Swedish hits – the Eurovision winners' favourite spots

Sweden's music scene, which extends well beyond ABBA, is attracting increasing international attention – and understandably so. The thriving music industry is vital to the country’s economy; Sweden is one of the top three countries in the world – alongside the USA and Britain – where export revenue outweighs that of imports.

Set to host the Eurovision Song Contest once again in May 2024, Sweden's success in the competition is beyond question. Loreen’s triumph in 2023 marked the 7th occasion the country has won – a feat equalled only by Ireland. The vibrant city of Malmö will host the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest – for a third time.

Following in the footsteps of past winners, we set off on a Swedish tour to discover their personal gems – as highlighted in past interviews and across social media.

Loreen: Enholmen, Gotland

“Tattoo” 2023, “Euphoria” 2012

Loreen has made no secret of how much she loves Gotland particularly Enholmen – a tiny island off its northeast coast. Situated near Slite, Enholmen is part of Gotland’s archipelago. This nature paradise is also fascinating from a historical perspective: it has been fortified on several occasions, and you can still see some of the remaining battlements from the 1800s.

Gotland itself is a definite draw among Swedes and international visitors alike. The island is celebrated for its spectacular coastline, sandy beaches, rocky sea stacks and the charming Viking-era town of Visby – a UNESCO World Heritage Site. For more tips, visit our guide to Gotland.

Måneskin: Liseberg, Gothenburg

“Zitti e buoni” 2021

Italian rock band Måneskin evidently like to have fun. One of the highlights of their trip to Sweden in 2021 was a visit to Gothenburg's Liseberg. The amusement park, Scandinavia’s largest by area, attracts some three million visitors each year. Keep an eye on Liseberg's events schedule, Live at Liseberg, as it attracts notable musical talent. ABBA, Rolling Stones, Zara Larsson and Elton John are among the names having performed here.

Duncan Laurence: Stockholm

“Arcade” 2019

Duncan Laurence, 2019's winner from the Netherlands, loves Stockholm so much that he decided to move here. He chose Häringe Castle as the venue for his 2023 wedding. Situated some 25 minutes south of Stockholm, this 17th-century gem nestles idyllically within the Häringe-Hammersta Nature Reserve. Aside from its hotel and conference facilities, the palace's restaurant is sought-after – not least for its ‘fika’.

The Dutch singer also enjoys browsing Stockholm’s vintage clothing shops, of which there are plenty in Södermalm – Judits Secondhand, Beyond Retro and POP Stockholm, to name just a few.

Salvador Sobral: Gotland

“Amar pelos dois” 2017

A fan of celebrated director Ingmar Bergman, Portugal's winner Salvador Sobral even decided to take a Swedish language course during his Sweden visit. Any Bergman fan will be drawn to Gotland, particularly the island of Fårö, where the director lived and worked for over 40 years. This natural wonderland serves as the atmospheric setting for many of his films. You can take a guided tour and visit the Bergman Center during certain periods of the year. Plenty of Stockholm locations are also used in Bergman's work – see Visit Stockholm’s Ingmar Bergman’s Stockholm guide for more details.

Måns Zelmerlöw: Skåne and Stockholm

“Heroes” 2015

Måns Zelmerlöw grew up in Lund, near the 2024 host city of Malmö, and he has plenty of tips for anyone keen to explore the county of Skåne. In Bjäre, a peninsula north of Ängelholm, Zelmerlöw has in the past spoken warmly about hotel and restaurant Hovs Hallar, where he once worked. G Swensons, a pub, restaurant and nightclub rolled into one, is another favourite he's mentioned in interviews.

Over in Stockholm, Zelmerlöw is a fan of Kungsholmen's Restaurang AG, known for its steak and well-stocked wine cellar. For a more laid-back vibe, Zelmerlöw opts for the tapas bar Xarcuteria.

Conchita Wurst: Stockholm

“Rise like a Phoenix” 2014

When Conchita Wurst triumphed in 2014, she received invitations from Pride organisers all over the world, including Stockholm, where she inaugurated the event that year. Celebrated for its openness, Stockholm is a popular destination for the LGBTQI community. Popular spots include the Old Town-based Chokladkoppen café – one of Stockholm's first LGBT-orientated places – and the equally established Side Track gay bar. Discover further tips here. Wurst also performed at the open-air museum Skansen, one of the capital’s most popular attractions and an ideal place to learn more about Sweden’s culture and nature.

Emmelie de Forest: Malmö

“Only Teardrops” 2013

Half-Swedish, half-Danish singer Emmelie de Forest visits Sweden regularly – travelling easily between the two countries across the Öresund Bridge. One of the things she can't resist are cinnamon buns. In the 2024 host city of Malmö – where she triumphed in 2013 and performed as part of a celebratory Eurovision Song Contest concert at Malmö Live in March 2024 – you'll find a range of notable cafés serving these Swedish classics. Strong contenders include St Jakobs Stenugnsbageri and the coffee connoisseurs' favourite, Solde Kaffebar. Also consider AB Småland, best described as a lifestyle concept store with an excellent café.

Lena Meyer-Landrut: Stockholm

“Satellite” 2010

German singer Lena Meyer-Landrut performed her winning hit at Stockholm's much-loved amusement park, Gröna Lund, in 2010. Here's hoping she also got to discover the many eminent cultural spots dotted around Gröna Lund on Djurgården. Don't miss The Vasa Museum, Nordic Museum and the open-air museum Skansen – all of which will have you

Charlotte Perrelli: Skanör, Skåne

“Take Me to Your Heaven” 1999

Småland-born Charlotte Perrelli, crowned winner in 1999, has always been fond of southern Sweden. Skanör-Falsterbo, known as 'Skåne’s riviera', is an area she particularly likes to visit. These two charming medieval towns, joined together along the Falsterbo Peninsula, appeal to nature and golf lovers alike and boast some of Sweden’s best beaches.

Charlotte’s go-to hotel in Skanör is Hotel Gässlingen, a small establishment near the water with spa facilities and delightfully furnished rooms. In summertime, don't miss the cocktails at the beach bar Badhyttan.

Carola Häggkvist: Stockholm and Dalarna

“Fångad av en stormvind” 1991

Swedish household name Carola Häggkvist – known to Swedes simply as 'Carola' – burst on to the scene in the early 1980s with the Eurovision Song Contest tune “Främling”. In 1991, she went on to win with the competition with the equally catchy “Fångad av en stormvind”. Decades on, the Stockholm-born singer continues to draw crowds. Recently, she's graced stages such as Stockholm's renowned Avicii Arena and Dalhalla in Dalarna county. Come June 2024, the Swedish star is due to perform at the Borås-based glamping and culinary hotspot Bruket i Wiared, which Häggkvist recently described on Instagram as a favourite summertime concert venue.

ABBA: Stockholm

“Waterloo” 1974

ABBA’s importance to Sweden and the music industry can't be overstated, and Stockholm is full of band references. The band played many notable shows at Stockholm Concert Hall and the Djurgården-based ’ABBA the Museum’ is an immersive must-visit. In the same building, you'll find the Backstage Hotel, owned by Björn Ulvaeus. He also owns the Slottsholmen Hotel in his hometown, Västervik, on the southeast coast of Sweden. Meanwhile, Benny Andersson has invested in the 99-room boutique Hotel Rival in Stockholm's Södermalm.

Stockholm’s Old Town (Gamla Stan) has plenty of ABBA references too. The heart of this picturesque area is Stortorget Square – the backdrop for one of the band's most famous 1970s photographs. Continue to wander, and you'll also come across Baggensgatan 21, the former home of Frida Lyngstad and Benny Andersson.