Malmö vs Lund — Which Copenhagen Day Trip Is Right for You?

Planning a day trip from Copenhagen into Sweden often comes down to one question: Malmö or Lund? Both cities sit just across the Øresund Bridge, less than an hour away by train, and both offer a completely different experience.

Malmö is Sweden’s modern, coastal hub, a city of striking architecture, busy parks, and cheap falafel. Lund, by contrast, feels like stepping back in time, with its medieval cathedral, cobblestone streets, and vibrant university atmosphere.

But which one is the better choice for you? That depends on what kind of traveler you are, and this guide breaks it all down so you can make the call. If you’re still planning your time in the Danish capital itself, don’t miss my Copenhagen budget travel guide.

Quick Facts — Malmö vs Lund at a Glance

If you don’t feel like reading through an entire guide, here’s the Malmö vs Lund showdown in one table. Both are easy day trips from Copenhagen, but the vibe couldn’t be more different.

Category	Malmö	Lund
Travel time from Copenhagen	~35 min by train (first stop after Øresund Bridge)	~50 min by train (just 15 min past Malmö)
Vibe	Modern, coastal, foodie, architecture	Historic, academic, charming, cozy
Highlights	Turning Torso, Ribersborg Beach, Malmö Castle	Lund Cathedral, University, Botanical Garden
Best for	Urban explorers, food lovers, coastal walks	History buffs, culture seekers, café lovers
Budget rating	Cheaper eats (falafel, street food)	Cafés & museums (slightly pricier vibe)
Crowds	Larger, busier city (pop. ~350k)	Small, relaxed town (pop. ~95k)

How to Get from Copenhagen to Malmö and Lund

Getting to Sweden from Copenhagen couldn’t be easier — the Øresund Bridge makes both Malmö and Lund simple, quick day trips.

• By Train (DSB/Öresundståg):
  • Trains leave from Copenhagen Central Station every 20–30 minutes.
  • Malmö is the first stop in Sweden (~35 minutes).
  • Lund is just 15 minutes further (~50 minutes total).
  • Tickets cost around €12–15 one-way (cheaper if booked in advance or with return option).
• Tickets & Tips:
  • Buy tickets at Copenhagen Central or via the DSB app.
  • Bring your passport or ID — there are occasional border checks.
  • If you’re visiting both cities in one day, it’s often cheapest to buy a Copenhagen ↔ Lund return ticket, since Malmö is on the same line.
• Other Transport Options:
  • Buses are slightly cheaper but slower and less frequent.
  • Driving is possible, but parking in both cities can be tricky and expensive.

Budget Tip: Stick to the train. It’s the fastest, stress-free option, and if you plan to visit both cities in one day, you only pay a few extra euros compared to stopping in Malmö alone.

Why Visit Malmö?

If you’re considering a Malmö day trip from Copenhagen, the shift in atmosphere is immediate. Copenhagen feels polished and pricey, while Malmö comes across as younger, more multicultural, and a lot easier on the budget. When I stepped off the train at Malmö Central, I noticed the change right away, fewer tourists, more local energy, and food options that were refreshingly affordable for Scandinavia.

So, is Malmö worth visiting? I’d say yes, especially if you want a modern city that mixes architecture, food, and seaside walks. It won’t wow you with medieval history (that’s Lund’s territory), but it makes up for it with its international vibe and coastal setting.

Architecture & Modern Vibe

Malmö’s skyline is dominated by the Turning Torso, once Scandinavia’s tallest building (until it was passed in 2022 by Gothenburg’s Karlatornet). I walked out to see it up close, it’s bizarre, almost surreal, twisting above the residential waterfront. The city center mixes cobblestone squares like Lilla Torg with practical modern design, giving it a contrast that Copenhagen doesn’t really have.

Food Scene on a Budget

This is where Malmö beats Copenhagen hands down. Often called the falafel capital of Sweden, the city’s Middle Eastern food is both cheap and delicious, my wrap cost under €5, a fraction of what you’d pay for a snack back across the bridge. Beyond falafel, Malmö’s multicultural population brings variety: kebabs, bakeries, and Asian street food sit right alongside trendy coffee shops and organic markets. For budget travelers, this is where Malmö really delivers.

Parks & Coastal Walks

One of Malmö’s biggest draws is how quickly you can escape the city feel. I walked along Ribersborg Beach, a long strip of sand that locals use for swimming, walking, or just sitting with takeaway. The nearby Kungsparken and Slottsparken are perfect for a break in the green, with Malmö Castle and its canals giving you a dose of history without the crowds.

My take: Malmö doesn’t have the fairy-tale charm of Copenhagen or the history of Lund, but it felt alive, diverse, and refreshingly affordable. If food, architecture, and a seaside vibe sound like your kind of day trip, Malmö is absolutely worth it.

Why Visit Lund?

If Malmö is Sweden’s modern hub, Lund is its historic heart. On paper, Lund looks small, about 95,000 permanent residents, but with nearly 45,000 students at Lund University, the city often feels like it has double the population. That student presence gives Lund an energy you’d never expect from such a compact place.

I had the advantage of exploring Lund with a friend who lives there, which meant seeing more than just the postcard spots. Instead of only walking around the cathedral and old town, I got a taste of how locals actually use the city: cycling everywhere, cramming for exams in cafés, and hanging out in the botanical gardens on sunny days.

