The Nordic museum (Nordiska museet) is a showcase of the life of people in Sweden and the Nordic countries starting from the 16th century and all the way to the present day. The museum was founded by Artur Hazelius, who also established Skansen, the world’s first open-air museum. Hazelius aimed to document and preserve the cultural heritage of Sweden and the Nordic countries. This is the largest museum of cultural history, with more than 1.5 million of collected items. The museum building, designed by Isak Gustaf Clason, is an architectural gem. It was constructed in a Renaissance Revival style and is often compared to a castle due to its grand and imposing structure.
Today the Nordic Museum is one of the largest cultural history museums in Sweden. It covers approximately 24,000 square meters (about 258,000 square feet) and contains more than 1.5 million objects in its collections. The museum’s collections include objects from everyday life, such as furniture, clothing, toys, and folk art, spanning from the 16th century to the present day. It provides a comprehensive overview of Swedish and Nordic cultural history.
The museum hosts a variety of exhibitions that change regularly. There are over 1.5 million objects at display, with several different exhibitions. Topics have ranged from fashion and textiles to food traditions and contemporary Swedish life. There are also permanent exhibitions on Swedish folk art, traditions, and homes.
One of their popular exhibitions during 2024 is the exhibition Nordic Life, which takes you through 4 seasons and 500 years of the lives of the people in the Nordic region. This is one of the best exhibitions amongst the museums in Stockholm. It occupies the whole of the fourth floor of the museum and is a well composed mix of historical items, videos installations and illuminated rooms with sound playing to bring the visitors into the mood of each room.
| Duration | – You can see the main parts in one hour, if there are no lines and you don’t stop too long at each area. – Recommend at least 1.5 to 2 hours for the exhibition Nordic Life. The exhibition can at times be popular so there might be a waiting line, 30-40 minutes. |
| Photo spots | – In front of 23-foot-tall statue of Gustav Vasa, in the main hall. – The museum’s grand staircases and ornate corridor. – The gardens around the museum, with their manicured landscapes and historical statues. |
| Tips | – There is a special area for kids called Children’s Playhouse. – Use their audio guides, that are available for free as as mobile apps for iPhone or Android. |
| Highlights | – The architecture and interior design of the building, it looks like a castle or a large church both exterior and interior. – The exhibition Nordic Life. – The large statue of Gustav Vasa. |
| Prices | – Entrance to the museum: 170 SEK. – Entrance to Children’s Playhouse: 40 SEK per child. – With reservation for changes please visit the Nordic Museum’s webpage for up to date prices. |
| Food nearby | – There is a restaurant inside the museum. – Restaurant Djurgårdsbron. |
| Website | https://www.nordiskamuseet.se/en/ |