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Dragør or Malmo for a day before Copenhagen airport?

We are traveling from San Francisco to Copenhagen round trip and are going to spend 2 weeks in Denmark & Sweden. On the way back from Sweden we will be driving a rental car and returning it at the airport before our flight. We are considering coming back to the Copenhagen are a day early to be near the airport and looking for an interesting day trip. Would you recommend Dragør or Malmo or another place? We will have seen lots of castles and museums and will be looking for a relaxing place. Thanks.

Best,
Suzanne

Posted by
396 posts

I have never been to Dragor but we picked Malmo as our last day/night before flying back home via Copenhagen. Some on this forum recommended we stick to Copenhagen for our last night but I was glad we picked Malmo. The city was easily walkable from the train station and there were cafes, bars, shopping and people were out appearing to be having a pleasant afternoon/evening when we were there. I am sure there are more sights to do over in Copenhagen but Malmo hotels are cheaper and the city is plenty enjoyable for a day/evening.

Posted by
6862 posts

Depends a bit on what you're looking for. While there certainly are things to see and do in Malmö, I'd suggest Lund instead. Although returning the car in Lund and taking the train to the airport seems like a better option.

But it also depends a bit on what you have done previous, if you tell us your plans it will be easier to give advice.

Posted by
74 posts

Hi,

Thank you. We are looking for a small town that is quaint and quiet with cafes and is a nice place to spend a peaceful last day/night before our flight home. We do not necessarily want to visit more museums or castles but perhaps walk around or rent bikes and visit a small traditional town. That is why Dragor looks nice, so long as it is not too close to the airport with noise from planes flying overhead.

Our itinerary:
Arrive Jul 30
5 nights in Copenhagen
Train to Stockholm
2 nights in Stockholm
Drive to lake house near Vimmerby Sweden
5 nights in lake house
Drive to city [X] not far from Copenhagen airport
1 night in city [X]
Drive to Copenhagen airport and return rental car for 4:15pm flight

Thank you for your feedback.

Best,
Suzanne

Posted by
6862 posts

If you're looking for a small town, then Malmö is not the place you're looking for. It's Sweden's 3rd largest city with 325 000 inhabitants. So I'm still recommending Lund. Smaller and charming town with plenty of cafés and a nice cathedral if you decide that you want to do a bit of sightseeing after all.

And, planning to rent a car in Stockholm and returning it in Copenhagen is in my opinion a terrible idea. You should return it somewhere in Sweden and take the train to the airport. Not only will there be a cross border rental fee if you return it in Copenhagen, you also have the pay the rather steep (740 SEK) bridge toll if you plan to drive to the across the bridge.

And, renting the car in Stockholm is also not a gret idea. If you're going somewhere outside Vimmerby, take the train to Linköping and rent the car there. It will not only save you a bit of travel time, but also means you won't have to drive out of Stockholm. A rather boring road that also can be very congested. I'd also suggest that you add one more night in Stockholm and one less in Copenhagen. You can certainly spend 5 nights in Copenhagen without being bored, but 2 nights in Stockholm is a very short visit.

Posted by
74 posts

Thank you very much for your advice. This is very helpful. I think we will stay in Lund. I found a good family hotel. Please let me know if you have any recommendations of things to do in Lund. I think we will at least walk around the University. Thanks again. Best, Suzanne

Posted by
6862 posts

I think we will stay in Lund. I found a good family hotel.

That's a great choice. I don't know where you are staying, but driving in central Lund is a nightmare so I'd suggest you try to return the car somewhere on the outskirts and then take a bus or taxi to your hotel.

Please let me know if you have any recommendations of things to do in
Lund. I think we will at least walk around the University.

It depends a bit on what you're interested in and want to see and do. (It can also be a good idea to start a new thread in the Sweden forum, I check that one a bit more often. )