If you’re looking for a magical European Christmas market getaway with a twist, Malmö, Sweden, is a fantastic option. Although there aren’t direct flights from Newcastle, it’s actually a lot easier than you might think to reach Sweden’s third largest city – in fact it’s almost no different to visiting anywhere directly. Jet2’s Christmas market breaks offer an exciting way to combine destinations, enjoy the traditions and festivities on the continent, and my recent trip is proof of how easy this experience can be. My Jet2 flights to Copenhagen were direct, and from there I took the short train ride over the Øresund Bridge to Malmo, where I spent two full days exploring it’s festive charm and the Malmo Christmas market.

Disclaimer: This post is a collaboration with Jet 2 for flights and accommodation. My itinerary and restaurant choices were my own, and as always all opinions are my own too.

Jet 2 Flights & Packages From Newcastle To Copenhagen

Every winter, Jet 2 puts on Christmas market trips as part of their winter offering, including additional flights from Newcastle airport. I’ve been to Copenhagen many times, annd always love it at Christmas time, but by choosing these flights it meant I could also explore another one of their newer packages. The Jet2 Sweden packages include flights to Copenhagen and hotels in Malmö, just a 30-minute train ride away over the Øresund Bridge. 

At Newcastle airport they had all the decorations up, and a Christmas cocktail menu to choose from. Once on the Jet 2 flight they also had a festive menu, so I enjoyed a Brie and cranberry wrap, and a glass of wine to begin my Christmas weekend away.

After landing in Copenhagen early on the Friday evening, I got the train straight to Sweden. You catch the train directly from within Copenhagen airport terminal, it’s really easy to navigate and tickets are only the equivalent of £14. Trains run frequently from Platform 1, making it a seamless transition.

The train ride itself is an experience, with scenic views of the bridge connecting Denmark and Sweden, but at that time it was too dark for me to get the benefit. I enjoyed it on the return though! The train system however is brilliant, really easy and comfortable to travel on and plenty of space for luggage. It’s also worth using as your transfer into Copenhagen as at just £5, it’s much cheaper than a taxi but probably depends on where your hotel is. 

Malmö’s Central Station is conveniently located near most major attractions and accommodations, and is just a five minute walk to the main square. They did tell us to have our passports ready in case they got checked but there wasn’t specific passport control at the station and mine wasn’t.

Scandic Kramer Hotel

I stayed at the Scandic Kramer Hotel, a chain I know is always reliable and I liked the sound of it being very traditional, but most importantly for me the location. It’s located right on Malmö’s main square, Stortorget, and with my luggage, as well as arriving in the evening it was just a handy five-minute walk with my case.

The hotel is pretty historic, dating back to 1878, but has been modernised and well maintained. The first thing to greet you as you walk in is the big Christmas tree in the lobby by the staircase. It had a very Christmassy feel.

Check in was very easy, and you could see through on the other side to the beautiful bar, and the conservatory style seating area overlooking the square. My room was on the fourth floor, and was very comfortable. It was a double room with plenty of storage space, mirrors, plug sockets, and a big bathroom with a bath and shower.

I really enjoyed my stay here and it was the convenience to everything Malmo has to offer that made it even better. The location couldn’t have been better, even after exploring some of the other squares and neighbourhoods I think this was perfect. Especially for how near to the station it is, and how close to Malmo Christmas market. Everything is within walking distance, I didn’t get public transport in Malmö once.

First Night In Malmö

On the first evening I arrived in Malmö, I thought I’d just go for a walk around the central areas of the city, and find somewhere for food. It was the first weekend of the Malmö Christmas festivities, so the streets were lit up and twinkling. I found a fabulous busy little square with some Christmas light installations and a lot of bars filled with people having cocktails, and a lot of cosy looking restaurants. 

For my first evening though, I took myself to the Malmö Food Hall, which I’d been recommended, and it’s always a good type of place for solo travellers. It was less than ten minutes from my hotel, and it had a really fun atmosphere. I spent some time wandering the different stalls, I was very tempted with the Swedish meatballs, but instead I sat at the Italians and had some carbs and a glass of wine.

