10 Best museums in Stockholm

Stockholm is home to more than 60 museums and choosing which ones to visit during your trip could be a difficult task. Here are the must-sees.

Ana Caballero

Ana Caballero

10 min read

10 Best museums in Stockholm

View of the Stockholm National Museum | ©piningforthewest

The capital of Sweden, Stockholm, also known as the Venice of the North, stands out for its great art center. There are more than 60 museums that you will find in its streets. In them, you will have the opportunity to learn about the history and culture of the city, see photographic exhibitions, works of modern and contemporary art, among other expressions.

Taking a tour of the museums of the city is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Stockholm. You can visit the traditional Shipwreck Museum or Vrak, to discover the secrets of the Nordic waters; or the Viking Museum, where you can delve into Swedish history. You can also visit the modern ABBA Museum, the open-air Skansen Museum, the Fotografiska Museum and many more.

1. Viking Museum

Vasa Museum| ©dilettantiquity
Vasa Museum| ©dilettantiquity

The Viking Museum is a must-see destination during your stay of at least 2 days in Stockholm. You can discover Swedish culture through interactive attractions, photo exhibits, ancient artifacts and much more. You will feel like you have been transported back to the Viking Age.

During the tour through the museum halls you will see:

  • The three Viking ships, dating back to the 9th century.
  • The theatrical shows, with representations of the Viking Age that will allow you to understand their influence in the Nordic Europe, commercial exchanges, expeditions and more.
  • The exhibition of Viking costumes, in which the characteristic woolen tunics used by them, war helmets, etc. stand out.
  • The collections of ancient objects. Many of them found in burial chambers.

In addition to enjoying all these exhibits, with tickets to the Viking Museum in Stockholm you can access the Viking train. This is an interactive attraction with a series of special effects and sounds that will surprise you, while you delve into the history of these legendary warriors.

Information of interest

  • Price: from about 19€ per person.
  • Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Tuesday to Friday, and 10:00 am to 6:00 pm Saturday to Monday.
  • Location: Djurgården Island or Museum Island.

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2. Spirits Museum

Museum of Spirits| ©Kevin Oliver
Museum of Spirits| ©Kevin Oliver

It doesn't matter if you visit Stockholm in January, in the middle of the year or in December. If you are an enthusiast of the flavors and aromas offered by spirits, then the Museum of Spirits is for you. There, you will learn about the culture behind the making of Swedish alcohol: history, distillation, production, its connection to humanity.

This is a very popular museum among tourists because it combines the world of spirits with art. You will learn how the distillation process is carried out for the creation of liquors such as rum, vodka and gin. In addition, you can do some tastings.

On the other hand, you will find permanent exhibitions, which show the works used by Absolut Vodka for their advertising campaigns. In total, there are about 850 works (graphic art, paintings, installations, etc.) belonging to about 500 artists such as Andy Warhol, Kenny Schar, Ola Billgren, among others.

Tickets to the Museum of Spirits in Stockholm will also allow you to access the souvenir store, where you can buy the bottles of your choice to take the taste of Stockholm with you home. In addition, you can visit the restaurant area for lunch or dinner.

Useful information

  • Price: the price is approximately 15€ per person.
  • Opening hours: Thursday to Tuesday from 11:00 am to 6:00 pm and Wednesday from 11:00 am to 7:00 pm.
  • Location: Djurgården Island or Museum Island.

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3. Toy Museum

Toy Museum| ©Dvortygirl
Toy Museum| ©Dvortygirl

If you are enthusiastic about action figures, comic books, board games, stuffed animals, dolls, trains and more, then a visit to the Toy Museum in Stockholm is a must. You will feel like a child when you see the impressive collections of this museum.

Whether you are alone, with friends or have traveled to Stockholm with children, this museum is the ideal place to have fun while learning about the evolution of toys that marked the history. You will be enveloped in a picturesque atmosphere punctuated by a touch of nostalgia.

In the exhibition halls you will see some 40,000 objects. All of them, organized chronologically and according to a theme. You can play arcade classics such as Space Race by Atari, Pinball, Pac Man by Namco, among others.

Also, you should know that tickets to the Toy Museum are included in the Stockholm Tourist Card. Therefore, you could get a considerable saving on the entrance fee by purchasing the pass.

