Sweden - Becky Ohlsen [121]
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BRIDGING THE GAP
Opened in 2000, the Öresund bridge (www.oresundsbron.com) is the planet’s longest cable-tied road and rail bridge, measuring 7.8km from Lernacken (on the Swedish side, near Malmö) to the artificial island of Peberholm (Pepper Island), south of Saltholm (Salt Island). From the island, a further 3km of undersea tunnel finally emerges just north of Copenhagen airport.
Local commuters pay via an electronic transmitter, while tolls for everyone else are payable by credit card, debit card or in Danish and Swedish currency at the Lernacken toll booths. The crossing isn’t cheap – for a motorcycle the price is Skr190, private vehicles (up to 6m) pay Skr345 and private vehicles with trailers, vans or minibuses cost Skr690. Discounts are available with the Malmökortet (below). An alternative option is to catch a commuter train to Copenhagen (Skr95), an easy 35-minute trip from Malmö and a good excuse to explore Denmark’s so-hip capital.
If you’re travelling between Sweden and Denmark with your own transport, you may want to consider other options (such as ferries between Helsingborg and Helsingør; Click here).
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Orientation
Gamla Staden (Old Town) is Malmö’s heart, encircled by a canal. There are three principal squares here: Stortorget, Lilla Torg and Gustav Adolfs Torg. The castle, Malmöhus Slott, in its park setting, guards the western end of Gamla Staden. Across the canal on the northern side you’ll find the bus and train stations as well as the redeveloped harbour precinct. South of the city centre is a complex network of up-and-coming streets with most interest focused on the square Möllevångstorget. The Öresund bridge is about 8km west of the city centre and is served by a motorway that passes south and east of the city.
Information
BOOKSHOPS
Akademibokhandeln (664 29 90; Södra Tullgatan 3; Mon-Sat) Good selection of general books and guidebooks.
Hamrelius (12 02 88; Södergatan 28) Wide variety of English-language books.
Pressbyrån (Centralstationen; to 11pm) Newspapers and international magazines.
DISCOUNT CARDS
The discount card Malmökortet offers free bus transport and street parking, entry to several museums, and discounts at other attractions and on sightseeing tours. It’s good value at Skr130/160/190 for one/two/three days – the price includes one adult and up to two children under 16. Buy it at the tourist office.
EMERGENCY
Akutklinik (33 10 00; entrance 36, Södra Förstadsgatan 101) Emergency ward at the general hospital.
Police station (20 10 00; Porslinsgatan 6)
INTERNET ACCESS
Malmö Stadsbibliotek (660 85 00; Regementsgatan; 10am-7pm Mon-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri, 11am-3pm Sat Jun-Aug; 10am-8pm Mon-Thu, 10am-6pm Fri, 11am-4pm Sat & Sun Sep-May) Free internet access at the library.
Sidewalk Express (Centralstationen; per hr Skr19)
LAUNDRY
Most hotels, hostels and camping grounds have laundries.
Tvätt-Tjänst i Malmö (611 70 70; St Knuts Torg 5; 8am-5pm Mon-Fri Aug-Jun)
LEFT LUGGAGE
There are small/large lockers in Central stationen for Skr25/40 per 24 hours.
MEDICAL SERVICES
You can call the dentist and doctor on duty on 1177.
Apotek Gripen (19 21 13; Bergsgatan 48; 8am-10pm) After-hours pharmacy.
MONEY
Banks and ATMs are found on Södergatan.
Forex (30 40 31; Centralstationen; 7am-9pm) Money exchange, with another branch opposite Centralstationen on Skeppsbron, one on Gustav Adolfs Torg and another at Davidshallsgatan 27.
X-Change (788 88; Hamngatan 1; 8.30am-7pm Mon-Fri, 9am-4pm Sat) Money exchange.
POST
You can buy stamps and post letters from numerous shops and kiosks.
TOURIST OFFICES
For excellent online information, log onto www.malmo.com.
Skånegården (040-34 12 00; www.skane.com; Skånegårdsvägen 5; 9am-8pm Mon-Fri,