A unique opportunity awaits travelers who want to explore Denmark and Sweden in a single day, thanks to a remarkable ‘disappearing bridge.’ Known as Øresund in Danish and Öresund in Swedish, this architectural wonder transitions from a bridge to an underwater tube tunnel, creating the illusion of disappearing beneath the sea.
Opened in 2000 by Queen Margrethe II of Denmark and King Carl XVI Gustaf of Sweden, the Øresund Bridge links Copenhagen and Malmö, serving as the second longest bridge in Europe. The structure symbolizes unity and collaboration between the two countries and the broader European community, as highlighted during the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö.
Comprising an 8km bridge, a 4km underwater tunnel functioning as an artificial reef, and a 4km manmade island named Peberholm, the Øresund connection attracts an average of 70,000 daily visitors. Built over five years at a cost of £2.3 billion (£4.8 billion today), the project aimed to avoid radio signal interference with nearby Copenhagen Airport and ensure a navigable channel regardless of weather conditions.
Operated by Øresundsforbindelsen, the bridge charges varying tolls based on vehicle type, with motorcycles at £25.68, cars at £50.77, and higher fees for vans, motorhomes, and cars with trailers. Since its completion, the Øresund Bridge has significantly boosted economic opportunities for Denmark and Sweden, fostering a bustling trading region of 4.2 million inhabitants known as the Øresund Region.
Recognized with the IABSE Outstanding Structure Award, the Øresund Bridge has become a cultural icon, featuring prominently in the popular TV series The Bridge, where the discovery of a body on the bridge sets the stage for gripping crime drama.