Sweden’s adult scene is something of a paradox – a famously open-minded, egalitarian society that has somehow managed to devise one of Europe’s strictest anti-prostitution regimes.
While buying sex is illegal here, a thriving escort market lurks under the radar, and Swedes rank among Europe’s heaviest consumers of adult content (Pornhub’s traffic puts Sweden at 16th globally).
Why wouldn’t they be? The country’s liberal attitudes towards casual sex are legendary (the 1960s “Swedish sin” reputation wasn’t for nothing, and modern Swedes remain pretty chill about hooking up. In this guide, we’ll assess the best of the nation’s NSFW entertainment and services.
Sweden Sex Guide
Prostitution Laws In Sweden
Sweden pioneered the now-famous “Nordic model” of prostitution law.
Since 1999, it’s illegal to buy sex, but not to sell it. Which is to say… sex workers themselves aren’t criminalized, but their clients (and any pimp or brothel-keeper) most certainly are.
This approach – the first of its kind – was meant to curb demand for paid sex without punishing those (mostly women) who actually sell it.
Procuring, operating a brothel, or otherwise profiting off someone else’s prostitution is fully banned.
In practice, this means no legal brothels or pimp-run operations. Street prostitution still exists but is greatly diminished and pushed into the shadows. Officials claim the number of active prostitutes dropped from around 3,000 in the mid-90s to only ~600 by 2008 after the law took effect
Whether that reflects reality or just a shift to indoor/online work is debated, but there’s no doubt the sex trade became less visible.
Culturally, most Swedes view prostitution as incompatible with their gender-equal ideals – often framed as a form of patriarchal exploitation.
While we disagree with the position, the law is popular domestically, though not without controversy (critics argue it makes sex work more dangerous by driving it underground).
Several other countries (Norway, Iceland, France, etc.) later adopted similar “buyer criminalization” laws, inspired by the Swedish example. The Nordic model is particularly popular in Scandinavia (hence the name), but it doesn’t have a monopoly.
Denmark, oh cherish thee, is the major exception…
Escort Industry
You might think that such strict laws would trample all over the local escort industry, but you’d be underestimating the staying power of the oldest profession in the game.
Both punters and working girls have adapted to this odd environment.
Since running an agency or brothel is illegal, most sex workers here are independent or part of loosely organized networks. They advertise through online classifieds, international escort directories, or social networks (Elon Musk’s X and Telegram are increasingly popular).
Another popular avenue is “compensated dating” or sugar dating, which skirts the line by framing transactions as gifts rather than fees. Make no mistake though: escorts can be found in all of the major cities we’ve covered, including: Stockholm, Gothenburg and Malmö.
Be prepared to pay Nordic prices. Sweden is known for having some of the priciest escort rates in Europe. The latest punter reports suggest even mid-tier freelancers charge around 2,000–2,500 SEK per hour (roughly €180–€230) for full service.
This higher cost is partly down to limited supply and legal risk (fewer providers, higher stakes). And also due to the fact that Sweden is just bloody expensive, in general.
Swedish escorts are often said to be the most expensive on the continent.
Meetings happen in private apartments, hotels, or clients’ homes – you won’t find legal escort bars or pickup lounges. Websites like RealEscort (a pan-Scandinavian escort listing site) are a common ‘pick up’ point; as of early 2025, we saw around 80+ independent escort ads in Sweden.
This is really quite a small number compared to most European countries.
That said, it’s not uncommon for touring escorts to visit Sweden briefly (announcing visits on forums) to meet the pent-up demand.
Brothels
No luck.
There are no legal brothels in Sweden – period. The Swedish law has put a firm banhammer on operating a brothel or any other venue for prostitution.
Historically, Stockholm had madams and brothels way back in the 19th century (and even state-regulated prostitution in the 1800s), but all that’s long gone.
For the punter looking for a classic bordello experience, the reality is you’ll have to travel abroad.
It’s common for Swedes to hop over to Copenhagen (Denmark) or even Tallinn (Estonia). Some might take the ferry to continental Europe if they’re really desperate!
Denmark (just across the Öresund bridge from Malmö) has legal prostitution and some brothel-like venues – a fact not lost on our enterprising Swedish friends. 😂
Massage Parlours
Legitimate massage businesses are legal, of course, but the type our readers are looking for are not.
We’ve seen an explosion of Thai massage parlours across Sweden in the last two decades. Many of these parlours stick to therapeutic rubdowns only. However, there’s no doubt a few of them cater to johns seeking a little extra “happy ending”.
How common is it?
