Malmo Eurovison Host Country 2024

What to expect from a visit

Well what can I say Sweden is famous for many, many things but for the LGBTQ community its mainly all about the Eurovision song contest and the fabulous city of Malmo which will once again be the events Host city and be propelled onto our screens globally after winning the show in 2023 with Loren for her 2nd time. ( I am already seeing the fireworks the glitter and amazing stages as I type)

Sweden is recognised internationally as a very safe and welcoming country for the LGBTQ+ community. So if your the kind of couple who love to hold hands and kiss in public your in safe hands. If you are an avid global community Pride follower you will know that Sweden has held the famous Euro Pride no less than three times in the last few decades. Malmo was also joint host city for WorldPride in 2021 with Copenhagen. As a country the Swedes themselves like to say that it has been Gay since 1944 due to its early decriminalisation of homosexuality making it way ahead of many European counterparts.

As I alluded to before Sweden really does embrace the rainbow flag and communities it represents and this is hugely showcased during the countries 20 plus Pride events. The cities of Stockholm, Gothenburg and the fabulous Malmo all host annual Prides. Its true to say that no matter what time of the year you generally travel to this welcoming country a Pride /Rainbow festival event will typically being celebrated in some part of the country.

Unlike many other European cities Sweden does not tend to segregate the LGBTQ community and instead showcases us alongside the city mixing the cultures into the day and night atmosphere. Due to this when looking out accommodation like hotels or even apartments etc I would always look to keep yourself focused in the heart of the city centre areas. Like many European cities you will find plenty of options from cheap hostels to spoilt rotten luxurious options which I often prefer myself lol what can I say I like to feel wealthy even when I am not.

Sweden has endless visitor attractions from an amazing history, unique landscape with 100s of islands, beautiful cities and towns, vibrant traditions and a creative spirit that makes itself known in everything from science, technology and the arts to the country’s ever-evolving culinary scene. The country is a nature lovers paradise and 60% of its land is covered in stunning forests and over 1000,00 lakes captivating many for water-sports adventures.

Malmo is Swedens 3rd largest city and like many areas of the country life is based around outdoor life, Malmö is full of great shopping, Sodergaten Street is the main shopping street in Central Malmö with a wide range of stores and a must for any shopping connoisseur, architecture, cultural experiences, great food and of course friendly Swedes wanting to make your visit the best it can be.

The best things to do in Malmo range from the medieval to the futuristic. The Old Town of the Swedish coastal city features cobbled squares that are home to open-air bars, restaurants and cafés, as well as historical buildings dating back to the early 14th century.

Malmo is also known for its modern setting, including a twisting skyscraper and an award-winning library. If you are looking for cultural experiences in Malmo, there are dozens of museums dedicated to art, natural history, and the sea.

Malmo Castle was built in 1434, and is one of Sweden’s oldest surviving Renaissance castles. Surrounded by a moat and lush gardens, the restored fortress houses the Malmo City Museum, Science and Maritime House, and the Natural History Museum, among others. There’s also the U3 submarine that was used during the Second World War, which you can explore on your own or by joining a guided tour. Admission to Malmo Castle is free for those younger than 20 years old, making it a great place to visit for families.

Stortorget Square is a good starting point for sightseers in Malmo, as its pedestrian streets are lined with some of the city’s oldest buildings. Built in 1540, an equestrian sculpture of King Karl X Gustav stands in the middle of the square. Stortorget Square is also close to important landmarks like Apoteket Lejone (Sweden’s oldest pharmacy), the Town Hall of Malmo, and Sankt Petri Kyrka (St. Peter’s Church). There are restaurants and cafés nearby, where you can have breakfast before starting your exploration of the city centre.

Ribersborgs Kallbadhus is a wooden bathhouse located at the end of a pier on Ribersborg Beach. Since 1898, it’s where locals enjoy recreational activities all year round. You can swim in the outdoor pools and sunbathe on the beach. The bathhouse has 5 traditional saunas, 1 of which is open to both men and women. Note that swimwear isn’t allowed in the saunas, but you can bring towels if you’re uncomfortable about being nude with strangers.

Little Square (Lilla torg) is at the heart of Malmö’s casual nightlife. Its central location in the city’s old town (Gamla staden), just a few minutes away from Malmö Central Station, makes it easy both to get to the square and to move on to nightclubs and concerts later in the evening.

This cute, cobblestoned square is flanked on all sides by historical buildings in brick and the region’s traditional half-timber style, as well as some of the city’s most popular terraces. Even if you aren’t visiting in the summer, it may still be worth your while pulling up a chair at one of these terrace spots – they normally boast outdoor heating as a nice way to extend the season.

Étage is a solid choice if you want a booming nightclub experience while on your visit to Malmö. Over the years, this classic nightclub has become an important staple of the Malmö club scene, with its central location at Stortorget square – just a 5 minute walk away from Malmö Central Station and Little Square – making it a convenient destination to round off the night.

Several dance floors featuring different genres mean that this is a nightclub to suit practically every taste. On certain evenings the age limit creeps down to 18, making Étage a suitable spot for younger travellers who want to dance the night away.

Getting to Sweden from the UK or Ireland is pretty easy these days with low -cost flights available from most airports with airlines such as Ryanair, SAS Airlines and British Airways serving many of the different cities in Sweden. The country also has a brilliant rail network which is very fast and efficient. Malmo itself is a very walkable city and so you will really get to see most of it in short 2- 3 day stay. If you are lucky enough to be heading off to attend Eurovision 2024 I won’t lie I am jealous and I am sure the city look stunning and its atmosphere will be amazing so colourful and euphoric . I hope for anyone attending that its an amazing experience but if like me you will be at home having a Eurovision party supporting your country of choice to win I know it will be brilliant night also.

I know for many Sweden would never even enter your head when thinking about a city break destination or even a summer vacation destination but I really do urge you to think about it. I have friends and family who have lived and worked inside the big key cities and even in the outskirts all of whom have loved the country its people and its stunning food.

I might just catch you beside me some day on a plane with ABBA blasting out from my head phones and you can tell me all about how you travelled to the country with the Blue flag with the Yellow cross and how it made you fall effortlessly in love with it and I personally think anyone who does travel to the country will have a lasting fondness for its cities and its people.

Until next time happy travels in 2024.

G Andrews