Wanting to see other Swedish cities, we spent a day-trip exploring Malmo Sweden.

In the 16^th century, Malmo competed only with Copenhagen as the largest and most important city in Scandinavia due to its port. It also led the country’s industrialization and is now, partially due to its university, home to a growing number of tech companies. Today, its 300,000 people rank it as the third largest city in Sweden. The city retains some of its history in areas including:

• Malmohus Castle, which was originally built in 1434, partly destroyed and then rebuilt in 1530s, is now home to the largest museum in Southern Sweden, focusing on the history and culture of the area, nature and science.

• Lilla Torg, or Little Square is among the oldest and the prettiest in the city. The highlight is its 16^th-century City Hall which, while currently under wraps for a major renovation. That’s a shame, since the pictures look beautiful. The square, also has a number of 17^th century buildings including some half-timber structures such as the large and pretty Hedmanska Garden. The square is also lined with cafes and is home to some of the city’s better restaurants.

• St. Petri Cathedral, the oldest building in the city, was built in the early 14^th century. Its open interior, painted white, makes it one of the brightest cathedrals we have seen. It also has a lovely alter and highly decorated, frescoed chapel.

• Other central city buildings, such as Flensburgsha Haus, bear dates from the 16^th and 17 century.
• The Apotek Lejonet building is nowhere near that age—dating only from the 19^th century. The exterior, however, is one of the more elaborate in the city, with carved bas reliefs, intricate balconies and a gilded lion. The interior also retains historic details, such as its carved shelves with 19^th-century style bottles, chandeliers and painted glass ceiling.

Not all of the city is quite so historic.

• The Turning Torso is a futuristic residential tower designed by Spanish architect Santiago Calatravash. This 2005 building, which tops out at 623 ft, is the tallest building in Scandinavia. It was also the foundation for a renovation and increased popularity of the city’s West Harbor District.

• Mollevang Square, meanwhile, is one of the hottest, hippest areas of the city, with restaurants, popular clubs, shopping areas and a pleasant pedestrian street that leads all the way to the center city, culminating on Sodergatan.

We had time for only one meal in the city, a lunch:

• Johan P is one of the city’s premier seafood restaurants. We had two very good dishes. Butter-fried hake with trout sauce and trout roe was served with asparagus and new potatoes. Grilled tuna which, as we requested, barely touched the grill, was simply but very well-prepared with a salad of mixed local greens, fresh and sun-dried tomatoes and cucumber in a light cream dressing.