Despite the flights from Newcastle being at great times in the afternoon, and we even arrived slightly early making the flight time less than two hours, I was pretty tired. I went back to the hotel for a drink in the bar, and to plan my first full day. 

Malmö Itinerary: Day 1 Old Town & Festive Spirit

I didn’t spend too long on my itinerary for the trip, as it’s a fairly small city but there is more than enough to enjoy over a few days. The following itinerary is the exact one I did, which left me plenty of time to enjoy everything, not feel rushed, and have some down time at the hotel too. I wanted to enjoy the Christmas markets in both daylight and at night, see some of the main city sights, and enjoy some good food including Fika.

Apoteket Lejonet

You don’t need to get up too early in Malmö, I found that everywhere was open from 10am even on a Saturday. This gives you time to enjoy a leisurely breakfast before heading out. Start the day right outside the Scandic Kramer hotel doors on Stortorget square, with a visit to Sweden’s oldest pharmacy, Apoteket Lejonet. This working pharmacy is a historic monument with a stunning interior full of old-world charm and original features. Step inside to take a peak at its preserved details.

From Apoteket Lejonet to the Cathedral isn’t far at all, but I’d recommend going down the little alleyway next to the pharmacy rather than back via the main square. There are historic photos of the pharmacy’s history on the walls, and a couple of cosy bars.

St. Peter’s Cathedral (Sankt Petri Kyrka)

A short walk away from here is St. Peter’s Cathedral, a bright and very peaceful Gothic-style church with high white ceilings, a beautiful feature organ, and ornate chandeliers. Its simple but elegant interior also included a nativity display during the festive season, which brought back fond memories of my little nana who used to run the local church. Take a moment to light a candle or leave a prayer note in their book for a personal touch.

Fika and Christmas Markets

The Malmo Christmas market opens from 11am but as I walked through, they were still getting set up so instead I went for Fika. This Swedish tradition is the act of enjoying coffee and a sweet treat with friends, or on your own. I’d researched a lot of suggestions for this, and eventually settled on a place called St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri, as it has a lot of positive reviews. It’s in a neighbourhood slightly out of the central old town, but I never had to walk for longer than 20 mins to reach everywhere I wanted to go.

St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri

No trip to Sweden is complete without experiencing fika, the Swedish coffee break tradition. St. Jakobs Stenugnsbageri did it very well and although there was a bit of a queue – a good sign especially when most people were locals – I got a tiny little table no problem. I went for a warm chai latte and a perfectly spiced cinnamon bun. It’s the ultimate cosy Scandi indulgence and I really enjoyed it.

Malmo Christmas Market (Gustav Adolf Torg)

The Malmo Christmas market is located on Gustav Adolf Torg, a central square and pedestrianised in the middle. Although the market itself may be small, it’s packed with traditional Swedish stalls offering handcrafted gifts, festive decorations, and delicious treats like apple glögg. 

There were also lots of park benches around the fountains, and public toilets here too. The friendly locals and charming light installations make it a magical experience, and I enjoyed browsing around the stalls, sipping on apple cider, and deciding which snacks to try.

For lunch, I was tempted with the tomahawk Argentinian steak that was being cooked over the open fire, but instead I went for the traditional Swedish hot dog sausage, to munch on while I strolled back towards the old town.

Vintage Boutiques in Gamla Väster

Malmö’s old town, Gamla Väster, is full of quaint vintage boutiques and independent shops, it’s known for some of the most flamboyant ones. I spent time wandering the cobblestone streets, exploring unique finds in cute storefronts, the Christmas window displays and soaking in the charming atmosphere.

I found myself back at the hotel, and took advantage of the big bathtub for a soak and a nap before heading out to experience Malmo after dark.