An investigative report in Malmö (Sweden’s third-largest city) found that about 1 in 5 Thai massage parlours would offer a happy ending if asked. This was about a decade ago now, but little has changed if the Reddit reviews are anything to go by.
Typical pricing for these under-the-table services is relatively modest, or at least… it was. For example, one customer in Malmö reported paying 700 SEK for a 30-minute massage plus happy ending.
In Stockholm, anecdotal reports suggest a one-hour full-body massage with release might run around 1000–1500 SEK, depending on the venue and the tip expected. Keep in mind the massage itself might be advertised at, say, 500–600 SEK/hour, and the “extra” negotiated before the deed.
It wouldn’t be smart to post a menu of ‘extra services’ in Sweden, although we do occasionally see some massage shops doing just that on the classifieds.
Many of the masseuses in these parlours are migrants (often from Thailand or Vietnam), and authorities will generally turn a blind eye unless exploitation is evident… or the locals are kicking up a stink.
Sex Clubs
Sweden doesn’t offer anything too outrageous in this category.
We’ve seen a handful of private swinger clubs (see section below) and a couple of ‘niche’ establishments in Stockholm that might qualify as sex clubs.
In Stockholm, the mainstay is Club Par i Hjärter, a members-only swingers club in Solna (just outside the city). It’s essentially the only dedicated swinger club in the capital.
For the LGBTQ crowd (or anyone open-minded), there is The Manhattan club in Stockholm. This is primarily a gay cruise/sex club – glory holes, dark rooms, video booths and continuous porno playing on loop.
It’s open daily to gay men, but notably they welcome swingers and mixed couples on certain days.
Outside Stockholm, two noteworthy clubs draw swingers from across Sweden: Paradise Swings in Eskilstuna (about 110 km west of Stockholm) and Club Adam & Eva in Norrköping (160 km SW of Stockholm). Paradise Swings was once the country’s largest swingers venue, but it looks like Cliub Adam & Eva has since swept in for that crown.
In short… you’ll find a few swinger hotspots, but there are no “public” sex clubs where random people can just walk in and have sex.
FWIW, strip clubs do exist, especially in Stockholm.
The capital has a few “gentlemen’s clubs” such as Club Privé, Club Harem, Heartbeat, and Club Kino. Outside Stockholm, strip clubs are rare. Gothenburg has been known to have at most one small strip bar at any given time, and the same with Malmö – not exactly a thriving industry, by any stretch.
Notable Red Light Districts
Sweden doesn’t have a true red light district (in the traditional sense), as you’ve probably already guessed by the status of brothels and escort agencies above.
However, there are a couple of areas that are historically known for street prostitution:
Malmskillnadsgatan, Stockholm: This unassuming business street in central Stockholm was notorious in the 1970s–80s as a gathering spot for streetwalkers after dark. One look and it’s easy to see why. Its secluded, office-block character made it quiet at night – perfect for shady curb crawling. Even today, Malmskillnadsgatan is joked about as Stockholm’s informal red-light area, but the scene has drastically dwindled. In broad daylight, you’d never guess its seedier nighttime role; it’s basically a steep street lined with banks and offices (see below).
Rosenlund, Gothenburg: In Sweden’s second city, the Rosenlund area (near Rosenlundsgatan) once earned a reputation as a street prostitution hangout. It’s sometimes called Gothenburg’s “red light” zone. In the 2000s, police noted an influx of foreign sex workers (including many Nigerian hookers) appearing in Rosenlund. This actually coincided with Norway criminalizing sex in 2009… possibly pushing some activity into Sweden. Despite the law, Rosenlund still had visible soliciting, with reports of about 30 street prostitutes frequenting the area post-1999 (down from ~100 before the law).
The Nordic model really scattered the trade – what used to be visible on corners is now largely online or indoors.
Law enforcement still does the occasional sweep of the area: Johns picked up in their cars on Malmskillnadsgatan or Rosenlund risk fines… and public shaming (newspapers love a good “man caught in prostitution sting” story).
City Guides
Euro Sex Scene has coverage of the local sex scene in three Swedish cities:
Attitudes Towards Sex
Despite the draconian sex work laws, Swedes are famously liberal and non-fussy about sex.
This is a country that gave the world topless sunbathing, gender-neutral locker rooms, and comprehensive sex ed in schools way back in the 1950s… when it certainly wasn’t cool.
The old cliché of “Swedish sin” – the idea of blonde Swedes jumping into bed at the drop of a hat – had some truth in the sense that Sweden’s sexual revolution kicked off earlier than in most places.
Nudity and premarital sex lost their stigma in Sweden decades ago, and that legacy holds strong today.
In modern-day Sweden, casual sex is common and widely accepted.