So, is Lund worth visiting from Copenhagen? Absolutely. If you like history, culture, and the cozy feel of a European university town, Lund has more than enough to justify the short train ride.

Historic University Town

Lund University, founded in 1666, is one of Scandinavia’s oldest, and its influence is everywhere. The Lund Cathedral (Domkyrkan), with its astronomical clock and medieval crypt, is the city’s centerpiece. Walking through the campus and its historic buildings reminded me of Oxford or Salamanca: courtyards, centuries-old lecture halls, and endless bikes parked outside. My local friend explained how the university calendar shapes the rhythm of life, the city feels busiest when classes are in session.

Quaint Streets & Cafés

Wandering Lund’s narrow cobblestone streets is an experience in itself. The houses are low and colorful, flowers spilling from windows, giving the city a small-town warmth. We stopped in student cafés where bottomless coffee refills kept everyone working late into the evening — a tradition that makes Lund’s coffee culture feel different from Copenhagen’s polished, trend-driven scene. With a friend guiding me, I got to skip the touristy main square spots and head into tucked-away cafés where the regulars were all students.

Culture & Green Spaces

For its size, Lund packs in plenty of cultural stops. The Kulturen open-air museum recreates Swedish village life with historic houses you can actually step inside, and it was far less crowded than Stockholm’s Skansen. The Botanical Garden is another highlight, my friend swore by it as the best place in summer to bring snacks, sit under the trees, and spend a lazy afternoon. Between the cathedral, museums, and gardens, Lund blends history and relaxation in a way that feels very different from Malmö’s urban edge.

My take: Lund felt intimate, walkable, and steeped in history. Thanks to having a local friend, I got to see both the classic sights and the everyday student life that gives the city its personality. If you’re after medieval charm, university energy, and cozy cafés, Lund is absolutely worth the trip.

(For more, check Visit Lund or Lund University’s visitor guide.)

Malmö vs Lund — Which Day Trip Should You Choose?

If you only have time for one day trip from Copenhagen, the choice comes down to what kind of experience you’re looking for. Both cities are under an hour away by train and both are easy to explore on foot, but the vibe couldn’t be more different.

• Choose Malmö if…
  • You want a bigger city feel (population ~350,000).
  • You’re into modern architecture like the Turning Torso.
  • Food is a priority — Malmö is famous for its cheap and delicious falafel and multicultural eats.
  • You’d like to pair sightseeing with a walk on the beach or through wide city parks.
• Choose Lund if…
  • You prefer a historic, small-town atmosphere (95,000 residents + 45,000 students).
  • You want to see Sweden’s most important Romanesque cathedral.
  • You’re drawn to cobblestone streets, cafés, and university life.
  • You like museums and gardens, Kulturen and the Botanical Garden are easy highlights.

My recommendation: While Malmö has its strengths, I’d choose 1000% choose Lund. It’s one of the most beautiful small cities I’ve visited, full of charm, history, and student-town energy that makes it unforgettable. Comparing it to Malmö really doesn’t do it justice.

Malmö vs Lund Costs Compared

One of the biggest advantages of crossing into Sweden from Copenhagen is price. While Sweden isn’t “cheap” by global standards, both Malmö and Lund are noticeably easier on the wallet than Denmark’s capital. Here’s how the two stack up:

• Transport
  • Trains cost the same whether you stop in Malmö or continue to Lund — around €12–15 one-way.
  • If you’re visiting both, buy a return ticket to Lund and hop off in Malmö first. It’s the most cost-efficient way to cover both cities in one day.
• Food
  • Malmö: This is where your budget stretches furthest. It’s known as Sweden’s falafel capital, and I paid under €5 for a wrap that kept me full all afternoon. With its multicultural food scene, Malmö has plenty of cheap takeaway options.
  • Lund: Food leans more toward student cafés and sit-down spots. Prices are still lower than Copenhagen, but less of a steal than Malmö. Expect €8–12 for a light meal or €3–4 for a regular filter coffee (bryggkaffe), often with free refills, a common Swedish café tradition known as påtår.
    
• Attractions
  • Malmö: Most highlights are free — the waterfront, Turning Torso views, and parks. Entry to Malmö Castle is about €4.
  • Lund: The cathedral is free, the botanical garden is free, and Kulturen open-air museum costs about €10.
• Overall Daily Budget
  • Malmö day trip: ~€30–40 (train, meals, and maybe one attraction).
  • Lund day trip: ~€35–45 (train, meals, plus a museum or café stops).

Budget Tip: Do your eating in Sweden. Groceries and casual meals in Malmö or Lund are cheaper than in Copenhagen, so there’s no need to stock up before crossing the bridge.

FAQs — Malmö vs Lund Day Trips

Malmö vs Lund Verdict

So, Malmö vs Lund: which Copenhagen day trip is right for you? Both cities are under an hour away and both offer very different experiences. Malmö is bigger and more modern, with multicultural food and seaside parks. Lund is smaller but historic, with cobblestone streets, a medieval cathedral, and the lively buzz of a student town.

For me, the answer is Lund. It’s one of the most beautiful small cities I’ve visited — intimate, historic, and full of character. If you have time, visit both, but if you’re choosing just one, Lund is the city that left the bigger impression.

If you’re heading to Norway next, check out my budget guide to Oslo.

Related Posts

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• How to Survive Copenhagen on a Budget
• Gothenburg in November: 5 Things No One Tells You (But Should)
• 3 Days in Stockholm in November (Solo Travel on a Budget)