Where is Malmö Located? Complete Sweden Map & Guide 2025

Where Is Malmö Located in Sweden?

Malmö is located in southern Sweden, in Skåne County, along the Öresund Strait. As Sweden’s third-largest city, Malmö sits just 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Copenhagen, Denmark, making it a unique gateway between Scandinavia and continental Europe. The city’s strategic coastal position has shaped its identity as a vibrant, multicultural hub where Swedish tradition meets international influence.

With approximately 350,000 inhabitants as of 2023, according to official statistics, Malmö combines the charm of historic architecture with modern sustainability initiatives. Whether you’re planning a visit or simply curious about where Malmö is on a map, this guide will help you understand the city’s geographical significance and how to reach it.

Southern Sweden in Skåne County

Malmö is situated in Skåne län (Skåne County), Sweden’s southernmost region. This location places the city closer to continental Europe than to Sweden’s capital, Stockholm, which lies approximately 610 kilometers (380 miles) to the northeast. Skåne is known for its flat, fertile agricultural land and mild climate—distinctly different from the forested landscapes typical of central and northern Sweden.

The Öresund Strait, a narrow body of water separating Sweden from Denmark, defines Malmö’s western border. This geographical feature has historically made Malmö a key trading port and cultural crossroads. Today, it’s part of the integrated Öresund Region, which includes Copenhagen and surrounding areas, creating one of Scandinavia’s most dynamic economic zones.

Close to the Danish Border

Malmö’s proximity to Denmark cannot be overstated. The city lies directly across the Öresund Strait from Copenhagen, Denmark’s capital. Since the opening of the Öresund Bridge in 2000, which spans 8 kilometers (5 miles) connecting Malmö to Copenhagen, the two cities have become increasingly intertwined. Thousands of commuters travel daily between the countries, and visitors can easily explore both cities in a single trip.

This cross-border integration has created unique opportunities for business, culture, and tourism. The Öresund Bridge serves both rail and road traffic, making travel between Malmö and Copenhagen quick and convenient—the train journey takes just 20 minutes.

Exact Coordinates and Distances

Malmö’s precise geographical coordinates are approximately 55.6050° N latitude and 13.0038° E longitude. This coastal position puts the city at the crossroads of major Scandinavian routes. Here are key distances from Malmö to other major cities:

Understanding Malmö on a Map

Visualizing where Malmö is located helps travelers plan their journey and appreciate the city’s strategic position. Malmö sits at the southwestern tip of Sweden, making it an ideal starting point for exploring both Scandinavia and northern Europe.

Visual Map Overview

When looking at a map of Sweden, Malmö appears in the very southern portion of the country, in the region known as Skåne (Scania). The city forms part of the Öresund coastline, with the strait separating it from the Danish island of Zealand. To the east lies the Baltic Sea, while to the north and northeast, the Swedish countryside extends toward Gothenburg and Stockholm.

Interactive maps show that Malmö’s location makes it part of a larger metropolitan area that transcends national borders. The Öresund Region encompasses both Malmö and Copenhagen, creating a binational urban area with nearly 4 million inhabitants combined.

Distance to Nearby Cities

Understanding Malmö’s position relative to other cities helps with trip planning. The city serves as a natural hub for exploring southern Scandinavia:

• Lund – 20 km northeast; a historic university town accessible in 10 minutes by train
• Helsingborg – 65 km north; a coastal city with ferry connections to Denmark
• Ystad – 65 km southeast; a charming medieval town with ferry links to Poland
• Trelleborg – 30 km south; a port city with ferries to Germany and Poland

These proximity advantages make Malmö an excellent base for exploring the region, whether you’re interested in Swedish culture, Danish attractions, or European travel.

The Öresund Bridge on the Map

The Öresund Bridge is one of Malmö’s most defining geographical features. This combined road and rail bridge-tunnel connection extends from Malmö’s western suburbs to the Danish coast, passing through an artificial island called Peberholm (Pepper Island) before continuing as an underwater tunnel to Copenhagen Airport.

On a map, the bridge appears as a direct link between Sweden and Denmark, symbolizing the integration of the two countries. Opened in 2000, this engineering marvel handles approximately 70,000 vehicles daily and has transformed regional travel patterns. The bridge has made travel between Malmö and Copenhagen seamless, fostering economic cooperation and cultural exchange.

