Malmo Sweden - The Swedish Riviera

Malmö is Sweden`s third-largest city, with about 286,000 inhabitants as of 2009. Malmö is located way down in the southernmost part of Sweden, and believe it or not is closer to Italy than it is to the northernmost tip of Sweden.Malmö has historically been a blue-collar city, and although it dates back to the 14th and 15th centuries, it has experienced its ups and downs throughout the centuries, and is currently moving away from an old-style heavy industry economy to a more modern information based economy. Malmö has thus become the new city with a plethora of impressive architectural developments. It is now a center for biotech and information technology based companies, and Malmö University is flourishing. The University College of Malmö has been established recently, and the focus is on education, and the arts. In fact, Malmö was ranked in Grist Magazine as one of the 15 greenest cities of 2007.There is much history to be seen and enjoyed in Malmö. Some of the original 14th and 15th century buildings, along with the 13th century St. Peter`s Church, are worth touring. The popular art nouveau style of many Nordic countries in the mid-1800s through the mid-1900s is prevalent here. Be sure to visit the Western Harbour waterfront, where you will find a long boardwalk and man-made seen the beach. You`ll also find their open-air swimming pool that the heartiest of Swedes will use year-round. In spite of the chilly climate, this area is sometimes referred to as the "Swedish Riviera", or the "Riviera of the North".Shopping, bars and coffee shops are best found at the Lilla Torg and Möllevängestorget pedestrian areas. From there, there is no shortage of theaters museums and art galleries all within walking distance. The historic town hall is located at the big square. Keep in mind, bed and breakfast malmo is home to a rich, although transitory, array of musical companies and independent theater groups. It`s also a hub for dance clubs rock and dub culture.