Category Archives: Sightseeing

A scenic road-trip along the Swedish south coast – 2025

Earlier this spring, Saturday 29 March, I had the pleasure of taking three visiting friends from India, Gowtham, Mohan and Sanath. on a road trip along the south coast of Skåne, to share a few glimpses of Swedish culture and nature, and to enjoy good conversations along the way.

We began our trip at Emporia [1], one of the largest shopping centers in Scandinavia with around 180 shops and restaurants. The modern architecture, with its stunning curved glass entrances – an amber-colored and a blue, is designed by Wingårdh Architects and opened in 2012.

The Emporia rooftop viewpoint offering panoramic views of Malmö and the Öresund Bridge. The viewpoint sits at approximately 65 meters above sea level and providing a beautiful view, in clear weather 🙂

First stop on the trip was Skanör [2] and Falsterbo [3], 34 km southwest from Malmö. These two idyllic seaside towns are known for their white sandy beaches and pastel-colored beach huts that only the locals, living in the municipality, can buy for around 200.000 SEK. Many are also inherited, to keep in the family.

“It was super cold during the first couple of days—too cold for an Indian like me! But by the time of the trip, I had adjusted enough that Sanath and I even walked into the beach water and took a few photos. Luckily, it was a sunny day, which made things better.” (Mohan)

The area was once a bustling medieval trading hub, today, these towns are a tranquil escape, offering some of Sweden’s finest beaches, birdwatching opportunities, and even a touch of luxury.

In the area you also find Falsterbo Golf Club, one of Sweden’s oldest golf courses, established in 1909, offering a fantastic course with beautiful views.

Falsterbo Horse Show that each summer hosts one of the world’s most prestigious equestrian events.

Sweden’s oldest nature reserve, Måkläppen Sanctuary, open for visitors between 1 November – 31 January. Here you can enjoy bird watching and and wild seal spotting.

Continuing eastward along the scenic coastline, we reached Smygehuk [4] (47 km from Malmö), the southernmost point of Sweden and the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.

The area features Smygehuk Lighthouse that dates back to 1883. During the summer months, there are lots of activities – music, art, culture, and shopping. The winter offers clean, crisp air, spectacular sunsets.

The viewpoint Utkiken is a platform that marks the southernmost point in Sweden, from which one can see Köpmansmagasinet, dating from the early 19th century. Rumor has it that it was once a smuggler’s nest during the Napoleonic Wars. There is a signpost pointing to places such as Berlin, Copenhagen, Stockholm, and the North Pole.

We enjoyed lunch at Sweden’s southernmost café, Café Smyge, with their famous prawn sandwich,

“Lunch at Café Smyge was something new—I couldn’t really figure out the food, but it was interesting! Luckily, we found some Indian food in the evening. I was happy—spicy food always hits the spot.” (Mohan)

After lunch we followed the coastline to Ystad Saltsjöbad [5], about 65 km from Malmö. This elegant luxurious spa resort offers a charming and classic Newport-style experience with sea views, delicious food, and a relaxing spa. The resort has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and is situated just 20 meters from the sea, providing an excellent location for a getaway.

Ystad itself is famous for its medieval streets and as the setting for Henning Mankell’s Wallander crime novels.

Our final stop along the south coast was Ales Stenar [6] (80 km from Malmö), a 1,400-year-old Viking stone ship located on a hill overlooking the sea. Composed of 59 massive boulders weighing up to 5 tonnes each, this mysterious monument is one of Sweden’s most fascinating historical sites. Whether it was used as a burial ground or a solar calendar remains a mystery, but the view from here is breathtaking, especially at sunset.

“At Ales Stenar, the sea view was beautiful. Me and Sanath climbed down from Kåseberga ridge to the seashore and caught a peaceful sunset while walking on the stones near the water.” (Mohan)

Returning to Malmö, we ended our journey at Möllevångstorget [7], a lively square in the heart of the city. Known for its fruit and vegetable market, this area is a melting pot of cultures, packed with international grocery stores, Middle Eastern bakeries, and Asian supermarkets. It’s also home to some of Malmö’s best restaurants, including Kontrast, an Indian eatery serving rich, aromatic curries and flavorful tandoori dishes. My Indian guests approved the authenticity of the dishes 🙂

Gowtham’s “Top 5 things that stood out”:

The roads were smooth, well-maintained, and there was barely any traffic. Everyone followed traffic rules, which made driving feel super calm and safe. Definitely a big contrast to the usual chaos we’re used to back home.
Parking was super easy and organized, with proper spots everywhere. No random squeezing into tight spaces or stressful searches like in India.
Since we were mostly in the countryside along the south coast, it was really quiet and not crowded at all. Most places had very few people around, which made the whole trip feel super relaxed.
The weather was a bit chilly, but overall it was nice. The air felt fresh and clean, and there was zero pollution.
The beaches we stopped by were really well-kept, with clean surroundings and crystal clear (and freezing!) water. Everything just felt very well-maintained and natural.

Mohan’s story:
“Overall, it was a really chill and refreshing experience—very different from the usual road trips in India.

I felt a bit anxious when I landed in Denmark since it was my first foreign trip, but also excited—the air was so fresh and welcoming, I felt like I had stepped into a European movie set.

The Sweden trip was a surprise! Gowtham bro casually told me and Sanath that we could go on a road trip with Ingo, and I was instantly in. I was already hoping to see the Danish countryside, so I was happy we were actually doing a road trip through peaceful, scenic routes.

It was super cold during the first couple of days—too cold for an Indian like me! But by the time of the trip, I had adjusted enough that Sanath and I even walked into the beach water and took a few photos. Luckily, it was a sunny day, which made things better.

