Do you want to go for a hat-trick during the weekend? Columnist Kate Monson guides you through the holy trinity of Malmö, Copenhagen and Lund.
We all know three is the magic number – even if it took De La Soul to point it out to you. And here in our little corner of the world we have a triple to rival many others – the holy trinity of Lund, Malmö and Copenhagen. All wonderfully connected by the ever-faithful Öresundståg train.
I have only lived in Sweden – Malmö to be precise – for 2 months and already two of my weekends have consisted of a heady mix of the three cities all in one big naughty go. And I’m going to try to convince many more of you to take on the delicious challenge with this handy step-by-step guide.
Friday night is Malmö night
After a week in Lund, scurrying back and forth from lectures and in between libraries, Malmö makes for blessed relief. Students become satisfactorily diluted and you can behave entirely outrageously all night without the sod’s law guarantee that you will bump into the ‘strangers’ at the bar outside the AF Building the next day.
Möllan and the spots around Möllevångstorget to the south of the centre are your best bet for a concentrated collection of ‘hip hangouts’ and their hipper frequenters. But if you prefer something a bit classier (and pricier) Lilla torg, a pretty little square in the centre of the city is for you.
Saturday calls for Copenhagen
There’s nothing like flipping between two currencies in one weekend to make you feel entirely excellent. And that’s only the start of what stunning Copenhagen has to offer you.
The city is home to some of the best-looking architecture I’ve seen in the world. The dragons twisting themselves up the roof of the old stock exchange conjure thoughts of Lewis Carroll’s burbling Jabberwocky; and head to the Church of our Saviour close to Christania for another spectacular winding spire – this time one that you can actually climb. The external staircase takes you around and around until it disappears to nothing. Not an activity for those with weak stomachs. Neither, for that matter, are the rides in the Tivoli Gardens, which look delightfully quaint and sepia-toned, but pack a serious punch.
For night life, the meat-packing district of Vesterbro close to the Central Station offers a wealth of trendy bars with a creative clientele. But if on your first foray into Danish drinking you don’t feel quite ready to compete with the coolest of Danes – and I don’t blame you, they’re exceptionally stylish – Nørrebro, to the north of the lakes offers plenty to choose from in a slightly more relaxed atmosphere.
Sunday is Lund day
For me, Lund is the perfect place to wind down after the whirlwind weekend. I’m sure I don’t need to spend any time, telling you the best spots to nestle down, nab a coffee and nurse what might well be a slightly sore head. But let it be known that the cobbled streets of home seem even better after a few days away.
Text: Kate Monson
