harbour in Malmö. Since then, the city has been growing steadily. In the course of the late 19th century, it became one of the most important industrial cities in northern Europe. The Kockums Shipyard was its main industry, together with a substantial textile and ready-to-wear market.

Today, Malmö is Sweden's third-largest city, with almost 260 000 inhabitants, and the commercial centre of southern Sweden. Older industries have been replaced by investments in new technology and training programmes of high calibre. Malmö University, which opened in 1998, is Sweden's latest venture in the field of higher education, accommodating some 15000 students.

The old city of Malmö is surrounded by a system of canals criss-crossed by bridges. The city centre offers a continental mix of old and new. Shops, restaurants, hotels and places of entertainment all have their part to play in the historic environment.
At Stortorget (the Main Square) you will find Malmö Town Hall, the 16th century home of the former Danish mayor Jörgen Kock, and the Kramer Hotel, which was built in the style of a French chateau. The equestrian statue, also in Stortorget, is of King Karl X Gustav, who made Malmö a part of Sweden. The majestic church of St Peter (St Petri) dates back to the 14th century and the days of the Hanseatic League.
Lilla Torg (the Little Square), with buildings dating back to the 1590s, boasts many beautifully restored houses as well as vibrant nightlife.
Kungsparken, Slottsparken and Pildammsparken are among some of the most beautiful parks in the country. Within walking distance of the city centre is Ribersborg beach, 2 km long and without equal in northern Europe.
The City Theatre, which boasts one of the largest stages in Europe, offers operas, musicals and ballet. Malmö has a high-class drama theatre, a number of successful private theatres and several flourishing free theatre groups.
The Malmö Symphony Orchestra is renowned throughout Europe, and Malmö Konsthall and Rooseum are both equally famous for their innovative and international art exhibitions. The new City Library was designed by famous Danish architect Henning Larsen and has already won two design awards.

Malmöhus Castle, an evocative moated fortress, can be found at the northern edge of Kungsparken and Slottsparken. Malmöhus is Scandinavia's oldest surviving renaissance castle, and a reminder of Malmö's Danish period.
Today, this building is home to the Malmö Museum.

A multicultural city
Perhaps it is the city's proximity to Denmark and Germany which gives Malmö a very special continental atmosphere. Or perhaps the many immigrants from Eastern Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Africa are what give the city its international touch. More than one in five residents in the city is of foreign descent.

From the open and typically Scandinavian city centre, it is just a five-minute trip by bus to the square of Möllevångstorget, where a completely different world awaits you. Every nationality is represented here. Visitors can buy food and different products from all over the world in the shops and at the market here.

The Malmö Festival
Every year in August, people of all nationalities gather to
celebrate the Malmö Festival. A week of festivities starts with an
enormous traditional Swedish crayfish party. Enjoy music, dancing,
poetry reading, theatre performances and food from all the corners
of the globe.