I had stopped beach walking and hiking recently back home because of the crowds and poorly maintained spots. But here, it was the opposite—clean beaches, quiet roads, and no traffic. I even picked a few seashells and small stones for my girlfriend—she finds those things cute, and I didn’t want to return empty-handed!

At Ales Stenar, the sea view was beautiful. Me and Sanath climbed down from Kåseberga ridge to the seashore and caught a peaceful sunset while walking on the stones near the water.

Lunch at Café Smyge was something new—I couldn’t really figure out the food, but it was interesting! Luckily, we found some Indian food in the evening. I was happy—spicy food always hits the spot.

And finally, shoutout to Ingo—our 63-year-old young friend who drove more than 300 km like a pro. His energy was amazing. I hope I have that kind of enthusiasm when I reach his age!

I didn’t get much time to explore agricultural practices in Denmark and Sweden, which I’m actually interested in – but hopefully next time.”

Final thoughts
This road trip showcases the diversity of Skåne, from picturesque villages, golden beaches and ancient Viking landmarks to vibrant city culture and mouthwatering cuisine. Whether you’re a nature lover, history buff, or foodie, the southern coast of Sweden offers something special for everyone.

See previous posts about sightseeing in Skåne:

Copenhagen Sightseeing: Metro M4 -> Harbor Bus -> Reffen

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M4 Metro Line Copenhagen Central Station to Sydhavn

Many people use the Metro on a daily basis and at M4, that was inaugurated in June 2024, the passengers get the opportunity to experience integrated contemporary art as part of the metro stations Havneholmen, Enghave Brygge, Sluseholmen, Mozarts Plads and København Syd. The artist group SUPERFLEX, the artists Pernille With Madsen, René Schmidt, Christian Schmidt-Rasmussen and Henrik Plenge Jakobsen have been chosen for the art commissions at the stations. The artworks were selected by the Danish Arts Foundation through a competition. The works are supported through donations from the Danish Arts Foundation, VILLUM FONDEN and The Obel Family Foundation.

Each station tells a story through its artwork, reflecting themes of time, space, geology, and water. For instance:

Havneholmen Station. The familiar elements of the Metro – information screens, clocks, benches and travel card stands, have been attached to the walls and ceiling, seeming to defy gravity. In addition. Some clocks at the station run unpredictably, the hands turning at different speeds and moving forward and back, creating a flexible sense of time.
Enghave Brygge Station incorporates elements inspired by the area’s maritime heritage, blending history with modern aesthetics.
Sluseholmen Station showcases works that evoke the fluidity and movement of water, a nod to its proximity to the harbor.
Mozarts Plads Station surprises passengers with vibrant, playful designs that celebrate the community spirit of the Sydhavn neighborhood.
Copenhagen South Station combines minimalist elegance with thought-provoking pieces that invite contemplation.

So, whether you’re a local resident or a visitor exploring Copenhagen, the M4 Metro line offers more than just a ride—it offers a journey through the heart of a city that values innovation, culture, and community.

Harbor Bus Journey from Teglholmen/Sydhavn to Reffen

Copenhagen is a city best experienced from the water. With its canals, harbors, and seamless integration of modern life with maritime history, there’s no better way to explore than by hopping on the Harbor Bus. This floating public transport system offers a unique and scenic alternative to the Metro, bus or bike, and one of the most charming routes is the journey from Teglholmen in Sydhavnen to Reffen – Copenhagen’s famous street food market.

The journey begins in Teglholmen, a rapidly developing district in Sydhavnen (South Harbor). Once an industrial area, it has transformed into a lively mix of modern canal-side apartments, creative spaces, and waterfront cafés. The area is still evolving, with a blend of old maritime charm and sleek new architecture. As the harbor bus sets off, you glide past floating homes and small houseboats.

Shortly after departure, the boat passes Sluseholmen, sometimes called Copenhagen’s Little Venice. The district is built on artificial islands, with narrow canals weaving between colorful townhouses. Inspired by Dutch canal cities, it has a cozy, almost intimate atmosphere, making it one of the most picturesque stops along the way.

Further along, the boat reaches Islands Brygge, a very popular spot in summer. The Harbor Bath is an open-air swimming area, buzzing with locals taking a dip in the clean harbor waters. The area also has parks, cafés, and plenty of space for people to relax by the waterfront or maybe rent an electric Go Boat.

Langebro is one of Copenhagen’s main harbor bridges, linking Christianshavn and the city center. The current version, built in 1954, replaced older bridges dating back to the 17th century. Known for its bascule (drawbridge) design, it still opens for ships passing through.

As the harbor bus moves closer to the city center, passing the Black Diamond – a modern extension of the Royal Danish Library. Its sleek, angular black glass façade reflects the water, creating a dramatic contrast to the historic buildings nearby. A symbol of Copenhagen’s architectural blend of old and new, this is a must-see from both land and water.

Opposite the Black Diamond, the Circle Bridge (Cirkelbroen), designed by Ólafur Elíasson and opened in 2015, is a piece of urban art. The bridge consists of five circular platforms with masts and cables inspired by sailing ships. It was built to improve pedestrian and cycling connections across the harbor. Its swing bridge design allows boats to pass, making it both practical and dynamic. Instead of a straight path, the circles encourage people to slow down and enjoy the view, blending art, function, and history.

The striking BLOX building, home to the Danish Architecture Center (DAC), opened in 2018. Designed by OMA (Office for Metropolitan Architecture), BLOX is a bold, modern structure housing exhibitions, co-working spaces, cafés, and Denmark’s hub for urban innovation.

