Guide to Stockholm's best museums

Stockholm is a city rich in culture, history and art, and this is reflected in its impressive range of museums. From world-class art collections to fascinating historical collections and interactive experiences for the whole family, there is something for everyone. In this guide to the best museums in Stockholm, you will get inspiration for places you absolutely do not want to miss during your visit.

What makes a museum one of Stockholm's best?

To determine which are Stockholm's best museums, we look at:

• Unique content with collections you won't find anywhere else
• Well-crafted exhibitions that tell engaging stories
• Accessibility for different ages and languages
• Complete experience with café, shop, guided tours and interactive features

Whether you're looking for art, technology, history or children's activities, there are many great museums in Stockholm to choose from. Below you'll find our favorites.

Museums for art lovers

Stockholm offers a vibrant art scene with several museums that suit both connoisseurs and curious visitors. Here, classic works and contemporary expressions meet in inspiring environments where history and aesthetics go hand in hand. In this part of the guide, we present two of the city's most popular art museums with experiences that touch and engage.

National Museum

National Museum is Sweden's largest art museum and home to an impressive selection of paintings, sculptures, crafts and design.

Highlights:

• Collections from the Middle Ages to the early 1900th century
• Works by Rembrandt, Goya, Renoir and Swedish masters
• Elegant newly renovated building with views of the Strömmen

The National Museum is not only a place of art, but also of history and beauty. The museum offers guided tours, educational programs, and access to an extensive research library. For art lovers and first-time visitors, it is an experience that combines cultural immersion with visual splendor.

Moderna Museet

Moderna Museet is the hub for modern and contemporary art in Sweden. It brings together works by international icons and contemporary Swedish artists.

You will experience:

• Works by Picasso, Dalí, Matisse and Warhol
• Temporary exhibitions and contemporary art
• Café, bookstore and child-friendly workshops

The museum offers a unique mix of permanent collections and temporary exhibitions, often with socially critical and thought-provoking themes. On weekends there are workshops for children, and the café has a fantastic view of the water. Moderna Museet is a vibrant center for dialogue about the role of art in our time.

Museums of history and culture

For those curious about Sweden's past, there are several museums in Stockholm that bring history to life in a unique way. Here you can experience everything from Viking treasures and medieval art to stories about the world's most famous science prize. In this section, we highlight museums that combine facts with experience and provide a deeper understanding of our cultural heritage.

The Vasa Museum

The Vasa Museum is one of the most visited museums in Scandinavia with over 1,5 million visitors in 2022 (Statens maritima museer). Here you will find a 1600th-century regalia ship that was salvaged from the bottom of the sea and preserved in its entirety.

That's why it's so popular:

• The only preserved ship of its kind in the world
• Exhibitions about life at sea, shipbuilding and 1600th-century society
• A visual and educational experience for both adults and children

The visitor is taken on a journey to Sweden during the great power era, to understand both the role of ships in war and everyday life. The museum is very popular with school classes and tourists, not least thanks to its dramatic and authentic environment.

Historiska Museet

The Historical Museum offers thousands of years of history with gold treasures, rune stones and authentic finds from Sweden's ancient times.

You will see:

• Viking exhibition with authentic finds
• Sweden's largest collection of medieval art
• The gold treasure and other spectacular objects

The museum provides a complete overview of Sweden's history, from the Mesolithic to the present day. With interactive stations and temporary themes, both children and adults will have an engaging experience. Free admission makes it an accessible choice for everyone.

Nobel Prize Museum

In the middle of the Old Town lies the museum that celebrates Alfred Nobel's legacy and the life's work of the laureates.

Content:

• Interactive stations and inspiring stories
• Exhibitions on science, peace and literature
• Temporary screenings and family-friendly content

The museum captures the human driving force behind groundbreaking innovations. Through films, quotes and objects from Nobel laureates, science and social development become personal and inspiring themes. A must for curious people of all ages.

Museums for children and families

Are you looking for museums in Stockholm that are both educational and fun for children and families? Then there are several options where curiosity, interactivity and experiences are at the center. Here, children can discover the possibilities of technology, the world of animals and the mysteries of nature in environments that awaken both imagination and knowledge. Below we have collected some of the most family-friendly museums in the capital.

Skansen

Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum and combines nature, animals, cultural history and tradition.

Experiences:

• Farms, artisans and Nordic animals
• Celebrate Midsummer, Lucia and Christmas in a classic way
• Child-friendly activities and zoo

Overlooking Stockholm and located on Djurgården, Skansen offers a full-day experience for the family. Events, crafts and Nordic animals create an atmosphere of living history.

