Museum of Modern Art (Moderna Museet)

Overview of Stockholm’s museums

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Overview of Stockholm’s museums

Stockholm hosts about 70 museums – with a population of about 1.5 million – this is a significant number relative to its size. This Swedish Capital is one of the most museum-dense cities in the world per capita, and welcomes over 9 million museum visitors per year.

The concentration of cultural institutions, including notable ones like the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and the National Museum, contributes to this status, and contributes to its popularity amongst art and history enthusiasts.

On this page we’ve gathered a large selection of what Stockholm has to offer in terms of museums. We have grouped the museums by the following categories (listed alphabetically in each category):

  1. Royal residences and historical palaces
  2. Art and design museums
  3. History and cultural heritage
  4. Music and performance arts
  5. Science, technology, and innovation
  6. Special interest and unique themes
  7. Art galleries and institutions with art exhibits

We have also added all of these locations to a custom Google Map: https://www.google.com/maps/d/u/3/edit?mid=1DPeKrJ7iDoc6ozWmsK6M9KsvId7TA38&usp=sharing 

1. Royal residences and historical palaces

The Chinese Pavilion at Drottningholm

Chinese Pavilion, The

A charming Chinese-inspired royal pavilion, reflecting Sweden’s fascination with Eastern Asia in the 18th century.

Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace

A UNESCO World Heritage Site and the Swedish royal family’s private residence, featuring stunning gardens and historical interiors.

Gripsholm Castle

A historic castle featuring a portrait gallery and royal apartments.

Gustav III’s Pavilion

An elegant 18th-century pavilion showcasing Gustavian architecture and design, located in Hagaparken.

Riddarholmen Church

A historic church and royal burial site.

Royal Palace

Royal Palace

The Royal Palace in Stockholm, an iconic landmark with over 600 rooms and several museums, including the Treasury and the Royal Armoury.

Skokloster Castle

Skokloster Castle

A baroque castle with art and weaponry collections. This is one of the world’s best preserved castles in baroque style.

Strömsholm Palace

A royal palace with historical interiors and art collections.

Tyresö Palace

Tyresö Palace

A historic castle with exhibitions on its history and architecture. The palace is surrounded  by an English-style park as well as a Mediterranean style garden.

Ulriksdal Palace

A royal palace with guided tours and exhibitions.

2. Art and design museums

ArkDes

Swedish Centre for Architecture and Design – Focuses on architecture and design, often hosting exhibitions and events related to these fields.

Artipelag

A modern art gallery set in a serene archipelago setting, blending nature, architecture, and contemporary art.

Carl Eldhs Ateljémuseum

The preserved studio of sculptor Carl Eldh, filled with his works and offering a glimpse into early 20th-century Swedish art.

Fotografiska

A renowned photography museum featuring contemporary exhibitions from both Swedish and international photographers.

Millesgården

An art museum and sculpture park dedicated to the works of Carl Milles.

Moderna Art Museum in Stockholm

Showcases modern and contemporary art.

National Museum

Sweden’s premier art and design museum, with paintings, sculptures and artifacts from the 16th century and onwards.

Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde

An art museum located in the former home of Prince Eugen.

Sven-Harrys konstmuseum 

A unique art museum showcasing various exhibitions.

Thiel Gallery (Thielska Galleriet)

A treasure trove of Nordic art from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, housed in a stunning villa on Djurgården.

3. History and cultural heritage

The Swedish Army Museum (Armémuseum)

A museum that chronicles Sweden’s military history, from the 16th century to modern times, with engaging exhibits and artifacts.

Economy Museum (Ekonomiska museet) 

Explore the history of money, trade, and economics, with unique exhibitions on Sweden’s financial and social development.

Museum of Ethnography

Museum of Ethnography (Etnografiska Museet)

Exhibits cultural artifacts from around the world.

Hallwyl Museum (Hallwylska museet)

A preserved 19th-century palace showcasing art and antiques.

Swedish History Museum (Historiska museet) 

Chronicles Sweden’s history from prehistoric times to the present.

Jewish Museum

Explores Jewish culture and history in Sweden.

The Royal Armoury (Livrustkammaren)

Displays royal costumes, armor, and carriages.

Stockholm Medieval Museum (Medeltidsmuseet)

Offers insights into Stockholm’s medieval past.