Knippelsbro, one of Copenhagen’s most iconic bridges, connects Christianshavn with the city center. The current version, built in 1937, replaced earlier bridges dating back to 1618. Designed by architect Kaj Gottlob, it features two distinctive green copper-clad towers, which house the bridge’s machinery and were once home to bridge keepers.
Knippelsbro can open to let ships pass through, maintaining its role in Copenhagen’s maritime life. Today, it’s a key cycling and traffic route, offering stunning views of the harbor.

Soho House Copenhagen opened 2023, is located in a former ferry terminal and customs house built in 1937, is a stylish members’ club. With a rooftop pool, bar, restaurant, and event spaces, it has quickly become a hotspot for Copenhagen’s artists, designers, and entrepreneurs.
Before becoming Soho House Copenhagen, the building was once the ferry terminal for the high-speed boats between Malmö and Copenhagen. For years, these ferries provided a quick connection across the Øresund before the Øresund Bridge opened in 2000.

Inderhavnsbroen opened in 2016, connects Nyhavn with Christianshavn, making it easier for cyclists and pedestrians to cross the harbor. Nicknamed the Kissing Bridge because its two halves meet in the middle, it has faced some technical challenges but remains a key shortcut in Copenhagen’s cycling network.

Nyhavn, the iconic and colorful harbor front, lined with historic buildings and wooden ships. You get a glimpse of one of Copenhagen’s most photographed locations. The atmosphere is lively, with people enjoying drinks, food, music, and the general buzz of this historic port area.

Built in 2008, the Royal Danish Playhouse (Skuespilhuset) is a waterfront theater next to Nyhavn. With its dark oak interiors and a long wooden promenade stretching over the water, it’s a prime spot for theater lovers and sunset watchers alike.

Ofelia Plads, once a ferry terminal, has been transformed into a public space for concerts, art installations, and harbor swimming. Located next to the Playhouse, it offers a relaxed urban vibe with a spectacular view of the Opera House.

Opposite Skuespillehuset and Ofelia Plads, is Papirøen (Paper Island), once known for its street food, art spaces, is now revitalized with new architecture by COBE. The design incorporates gabled roofs and textured brick facades, echoing historic warehouses while providing modern housing and public spaces with rooftop gardens, community squares, and a focus on sustainability.

The Copenhagen Opera House (Operaen) officially opened 2005, was designed by Danish architect Henning Larsen and funded by the A.P. Møller Foundation, which donated it as a gift to the Danish people. The Opera House is one of the most modern in the world, featuring cutting-edge acoustics, a massive cantilevered roof, and an interior adorned with gold leaf and Sicilian marble. Next to the Opera you find a nice park with a café.
The Opera House also hosted the Red Bull Cliff Diving World Series multiple times, where elite divers leap from the roof, plunging 27 meters into the harbor.

Holmen – once a naval base, now home to arts institutions like the Danish Film School—offers a quiet contrast to the city’s bustling core.

The journey ends at Refshaleøen where you find Reffen,

Reffen – Copenhagen’s Creative Street Food and Culture Hub

Reffen officially opened in May 2018, to replace Papirøen (Paper Island), the city’s original street food market, which closed in 2017. After the success of Copenhagen Street Food on Paper Island, there was a strong demand for a new creative and food-centered destination.

Reffen has since become Copenhagen’s famous street food and cultural hub. Once a shipyard, this industrial space has been transformed into a lively area with around 50 different food vendors, bars, and creative workshops. The stalls serve everything from Danish smørrebrød to Thai street food, Italian pizza, Indian curries, and locally brewed craft beer.

Next to Reffen you find Urban Rigger and CPH Village – cool, sustainable student housing.
Urban Rigger – Designed by Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG), this floating student housing project repurposes carbon-neutral shipping containers, with harbor views, rooftop terraces, and eco-friendly heating.
CPH Village – A sustainable container village designed to foster community living, with compact, affordable housing that minimizes environmental impact.

Whether you like to visit Reffen for a gourmet burger, a locally brewed beer, or just to enjoy the urban beach atmosphere, this is the perfect place to end your harbor adventure after the harbor bus trip from Teglholmen, a way to experience Copenhagen from a new perspective. The mix of modern and historic, urban and maritime, makes this journey a perfect reminder of why Copenhagen is one of the world’s most livable cities.

Street art of Funchal, Madeira

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The history of the painted doors and murals in Funchal, the capital of Madeira, is an intriguing reflection of the island’s rich cultural heritage and the mix of different influences over the centuries.

You find many of the doors and murals along the narrow, cobbled streets of Zona Velha (the old town). One of the most distinctive features is the artistic and decorative style, a reflection of both European traditions and local craftsmanship. Many doors feature wooden panels carved with motifs inspired by Madeira’s natural environment – palm leaves, vines, and flowers.

In the late 20th century, a vibrant street art project was born here, when local artists and residents decided to transform the old, weathered doors of the houses into canvases. Today, these painted doors tell a different kind of story: one of modern creativity, community, and resilience. The project, known as the Arte Portas Abertas (Open Doors Art), has become a symbol of Funchal’s identity. Artists use the doors to express everything from abstract designs to scenes of daily life, and even political or social commentary. The area has become an open-air gallery, that open not just to homes, but to the stories of Madeira itself.

[See also Hiking on Madeira]

Hiking Skåneleden Kullaberg 2024

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Kullaberg is a rocky peninsula, located in northwestern Skåne, along the Kattegat coast, just a 1.2-hour drive north of Malmö. This area is famed for its stunning landscapes, dramatic cliffs, rich biodiversity, and world-class hiking opportunities.

After obsessively watching the weather forecast for days, I decided to tackle the Skåneleden Trail on Thursday, 25 July. This summer’s weather has been wildly unpredictable, but my decision paid off — the conditions were perfect.