Technical Museum

The Technical Museum engages both children and adults with its exhibitions about innovation and the role of technology in society.

Here you get:

• Testing robots, coding and digital games
• See historical inventions and innovations
• Educational exhibitions about the technology of the future

With interactive stations, a Maker Space and performances, this is one of Stockholm's most popular children's museums. The museum also caters to adults interested in technology and offers in-depth exhibitions on AI, energy and innovation.

National Museum of Natural History

National Museum of Natural History is one of Sweden's most popular museums with a focus on nature, climate and science.

Highlights:

• Cosmonova – Sweden's only IMAX cinema
• The human body, climate and the evolution of life
• Suitable for families with children, school classes and curious adults

The museum offers spectacular exhibitions that spark curiosity about our planet and its history. Perfect for a rainy day or for those who want to combine entertainment with knowledge.

Museums of design and expression

Stockholm has several museums where form, color, music and storytelling are at the center. Here you will experience creative environments that highlight photography, design, pop culture and contemporary expression. For those seeking inspiration, nostalgia or an artistic perspective on our time, these museums are a given choice.

fotografiska

One of the world's leading photography museums with contemporary exhibitions, events and views over the water.

Experiences:

• Constantly new photo exhibitions
• Bar, restaurant and evening activities
• Courses and bookstore

The museum displays works by both world-renowned photographers and emerging talents. The atmosphere is creative, modern and inclusive – and the evening programs with music, food and views of Stockholm are as enticing as the exhibitions.

ABBA The Museum

A modern, interactive museum where you can sing, dance and immerse yourself in ABBA's history.

What to expect:

• Record music videos and test stage costumes
• Original gadgets, stories and memorabilia
• Popular with tourists and fans of all ages

The museum combines music, technology and history. With interactive technology, you step into a time travel from Waterloo to Mamma Mia – an experience for the whole body.

Liquor Museum

The Spirits Museum combines art, history and taste. A creative museum for adults.

Experiences:

• Exhibitions about Swedish alcohol culture
• Scent stations and summer bar
• Bar, restaurant and shop

Located on the waterfront on Djurgården, the museum is a favorite for curious adults who want to gain perspective on Swedish drinking history. The exhibitions vary between humorous and serious themes.

Underrated but worth seeing museums

Stockholm has many well-visited museums, but there are also lesser-known gems that offer unique and unexpected experiences. These museums attract with exciting themes such as shipping, architecture, migration and Vikings, and give you the opportunity to see new perspectives on history and the present. Here we highlight museums that often end up in the shadows but that definitely deserve your attention.

The Viking Museum

An interactive museum on Djurgården where you can take a journey into the world of the Vikings.

What you will experience:

• Viking sagas via the interactive train ride Ragnfrid's Saga
• Violent battles, trade and everyday life in exhibition form
• Live guides in period clothing

The museum is a crowd favorite for both children and adults. The visual presentation and sound design enhance the experience.

Swedish National Maritime Museum

Next door to the Vasa Museum – part of the State Maritime and Transport History Museums.

Content:

• Ship models, naval battles and ship stories
• Family-friendly tours and creative activities
• Outlook on Sweden's role as a maritime nation

Perfect for those who want to complement their visit to the Vasa Museum with additional maritime historical perspectives.

The Ethnographic Museum

You will find:

• Collections from Asia, Africa and America
• Reflections on colonialism and migration
• Themed exhibitions and interactive displays

The museum provides perspectives on human living conditions and cultural expressions globally.

ArkDes

Content:

• Exhibitions about the role of architecture
• Design icons and future projects
• Workshops and family-friendly activities

A must for those who like form, function and social issues.

Postal Museum

What you can see:

• Letters, stamps and digital communication
• Children's exhibits and interactive stations
• Themed exhibitions on social development

Charming and educational museum in the middle of the Old Town.

Summary

Stockholm offers something for all tastes, ages and interests. Whether you are looking for a rainy day activity, a cultural immersion or an inspiring experience for the kids, there is something here for you.

Takeaways:

• For art lovers: National Museum & Modern Museum
• For families: Skansen, Vasa Museum, Technical Museum
• For history buffs: Historical Museum, The Viking Museum & Nobel Prize Museum
• For pop culture: ABBA The Museum & Fotografiska
• For something different: Spirits Museum, Postal Museum, ArkDes, Maritime Museum

Do you want to turn your museum visit into a full-day experience?

Combine the museum visit with a guided boat excursion in Stockholm which combines the city's history with the nature of the archipelago. Strandrederi offers both boat sightseeing and boat charter adapted for companies, events and private groups.