Copenhagen and Malmo

 

It will come as no surprise to Nordic noir fans that The Lawyer is from the pen of Hans Rosenfeldt, the Swedish screenwriter behind The Bridge (which starts a repeat run on Saturday 9pm BBC4). The cross-border thriller also delves into the interlocking criminal circles of Copenhagen and Sweden’s southernmost city Malmo, which are linked by the famous fivemile Oresund road and rail bridge.  Swedish actor Alexander Karim leads the cast as a defence lawyer and promises series two is as gripping and multilayered as the first season. “I’ve done a lot of dramas and cop shows and rarely do the two meet like this. I love the intersection between all the fast-paced stuff and the emotional scenes.”

 

Apart from its enticing shots of sleek interiors, The Lawyer isn’t a great advert for either city, but Karim hopes it will inspire Scandi drama devotees who make a pilgrimage to Copenhagen to jump on the 40-minute train to Malmo and explore its old town and diverse arts scene.  “Malmo has a more continental vibe than Stockholm,” says Karim. “It’s very eclectic and fantastically connected, with lots of influences because the border is right there – it’s got a little bit of Vienna, Budapest, Stockholm and Copenhagen. I’d recommend visiting the museums, art exhibits theatres, Malmo Opera and its fantastic parks – you could spend a whole day exploring them.”

 

However, if he were going to swap his Stockholm home for another city, it would be Copenhagen. “It’s the city with everything. There are fantastic hotels, great shopping, tons of restaurants, bars and cafés, parks and amusement parks for families.  Copenhagen caters for every wallet. If you’re broke, that’s fine, you’ll find stuff to do, but you can also spend a month’s salary on a meal. The biggest problem you’re going to have in Copenhagen is where to eat, because there are so many amazing restaurants.”

 

The age-old rivalry between Denmark and Sweden may be friendlier these days, but how do Swedes and Danes perceive their neighbours?  “As Sweden is the largest country in the Nordics, the others view us like a strict older brother: pretty cold, stiff and boring.  “On the other hand, we view the Danes as the cool little brother, the drunken buddy. Denmark is smaller, but they make great movies and have a more relaxed approach to life. They’re more inclined to have a beer with lunch – in Sweden that’s not the done thing! I think a lot of Swedes would love to be Danes.

 

COOL COPENHAGEN

THE SIGHTS Historic Nyhavn and the cobbled canal district of Christianshavn; Christiansborg Palace, home to parliament and the fictional prime minister in Borgen; the buzzy cafés and shops of the Vesterbro district; the open-air harbour baths, popular in summer.  DON’T MISS Tivoli, a 19th-century amusement park  with elegant pavilions, lush gardens, open-air concerts, a wooden rollercoaster and hair-raising rides for thrill-seekers. It’s especially magical at night, when it’s lit by thousands of twinkling coloured lights.

 

COSMOPOLITAN MALMO

THE SIGHTS The old town’s medieval squares and pedestrianised streets lined with cafés; acres of parkland with lakes; striking architecture such as the city library; sandy beaches 20 minutes’ walk from the city centre.

DON’T MISS The chic boutiques and coffee shops of the harbour, Vastra Hamnen, where you can admire the Turning Torso, a 190m twisting skyscraper (right), and the stunning Oresund Bridge. 

 

CHECK BEFORE YOU BOOK

At the time of writing, travellers returning to the UK from Sweden (not Denmark) must self-isolate for 14 days. Visit gov.uk for the latest travel advice.