The natural beauty and diverse landscapes of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve include winding pathways of trails with lush, towering beech forests, fascinating caves and dramatic coastline views.

Just outside the charming village center of Mölle, there is a free parking lot for hikers. The trail starts right next to a chapel, next to the parking lot. Following the orange and blue markers for the north coast.

The first goal, after some serious uphill effort, was Håkull, Kullaberg’s highest point at 187 meters above sea level. The panoramic view from the top is extraordinary, making the challenging hike up (and down) well worth it.

Next detour from the orange trail led me to Josefinelust Beach, named after King Oscar 1’s wife, Josefina, who fell in love with its beauty during a visit in 1865. This area doesn’t have a beautiful pebble beach; it’s also home to some of the caves this area is known for. Note: The path down and up is very steep, with a “stairway” providing some much-needed assistance.

At the very tip of the Kullaberg Nature Reserve stands the key landmark — Kullens Lighthouse. It’s one of the oldest and most powerful lighthouses in Scandinavia, having “Saved lives since 1561.” The current structure, built in the late 19th century, houses a museum and observation deck with fantastic panoramic views. Nearby, the Kullaberg Naturum Visitor Centre offers fun activities and engaging nature and animal exhibitions. One quirky feature was a cigarette voting box asking, “Which animal keeps it cleanest at home: Badger or human male?” 🙂 Another exhibit showcased birdhouses with various items and information on how long these items take to decompose in nature.

While exploring, my Garmin watch ran out of juice. I put it in my pocket with a power bank to charge, but after a kilometer or so, I noticed it was missing. Retracing my steps, I found it! Some kind soul had placed it on a rock in plain sight. Huge thanks to that awesome person!

The trail from the lighthouse back to Mölle, along the south side of the peninsula, is marked with red signs alongside Skåneleden’s orange markers. This section offers more coastal views than the forest trail on the north side.

Next, I reached Ransvik Beach, once notorious as a “stronghold of sin” because it was the first place in Sweden where men and women swam together.

After roughly 15 km, I arrived at the charming fishing village of Mölle. At the end of the pier in the small harbor, I treated myself to a well-deserved dinner at Systrarna på piren, enjoying a fantastic view of the village, sea, and sunset.

Difficulty: Varies from easy to challenging, with some (very) steep and rocky sections.
Terrain: Coastal cliffs, dense forests, meadows, and rocky shores.
Trail Markings: The Skåneleden Trail is well-marked with orange signs and information boards. North trail is marked blue and south is marked red.
Best Time to Visit: Spring and summer are the most popular seasons, with mild weather and longer daylight hours. Autumn also offers beautiful foliage and fewer crowds.

For maps and inspiration, check out Kullabergs Natur

Road-trip along the Swedish south coast, 2024

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The 9 June 2024, I had the great pleasure to guide my friends and colleagues Jinu and Shiva on a road trip along the south coast of Sweden. According to the calendar it was summer but unfortunately that was not the reality this day, 11 degrees and showers.

Starting at Hyllie train station and Emporia shopping center that offer a rooftop viewing platform from where you have great view over Hyllie, Öresund bridge and Malmö.
Skanör and Falsterbo are twin towns. In the Middle Ages, these towns were significant centers of the herring trade, drawing merchants from across Europe. Skanör, known for its fortress and market, and Falsterbo, with its vibrant harbor, thrived due to the abundant herring in the surrounding waters. As the herring stocks dwindled in the late Middle Ages, the towns’ prominence declined. Today, Skanör and Falsterbo are renowned for their picturesque landscapes, historic buildings, and popular beaches, attracting visitors seeking a blend of history and natural beauty.
Falsterbo beach
Smygehuk is a harbour and fishing village located at Smygehamn. It is the southernmost point of Sweden and the entire Scandinavian Peninsula. The area features the Smygehuk Lighthouse, stony beaches, and during summer, it offers various activities including music, art, culture, and shopping. We had lunch at Sweden’s southernmost café, of course a prawn sandwich.
Ystad Saltsjöbad, is a luxurious spa resort. It offers a charming and classic Newport-style experience with sea views, delicious food, and a relaxing spa. The resort has a rich history dating back to the 19th century and is situated just 20 meters from the sea, providing an excellent location for a getaway (sorry, no pictures)
Kivik is a center for Swedish apple cultivation, thanks to its pleasant climate. The region is especially beautiful when the apple orchards bloom in May. Kivik is also known for its apple market, a harvest festival that celebrates Swedish apples and features unique apple art made from colorful apples. The market usually takes place in September and includes a variety of activities and displays.
Kivik Musteri is a family-owned farm and production facility with a history dating back to 1888. It’s known for its extensive apple orchards with over 70 varieties of apples. You can enjoy the museum, guided tours of the orchard, learn about apple cultivation, and explore the production workshop. The farm also has a shop where you can buy locally produced juices, ciders, wines, and other preserves.
Vitemölla, is a tranquil seaside village. It is home to the Vitemölla Badhotell, a historic seaside hotel built in 1913.
Malmö Kalkbrott, also known as Limhamns kalkbrott, is a unique place in Malmö and one of the landmarks. It is a former industrial limestone quarry that has now become a nature reserve managed by the city of Malmö. The area is approximately 1300 meters long, 800 meters wide, and 65 meters deep. Rumor says that the cement in the foundation of the Jesus figure in Rio de Janeiro comes from Limhamn.
Lernacken is a mostly artificial cape located in the Öresund, the sound between Denmark and Sweden. It is situated in the southwest of Malmö, between the suburbs Bunkeflostrand and Limhamn. The area is largely devoid of vegetation, with sparse areas of shrubs and small trees. It’s a notable spot for biking trips and offers great views of the Öresund Bridge starting point. Especially popular viewing point at sunset.

