Malmö may be a traditionally working class town, but it is also Sweden's city of parks. Older districts around the Renaissance-era Malmö Castle (Malmöhus) are teeming with parks and nice walking paths. Outside the city centre lies a unique slightly more austere park boasting wide open spaces and buildings inspired by antiquity. It is also here you'll find the People's Park (Folkets Park), a lovely working life tradition which draws people together.
Or if you set your sights instead on the old industrial neighborhoods around the port, you'll find modern parks with space for relaxation, activity and sports. Farther out from the city centre, you can enjoy wide green spaces in a more pastoral environment.
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Castle Park (Slottsparken)
Leafy park with tranquil paths and a unique playground
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Bønes is the southernmost part of Fyllingsdalen, and the place where the development of this suburb took place most recently. Until the 80s, this was an idyllic, but remote coastal and fishing area that most people from Bergen didn't visit other than to swim in Nordåsvannet.
Since then, things have improved greatly: The opportunities to dive into the water on a hot summer's day are the same as before, but it is easier to get here by public transportation, and there are several shops, cafés and meeting places for both visitors and permanent residents.
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King's Park (Kungsparken)
Malmö's oldest park boasts a classic English style
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One of the city's oldest bathing baths, Bislet Bad & Trening, is right next to one of the city's most magnificent sports arenas. Bislet is the place where world records have been set for running, high-jump and skating. Meanwhile, inside Bislet Bad, unofficial records have been set for relaxation and wellbeing.
The place offers a pleasant pool and several comfortable saunas that will give you both warmth and plenty of steam. And you can also fit in a training session in the well-equipped gym. Bislet Bad & Trening is generally for members only, but does offer drop-in sessions on certain days.
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Willowpond Park (Pildammsparken)
Neo-classical park with open spaces, water and gorgeous architecture
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If you happen to be in Stavanger in December, you should take a trip to the traditional Christmas market in the old town to experience the bustling crowds and the magical pre-Christmas atmosphere.
During the Christmas market, the streets, buildings, cafés and museums of the old town are decorated, and stalls are set up with arts, crafts and other unique goods, so there's plenty of opportunities to find the perfect Christmas gift here. Every year both residents and visitors flock to the market to take part in the Christmas tree decorations and various handicraft activities - and not least to see Old Stavanger spruced up in its finest Christmas decorations.
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People's Park (Folkets Park)
A meeting place for everyone with free games for all the family
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With over a million visitors a year, the Vigeland Park within Frognerparken is one of Norway's most visited tourist attractions. And with good reason: the sculptures that Gustav Vigeland erected here over a 20-year period in the last century are both fascinating and photogenic.
From the port at the main entrance to the park in Kirkeveien, up past the Monolitten masterpiece and to the end of the park is just under 850 meters. On this stretch you will be able to see 214 different sculptures created by Vigeland for this park - a work that took over forty years, until the artist's death in 1943.
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Varvsparken
Neighbourhood park with themed gardens and playgrounds
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Along with Rodeløkka, Kampen is probably Oslo's most authentic Norwegian district. The area still has wooden houses from before the district was incorporated into Christiania, and with Kampen park as the local recreation area, it's no wonder that the district is so popular.
The park is located north of Kampen itself, cut off by busy roads on one side. But it is surprisingly quiet and idyllic here, given its height above the city. The central lake makes thia a cool place to stop on hot days, and the steep slopes up to the top give you a proper workout even in a short distance.
Mapphoto by Adbar (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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Dania Park (Daniaparken)
Expansive grass and stone neighborhoods with views over the Öresund Strait
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If you love ice skating, Stavanger has several artificial ice rinks, including Sørmarka Arena, which is an indoor arena with various surfaces for curling, ice hockey and ice skating.
These include Pingvinbanen, a popular rink for children of all ages, but which is specially adapted for the youngest skaters. And if it gets cold enough for the water to freeze, the city can also provide its very own real ice rinks. Skating on a lake in open scenery has its own unique charm - just remember to check that the ice is safe before you go out on it!
Mapphoto by Jorchr (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Stapelbäddsparken
Huge skatepark and meeting space with climbing rocks
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The old town of Oslo is a historic part of the capital that is really on the rise, and which attracts many different people. Here you'll find everything from medieval ruins and traditional pubs to finer eateries.
Ekebergskrenten is the area for anyone looking for a quiet green space, and the park in front of the old Botsfengselet is a popular place to have a picnic in the open air or go sleighing in the winter. And did you know the penitentiary entrance was featured in all the Olsenbanden movies? If you walk toward the top of the park, you will also find an exciting sculpture park, which few people know about.
Mapphoto by Maria Eklind (CC BY-SA 2.0) modified
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Hyllie Water Park (Hyllie Vattenpark)
Educational park boasting wide grassy spaces
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Bogstadvannet bathing area lies on the border between Oslo and Bærum municipalities and is a perfect freshwater bathing spot. Large, flat grassy neighborhoods are ideal for playing or relaxing on. The water is flanked by a long sandy beach, and is shallow enough for children to wade in. The location on the outskirts of Nordmarka means there are green surroundings with fresh air and good hiking opportunities in the immediate area, while access is relatively easy by either automobile, public transportation or bike.
Mapphoto by Jiří Komárek (CC BY-SA 4.0) modified
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Käglinge Nature Reserve
A taste of southern Swedish nature close to the city
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Britannia Spa is located in the historic and exclusive Hotel Britannia in the heart of Trondheim, and just like the hotel, the spa and wellness area is in a class of its own. If you're looking for a complete wellness experience in luxurious surroundings, this is the place for you.
The spa area is like an elegant oasis and offers a full 840-m2 of wellness for body and soul. In addition to classic treatments, there is a mini pool, whirlpool, relaxation room, steam room, ice bath, saunas and much more on the menu, and there is of course a well-run gym here as well. After a wonderful time in the wellness area, why not finish off the experience either with a drink at one of the hotel bars or a tasty meal at one of the first-class restaurants.
Mapphoto by Jorchr (CC BY-SA 3.0) modified
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Ankarparken
An odd park made up of greenery, water and industrial materials
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SALT is so much more than just a place to go to a concert, and SALT Sauna is so much more than just a place to get hot and cold. It's the last stop before you get to Vippetangen, and the perfect place to stop before you board the boat for Denmark!
Although you really don't have to go anywhere because SALT Sauna takes you to a world of wellbeing, and once you're done, there is plenty here to fill your tummy and entertain the mind. Welcome to SALT!
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