Dating culture in Sweden is not what we’d call a slow-burner – in fact, it’s not unusual for people to sleep together first and then decide if they want to date more seriously.
In other words, having sex early is not automatically seen as “cheap” or disreputable – it’s all just part and parcel of getting to know each other.
One Reddit commenter sums it up humorously: in Sweden (and Norway), “Almost all relationships start out with casual sex / friends with benefits.”
Keep in mind though (before you jump on a plane), Swedes aren’t exactly Latin lovers in style – they tend to be reserved and shy at first. Flirting can be subtle to the point of nonexistence, frustratingly so.
Don’t expect a Swedish girl to aggressively chat you up at a bar; often you’ll have to make a clear move. But once two people are interested… game on.
Surveys back this up: Sweden consistently ranks among the countries with the least sexual shame.
A significant portion of both men and women report having had one-night stands, and having multiple sexual partners over a lifetime carries little social judgment.
Equality is key – women’s sexual autonomy is strongly respected. A woman who enjoys casual flings isn’t stigmatized; in fact, Swedish women are quite empowered to initiate encounters. (The country’s strict consent laws also reinforce respectful attitudes – Sweden was one of the first to recognize that sex without explicit consent is rape, even if no force is used.)
One interesting aspect: because Swedes are so secular and sex-positive, the teen pregnancy and STI rates are low here – comprehensive sex education means people tend to use protection and communicate. It’s a very practical approach to sex, and revered across most of Europe as a shining example of sex-ed done well.
Porn Viewing Trends
In Pornhub’s recent analytics, Sweden ranked as the 16th biggest country by traffic on the site, impressive for a nation of just 10 million.
What’s more, Sweden has one of the highest proportions of female porn viewers in the world: about 30% of Swedish Pornhub visitors are women… a level topped only by a few outlier countries like Philippines and Brazil
What to make of these numbers? We’ll have to chalk it up to that gender-equal mindset!
Once again, according to Pornhub’s data, “Anal” is Swedes’ favorite category – Swedes were 56% more likely to search for anal porn than the global average. Other genres Swedes over-indexed on included “bondage,” “old/young,” and “outdoor” content
Clearly, a bit of kink and adventure appeals to the Nordic palate. Top relative search terms often feature the word “Swedish” itself (locals enjoy amateur content from their own); some of the top searches we spotted included “Swedish,” “Swedish amateur,” “Svensk” and various MILF/step-family terms. Kinky bastards.
Interestingly, despite a rich local porn heritage, the most searched porn stars in Sweden were all American mainstream names (e.g. Kim Kardashian, Mia Khalifa) – indicating Swedes consume U.S. pop-porn culture heavily.
Top Swedish Porn Sites
For a snapshot of top adult sites by Swedish traffic, here’s how it roughly stacks up (based on SimilarWeb data and rankings – March 2025):
- Pornhub – #1 porn site in Sweden (16th overall website).
- LiveJasmin – #2 adult site (18th overall, top cam site).
- BongaCams – #3 adult (25th overall, another cam platform).
- XVideos – #4 adult (31st overall).
- XNXX – #5 adult (roughly top 60 overall, not in top 50 but close).
- XHamster – #6 adult (43rd overall).
- Redtube / YouPorn / Porn.com – All popular but a bit further down the list.
- OnlyFans – Worth noting, the OnlyFans craze is alive in Sweden too. It’s not in the top 50 websites yet, but many Swedish content creators use it.
It’s interesting to note the presence of cam sites in the top three positions, especially as Sweden is not exactly known for its prolific output of cam girls and cam guys. More on that below.
LiveJasmin and BongaCams, both European platforms, are pulling in big numbers for live sex shows.
In terms of native Swedish porn…
Well, Sweden’s mainstream porn production is relatively small.
In the 70s and 80s, Swedish performers appeared in European porn (there was even a famous erotic film, Fäbodjäntan – a softcore 1978 flick set on a farm, notorious in Sweden). Today, most “Swedish” studio content is produced abroad or by indie creators. One notable Swede behind the camera is Erika Lust – a Swedish-born director known for feminist porn (though, as far as we’re aware, she currently operates out of Spain).
Sweden was the birthplace of one of the best-known names in pornography, Berth Milton Sr who founded the Private Media Group.
The company produces and distributes some of Europe’s best-selling print titles as well as running dozens of adult websites and producing high-budget adult films for DVD and Video-On-Demand services. The company is now run by Berth Milton Jr and is considered by many as one of the top ten adult entertainment companies in the world.
Elsewhere, niche sites like NordicXStream deserve mention (‘natural models’ from Scandinavia in high-quality erotica).