Dinner at Aster

To finish my first full day in Malmo, I wanted a pretty good restaurant for dinner and cocktails. I spent a bit of time researching options and there were plenty to choose from. I settled on a place called Aster, a stylish restaurant known for its fantastic food and creative cocktails so it ticked both those boxes. It’s located in a vibrant more modern area behind the station called ​​Varvsstaden. It’s around the water’s edge so it was a bit breezy and cold to walk to, but still it wasn’t further than 15 minutes from my hotel. 

I find with so many Scandinavian places you aren’t sure what places are like from the outside, but opening the doors and stepping inside you’re greeted with the warmest welcome. Inside was a bustling but very cool bar, with high and low seating. I loved that as a solo traveller I could specifically reserve for one at the bar. It is a very solo diner friendly city; this wasn’t uncommon throughout my whole trip.

The staff were great at recommending how many dishes to have from the menu that had a lot of choice. I went for a cocktail to start which was delicious, then moved onto the wine which they were happy to recommend based on my cod main. It was the perfect place to relax after a day of exploring, while still having that Saturday night atmosphere. 

There were a number of other bars close by you could enjoy afterwards too, including a Sky Bar at the Malmo Arena hotel.

Malmö Itinerary: Day 2: Parks, Castles, and Local Eats

For my second full day in Malmo I wanted to see some more of the sights, before heading to the Christmas market in the evening to experience it at night. Having learned they’re in no rush to open anywhere early, I had a lovely lie in before heading for brunch – another place I’d seen get great reviews.

Brunch at Ruth’s Café

Start the day with brunch at Ruth’s, a local favourite offering hearty breakfasts and great coffee. It’s somewhere I’d walked past a few times and thought it looked nice, but didn’t realise until Apple maps took me there that I’d booked that exact place. Another amazing atmosphere, exactly what you’d want on a Sunday morning. 

It was filled with everything from solo diners reading the paper with a coffee, to friends catching up and big family groups. Like everywhere Scandinavian it had a knack of making big places still feel cosy. I went for apple juice, a cappuccino and Turkish eggs with Swedish sausage. It was amazing!

Kungsparken and Malmöhus Castle

Fuelled up for the day I then walked over to Kungsparken, Malmö’s oldest park, complete with scenic canals and a historic windmill. There was plenty of it to walk through and I enjoyed spotting all the local dogs out for their morning stroll. Nearby, and after the windmill you’ll find Malmöhus Castle, a 16th-century fortress that now houses museums showcasing art, history, and natural science.

I didn’t go into the museum, but it was still impressive to see, before crossing the road and heading to the Fiskehoddorna.

Fiskehoddorna

The Fiskehoddorna is a small fishing area at one end of the canal, where fishermen bring their catch to prepare and sell right on the street. They each have their own colourful fishing hut for preparation, and their counters face the road outside. Again locals were picking up the fresh seafood and fish, it was very quaint and a taste of local life. I bet it’s absolutely bustling in summer.

From here I wandered back towards the old town, along the canal where you can see all the swimming spots and public seating that must get used in the summer. Unless you fancy a cold winter plunge!

Moderna Museet

This contemporary art museum is one I did want to visit, a must-see for art lovers, featuring a range of different exhibitions depending on when you visit. Check the website for latest details and opening times. Whenever you do, don’t miss the iconic Warhol quote on the building’s exterior.

This neighbourhood was so lovely on a Sunday, it was filled with artistic shops, bookshops and you could see a number of creative workshops taking place in some of them. There was a Sunday yoga studio with people rushing in, and a ceramic workshop too. A chilled way to spend the afternoon if you wanted to join in.

Lunch at Spoonery

After all that walking and a bit more browsing of the vintage shops which honestly were fabulous, I’d worked up an appetite again. For a late lunch, head to Spoonery, a cosy café that has a few locations across the city but is known for serving comforting bowls. 

Depending on the menu of the day it could include soups, stews, chilli and usually, Swedish meatballs. It’s the perfect way to warm up on a chilly December day with the traditional dish, served with potatoes. It was so nice!

