Turning Torso, Malmö: Visitor Information and Tickets

Turning Torso is Malmö’s defining skyline marker: a 190-metre twisting tower in Västra Hamnen, designed by Santiago Calatrava. Most visitors come for the exterior walk, waterfront views, and photos, then pair it with a stroll through Western Harbour.

Last update: 2026

Quick overview and key details

Quick overview

• Best for: architecture fans, photographers, and anyone visiting Västra Hamnen.

• Typical experience: free outdoor visit; optional pre-booked guided visit to the top floors on limited dates.

• Crowds: light on weekday mornings, busier on summer afternoons and weekends.

• Time needed: 30 to 75 minutes outside; about 2 hours if you add a longer Western Harbour loop.

Key facts

• Address: Lilla Varvsgatan 14, 211 15 Malmö.

• Height and form: 190 metres, 54 floors, 90° twist from base to top.

• Primary use: residential and office building, not a standard public attraction.

• Public access: exterior area is open at all times; interior access is by pre-booked visits only when offered.

• Top floors: floors 53 and 54 operate as meeting and event spaces.

• Neighbourhood: Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour), a short distance from central Malmö.

• Best close-up angle: from the canals and paths just south and east of the tower.

• Best “full twist” angle: step back to the waterfront promenades in Västra Hamnen.

• Weather factor: wind can be strong by the water, especially outside summer.

• Planning context: see Sweden Travel Information 2026: Transport, Costs, Seasons, and Regions to Stay.

Turning Torso Malmö

You can visit Turning Torso as an outdoor landmark at any time. If you want to go inside, you must book a specific visit or be part of an organised group. The building is primarily homes and offices, so there is no public lobby access like an observation tower.

For official visitor information and any seasonal access dates, start with Sky High Meetings’ visitor page: Visit Turning Torso. It lists public summer visits when offered and explains year-round study visits for groups.

Booking advice and queue avoidance

• Do not expect walk-up entry. When public visits run, the operator typically sells tickets in advance and limits capacity.

• Book the earliest slot you can get. It reduces waiting at check-in and gives clearer views if haze builds later.

• If tickets are sold out, treat the visit as an exterior stop and spend your time on the Western Harbour loop.

Opening hours and best time to visit

The outdoor area around Turning Torso is public space, so you can visit at any time. The best timing is about light and wind, not opening hours.

• Early morning gives you cleaner canal reflections and fewer people in the frame.

• Golden hour works well from the water-facing promenades, when the tower’s white facade picks up warmer tones.

• On windy days, choose a route closer to the canals and buildings, then finish with a short waterfront look.

Interior visits run on fixed schedules when offered. Treat the ticket page and your confirmation email as the final word for dates, meeting point, and late-arrival rules.

How to get there

Turning Torso sits in Västra Hamnen (Western Harbour). Most visitors arrive from Malmö Central Station (Malmö C).

• By bus: use Skånetrafiken city buses that run into Västra Hamnen. A practical approach is to start from Malmö C and ride toward the Western Harbour stops (routes and stop names change by timetable period, so check Skånetrafiken just before you travel).

• On foot: walk from Malmö C in about 25 to 35 minutes. Cross toward Universitetsholmen, continue past Dockan, then follow signs into Västra Hamnen and Lilla Varvsgatan.

• By bike: Malmö is flat and bike-friendly. Cycling from the centre is often the fastest option in good weather.

For city travel basics and local transport orientation, use Getting to and around Malmö.

The visitor experience and highlights

Most visitors experience Turning Torso as a short, satisfying walk with a few strong photo angles.

1. Start at a canal edge viewpoint. You will get the cleanest sense of the twist when you can include water in the foreground.

2. Walk closer for the “stacked cube” detail. The facade and window pattern read best from a slight angle, not directly under the tower.

