Grand Circus Hotel

The Lion Tamer's Wagon Johan SWE (Atlas Obscura User)

A leafy former industrial area in eastern Malmö is home to Sweden’s first (and only?) circus hotel. Here, guests can stay the night in colorful retro-style circus wagons.

Contrary to what some guests might think, the wagons have actually never sat wheel in a real circus. Originally, they are namely old tractor-trailers, which have been rebuilt and designed by Valle Westesson, the hotel’s founder. Westesson has always been fascinated by the circus and how it must have turned heads when it rolled into town. The idea of leaving everyday life to join a circus led him to build his first wagon, and then another. When a plot of land became available, he decided to move his wagons, expand, and start welcoming overnight guests.

Each of the 12 caravans has its own theme, including the Lion Tamer’s Wagon, the Acrobat’s Wagon, and the Clown’s Wagon. The most luxurious ones are the Ballerina’s Wagon and the Manager’s Wagon which, unlike the other caravans, have private bathrooms.

The hotel premises also include an overnight pavilion tent for small families, camping spaces for guest caravans, and a circus tent. Luckily, the latter is not used for unethical wild animal acts, but rather intimate concerts and theatre performances.

Know Before You Go

Grand Circus Hotel is only open during the summer (usually mid-May to mid-September).

The easiest way to get there by public transport from downtown Malmö is to catch bus no. 4 (towards Segevång), get off at the Kirsebergs Kyrka bus stop and then walk for about 10 minutes.

When at Södra Bulltoftavägen 51, cross the parking lot, walk through the gate between the industrial buildings, pass the disused loco sheds and continue straight on along the narrow, paved road. On your left side, there is a fenced allotment garden and when you have reached the end of it, you have arrived at Grand Circus Hotel.