Amsterdam 2023

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Mickey and I visited Amsterdam 28 August to 1 September. This is some of the things we did… Enjoy 🙂

The sights on Google Map

Photo “heatmap’

Day 1
Flight KLM to Schipol Airport. Sprinter train to Centraal Station. Smart that we could use our Visa card as travel pass on the public transport. Checked in at Eden Hotel. Nice hotel with good location. Small shop for snacks and drinks, bar and pool table (free).

Walkabout: Dam square, Anna Franks house/museum (did not go inside) and much more in the neighborhood, Dinner at De Nachtwacht

Day 2
Breakfast at the rooftop restaurant Blue with nice 360 degrees view over Amsterdam.
Walkabout: Cool gallery AbrahamArt Gallery – Museumplein with RijksMuseum, Van Gogh and Stedelijk Museum We didn’t enter any of the museums, viewed the exterior. Headed to the Heineken Experience for a tour, a visit at the bar and their rooftop bar with very nice view and beer cocktails.

Dinner at a small and very good Thai restaurant, NK Thai Noodles close by. We asked for the dishes made Thai mode – Quote from waitress: “are yo sure?” 🙂 – It was spicy and tasty.

Finished the day with an evening stroll to the Skinny Bridge and play some pool.

Day 3
Brunch at the The Lobby, nice restaurant at Hotel V. Looked around the nice Joordan district and walked towards Wester Park to visit Amaze, an audio and video “museum”. In groups of eight you walk through a maze of different audio and video installations to finish in a big warehouse style room sitting on “fat boys” (big pillows) watching a light show on the walls and on the pillars accompanied with (loud) electronic music.

Took public transport back to the city and had a look at Red Light District – “no pictures please”.
Passed the Rembrandt museum, Had a good burrito at a small Mexican take away restaurant.

Day 4
Great omelet brunch at Omelegg, very popular and good, recommend it. Expect to wait in line outside, no booking,

Theme of the day was rooftops. Started with a visit to Luminair, Fantastic view over Amsterdam. Continued to Nemo Science Museum that has a kind of park on roof, Crossed the harbour with a small ferry (free). Walked pass Adams Tower and had a peek at the Eye film “museum”. Visited De Ceuvel, an award-winning, sustainable planned workplace for creative and social enterprises on a former shipyard, The craft beer from the local brewery was good 🙂

Continued to Straat, a “museum” in a warehouse with some great street art. Amazed by the detail and size of some of the art work, fantastic! There was quite a heavy “scent” of spray paint.

Dinner at Ribs Factory, close to the hotel. Evening walkabout – the cocktail bar Luminair, night version, Great night view over the city. Next stop on the “cocktail rooftop bar crawl” was Malabar Cocktail bar also with great night view over the harbor and city.

Day 5
Revisited Blue for a brunch with a view. Checked out the LEGO general store with some fantastic LEGO builds. Went on a Canal tour. Passed a French Fries shop with 3! security hosts to manage the line. Walked around Vondelpark where we saw the only people on bikes wearing helmet, 3 persons, the only ones during the whole stay! Very nice park with a brewery in the middle where we tasted the local brew.

On the way home we dropped by The Flying Dutchmen Coctail bar where some of the locals had their after work drink. Finished the day with dinner at Wagamama located across the street from the hotel. Then some backgammon at the hotel bar.

Day 6
Checking out, Breakfast at Omelegg. Short break at the Centraal Station that is “under construction” for the next many years before heading to Schipol…

Juleløses Jul – Christmas 2022

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This year I had the opportunity and pleasure to attend Juleløses Jul Christmas Eve together with Arun, colleague and friend from India. It is an event taking place every year since 1975 in the Grå Hal at Christiana, Copenhagen. Before 1975 Juleløses Jul took place at Copenhagen Town Hall. It’s a very old Christmas tradition in Copenhagen, started once upon a time by Socialdemokraterna, haven’t managed to find information about when.

Free food is served to more than 1.000 people. It was a very amusing and interesting experience and I was amazed by:

The amount and variety of people.
Decorations – ceiling filled with paper peace pigeons, a Santa dressed only with hat and underwear, a huge disco ball, light effects and much more.
Food – choice of vegetarian dish, sallad, beef and/or pork, Dessert was rice porridge with cinnamon sugar and/or cherry sauce. Beer, wine and soda is sold at the bar.
Entertainment – Storytelling by one of Santa’s elves about why there are summer, winter and Christmas. The priest had a sermon and a “choir” sang some hymns with the audience. A DJ and different groups played a vast variety of music genre.

Learned from Kirsten, at the Christiania Information Office Nyt Forum, that there are 100 volunteers that help out with the different tasks. There is no entrance fee and the food is free so the financial part is solved by applying for different funds and collecting money during the Christiania Christmas Market. They also get support from both Copenhagen Municipality and Her Majesty the Queen.

There are none or very little advertising and it is worth a visit.
Door opens at 17:00 (next year).

Sightseeing Malmö – November 2022

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Saturday 26 November a group of colleagues from India, Lebanon and Argentina visited Malmö. I had the pleasure of guiding them through the city.

We started the sightseeing at Triangeln Station. Walked along the pedestrian street, Södra Förstadsgatan, via Stadsbiblioteket, Slottsparken, Gustav Adolfs Torg to Lilla Torg for lunch at Viktor. After lunch we continued to Stortorget. We had a look inside the pharmacy Lejonet with a beautiful ceiling. Outside the pharmacy you find the statue Optimistorkestern. The group like to visit a “loppis” (flea market) so we visited Loppis Lounge. Then we had a look inside St Petri Church. We the passed the Central Station and then the statue The Knotted Gun. We visited the Sky Bar at Malmö Live. Had a look at Kockums Shipyard and finished at Turning Torso, Västra Hamnen.

