Chill out in Copenhagen and Malmo

Chill out and meet the locals, in the water or on dry land, in Scandinavia’s best sizzling summer cities - Malmo and Copenhagen.

Thanks to SAS Scandinavian Airlines’ frequent and convenient connections to the Danish capital from five UK cities, you can be in Copenhagen in less than two hours. From Copenhagen airport you just hop on a fast train to Sweden’s third city, Malmo.

Malmo might be Sweden’s third largest city, but it is certainly not in third place as a destination for a sizzling summer city. Summer days are long and the weather is good. Yes Scandinavian summers are slightly shorter then here, but my god do they know how to make the most of it.

In centre of town most ‘young people of all ages’ meet up after work at the ever popular Lilla Torg Square, surrounded by fashionable restaurants and bars. This time of year most of the square is covered in tables and chairs where friends and visitors alike meet up.

However, recently a new area is rapidly developing as ‘the’ place to be seen, The Western Harbour. This is where the ‘Turning Torso’ the magnificent 190 metres high Calatrava building, makes its impact on the horizon. The area is famous for its sustainable architecture and is now the place to live as well as becoming a hot spot for concerning people wanting to chill out it fashionable surroundings. See turningtorso.com.

Torso Twisted is a great cool lounge in the tallest building in Scandinavia with a large outside seating area. Just feel the summer breeze from Oresund. See torsotwisted.com.

Malmo has a great history of shipbuilding and the old wharf area is today a high-class marina lined with bars and restaurants.

Here are just a couple of examples:

Dockplats 16. A light and airy modern style bistro and bar. dockplats16.se

Prince Bernhard. It is simply the latest hot name when it comes to drinking, eating and clubbing. This is a ship with a chequered past. It is said that (before arriving in Malmo), it once had Elvis Presley as guest…! Great Champagne & Cocktail bar. Welcome onboard! prinsbernhard.se

Dive in!

In Malmo, hop on bus 32 for a short ride to Ribersbergs Kallbadhus, or as the locals call it ‘Ribban’. People have enjoyed taking to the waters from here since its inauguration in 1898. It is a private open air swimming area just 2 kms from the city centre, where you can bathe in Oresund seawater and from the saunas you will take in the views of the Oresund Bridge and the Turning Turso. In summer, adding to the fun, are concerts and stand-up comedy acts in the bar/restaurant area. ribban.com

After a day or two of meeting the locals in Sweden – time to head to Denmark, just 25 minutes away on the fast train. Get in the swim of things on the other side of the sound!

Join the Copenhagen city-dwellers on the bus out to Amager Strandpark, a 4 kms long white sandy beach where you can rent kayaks, have a massage on the beach and of course – dive in.

This year, the hot-spot for sunbathers who also like to chill out with some cool music in the background, is the Halvandet Beach Club Bar, Restaurant, Marina and Activity Centre. Here you can take part in bungee-running, sumo wrestling and loads of other fun activities supervised by excellent instructors.

Funky Fridays and Saturday Sounds with evening DJ’s are a popular time to be there. On Lazy Sundays music starts at lunchtime for a cool afternoon just chilling in the sun looking at the sea. You get here by water bus from Nyhavn in the city centre. Join in the great atmosphere of summer Copenhagen. halvandet.dk

If you stay in the city centre, the coolest area to hang out and meet the locals is undoubtedly the Vesterbro area. This used to be quite a rough meat packing district, but these days it is the hub of activity for creative arts and galleries, bars and restaurants. Head for Halmtorvet Square, in summer filled with tables and chairs and trendy Copenhageners’ favourite spot for a long lazy brunch. visitcopenhagen.com/vesterbro

Nearby is Flaesketorvet, with its iconic Karrierebar. This bar/restaurant /club serves delicious organic meals inside and out surrounded by fascinating art works by contemporary Scandinavian and international artists. karrierebar.com

The facts:

Flights: flysas.co.uk - direct connections from Aberdeen, Manchester, Birmingham, Heathrow and London City Airports.

City details, including lists of bars and clubs to move on to for all night partying: malmo.se/turist and visitcopenhagen.com.

For all information on the Copenhagen Oresund region, go to visitoresund.info .