Why the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to me
The Local Sweden's deputy editor Becky Waterton spent her Sunday running over the bridge between Sweden and Denmark in a half marathon to celebrate the bridge's 25th anniversary. She explains what the bridge means to her and to people in the Öresund region.
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This weekend, I completed the Broloppet half marathon over the Öresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark.
The organisers of the run made a big deal of the bridge (and the run) symbolising the connection between Denmark and Sweden. At first, that sounds quite cheesy, but life here in Malmö where I live would certainly be different if it didn't exist.
It means that you can live in Malmö and commute to work in central Copenhagen in less than an hour, opening up Copenhagen to Swedes looking for new work or study opportunities.
Swedes can head over to Louisiana or Tivoli for a day trip, and Danes can nip to Malmö or Lund to see the sights and make the most of the low Swedish krona for some cheap shopping.
I hadn't even run 5km before I bought my ticket in February last year, but I just knew when I saw the run being advertised that I had to do it.
This may sound odd, but the Öresund Bridge means a lot to me. I've lived and worked in both cities, speak both languages, and aside from the fact that I cross the bridge whenever I visit friends in Denmark or travel via Copenhagen Airport, it's played a central role in many important moments in my life.
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I met my Swedish husband when I was living in Copenhagen and he was living in Malmö. I crossed the bridge when I caught the train to Malmö for our first date.
I crossed it when we left Malmö for our wedding in Frederiksberg town hall, and I crossed it while in labour with our daughter, who was born in Denmark. I even crossed it mid-pandemic, when my parents were able to visit Copenhagen but not Malmö, so that my family could meet my daughter for the first time.
On Sunday, I crossed it on foot with my dad (who, unlike me, is an avid runner) by my side. That was the culmination of over a year of training, much of which was done along the seafront in Ribersborg looking out at the bridge. Now when I look out at the bridge, I along with 40,000 other runners can say 'I ran over that'.
The Öresund Bridge run also means a lot to people in southern Sweden and, I assume, Denmark too. Three generations of my daughter's family have done it now, including my father-in-law who skated over on roller blades (!) 25 years ago. I know that we have some readers who were there on Sunday with their own connections to the bridge, whether that's in their own lives or through their family history.
Admittedly, the connection between Sweden and Denmark isn't always smooth. What was supposed to be temporary border checks at Hyllie are nearing their tenth anniversary this year, and non-EU citizens can't live in one country and work in the other without a work permit. It's also extremely expensive to cross it (at least for those of us who are paid in Swedish kronor), and the trains are often delayed or cancelled.
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The bridge run itself didn't go completely smoothly either, to be fair. Long toilet queues before the run meant that many people didn't have time to go before they were due to start, and chaos with buses and bag pick-up afterwards meant that those heading back to Denmark had to wait in the finish area for hours. Many runners even had to queue in the last 200 metres before they could cross the finish line, which must have been frustrating to say the least after pushing yourself for 21 kilometres.
For the most part though, I'd say that the bridge has clearly benefited both countries greatly, and has brought them closer together in the 25 years since it was built. I don't particularly fancy doing it again anytime soon, but who knows ‒ maybe I'll feel differently if another run is planned for the bridge's 50th anniversary in 2050. By then, there could even be a metro line stretching between both cities, bringing us even closer over national and geographical borders.
I certainly feel closer to the other runners who spent a couple of hours (in my case, almost three) running under and over the Öresund from Denmark to Sweden on Sunday. Even considering the organisational chaos and the frankly terrible conditions, I doubt there are many people who regret they did it.