Earlier versions: Sightseeing in Malmö 2012 and Sightseeing in Malmö 2014.
Apart from added information on some of the places updated points of interest are:
25. Malmö Live
26. Triangeln Station
27. Kockums Shipyard (Varvsstaden)

Point Hyllie– a new developed site close to Malmö City and Kastrup Airport. It consists of four main buildings comprising approximately 45,000 square metres. They are allocated for housing, offices and shops. The tallest building is about 95 metres high.
Malmö Arena– the latest addition to northern Europe’s growing number of modern multi-purpose concert and event venues. Malmö Arena is a premier venue in the Öresund Region for world-class sporting events, concerts, family shows, full-scale conferences and smaller meetings, wining and dining or a quick snack. It can seat a maximum of 15.000 guests. It measure 22.5 m. up to the inner ceiling.
Hyllie water tower is white and has the form as mushroom (at the moment getting some make up due to the Euro vision song contest and coz its need it). The light on the tower changes on different occasions. At Christmas it’s red and when there isn’t a special event the light is blue. It’s 62 m tall and contains 10 200 cubic meter water. It was ready 1973. Architect was Kjessler & Mannerstråle through Karl Ivar Stål. A water park is being built close to the tower.
Emporia is one of the biggest shopping center in Scandinavia with a total size of 93 000 m²for shopping, food, culture and pleasure in approx. 200 shops, restaurants and cafés on 3 stories and a unique roof park. The two main entrances are spectacular, one is amber theme that symbolized in the logo type. The other is water theme.
The Glass House– “House of brands for good living”. A shop with exclusive scandinavian interior design.
Ikea has built a 44 000 square meter store at Svågertorp. It’s the second largest in the world and was inaugurated 20 October 2009.
Limhamns Kalkbrott is approximately 1.300 meters long, 800 meters wide and 65 meters deep. The walk around the quarry is 4 km.
The mining of the began in 1866 and lasted until 1994. The last explosion was in the late 1980’s. The explosives have shaped the quarry, so it consists of plateaus, called pallets, about 20 meters high and vertical walls. At every blasting, a ton of dynamite was used. There was a loud bang as many locals felt.
The lime in Limhamns quarry has been formed in a warm sea of between 65-55 million years ago (during the early Tertiary). It consists mainly of deposits from microscopic cuisine liters (algae), bryozoans (moss animals) and corals. In some limestone layers there are plenty of shark teeth. A remnant from a relative of the great white shark, which for millions of years swimming around here along with other now extinct species. Fossils of two crocodiles have also been found in the quarry.
There are over 1.400 different animals and plants in the limestone quarry. Several species are rare or special in some way. Most notable is the presence of the endangered green spotted toad and “Kalkkrassingen”.
Öresund bridge was inaugurated on 1 July 2000. The link between Denmark and Sweden is 15.4 km long and consists of the world’s longest cable-stayed bridge for both rail and motor vehicle traffic, at nearly 8 km. The main span is suspended from four pylons that measure 204 m above the sea level. The best viewing point over the Öresund Bridge is from Lernacken at the Luftkastellet restaurant.
The Øresund Bridge offers a 4-lane road carrying more than 60,000 travelers daily, 6 million vehicles per year, and two train tracks (another 8 million people each year) e carries . Building the Øresund bridge included construction of a bridge, a tunnel 4 km and a new island where travelers go from tunnel-level (on the Danish side) to the level of the bridge.
Sibbarp beach is popular diverse recreational area with beach, camping with snack bar, mini golf, barbecue stones, open-air swimming bath with sauna. There are also large grassed areas with several jetties from which you can jump in the sea. Not far from Sibbarp’s beach is a small skatepark. From here you have a brilliant view of the Öresund Bridge.
Limhamns Småbåtshamn has room for around 1.000 boats and is the biggest of it’s kind in Malmö.
Ön (The Island) is situated in Limhamn-Bunkeflo in the southwestern municipality of Malmö. Today there is a land connection between the island and Limhamn, so technically the island is today a peninsula. It used to a harbour for the ferry connection with Dragør in Denmark.
While limestone mined for cement production in Limhamn’s Kalkbrott (Limestone quarry) the area was used for dumping of waste products, and thereby laid the foundation for an artificial island.
In the first half of the 1900’s, various industrial activities has been carried out here: Shipyard and aircraft production. Two of the office buildings and a factory building still stands today and house the school on the island, a convenience store and an aerobics (Friskis & Svettis).
The island is divided into a northern and a southern part by Övägen. The northern part of the island began to plot in the early 1990’s, with apartment buildings and construction is still in progress. The southern part was settled in the late 1990’s.
Ribbersborg Kallbadhus (“Open-air-bath”) also known as Ribban by the older and Kallis by the younger generation, is an open-air public bath on the Ribersborg beach . The bathhouse is open for a skinny dip all the year around and has separate areas for men and women and each area is equipped with two saunas. There is also one mixed sauna between the ladies and gentlemen’s area. There is a cafe and a restaurant.
The bath was inaugurated in June 1898 with initiative by C.A. Richter, who bought the old bathhouse at Nyhamn port, which was being sold because of the port’s expansion. Four years later a storm damaged the new bath during Christmas and it was rebuilt. During the refurbishment a diving tower was added to the men’s department, with a view of the strait and the women’s department. During the 1930s it was modernised with nude bathing and confidentiality was added between the departments. In 1966, the City of Malmö purchased the baths. It was again damaged by a storm in 1988 and in 1995 it was declared a historic building.
Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour) is Malmö’s new city district attracts people with its exciting architecture, lovely beach promenades and green spaces and a fabulous view over Öresund. An award-winning ecological housing area finished in 2001 for the major European Housing Expo Bo01 is found here. The buildings were designed by several internationally renowned architects including Gert Wingårdh, Ralph Erskine and Mario Campi.
The neighbourhood is home to a wide variety of flora and fauna. Water is also a vital element of the environment, expressed in canals, ponds, small craft marinas and swimming beaches.
The Western Harbour was once an industrial area where Kockum’s world-famous shipyard operated, now replaced by Malmö University and companies in the IT and telecommunications industries. The dance company Skånes Dansteater is based in one of the vaulted halls, Båghallarna, and an exciting, specially designed concrete skateboarding arena, Stapelbäddsparken has been constructed around one of the old ship ramps.
Turning Torso. Architect Santiago Calatrava’s spectacular apartment building in the Western Harbour. At 190 metres, Turning Torso is the tallest building in Sweden. The building was inspired by a sculpture “Turning Torso” by Calatrava himself. Turning Torso consists of nine cubes with a total of 54 stories, with a 90° twist from base to top. The top two floors boast the exclusive meeting rooms of Turning Torso Meetings.
Stapelbäddsparken is one of Europe’s largest outdoor skate parks with a surface of 2.000 m² and is located at Kockums shipyard’s old factory area in the Western Harbour. The old slipway was transformed in 2006 into a modern and important meeting place open to all skateboarding enthusiasts and everyone else too. Here takes the prestigious international skateboarding competitions like The Quicksilver Bowlriders place periodically.
The park is open 24/7, 365 days a year and it costs nothing to visit or use it. All activity in and around the skate park is operated by Bryggeriet which is also responsible for the cafe in the park.
Malmö Central Station opened in 1876. It serves approximately 17 million passengers per year, making it the third busiest in Sweden behind Stockholm Central Station and Gothenburg Central Station. The opening of the City Tunnel in December 2010 made it possible for passenger trains to travel through the station, which had previously been a terminus, and most traffic shifted to the new lower level. All passenger traffic to Denmark now uses the tunnel, and most local trains continue to the new Triangeln and Hyllie stations even if they are not going beyond Malmö.
Malmö St. Petri Church was founded in the early 1300’s. When the church first mentioned in writing in 1346, it had already been consecrated for worship-service. Tradition says that the high altar was consecrated 1319. The church is dedicated to the apostles Peter and Paul.
Stortorget (Big square) The equestrian statue of King Karl X Gustav, who took Skåne from the Danes through the Roskilde Treaty of 1658, stands in the midst of the largest square in Malmö. Stortorget was built in 1536 at the initiative of Jörgen Kock, Malmö’s powerful mayor and master of the mint. Stortorget became Malmö’s new marketplace and was the largest city square in Northern Europe for a very long time. The city well was located in Stortorget, with the site now marked by a bronze water sculpture. Jörgen Kock built a new and stately city hall as well as a home for himself, Kockska huset next to Stortorget.
At Stortorget you find the bronze statue “Optimistorkestern“ , created by Yngve Lundell 1985.

