Sweden – an open country where LGBTQ+ rights are the norm

This article covers:

• Pride festivals in Sweden
• Gay-friendly travel highlights in Stockholm
• Gay-friendly travel highlights in Gothenburg
• Other spots around the country worth a visit

Celebrated as one of the world’s most inclusive and progressive countries, it’s easy to see why Sweden is a particular draw for the LGBTQI community. According to the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA), Sweden is one of Europe's most gay-friendly countries. As a testament to this, EuroPride has been held in Sweden three times over the past three decades – in both Stockholm and Gothenburg. And in 2021, Malmö played host to WorldPride together with Copenhagen.

Swedish society as a whole is open and welcoming, and extensive legislation protects LGBTQ+ rights, including anti-discrimination and same-sex marriage rights, which were legalised in 2009.

In 2024, meanwhile, Sweden celebrated the 80th anniversary of another key LGBTQ right – namely the decriminalisation of homosexuality. On these grounds, Swedes like to say their home country has been “gay since 1944”.

Sweden certainly lives up to its reputation as a LGBTQ freezone, and this is true across this rainbow-flag waving country. At 30 and counting, there are more Pride festivals per capita in Sweden than anywhere else in the world – some of which we’ll introduce here.

Pride festivals in Sweden

Across the country, you’ll find unique Pride celebrations tying in with the respective cultural heritage of each destination. Sápmi Pride, to mention one, was inaugurated in 2014 in Kiruna as a celebration of the indigenous Sami population of Sweden and its LGBTQI community. Sápmi Pride is held on rotation between Sweden, Norway and Finland, as the Sami culture extends across these countries (as well as Russia).

Stockholm Pride – the Nordics' largest Pride

On a wider scale, the capital plays host to Stockholm Pride – the biggest festival of its kind in the Nordic region and one of Sweden’s largest events. This perennial summer highlight attracts tens of thousands of Swedish and international LGBTQ+ visitors each summer, transforming this beautiful city into one big party.

West Pride in Gothenburg

Gothenburg, located on Sweden’s west coast, boasts an equally strong LGBT community. Sweden’s second-largest city has its own version of Pride – West Pride – which attracts visitors from Sweden and beyond every summer.

Malmö Pride in the south

Malmö Pride highlights LBTQIA+ rights through culture, education and advocacy.

At Happy Pride’s Pride Calendar, you can see a list of all pride festivals in Sweden.

These events are all testament to Sweden’s undisputed status as an LGBT-friendly country, but this naturally open country will welcome LGBTQI travellers with open arms whenever you choose to visit.

Gay-friendly travel highlights in Sweden

Sweden doesn't have many venues exclusively for the LGBTQI community, nor does it feature a specific LGBTQ+ district like some other European cities. Instead, Swedish society is so inclusive and welcoming that people feel comfortable and accepted wherever they go.

In 2024, Stockholm was named Europe’s friendliest city in Condé Nast Traveler’s Readers' Choice Awards, a well-deserved recognition of the Swedes' warm, open, and cheerful nature.

That said, there are still plenty of spots that are particularly popular with the LGBTQ+ crowd. Here are a few:

Stockholm

Eat & drink:

• Mälarpaviljongen, a restaurant and bar, idyllically set by the waterside. Open summertime only.
• Chokladkoppen, a classic café in the Old Town and one of the first LGBT-orientated establishments in Stockholm.
• Side Track, the oldest gay bar in Stockholm, describes itself as “cosy on weekdays, wild on weekends”.
• Patricia, an old ship that turns into a gay club on Sundays. A restaurant, several bars and a nightclub open until 5 am.
• Club Backdoor, a large and popular gay nightclub, open Friday and Saturday until 5 am.

Hotels:

• Backstage Hotel and Hotel Rival, both founded by Benny Andersson from ABBA. Backstage Hotel (former Pop House Hotel) is located at the same address as the ABBA Museum, and Hotel Rival is close to many of the places mentioned above.
• Hobo Hotel and At Six Hotel are located next to each other and both belong to Strawberry, a hotel chain known for supporting Pride. Hobo has a hipster vibe, and At Six is a sleek five-star hotel.
• Other hotels frequently recommended within the gay community are Nordic Light Hotel, Hotel Berns, Grand Hôtel and Rex Hotel.

Events:

• Melodifestivalen, the final will be held in Stockholm on 8 March 2025.
• CinemaQueer, an international film festival held annually.
• After the success of 2024 with artists such as Carola, Bonnie Tyler, and Boney M, Drömmen Festival returns on 7 June 2025.

More tips:

The LGBTI guide to Stockholm by Visit Stockholm, QX Queer Map, Stockholm Pride.

Gothenburg

Eat & drink:

• Bee Kök & Bar, a popular “straight friendly” restaurant and bar open from lunch until late.
• Haket, a LGBTQ-friendly pub with quiz every Friday.
• Gretas, Gothenburg’s oldest gay bar and nightclub with occasional live shows.
• Club Queer, a mixed gay club usually held the last Friday of every month at Park Lane.

Hotels:

• Hotel Dorsia and Hotel Pigalle are two extraordinary hotels in central Gothenburg, often described with words like “decadent”, “Parisian-inspired” and “seductive”.
• Avalon Hotel and Clarion Hotel Post both belong to Strawberry, a hotel chain known for supporting Pride. Avalon Hotel is feng shui certified and Clarion Hotel Post is set in a beautiful historic post office building.
• Other hotels frequently recommended within the gay community are Scandic Crown, Scandic Rubinen, Gothia Towers and Upper House.

More tips:

LGBTQI Gothenburg at Goteborg.com, Queer Calendar Gbg on Instagram, QX Queer Map.

Other spots around the country worth a visit

• Klubb Chroma, Luleå, the largest LGBTQ+ nightclub in Norrbotten.
• Check in at Sund Nergården in beautiful Sörmland. Johan and Niklas run this small, personal hotel exclusively for adults, which also offers glamping during the summer.
• Author Selma Lagerlöf’s home Mårbackain Sunne, Värmland.
• Singer and acress Zarah Leander Museum on Vikbolandet, Östergötland.
• ABBA-member Björn Ulveaus’ restaurant Slottsholmen in Västervik, Småland.
• Johan Buskqvist and Marcel van der Eng, partners in life and in Lådfabriken, have transformed a former fish box factory into a luxury boutique B&B on the island of Orust, just over an hour north of Gothenburg.
• Andy and Matti have run Ransvik Havsveranda, a cosy café and restaurant on Kullahalvön in Skåne, well worth a visit, since 2019.
• Opera singer (soprano) Birgit Nilsson Museum in Båstad, Skåne.