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Local Sweden
11 hours ago
- Local Sweden
Why the Bridge Run between Sweden and Denmark meant so much to me
The Local Sweden's deputy editor Becky Waterton spent her Sunday running over the bridge between Sweden and Denmark in a half marathon to celebrate the bridge's 25th anniversary. She explains what the bridge means to her and to people in the Öresund region. Advertisement This weekend, I completed the Broloppet half marathon over the Öresund Bridge between Sweden and Denmark. The organisers of the run made a big deal of the bridge (and the run) symbolising the connection between Denmark and Sweden. At first, that sounds quite cheesy, but life here in Malmö where I live would certainly be different if it didn't exist. It means that you can live in Malmö and commute to work in central Copenhagen in less than an hour, opening up Copenhagen to Swedes looking for new work or study opportunities. Swedes can head over to Louisiana or Tivoli for a day trip, and Danes can nip to Malmö or Lund to see the sights and make the most of the low Swedish krona for some cheap shopping. I hadn't even run 5km before I bought my ticket in February last year, but I just knew when I saw the run being advertised that I had to do it. This may sound odd, but the Öresund Bridge means a lot to me. I've lived and worked in both cities, speak both languages, and aside from the fact that I cross the bridge whenever I visit friends in Denmark or travel via Copenhagen Airport, it's played a central role in many important moments in my life. Advertisement I met my Swedish husband when I was living in Copenhagen and he was living in Malmö. I crossed the bridge when I caught the train to Malmö for our first date. I crossed it when we left Malmö for our wedding in Frederiksberg town hall, and I crossed it while in labour with our daughter, who was born in Denmark. I even crossed it mid-pandemic, when my parents were able to visit Copenhagen but not Malmö, so that my family could meet my daughter for the first time. On Sunday, I crossed it on foot with my dad (who, unlike me, is an avid runner) by my side. That was the culmination of over a year of training, much of which was done along the seafront in Ribersborg looking out at the bridge. Now when I look out at the bridge, I along with 40,000 other runners can say 'I ran over that'. The Öresund Bridge run also means a lot to people in southern Sweden and, I assume, Denmark too. Three generations of my daughter's family have done it now, including my father-in-law who skated over on roller blades (!) 25 years ago. I know that we have some readers who were there on Sunday with their own connections to the bridge, whether that's in their own lives or through their family history. Admittedly, the connection between Sweden and Denmark isn't always smooth. What was supposed to be temporary border checks at Hyllie are nearing their tenth anniversary this year, and non-EU citizens can't live in one country and work in the other without a work permit. It's also extremely expensive to cross it (at least for those of us who are paid in Swedish kronor), and the trains are often delayed or cancelled. Advertisement The bridge run itself didn't go completely smoothly either, to be fair. Long toilet queues before the run meant that many people didn't have time to go before they were due to start, and chaos with buses and bag pick-up afterwards meant that those heading back to Denmark had to wait in the finish area for hours. Many runners even had to queue in the last 200 metres before they could cross the finish line, which must have been frustrating to say the least after pushing yourself for 21 kilometres. For the most part though, I'd say that the bridge has clearly benefited both countries greatly, and has brought them closer together in the 25 years since it was built. I don't particularly fancy doing it again anytime soon, but who knows ‒ maybe I'll feel differently if another run is planned for the bridge's 50th anniversary in 2050. By then, there could even be a metro line stretching between both cities, bringing us even closer over national and geographical borders. I certainly feel closer to the other runners who spent a couple of hours (in my case, almost three) running under and over the Öresund from Denmark to Sweden on Sunday. Even considering the organisational chaos and the frankly terrible conditions, I doubt there are many people who regret they did it.