Next to the statue you find the pharmacy Lejonet (The Lion) from 1896. Have a look inside and especially look up at the beautiful ceiling.
Max hamburger restaurant started 1968 and is the oldest and most popular hamburger restaurant in Sweden.
Lilla torg (Little Square) Malmö’s most charming square and one of the most popular meeting places in the city was built in 1592 as a market square. There are several interesting buildings dating from the 16th century and later around Lilla Torg. Hedmanska Gården is an enclosed courtyard where the oldest half-timbered house dates from the 16th century and the youngest building, a warehouse, is from the late 19th century and is now home to Form/Design Centre, which mounts exhibitions related to design and architecture. Outdoor concerts are held at Hedmanska Gården in July. From March to October Lilla Torg is filled with outdoor restaurants and cafés and the atmosphere is enchanting.
Kungsparken (Kings Park) was created 1869-1870 and is Malmö’s oldest park. It was built on land that was formerly part of Malmöhus Castle fortification and was designed by the Danish landscape architect Ove Høegh Hansen. When it opened 1872 the park was originally called Slotsparken (Castle Park).
The park has a romantic character with examples from the continent’s parks. Here you can enjoy leisure walks, beautiful artwork and exotic trees. The heart of the the park is a cast iron fountain built in 1882.
Stadsbiblioteket (Town Library) Sweden’s largest town library, has over 1 million different media, about 1,500 different journals, approximately 10,000 DVD and 33,500 music CDs and was Sweden’s first library to lend video games.
It’s one of the most intriguing buildings in Malmö situated in Slottsparken. The library consists of two buildings, one older and one newer, that are linked to each other. The new part, which is called the “Calendar of Light” was designed by the notable Danish architect Henning Larsen and opened in 1997. The older section of the library dates from 1899 and was designed by architects John Smedberg and Fredrik Sundbärg.
Slottsparken (Castle Park) This wonderful organic garden is situated just behind Malmöhus Castle adjacent to Kungsparken. Fresh-picked vegetables and flowers and exciting plants are available for purchase – and you may get a bit of wise advice from the head gardener. One of Malmö’s smallest and most charming cafés is also found here. The garden and the café are open year round. Concerts, film evenings and other events are held in the summer.
A “Dutch Mill” from 1851 – is situated next to Slottsträdgården. The area also features a well-preserved miller’s house and garden. This site is a popular place for outdoor concerts and other summertime events.
Malmöhus Castle was originally a minor citadel whose construction was ordered in 1434 by Erik of Pomerania, king of the Kalmar Union which brought Norway, Sweden and Denmark together under a single monarch.
In the 16th century King Christian III of Denmark and Norway rebuilt the citadel to create a modern defensive fortress, an imposing castle and the home of the Governors of Malmöhus County.
This is where Denmark´s money was coined in the Middle Ages, where Crown Prince Frederick of Denmark held wild parties in the 16th century and where prisoners were decapitated in the castle courtyard during the 19th century when the castle served as a prison. Today Malmöhus has been restored in the spirit of the 16th century and forms part of Malmö Museer. The castle is part of Sweden´s cultural heritage and is managed by the National Property Board.
The castle presents historical exhibitions. By Order of the King is an exhibition about the 17th-century wars over Skåne and how Skåne became Swedish in 1658. Power over People depicts the history of Malmöhus Castle over the past 300 years.
Malmö Live opened 2015 consist of hotel, congress and concert halls, on 25th floor a Sky Bar and a restaurant with great view over the city, Västra Hamnen and the beach. The first couple of years there was a sticker on one of the toilet windows – “Not a shitty view”.
Close to Malmö Live you find the statue The knotted gun (Non-Violence) that was created 1980 by Swedish artist Carl Fredrik Reuterswärd, He created this piece of art after Lennon’s tragic death as he wanted to honor the singer’s vision of a peaceful world. The statue are placed on several places around the world.
Triangeln Station – an underground train station next to the shopping mall Triangeln. Opened 12 December 2010 as a part of the underground train track City tunnel.
Kockums Shipyard – In 1873 Kockums Mekaniska Verkstad (Kockums Mechanical Industry) delivered its first ship, a 700 tonne steamer named Tage Sylwan. Two years later the Royal Swedish Navy orders the steam barge Torpedo. This was the beginning of a long and successful cooperation with the Navy.
Today the area is being developed to be “The worlds most exciting district” – Varvsstaden.