Mediterranean Museum

Mediterranean Museum (Medelhavsmuseet)

A museum exploring ancient Mediterranean civilizations, with artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and the Near East.

Nordic Museum (Nordiska museet)

Focuses on Swedish cultural history and ethnography.

Postmuseum

Chronicles the history of postal services in Sweden.

House of Nobility (Riddarhuset)

The House of Nobility, showcasing noble history and architecture.

Maritime Museum (Sjöhistoriska)

Explores Sweden’s maritime history.

Skansen

The world’s oldest open-air museum, showcasing Swedish traditions and wildlife.

Stockholm City Hall (Stadshuset)

Known for its architecture and the Nobel Prize banquet hall.

Stockholm City Museum (Stadsmuseet) 

Focuses on the history and development of Stockholm.

Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan)

The oldest church in Gamla Stan, with significant historical artifacts.

Swedish Holocaust Museum (Sverige Museum om Förintelsen)

A museum dedicated to Holocaust remembrance and education, focusing on the stories of survivors in Sweden.

Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet)

Displays the well-preserved 17th-century warship Vasa.

Vaxholm Fortress Museum (Vaxholms Fästnings Museum)

Located in a historic fortress, focusing on coastal defense history.

Vrak – Museum of Wrecks

Focuses on maritime archaeology and shipwrecks in the Baltic Sea.

Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities (Östasiatiska museet) 

Displays artifacts from East Asian cultures.

4. Music and performance arts

ABBA the Museum

ABBA The Museum

Celebrates the iconic Swedish pop group ABBA with interactive exhibits and memorabilia.

Avicii Experience

A tribute to the late DJ and producer Avicii, showcasing his life and music.

Museum of Dance (Dansmuseet)

Focuses on dance and movement arts from around the world.

Drottningholm Palace Theatre (Drottningholm Palace Theatre)

A beautifully preserved 18th-century theater offering guided tours and performances with original stage machinery.

Junibacken

A whimsical museum dedicated to Swedish children’s literature, bringing stories like Astrid Lindgren’s Pippi Longstocking to life.

Swedish Museum of Performing Arts  (Scenkonstmuseet)

Dedicated to music, theater, and dance, offering interactive exhibits.

5. Science, technology, and innovation

Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska Riksmuseet)

Features exhibits on natural history, including a popular dinosaur display.

Swedish National Museum of Science and Technology  (Tekniska museet)

Explores technological advancements and their impact on society.

Nobel Prize Museum

Nobel Prize Museum 

Highlights the achievements of Nobel laureates and the history of the Nobel Prize.

Stockholm Transport Museum (Spårvägsmuseet)

Highlights the history of public transportation in Stockholm.

Paradox Museum 

Features interactive exhibits that challenge perceptions and explore paradoxes.

6. Special interest and unique themes

Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum (Gustavsbergs Porslinsmuseum)

A museum showcasing the rich history and artistry of Swedish porcelain production, from everyday items to fine art.

The Royal Stables (H.M. Konungens hovstall)

The Royal Stables, offering guided tours of the royal carriages, harnesses, and the working stables.

Toy Museum

Showcases an extensive collection of toys and comics, appealing to both children and adults.

Police Museum (Polismuseet)

Provides insights into the history and work of the Swedish police force.

Museum of Spirits (Spritmuseum)

Explores Sweden’s drinking culture and the history of spirits.

Strindberg Museum, The (Strindbergsmuseet)

Dedicated to the life and works of Swedish playwright August Strindberg.

The Viking Museum

Offers an interactive journey into Viking history and culture.

7. Art galleries and institutions with art exhibits

Accelerator

 A contemporary art space blending cutting-edge exhibitions with research and dialogue at Stockholm University.

Bonnier’s Art Gallery (Bonniers Konsthall)

A dynamic venue for contemporary art, showcasing works by emerging and established artists from Sweden and abroad.

Konstakademien

The Royal Academy of Fine Arts, home to art exhibitions and a rich history of fostering Swedish artistic talent since the 18th century.

Stockholm City Theatre (Kulturhuset stadsteatern) 

A cultural hub in the heart of Stockholm offering theater, art exhibitions, film, and a lively library.

Liljevalchs

Stockholm’s premier venue for contemporary art exhibitions, known for its iconic Spring Salon showcasing diverse works by Swedish artists.

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