Local Sweden
2 days ago
- Local Sweden
Öresund Bridge between Denmark and Sweden has ‘most expensive toll in world'
A review by a Swedish newspaper has concluded that the Öresund Bridge connecting Denmark to Sweden is the world's priciest crossing to drive over. Advertisement The Öresund Bridge is this year marking the 25th anniversary of its opening, but has been given a title it might not want to include in the celebrations. Swedish newspaper Sydsvenskan has concluded that the 16-kilometre tunnel and bridge connection between Amager in Denmark and Skåne in Sweden has the most expensive bridge toll in the world. The current price for a single journey across the bridge in a private car is 510 Danish kroner or 750 Swedish kronor, making it the most expensive bridge by some distance according to Sydsvenskan. Subscribers to the Øresund Go discount scheme pay 178 Danish kroner per crossing, or 262 Swedish kronor. The subscription costs 365 Danish kroner or 565 Swedish kronor per year. This means that even with a subscription to the discount scheme, the first five crossings are still more expensive than on any other bridge in the world. More than five crossings in a year will result in a lower average price per crossing. Around 80 percent of motorists who use the bridge have either Øresund Go or another form of discount according to the newspaper. Advertisement The twin bridges between Kobe and Naruto in Japan are the world's second-most expensive to cross, with the Confederation Bridge in Canada in third place. Denmark's Great Belt Bridge between Funen and Zealand is the fourth-most expensive in the world. The high toll prices on the Öresund Bridge are necessary because it is user and not taxpayer-funded, Linus Eriksson, CEO of operating company Øresundsbron, told Danish news wire Ritzau. 'We haven't spent a single taxpayer krone financing this bridge and we still have debt to pay off,' Eriksson said. The Øresund Bridge was built at a cost of 14.8 billion Danish kroner in 1990, with its financing structure requiring loans to be repaid by users of the bridge. Eriksson also noted that tolls on the bridge are required to be based on ferry fares linking Denmark to Sweden between Helsingør and Helsingborg. The repayment period is a maximum of 50 years from the bridge's opening in 2000, meaning that the bridge is expected to be fully paid off by 2050 at the latest.
Local Sweden
4 days ago
- Local Sweden
Summer like a Swede: Discover Sweden's cultural highlights by train
Sweden's long summer days allow you to pack in plenty, making it the perfect time to explore your adopted home and dive deeper into Sweden's culture. But what exactly is Swedishness? It's a question the government set out to answer this year, inviting suggestions from the Swedish public for a 'cultural canon ': a list of activities, sights, and concepts that all contribute to what it means to be 'Swedish'. Train company SJ has matched these ideas to the destinations where you can try them out, so we've picked some of the best spots across the country – all accessible by train – to help you plan your summer. Ready to explore Sweden? Click here to see SJ's routes and book your trip Thank you for the music As everyone's favourite foursome asked, without a song or dance, who are we? And as much as we love ABBA, the country has much more to offer when it comes to music. Each summer, the capital Stockholm plays host to one of Europe's most unique concert series. Theme park Gröna Lund , an institution in its own right, sets the stage for Sweden's 'longest festival' with different artists playing between May and September. In 2025, alongside global names such as Alanis Morisette and Manic Street Preachers, you'll find the likes of Miriam Bryant, Veronica Maggio and Victor Leksell who sing primarily in Swedish – this has to be the most fun way to fit in language practice over the summer. From central Stockholm, you can arrive by commuter boat or by tram, and spend the day trying out the rides before finding your spot in the crowd. Gröna Lund, the home to Sweden's 'longest festival' Another festival with a distinctly Swedish flavour is Gothenburg's Way Out West (August 7-9). With Chappell Roan, Charli XCX, and Swedish band Kite headlining, the international line-up covers a range of genres, and the multi-day tickets allow you to leave and re-enter the festival area, allowing you to explore Sweden's second largest city between your favourite acts. The event wears its eco-friendly credentials proudly, with an all-vegetarian food offering and a policy of using secondhand clothing for staff uniforms and upcycled merch. If you're travelling from Stockholm, consider booking the official festival train to get the party started en route! DJ keeping the vibes going at Way Out West. Looking for something at the more traditional end of the spectrum? Swedish folk dance and music is an entry on the cultural canon that you can experience in Hälsingland, central eastern Sweden. It's a custom with a dark legend attached. The story goes that in one village, Hårga, a