Also, forums like Flashback have infamous adult sections where homemade content keeps the locals happy.
Notable Adult Stars From Sweden
Want to catch some Swedish porn stars in the wild?
Good choice!
Here are a few of the most famous Swedish adult stars:
- Puma Swede – Arguably the most recognizable modern porn star from Sweden. Born in Stockholm in 1976, Puma Swede (yes, she plays up the nationality in her name) moved to the U.S. and performed in over 100 films. A statuesque blonde with 32F enhanced assets, she became known for big bust niche videos like “World’s Biggest Tits” and “Stacked & Suckin’”. Puma was even nominated for AVN and XBIZ awards in 2009.
- Marina Hedman (aka Marina Lotar) – A legendary figure from the 1970s/80s era. Marina Hedman was a Swedish actress who became a star in European porn, especially in Italy. She notably starred alongside the legendary John Holmes in a 1987 film (“The Devil in Mr. Holmes”). Marina even popped up in one of the Emmanuelle films. In the late 70s and 80s, she was, along with someone like Cicciolina (not Swedish, but similar era), a big name in the softcore/hardcore crossover world.
- “Coffee, Tea or Meat?” Cast (1970s) – In 1975, Sweden infamously produced a full-length explicit film “Fäbodjäntan” (English title: “Come and Blow the Horn”) set in the countryside, which achieved cult status. Its star, Leena Hiltonen, and others involved became underground legends. Around the same time, Christina Lindberg, though not a porn star, gained fame in erotic exploitation films (like “Thriller – A Cruel Picture”). She was a big part of the 1970s Swedish erotic wave that fed the “Swedish sin” myth abroad.
In the age of OnlyFans and amateur content, a few Swedish personalities have made a name.
There’s Amina Axelsson is a mature Swedish camgirl/porn star known for her curvy figure (34G bust) and a strong social media presence. There’s also Lynna Nilsson, who, despite the Scandinavian-sounding name, is an American-born star but marketed as a “Swedish hottie” – interestingly she and big-name star Kayden Kross both rank highly in what Swedes watch online. (even though Kayden is American!)
Some other Swedish-born performers of note include… Anita Andersson, Ingrid Swede, Jessica Bangkok (who is half Swedish, half Thai), and Ziggy Star (an alt-porn actress).
Popular Cam Sites In Sweden
As noted earlier, live cam sites are extremely popular in Sweden – arguably more so than in many other European countries.
Both BongaCams and LiveJasmin have reached stratospheric popularity, although their business models are actually quite different.
Bonga uses a ‘freemium’ tipping-based model, whereas LiveJasmin is known for one-to-one video chats in private, paid by the minute.
The other major players in Sweden are Chaturbate and StripChat (both freemium sites).
When we crunch the numbers, however, it’s clear that while the Swedes love watching cam porn… they aren’t exactly queuing up to produce it.
According to webcam analyst CamsRank, Sweden typically averages just 21 performers online across the major platforms. Really slim pickings.
Below are some live shows from Swedish cam girls broadcasting right now:
LGBTQ Scene
For such a liberal society, we’re not surprise to see that Sweden’s LGBTQ+ credentials are stellar.
This was one of the first countries in the world to actively promote gay rights: homosexuality was decriminalized way back in 1944, anti-discrimination protections have been in place for decades, and same-sex marriage has been legal since 2009.
Stockholm even had gay partnership laws as early as the mid-90s. Culturally, Swedes tend to be accepting to the point of apathy – being gay or trans is generally seen as no biggie.
The LGBTQ nightlife in Sweden, especially in major cities, is active but it kind of blends in with the wider nightlife. Because acceptance is high, many LGBTQ folks are just as likely to tap up regular bars and clubs.
Still, there are some dedicated venues worth noting:
- In Stockholm, gay bars and clubs cluster in two areas – Gamla Stan (Old Town) and Södermalm. Notable spots include Mälarpaviljongen (a lovely floating summer bar on the lake), Secret Garden (cozy bar in Old Town), Side Track (Stockholm’s oldest gay pub, very mixed crowd), and Club Backdoor (a late-night dance club self-branded as “the best gay club north of Ibiza”). There’s also King Kong club which throws themed gay parties. Patricia (a converted boat) has a famous gay night every Sunday that attracts a fun mixed crowd.
- Gothenburg has a smaller scene but a few notable places like Greta’s (the city’s main gay nightclub, running for decades) and Bee Bar.
- Malmö being close to Copenhagen often shares crowd with Denmark, but it has a couple of gay-friendly bars and hosts events like Skåne Pride.