3. Loop around the base on public paths. Keep moving so you see how the silhouette changes with each turn.

4. If you are booked for an interior visit, arrive early. Check-in is controlled, and late arrivals may miss the slot.

Trade-off to consider: do not spend all your time directly under the tower. You will get stronger photos by stepping back toward the canals and waterfront paths, even if it means the tower looks smaller in the frame.

Planning your time

• Quick stop (20 to 40 minutes): walk one loop near the base and take photos from a canal edge.

• Standard visit (45 to 75 minutes): add a longer loop through Western Harbour streets and waterfront.

• With an interior visit (about 2 hours total): allow time for check-in, the presentation, and a short exterior loop before or after.

If you are pairing Malmö with Copenhagen, the logistics in Copenhagen Travel Information 2026: Transport, Costs, Seasons, and Areas to Stay helps you plan the day structure.

Accessibility and constraints

The outdoor routes around Turning Torso are mostly flat and paved, with wide paths in many sections. The main challenge is surface texture in places and exposure to wind.

Not ideal for: visitors with severe vertigo or anxiety about heights, especially if you plan an indoor visit to high floors.

If you need step-free routing, plan your approach on the broader perimeter paths and avoid short stair cut-throughs. For interior visits, confirm access details with the organiser before you book.

Rules and security

Turning Torso is private property with residents and workplaces.

Expect controlled entry for any indoor visit, and follow staff instructions. Assume bag checks are possible, and avoid bringing large bags unless your ticket confirmation explicitly allows them. Photography outside is normal; indoor photography rules can vary by event and organiser, so check your booking details.

Costs and site spending

Outdoor visiting costs nothing. Costs apply only if you book an indoor visit or join a guided city tour.

Using the ECB reference rate (EUR 1 = SEK 10.5705):

• Public summer visit (when offered): about 18 EUR (195 SEK) per adult; about 9 EUR (100 SEK) for children up to 12.

• HSB Malmö member discount (when offered): about 14 EUR (150 SEK) per person; about 5 EUR (50 SEK) for children.

• Group study visits (year-round, price per person, excl. VAT): about 27 EUR (290 SEK) for 10 to 24 people; about 21 EUR (225 SEK) for 24 to 49; about 15 EUR (160 SEK) for 50 to 80.

Outside the tower, spending is mostly cafés and restaurants in Västra Hamnen. Prices tend to be higher on the waterfront. For better value, eat closer to the city centre, then come out here for the walk.

Practical tips for your visit

• Go early for calmer paths and cleaner photos.

• Dress for wind by the water, even on bright days.

• If you want to go inside, book ahead and treat the ticket page as your schedule.

• Step back to the canals and waterfront for the best “twist” photos.

• Combine this stop with a longer Western Harbour walk, not just the tower base.

• Carry shoes with grip if it is wet or icy.

FAQ

Can I go inside Turning Torso?Sometimes. Indoor access is typically limited to pre-booked visits or organised groups.

Is there an observation deck?Not as a standard public feature. Access to high floors depends on ticketed visits and event schedules.

What is the best time of day for photos?Early morning gives the clearest reflections and fewer people, while golden hour works well from the waterfront.

How long should I plan for?Give yourself 45 to 75 minutes for the outdoor loop, or around 2 hours if you have an indoor booking.

How do I get there from Malmö Central Station?Take a city bus into Västra Hamnen or walk 25 to 35 minutes via Dockan, then follow Lilla Varvsgatan to the tower.

Is the area safe to visit?Yes, it is a normal city neighbourhood. Use standard city awareness, especially around transport hubs.

Is it worth visiting in winter?Yes, if you dress for wind and slippery patches. The light is limited, so aim for midday.

Can I visit at night?Yes for the exterior. The area is lit, but the best architectural detail reads in daylight.

Where is the best viewpoint nearby?Step back to the canals and waterfront paths in Västra Hamnen so you can see the full twist.

Do I need to pay anything to see it?No. You can walk around the building for free; you only pay for indoor access or tours.