Historical Significance of Malmö’s Location

Malmö’s coastal position has defined its history for centuries. Originally part of Denmark until 1658, the city’s location made it a crucial trading port and military stronghold throughout the medieval and early modern periods.

Historic Background

Founded in the late 13th century, Malmö quickly became one of Scandinavia’s most important cities due to its harbor and strategic position on the Öresund Strait. During the Danish period, Malmöhus Castle was built in the 16th century as a fortress to defend Danish territories. The castle, which still stands today as a museum, represents the military significance of controlling this coastal area.

After Sweden gained control of Skåne in 1658 through the Treaty of Roskilde, Malmö became Sweden’s gateway to Europe. The city’s port facilitated trade between Sweden and the continent, contributing to its growth as an industrial center in the 19th and 20th centuries.

Economic Development and Growth

Malmö’s location continues to drive its economy. According to recent statistics, the city’s Gross Regional Product (GRP) reached 240.2 billion SEK in 2022, representing a 54.7% increase since 2016 in real terms. This growth reflects Malmö’s transformation from an industrial port city to a modern knowledge economy hub.

The opening of the Öresund Bridge accelerated this transformation. Today, Malmö benefits from its position in the integrated Öresund Region, attracting international companies, startups, and students. The city is home to Malmö University, numerous tech companies, and a thriving creative sector—all capitalizing on the advantages of being located between two countries and cultures.

Tourist Attractions Shaped by Location

Malmö’s geographical position has created unique tourist attractions. The waterfront area, particularly the Western Harbour (Västra Hamnen), showcases sustainable urban development with the iconic Turning Torso—Scandinavia’s tallest building—dominating the skyline. From here, visitors can see across the Öresund to Denmark on clear days.

Key attractions that reflect Malmö’s location include:

• Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) – A 16th-century fortress turned museum, showcasing the city’s defensive heritage
• Ribersborg Beach – A popular seaside destination with views across the strait toward Denmark
• Turning Torso – A modern architectural landmark in the sustainable Western Harbour district
• Old Town (Gamla Staden) – Historic cobblestone streets and squares reflecting Malmö’s medieval past

If you’re wondering what to do in Malmö, the city’s coastal location offers everything from beach activities to cultural experiences in historic settings.

How to Get to Malmö

Malmö’s strategic location makes it accessible by multiple transportation methods. Whether you’re traveling from elsewhere in Sweden, Denmark, or other European countries, reaching Malmö is straightforward.

By Train and Car

Train travel to Malmö is efficient and comfortable. Sweden’s national rail operator, SJ, runs frequent high-speed trains (X2000) connecting Malmö to Stockholm (4.5 hours), Gothenburg (3 hours), and other Swedish cities. The city’s central station (Malmö Centralstation) is modern and well-connected to local public transportation.

For travelers from Copenhagen, the Öresund trains (Öresundståg) run every 20 minutes during peak hours, making the journey between Copenhagen and Malmö quick and convenient. These trains also stop at Copenhagen Airport, allowing direct airport-to-city connections.

By car, Malmö is accessible via the E6 motorway running along Sweden’s west coast and the E20/E22 from Stockholm. The Öresund Bridge toll for passenger cars is approximately 62 EUR one-way (2025 rates), though prices vary by vehicle type and payment method.

By Air

While Malmö has a small regional airport (Malmö Airport/Sturup), most international visitors use Copenhagen Airport (CPH), located just 30 minutes from Malmö by train. Copenhagen Airport is one of Scandinavia’s largest hubs, offering flights to destinations worldwide. The direct train connection makes it effectively Malmö’s international airport.

From Copenhagen Airport, take the Öresund train directly to Malmö Central Station—no need to enter Denmark proper. This seamless connection is one of the key advantages of Malmö’s location.

Getting to Malmö from Copenhagen

The Copenhagen-Malmö connection deserves special attention due to its frequency and ease. Options include:

• Train – Departures every 20 minutes during daytime; 35 minutes from Copenhagen Central Station to Malmö
• Car – Drive across the Öresund Bridge; approximately 40 minutes depending on traffic
• Bus – Budget option with services like FlixBus; takes about 1-1.5 hours

Many visitors to the region choose to stay in Malmö due to generally lower accommodation costs compared to Copenhagen, while easily accessing both cities’ attractions.