05 Jun LGBTQ+ Students’ Guide to Internships Abroad: Safe Spaces in Stockholm
Stockholm isn’t just famous for its clean streets, cinnamon buns, and stunning waterfront views—it’s also one of the most progressive cities in the world when it comes to inclusivity. As an international student doing an internship in Stockholm, you will find the city welcoming, affirming, and rich in queer history and culture.
To get started, here is a quick timeline on Sweden and everything LGBTQ+:
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- 1972: Made history as the first country ever to make gender change legal.
- 2009: Became the fifth country in Europe to legalize same-sex marriage.
- 2025: Ranked 12th out of 49 European countries in the annual Rainbow Map by the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGA).
Unlike other iconic cities like Tokyo or Paris that have dedicated LGBTQ+ districts, Stockholm has a different approach—safe and inclusive spaces can be found all across the city. Beloved LGBTQ+ hangouts, long-running events, and meaningful institutions await you everywhere.
In this blog, we’ve listed down restaurants with queer history, some of the city’s many LGBTQ+ events, and even a museum dedicated to being non-binary. Let’s dive in!
LGBTQ+ restaurants and cafes in Stockholm
While the city doesn’t need explicitly-labeled restaurants to show its inclusivity—there is no shortage of rainbow flags all over Stockholm—a few spots have earned the loyalty of the local LGBTQ+ community. Some for their history, and others simply because of their welcoming vibe.
Chokladkoppen
In the heart of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s old town, you’ll find the first cafe to proudly wave the rainbow flag. Back then, there were barely any openly LGBTQ+ spaces in the city, and Chokladkoppen became a spot that was created by and for the community.
Today, the cafe remains a hub for the community—you’ll find notices about queer events and can even grab a free copy of QX, a popular LGBTQ+ magazine in Scandinavia. Drop by after your internship for a cozy cup of hot chocolate and one of their famous cinnamon buns!
Mälarpaviljongen
Years after opening Chokladkoppen, owners Arto Winter and Anders Karlsson created another safe haven for the LGBTQ+ community—this time by the water, and open only during Stockholm’s warm summer season.
Described by Winter as a “floating garden,” Mälarpaviljongen is the perfect spot to enjoy a classic Swedish fika, a hearty lunch, or wind down with dinner and drinks as the sun sets. If you’re feeling extra adventurous, you can even take a dip in the lake!
The Secret Garden
Another spot tucked in the charming streets of Gamla Stan is The Secret Garden, a restaurant and bar that’s twice been named “Gay Place of the Year” by QX Magazine. It’s a cozy, colorful hangout spot known for its laidback vibe where everyone’s welcome.
Aside from great food and drinks, The Secret Garden regularly hosts themed events. It has easily become a favorite among the community, so make sure to stop by during your time in the city.
LGBTQ+ events in Stockholm that you cannot miss
Even in a city so open and inclusive—or maybe especially because of it—the local annual LGBTQ+ events are always worth marking on your calendar. Whether you’re doing a summer internship in Stockholm or heading over during the fall, these are some of the happenings you won’t want to miss!
Cinema Queer
Held every September, Cinema Queer is Sweden’s biggest international LGBTQ+ film festival. It was founded in 2012, with a goal of diversifying the local cinema scene and offering more inclusive options.
The festival highlights films that challenge norms, spark important conversations, and shed light on LGBTQ+ stories and experiences. It’s totally perfect for students interested in film, media, or cultural studies—or just anyone who loves good storytelling.
GayGala
The GayGala is exactly as it sounds: a fabulous awards night dedicated to recognizing wins within the LGBTQ+ community! It’s one of Stockholm’s most anticipated queer events of the year, as it brings together artists, activists, and allies.
If you’re completing a Winter internship in Stockholm, even if you don’t get to attend the gala itself, you’ll definitely feel its buzz all over the city. It’s always fun to tune in online, too, and see which queer culture items—a song, movie, TV star, or local hangout—take home the awards!
Stockholm Pride
Of course, we wouldn’t miss the local Pride celebration! Considered as the biggest LGBTQ+ event in Scandinavia, Stockholm Pride takes over the city every July and August.
Beyond the iconic parade, you’ll find Pride Park—the heart of the festival—with its exciting booths, live performances, and community hangouts. There’s an entrance fee for Pride Park, but it’s absolutely worth the experience! And if you’re up for meaningful conversations, check out Pride House, which is free to enter and hosts talks, workshops, and panels on LGBTQ+ topics.
More LGBTQ+ culture to check out in Stockholm
There’s more to Stockholm’s LGBTQ+ scene than just events and hangouts, of course. Here are a couple of other things worth checking out while you’re here:
QX
Yes, we’ve mentioned QX several times already, but it definitely deserves its own spot here. As the largest LGBTQ+ magazine in the Nordics, QX has been a staple in the community for years.
But it’s not just a magazine—QX is a full-blown publishing house. They run the annual GayGala, organize other community events, and keep a website that’s basically the go-to guide for queer happenings in Stockholm and all of Sweden.
The Unstraight Museum
We would describe The Unstraight Museum as a unique online and traveling museum. It’s a non-profit that collects LGBTQ+ narratives from all over the world, and aims to make them more accessible to everyone.
While it’s not a physical museum based in Stockholm—though that is their dream!—its official address is registered in the city, which makes it a small but meaningful part of the local LGBTQ+ scene. Check out their website to see if they have exhibitions that align with your internship in Stockholm.
Your LGBTQ+ friendly internship journey can start today!
Whether you’re in Stockholm for a Sustainability internship or an internship in Information Technology, you’ll quickly feel comfortable and welcome. The city may not have many spaces exclusively for LGBTQ+ individuals, but it just means that queer international students in Stockholm can enjoy a strong culture of everyday inclusivity and safety.
When you intern with Absolute Internship, you’ll get a guaranteed internship in your preferred industry—from Legal to Business Development and more! Your program will also include high-end student housing, access to an extensive alumni network, cultural activities, career workshops, and 24/7 onsite support to help you feel safe and welcomed in the city.
Apply for an international internship today and experience Stockholm’s uniquely inclusive culture while growing your career!
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