Sankt Knuts Torg

For a final square to explore – Malmo has many, explore the charming neighborhood of Sankt Knuts Torg, known for its cafes, flower shops, and pastel-col

ored buildings. Stop by Uggla Kaffebar for Fika in another cosy setting, or pick up a treat from Söderberg & Sara, a local favourite known for its sourdough bread.

Lilla Torg & Malmo Christmas Market at Night

For the last evening in Malmo I knew I had to return to the Malmo Christmas market to experience it at night, and I’m so glad I did. In the dark you could really see the extent of the light displays that fill the trees, and that spread across the grassy areas of the square. The fountains are all lit up too, so it’s a lovely spot to sit and enjoy with a hot cup of glogg – just make sure you wrap up warm!

The market themselves go into the evening but not too late, and look magical at night. Once you’ve enjoyed the stalls and the area, head back to Lilla Torg square, and head into one of the bustling bars by the fire. They look busy and they are but they’re deceiving from the outside, there are so many nooks, and seating corners you will find somewhere. It was so festive in there with fur blankets and all the staff in Christmas jumpers serving up cocktails with a side of Christmas spirit. 

Malmö to Copenhagen by Train

The flights from Copenhagen back to Newcastle weren’t until the evening of my last day, but after a final breakfast in the Scandic Kramer I head for the station to spend the day in Copenhagen. The train back was just as easy as it was on arrival, except this time I continued past the airport into Copenhagen city centre.

There are plenty of options to store your luggage, so I left my case and head out for a festive day in Copenhagen too. It was a great way to see more than one city on the same trip, and with direct flights and the trains being so easy, it didn’t feel like I spent much time travelling about at all. I will say I noticed a big difference in the two cities, Malmö was so much more relaxed and less busy, Copenhagen as you’d expect was very busy.

Why Malmo Christmas Market?

I really loved Malmö as a Christmas market or winter break. It was a very friendly, safe and relaxed city that had plenty to do without being overwhelming. The Christmas market itself, as well as the little shops and multiple cosy cafes were typically Scandinavian, so you could still enjoy the local culture beyond just the Christmas market. 

City breaks to Malmo with Jet 2 holidays made it so easy, and I’d never previously considered that a multiple city trip over a long weekend could be so doable. It would be a great trip for anyone, whether you’re a solo traveller, a couple or a family trip, and I’m already browsing where to go next year.

It was a really festive and different way to kick off the festive season at the start of December, and I came back feeling like I’d had the best time. It wasn’t just me though, some of my family were actually on the same flights as me and they loved Copenhagen, so much so that even my parents have already booked for next year. 

I’ll leave you with a short wrap up list of what not to miss in Malmo:

Traditional Swedish Christmas treats: Try glögg, pepparkakor (ginge

rbread cookies) all available at the Malmo Christmas market

The Beautifully decorated squares: Lilla Torg, Gustav Adolf Torg, and Stortorget are all close together and brimming with holiday spirit.

Proximity to Copenhagen: Combine your trip with a day here as the transport is so easy, and don’t miss Tivoli – try go on a weekday though, weekends are crazy busy.

And some Practical Tips for Visiting Malmö

Book Early: Jet2’s Christmas market breaks are popular, so secure your spot early with a £60 deposit and plenty time to pay for it.

Money wise: I didn’t take any cash and didn’t need it, you can pay for everything on your card. I didn’t find it to be nearly as expensive as I expected it to be. Everything was about the same price as at home in Newcastle – even my day in Copenhagen.

Pack Warm Clothes: December in Malmö can be cold, so layer up!

Use Public Transport: The Scandinavian public transport system is efficient and easy to navigate, but most attractions are walkable, especially in Malmo itself

Bring an Appetite: The food scene in Malmö was exceptional

If you want to take a closer look at Malmo Christmas market take a look at my Malmo reel here, and my day in Copenhagen here.