Visiting Malmö, an introduction

I liked the city of Malmö, (Sweden's third largest), the very first time I visited. That is, I liked the city centre. The outskirts of the city, like many others, are decidely unattractive. Miles of ring roads, bleak high-rise apartments, and rather ugly facades of out-of-town shopping malls. There are certain parts of Malmö that pertain to the concrete jungles of the 1960's. Buildings of a non-distinct shape and form. And grey, masses of grey everywhere.

But, there is hope.

As you enter the inner city, streets lined with modern shops of every distinction run parallel to vast parklands and lakes. The busiest high street twists and turns sideways down into smaller roads that lead into timber houses from the 16th century. The city has many squares, each with a charm of it's on, and each one a natural gathering place of people. The main streets cut through a maze of canals, that are flanked by designer boutiques and restaurants. In August the streets are bursting with festival life as we celebrate Sweden's biggest event of all, the crayfish festival. At first glance, I sorely missed a Macy's, a Bloomingdale's, The Honey Baked Ham Company, Smoothie Bars and Marks and Spencers. On closer inspection, I found everything I'd been looking for, and much more.

Welcome to Malmö, the best is yet to come.