The shipyard formerly had a 138-metre high crane, known as the Kockums Crane, built in 1973/74 and capable of lifting 1500 tons, making it the largest crane in the world when it was installed in 1974. It was used the last time in 1997 for lifting the foundations of the high pillars of the Oresund Bridge. The crane was sold the first time in the early 1990s to the Danish company Burmeister & Wain, but the company went bankrupt shortly thereafter. It was later sold to a Korean company, Hyundai Heavy Industries. for only a dollar.
The crane was a landmark of Malmö before being shipped to South Korea in the summer of 2002 and residents of Malmö shed tears as the crane was disassembled, which spawned the phrase “Tears of Malmö”.

Porto Myrina, Limnos 2022

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21-28 August Mickey and I visited the Greek island Limnos (Lemnos). The island is the 8th biggest in Greece, located in the center of the Northern Aegean sea.

We travelled with Apollo and stayed at Porto Myrina, Powered by Playitas. The hotel had a lot of different sport activities included in the price. At some activities you could just up show at the set time, others you should sign up for. We tried Yoga, Padel, Scuba diving, kajak, SUP and did a lot of laps in the pool.

Tuesday we did a 12 km hike to the “Antenna hill”. Beautiful 360 degree view over the landscape from the top:

Wednesday we experience “extreme weather conditions” where there came a SMS warning!
Spent the day playing backgammon and visit the fitness center:

Thursday we hiked up and around the Castle of Myrina, that could be considered as one of the most resistant and best fortresses in Greece:

Friday we rented a car (“jeep”) and drove around the island to see some of the sights – A dessert. Sand dunes (and a tank) at Gomati beach.

Extraordinary lava formations at Falacro and drove on some dirt roads – great fun! and might be the best sight of the day. A salt lake at Aliki, that was not white but muddy due to the rain storm.

Had lunch at the surf beach Keros. Should see some windmills at Kontias but probably also due to the storm, the path up to the windmills was closed. Many of the roads was very narrow, especially through the villages:

Saturday we did a 14 km hike to “The Church without roof” (Church of Panagia Kakaviotissa). This Greek Orthodox Church was built by refugee monks who fled to the mountain as early as around 1,416 AD and is one of its kind in the world.

The track towards the church we choose an alternative route that Google maps marked as a path. In reality there was not much of a path, only the ones the sheep and goats had made. We used Google maps as a compass to help us keep on the right track. An exciting adventure.
Hiking back from the church, it was more or less roads and “the beaten track” all the way back to the hotel.

Myrina is the capital and main port of Lemnos and counts on 4500 inhabitants. The settlement stretches around two beautiful bays and between stands the imposing Venetian castle surrounded by massive formations of volcanic rock.

Visitors are charmed by the old neoclassical mansions, Ottoman buildings and fountains, traditional houses, narrow streets and modern constructions that compose the setting of Myrina. Along the waterfront lie plenty of restaurants and traditional taverns.

Kattegattleden on inlines 2021

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Kattegattleden is a 390 km long bike path along the coast from Helsingborg to Gothenburg.

Friday 6 August 2021 I rolled the Kattegattleden, trail section Falkenberg – Varberg on inlines together with my sister and her friend Lena, who traveled on electric bikes.

Last summer I did the marked track and found the part on the old E6 challenging with quite a bit of high speed traffic with little or no respect for inliners (or bikers) and rather ruff asphalt.

This year I found out about Fyrleden, a detour that runs along the beach between Olofsbo and Glommen, very nice and beautiful views.

The other detour was to avoid the old E6. In Morup we crossed the old E6 and took the road to Tvååker. Much better asphalt and very little traffic and the few cars passing us took it nice and easy.

A very nice bike path started just outside Tvååker towards Träslövsläge. We had tailwind all the way to the coast :-).

After approx. 48 km we arrived to Varberg where we had after skate at Rolands Kök & Bar.

Respect to sister and friend who biked back home to Falkenberg, with face wind and some rain.
I took the train…