Stockholm currently has no gay saunas (the last ones closed due to Covid). In the past, venues like “HMS Patrik” were kicking around, but changing times and a global pandemic saw them off.
Every major city in Sweden has a Pride festival. Stockholm Pride is the largest, a week-long celebration each summer with parades, concerts, and a well-attended Pride Park.
It’s not uncommon for tens of thousands (LGBTQ and straight allies alike) to line the streets waving rainbow flags. Even the smallest of towns often have pride events. Sweden also has some alt-lifestyle events like Leather Pride (for the fetish community) and West Pride in Gothenburg.
The RFSL (Swedish Federation for LGBTQ Rights) is one of the world’s oldest LGBT organizations (founded 1950).
Swinging Scene
Swinging is on the rise across Sweden, for both heterosexual and gay couples.
This liberal nation is increasingly open to exploring non-monogamy, but the swinging events we’ve seen are still organized in closed networks or online rather than big public events (except for a few club gatherings like the ones in Stockholm).
- Clubs & Venues: As covered in our Sex Clubs section, there are only a handful of physical swinger clubs. Par i Hjärter in Stockholm is a major space on the scene. Paradise Swings and Club Adam & Eva serve those willing to travel regionally. They help newbies enter the lifestyle gently (trial memberships, newbie-friendly nights, etc.). Because there are so few clubs, private house parties fill the gap. It’s common for a group of swinger friends to rotate hosting parties at their homes or rented venues. These can range from intimate get-togethers of 2-3 couples to larger play-parties with 20-30 people. Most of it is organized under the radar via…
- Online Communities: Yes, the internet is the lifeblood of Swedish swinging. The website Darkside.se is a major staple – it’s basically a Swedish community for kink, BDSM, and swingers (think FetLife meets Facebook in Swedish). You’ll find event listings for everything from gangbang parties to polyamory meetups. Obviously, it’s invite-only for many events. You can’t just rock up with your cock out. Another site we see being used often is BodyContact.
Internationally oriented swingers in Sweden also use sites like SDC.com (Swingers Date Club). It’s a well-oiled machine and that lets you find other couples/trios by location… both in Sweden, and beyond.
AdultFriendFinder is popular as well, for swingers and anybody looking for casual sex.
One unique quirk of the Swedish swinging scene is that privacy is extremely valued. Many Swedish swingers do this far from their home turf… to avoid running into a neighbour.
It’s not unheard of for Stockholm couples to swing with people from Gothenburg and vice versa.
Hookup Dating and Classifieds
Want to try your luck and stress-test the ‘liberal’ reputation of the Swedes?
Here’s a rundown of the platforms most commonly used for casual encounters, friends-with-benefits, and hooking up:
- Tinder – Practically every 20-something (and plenty of 30- and 40-somethings) in Stockholm, Gothenburg, etc., has a Tinder profile. Some would say the platform is past its prime now that we’re all so ‘used’ to swiping, but you can’t ignore it.
- Badoo – Travelers in Europe love it, and Swedes use it to meet both locals and foreigners. Free with optional paid features.
- HappyPancake – You what, mate? Don’t let the cute name fool you; HappyPancake is one of Sweden’s largest free dating sites, with over 250,000 active users. While many use it for genuine dating, plenty of users are DTF.
- BodyContact.com – This is Sweden’s biggest erotic personals site and a real goldmine of potential hook-ups. Think Craigslist personals meets a swingers’ bulletin board. BodyContact has sections for all kinds of encounters: straight, gay, group, fetish, you name it.
- Darkside.se – Mentioned before in swinging, Darkside is a catch-all community covering BDSM, fetish, swingers, and general sexual exploration. If your interests run beyond vanilla… Darkside is the place to be.
- Mazily – A homegrown Swedish dating site launched in 2012… now appears defunct. TBC.
- Grindr / PlanetRomeo / Scruff – For MSM (gay/bi men), Grindr is popular as always and effectively the default for quick meets. Its usage in Stockholm or Malmö is as high as anywhere. Scruff and PlanetRomeo (popular in Europe) also have Swedish users. Lesbian and bi women often use Her or just stick to Tinder/Bumble with preferences set.
- Facebook Groups: Surprisingly, there have even been secret Facebook or Kik groups for arranging meetups. And for more niche tastes, Swedes might use international platforms like FetLife (for kink networking globally), as well as Darkside.
Basically… if you want to get laid in Sweden, and you’re not a creep, the internet is your best wingman.
Put up a profile with nice photos (nothing too flashy – Swedes like humble), keep it straightforward, and you’ll probably have some luck.
Happy hunting!