local dance was interrupted by a mysterious visitor playing mesmerising tunes on the fiddle. Spoiler alert: he was the devil in disguise. Once people started dancing to his tune, they found they couldn't stop, and danced until all that was left were their skeletons.. Visitors will easily understand how Hälsingland sparked storytellers' imaginations: this off-the-beaten-path region boasts more forest than anywhere else in the country, and you'll find fairytale-esque landscapes around the Ljusnan River and its surrounding beaches, and when walking through the rolling hills – including Hårgaberget, site of the mythical devil's dance. Swedish folk dance Today, the legend has inspired an all-day dancing event, the Hälsingehambo, which starts in Hårga itself and moves through local villages. This year, it marks its 60th anniversary. There are other events in the region devoted to folk dance and music, including the two-day Delsbostämman festival in early July which features a range of performances. Get out there! Start planning your route with SJ and see Sweden like never before Add Swedish flavour to your summer Sometimes the simplest delicacies are the finest, and so it is with the humble hot dog or grillkorv . While these can be sampled at street-side stalls and corner shops the length and breadth of the country, why not elevate the experience? To truly experience Swedish culture, you need to grill the sausage yourself over an open fire, and do it while surrounded by breathtaking natural scenery. Take the train to Abisko to experience some of the most stunning views possible from a train window. There are a wide range of scenic walking routes that feature barbecue spots (do check that you're using one of the designated areas; lighting a fire is only allowed in certain spots). One recommendation: the mountain hut at Lake Abiskojaure, which you can reach by following a moderate trail along the Abiskojåkka River. Another classic food is tunnbröd or Swedish flatbread. It's particularly popular in the central region of Dalarna, where you can work up an appetite with a day of walking along trails where you'll see waterfalls and can stop for a swim in the lakes. Round off the day with a hearty meal highlighting local ingredients, including tunnbröd baked in a wood-fired oven. It can be eaten with savoury fillings like salmon, or something sweeter like berry-filled jams. Tunnbröd and Falafel are popular food options in Sweden These days, Swedish culinary culture also reflects the growing diversity of the population, and is all the better for it. Malmö can probably lay claim to the title of the top spot in the Nordics for falafel , with the highest concentration of restaurants and stalls around Möllevångstorget. Try Jalla Jalla, which featured in classic Scandi crime series The Bridge and is near the police station also recognisable from the show. Like the grillkorv, falafel is best enjoyed with a view – Jalla Jalla is just a short walk from Sweden's oldest public park, Folkets Park. Whatever the final destination, you can begin your culinary journey on the train itself, with SJ's bistro serving up classics like shrimp sandwiches and cinnamon buns. Experience Sweden by train this summer Embrace the outdoor lifestyle The long summer days beg to be spent out in nature, and one entry to the cultural canon is simply, 'a forest walk with a thermos and cheese sandwich'. More than two thirds of Sweden is forested, so you're spoilt for choice with locations. To take on a classic Swedish hiking route, consider a section of the Kinnekulle trail (start from Råbäck station, near Lidköping), or part of island-hopping hike Kuststigen (the Coastal Path) beginning from Hönö in Gothenburg's archipelago. For Swedes, outdoor swimming can be a year-round pastime, best combined with a quick dash to the sauna. For the uninitiated, summer is the time to dip your toe, then your whole body, in this crucial part of Scandi culture. Try out the kallbadshus (literally 'cold bath house') where you dash between open-air pools and saunas. Two of the most historic spots in the country can be found in Varberg, southwestern Sweden, and Ribersborg in Malmö, both just a short walk from the train station. Friluftsliv and kobingo are a unique ways to enjoy a summer in Sweden Our final suggestion for your summer bucket list is perhaps the quirkiest of the list: kobingo (cow bingo). Hosted at farms around the country, it's a rural tradition where fields are divided into a numbered grid, cows are released, and the square where the first cow poops is the winner. Take a look to see if any of the farms in your local area might be hosting it. Sweden's farms are an amazing day out for the family (don't forget to take advantage of SJ's family discounts for your train journey), with farm shops and restaurants, and chances to meet the animals. So there you have it: a selection of perfectly Swedish ways to fill those long summer days – and connect a little more deeply with the country in the process. Book your Swedish summer exploration with SJ today!
