With the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest conveniently located in Sweden and coinciding with the 50th anniversary of ABBA's historic win, many fans will be hopping overseas to experience the bonkers music event in person. If you're one of them, you're in luck – it just so happens that we have a crack team of locals on the ground in Malmö, ready to impart their wisdom on matters such as accommodation, sightseeing, and more in, ahem, douze guides.
Malmö, one of the largest Nordic cities, is a pleasant coastal city known in Sweden for its multicultural vibe. There's loads going on even before the Eurovision circus comes to town from 7 to 11 May. Large crowds of supporters are expected to flock to the city during the competition, so you'll want to get your accommodation sorted as soon as possible even if you don't plan on getting much sleep – our guide to the best hotels in Malmö should help with that.
The venue for the Eurovision Song Contest is the Malmö Arena, which is easily reachable via public transport from the city centre – the train from Malmö Centralstation stops right in front of it. For getting around town in general, consider using an electric scooter or a bicycle, as detailed in our guide to getting around Malmö. The city is pretty flat, so it's easy to zoom around.
Right, now that we've got the fundamentals sorted, it's time to relax and enjoy the city before the main event starts. In recent years, Malmö's restaurant scene has been thriving thanks to both long-established concepts and buzzy new launches. You can make your visit to Malmö even more special by booking one of the truly special restaurant experiences listed here, or see what all the fuss is about at one of the city's latest hot spots. And if the weather cooperates, it's hard to beat one of Malmö's alfresco restaurants for pure vibes.
While you're in Malmö, the Eurovision Song Contest is likely to take up a fair share of your time, but if you have some free time, our guide has lots of fun things to do in the city. Alternatively, take a breather from all of the flag-waving, clapping, and singing with a day trip – impressive castles, historic towns, and beautiful beaches await. You can even pop over to Copenhagen if you have the time, as the two cities are connected by the extremely impressive Öresund Bridge – so impressive in fact, that it serves as a key location in the hit TV series “Bron” (“The Bridge”), credited with helping popularise Scandi noir.
With the influx of party-minded tourists, Malmö's nightlife is sure to be going off during Eurovision, so if you're in the dancing mood, here are the best nightclubs to hit up. If you're just after a drink or two, Malmö's best bars offer a more sedate night-time option. Meanwhile, Eurovision's popularity among the LGBTQ+ community also means you'll want to pay a visit to these spots – they're sure to be buzzing.
Finally, no trip abroad is complete without spending the last of your hard-earned kronor on pretty things to wear, hang on your wall, or give to folks at home. If you want to go beyond Eurovision merch, Malmö Arena is conveniently located right next to a gigantic shopping mall that should take care of any high-street brands you might be after. If you're after a more personal experience, however, browse our guide to shopping in Malmö, which features some very fashionable boutiques for men and women alike.
Right, you're all set for an unforgettable Eurovision experience, but if that all seems a bit too much, our team has you covered as well. The guide to how to experience Malmö in 48 hours has everything you need to make the most of your time in Sweden. And for all matters related to the Eurovision Song Contest event itself, you can turn to the official website here.
PS – If you didn't manage to get tickets to the official event but still want to come over to Malmö and get a taste of Eurovision, consider a trip in early March, when the Malmö Live Concert Hall is hosting Everyone Loves Eurovision, a spectacular musical summary of the contest from 1956 to 2023, performed by acclaimed artists in collaboration with the Malmö Symphony Orchestra. Full details here.