One of the most incredible things about Stockholm is that whatever your preferred museum genre is, you’ll find something in this city. Whether it is pulling a 16th century sunken warship out of the sea and building a museum around it, or if one wants to immerse yourself in the grand history of the vikings or to swing by the ABBA Museum to celebrate the magic of harmony and melody. Whether it’s art, history, technology, the best museums in Stockholm come in all forms, spaces and experiences. Also being a tech capital of Europe, one can also find immersive experiences that are digital or otherwise. The metro stations of Stockholm alone are the largest open art galleries in the world.
Stockholm is one of the most impressive cities in Europe, after all, a buzzing hive of activity with brilliant restaurants and exciting bars around every corner. All or most of these museums have their own cafe’s and restaurants. It is worth checking them out for the gourmet cuisines they offer. Here is also a list of best Indian restaurants if one is interested in exploring this cuisine in the city.
The museums are right up there with the best in the world. You cannot expect anything less from the Swedish capital.
Here are 10 must visit museums in Stockholm.
Fotografiska
Four floors of this customs warehouse converted to an Art Nouveau, Fotografiska is photo gallery and exhibition like none other. To start with, one of the best views over Stockholm along with an incredible gourmet restaurant on the top floor, this venue displays world-class photography. Instead of displaying a permanent collection, they host four large and more than 100 smaller temporary exhibits every year, so there’s always something new to view each time one visits.
For those who dream of seeing their own efforts adorn the walls here, there are courses and workshops to sharpen your skills behind the lens and take something with you wherever you go. Read more.
ABBA Museum
There is no trip to Stockholm complete without a visit to this shrine to pop’s most glamorous band. The iconic Swedish quartet pretty much single-handedly invented modern pop, and a lot of thought has gone into the experience here.
Not just the costumes, gold discs and film clips on display, but you can also perform with ABBA avatars and (virtually) try on some of their most famous outfits of the band. You can’t just turn up. The tickets must be bought online beforehand as they have a limited capacity per day. Read more.
Vasa Museum
Since it opened in 1990, The Vasa Museum is one of Scandinavia’s most visited museums in Scandinavia.
The Vasa Museum is a maritime museum in Stockholm which is located on the island of Djurgården, the museum displays the only almost fully intact 17th-century ship that has ever been salvaged. The 64-gun warship Vasa sank on her maiden voyage in 1628. Together with other museums such as the Stockholm Maritime Museum, it belongs to the Swedish National Maritime Museums. It is here that you will find in all its glory, the unique and well preserved warship Vasa from 1628, embellished with hundreds of wooden sculptures. Read more.
Moderna Museet
Moderna Museet is located on Skeppsholmen island, a setting of absolute natural beauty. The building was designed by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. Moderna takes admission for visiting temporary exhibitions but entry to the Moderna Museet Collection is admission-free.
The museum houses Swedish and international modern and contemporary art, including pieces by Pablo Picasso and Salvador Dalí and a model of the Tatlin’s Tower. The museum’s collection also includes key works by artists such as Marcel Duchamp, Louise Bourgeois, Niki de Saint Phalle, Henri Matisse and Robert Rauschenberg, as well as ongoing acquisitions by contemporary artists. Read more.
Swedish History Museum
The Swedish History Museum or Statens Historiska Museum is a museum located in Stockholm that covers Swedish archaeology and cultural history from the Mesolithic period to present day. Founded in 1866, it operates as a government agency and is tasked with preserving Swedish historical items as well as making knowledge about history available to the public.
The origin of the museum is the collections of art and historical objects gathered by Swedish monarchs since the 16th century. It has a number of permanent exhibitions and annually hosts special exhibitions tied to current events. Read more.
National Museum
Nationalmuseum is Sweden’s museum of art and design. Nationalmuseum is also a government authority with a mandate to preserve cultural heritage and promote art, interest in art and knowledge of art.
The collections comprise of painting, sculpture, drawings and prints from 1500-1900 and applied arts, design and portraits from early Middle Ages up until present day. Read more.
Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology (Tekniska Museet)
The Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology (Tekniska museet) is a museum in Stockholm with Sweden’s largest collection of science and technology exhibits. The current building in the Östermalm district of Stockholm was opened in 1936 and was built according to the plans of the architect Ragnar Hjort. Tekniska museet has an exhibition area of 10,000 square meters and has about 55,000 items in its collections. A highlight in the Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology in Stockholm is the large machine hall, where exhibits such as steam engines, automobiles and airplanes are exhibited. Read more.
Museum of Spirits
Swedes love to drink, so it’s only natural Stockholm has a museum dedicated to all things alcoholic (you can even drink while wandering around). Detailing the Swedes’ bittersweet relationship to booze – especially Swedish ‘snaps’ – there are a number of permanent and temporary exhibits, including an exploration of drinking song culture (you can download song sheets in English and sing along in groups). Tasting sessions are common, and the excellent on-site bar serves craft beer and snacks. Read more.
Drottningholm Palace
This palace remains home to the Swedish royal family, although large parts of the dazzling 16th-century property are open to the public.
A UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991, there are few better examples of gilded interiors and luxurious reception halls in Europe. The guided tours are informative and relaxed, but there’s much more to explore than just the palace itself. A perfectly preserved working theater – with a full production schedule – the famous Chinese pavilion and immaculate grounds and gardens make this a peaceful getaway from the bustle of the city. Read more.
Nobel Prize Museum
The Nobel Prize Museum (formerly the Nobel Museum) is located in the former Stock Exchange Building (Börshuset) on the north side of the square Stortorget in Gamla Stan, the old town in central Stockholm, Sweden.
(The Swedish Academy and the Nobel Library are also in the same building.) The Nobel Prize Museum showcases information about the Nobel Prize and Nobel prizewinners, as well as information about the founder of the prize, Alfred Nobel (1833–1896). The museum’s permanent display includes many artifacts donated by Nobel Laureates, presented together with personal life stories. Read more.
Skansen
Skansen is the world’s oldest and only open-air museum with wild animals. It is famous for showcasing the whole of Sweden with houses and farmsteads from every part of the country.
Here you can see Nordic wildlife, rare breeds, pets and exotic creatures. Newly opened here is the big Baltic Sea Science Center where you can experience life beneath the surface.
The Children’s Zoo features domestic animals such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as small wild animals.
At Skansen, you can discover Sweden’s history and find out how Swedes once lived according to the changing seasons, through the customs and traditions, work, celebrations and everyday life of times gone by.
This is also a place where festive occasions are celebrated throughout the year. The lively programme of activities includes singing, dancing and concerts in the summer, and Christmas markets in the winter with dancing around the Christmas tree and concerts at Seglora Church. Read more.
