The city’s premier cultural institution, Malmö Museer (malmo.se/museum) comprises four dedicated museums housed in two venues: the Malmöhus Slott (Castle Island) and the nearby Technology & Maritime Museum. It’s particularly popular with local families and school groups, with plenty to keep youngsters engaged. Entry to both venues is covered by one ticket; children aged 19 and under get free entry.
Remains of the defensive structure built here in the 1430s for Erik of Pomerania are preserved in the Malmöhus Slott that took its place, which was completed in the middle of the 16th century. Inside, there are exhibitions about Malmö’s history as well as an armory in the northwest cannon tower and three furnished chambers: the Great Hall, a reception chamber and a bedroom.
On the ground floor, accessed through the excellent gift shop, is a nature museum with an aquarium, one of Sweden's best. If your kids are into marine biology, this place is packed with all kinds of critters. Take your photo standing in a shark's mouth, get inside the tanks via plastic domes and try to pronounce the Swedish for clownfish and eel. The aquarium is followed by a text heavy exhibition on sustainability and some old-fashioned natural-history dioramas and exhibits about dinosaurs and local fauna. With kids, allow at least two hours here, more if you end your visit at the museum restaurant Weger which has cheap meals, a free salad buffet and gratis crackers and water.
Upstairs, a changing program of temporary exhibitions showcases local art and design.
A short walk northwest of the Castle Island, the impressive Technology & Maritime Museum has exhibits covering land and sea transport, technology, space and science. Many of these are interactive experiments which children and adults can carry out. Other highlights include a claustrophobic crawl through a real submarine, lots of old cars and planes and an exhibition on the many things that were invented in Sweden but the Swedes are too modest to boast about (Nicorette, Tetrapak, dynamite). Allow at least half a day to see this branch with your little ones aboard.
