Museums in Stockholm
There is something for everyone in one of Stockholm’s 69 museums.
Stockholm's museums cover a broad range of subjects, from art, history, Swedish culture, maritime history, and children's interest, to name but a few.
Here are some highlights of Stockholm's museum scene.
ART
The Royal Academy of Fine Arts (Konstakademien) is a 270+ year old academy dedicated to sculpture, painting, and architecture.
The Museum of National Antiquities(Historiska museet) is a treasure trove of history and art from the Stone Age to the 16th century. The museum houses over 4,000 Viking era items.
SWEDISH CULTURE AND HISTORY
Skansen is Scandinavia’s original outdoor museum, called “miniature Sweden.” Wander the grounds to see buildings from all over the country, enjoy green spaces, and buy Swedish handicrafts.
Interested in the ideas of the Nobel Laureates and the history of the Nobel Prize? Visit the Nobel Museum(Nobelmuseet), in the heart of Gamla Stan.
Learn about Swedish drinking traditions, the history of Swedish aquavit, and when vodka arrived in Sweden at the Museum of Wine and Spirits (Vin and Sprithistoriska Museet).
PALACES
The Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) is the jewel of Stockholm’s Gamla Stan (Old Town), highlighting the opulence of a bygone era and. The changing of the guards at 12:15 is full of pomp and circumstance. Tours of the interior are well worth the admission charge to see the richly decorated, preserved rooms and to learn about the role of other European countries in Sweden’s history, culture, and the Royal Family.
Skokloster Castle (Skoklosters slott) is an ornate baroque castle showcasing 17th century weapons and built during a time when Sweden was a major regional naval and political power.
Drottningholm Palace (Drottningholms slotts), on the World Heritage list, dates from the 17th century and it has been the home of the Royal Family since 1981. Visit the court theater, dating from 1766 and in original condition, and the Chinese Pavilion.
The Vasa Museum holds one of the biggest embarrassments of the Swedish Navy. In 1628, the celebrated Vasa warship, the most powerful of its’ day, made its’ maiden voyage, and promptly sank within twenty minutes of setting sail. The ship was exhumed and restored in 1961.
The Naval Museum explains the history and development of the Swedish navy, once one of the world’s most powerful.
The Maritime Museum is the place for military buffs to learn about the evolution of navies and naval technologies.
CHILDREN’S MUSEUM
Children will be wide-eyed at the Toy Museum (Leksaksmuseet), where they can see thousands of toys from the past century arranged into categories like boats, cars, airplanes, and motorbikes; the Mickey Mouseum; trains; dolls and teddy bears; and more.
