Oresund Bridge

The Oresund Bridge carries road and rail nearly eight kilometres across the sound between Malmo in Sweden and Copenhagen in Denmark, then dives into a tunnel for the final stretch, an engineering marvel that turned two cities into one region. Made globally famous by the crime series The Bridge, it is best experienced by crossing it, ideally by train.

Background

The Øresund Bridge is a cable-stayed bridge carrying the E20 motorway and the Øresund railway line, and it is the fourth longest bridge in Europe. Its 7845 metres reach from Sweden to Peberholm, a man-made island mid-strait, where the four-kilometre Øresund Tunnel takes over for the last stretch to Amager. Building began in 1995 and the link opened on 1 July 2000. The tunnel section was chosen to keep clear of air traffic at Copenhagen Airport, leave an open channel for ships in any weather and stop ice floes blocking the strait. The main span is 490 metres, the pylons rise 204 metres, and traffic was put at about 18,434 road vehicles in 2022.

Source: Wikipedia, "Øresund Bridge"

What's there

• The crossing - the long span over the sound between two countries.
• The artificial island - Peberholm, where the bridge becomes a tunnel.
• Malmo and the Turning Torso - the Swedish city and its twisting skyscraper at one end.
• Copenhagen - the Danish capital a short ride across the water.

When to go

Year-round; the crossing works in all weather, and the region either side is a year-round destination. A clear day gives the best view from the train or car.

What to expect

It is an experience of crossing rather than a place to stop, since you cannot walk or cycle it - you cross by train or car. The train gives the best views and avoids the toll. Its fame rests as much on the TV series as the engineering.

Nearby

Malmo with its Turning Torso and old town is at the Swedish end; Copenhagen lies across the water.

Key facts