Useful information

  • Price: the value of access to the museum starts at 15€ per person.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm.
  • Location: Svensksundsvägen 5, 111 49, Stockholm.

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4. Skansen Open Air Museum

Skansen Open Air Museum| ©Brian Dooley
Skansen Open Air Museum| ©Brian Dooley

Stockholm has many museums, but one that breaks with the traditional is the Skansen Museum, as it is outdoors. It is a zoological park that you should incorporate into your itinerary for at least 3 days in Stockholm and experience rural life in this region before industrialization.

When you arrive at this museum, you will find farms and houses that evoke the Sweden of centuries past. You will be greeted by locals in traditional costumes, who will tell you about the history of this land. You will also have access to a series of stations where you will see up close how some representative activities of the region were carried out .

For example, you will learn about the making of Swedish shoes, the phases of the manual creation of blown glass, the butter churning process , the art of traditional weaving, etc. And, in the zoo area, you will see some reindeer, elk, bison, grizzly bears, among other animals.

Tickets to the Skansen open-air museum in Stockholm also allow you to participate in one of the most anticipated moments for Swedes during the day, the fika. You will pause for some snacks and hot drinks. All this while admiring the scenery.

Information of interest

  • Price: the average cost of admission is 18€ per person.
  • Opening hours: 10:00 am to 3:00 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, 10:00 am to 5:00 pm from Friday to Sunday, and 10:00 am to 4:00 pm on Mondays and Tuesdays.
  • Location: Djurgården Island or Museum Island.

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5. Nobel Prize Museum

Getting to know the museum| ©Solis Invicti
Getting to know the museum| ©Solis Invicti

Another place in Stockholm where you will live a great cultural experience is the Nobel Prize Museum. You will discover the legacy left to humanity by the laureates of the Nobel Prize since 1901. All this in favor of peace, science and literature.

Inside the museum, you will find permanent and temporary exhibits, in which you will access the history and contributions of great characters. Such is the case of the German physicist Albert Einstein; the defender of civil rights, Martin Luther King; the American journalist and storyteller, Ernest Hemingway, among others.

Tickets to the Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm will give you access to an audio guide with which you can take the tour at your own pace. You can also request a guided tour with an expert. Either way, you will enjoy an enriching experience with projections, interactive exhibits and much more.

Information of interest

  • Price: about 16€ per person approximately.
  • Hours: from 9:00 am to 8:00 pm between June and August. From September to May it is open Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11:00 to 17:00, Fridays from 11:00 to 20:00, and Saturdays and Sundays from 10:00 to 18:00.
  • Location: Stortorget Square 2, 103 16 Stockholm.

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6. Swedish Museum for the Performing Arts

Swedish Museum for the Performing Arts| ©dixtuin
Swedish Museum for the Performing Arts| ©dixtuin

Expressions such as dance, theater and music have a special place at the Stockholm Museum of the Performing Arts. Here you will find a number of permanent and temporary exhibitions that will help you experience what happens on and behind the stage.

The museum is housed in a historic building dating from the 17th century, which for some 300 years was used as a bakery and liquor store. Its rooms house an important collection with about 50,000 objects: manuscripts, musical instruments, stage costumes, scenography models and much more.

You can access this destination easily, whether you go on foot, by private car or through the tourist bus tours in Stockholm. Just purchase tickets to the Swedish Museum of Performing Arts in Stockholm and start enjoying the various art forms.

In addition to the exhibits, there are approximately 20 interactive stations at your disposal. You can put on a costume, put on your make-up, get on stage and wait for the curtain to rise to unleash your creativity and be the star of your own play. You can also create your own tracks and visit the music hall of fame.

Information of interest

  • Price: the average ticket price is approximately 15€ per person.
  • Hours: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm from Tuesday to Friday, and from 10:00 am to 5:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays. Closed on Mondays.
  • Location: Sibyllegatan 2, 114 51 Stockholm.

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7. Paradox Museum

Inside the Paradox Museum| ©luitpold
Inside the Paradox Museum| ©luitpold

If you want to defy logic and the laws of physics, you should reserve a space in your itinerary to visit the Paradox Museum in Stockholm. You'll feel like you're in another world where everything is upside down from what you know and breaks with reality.

You'll be immersed in a series of sensory and optical illusions offered through approximately 70 exhibits, some of which include the following:

  • The tunnel, where your goal is to keep your balance while everything around you rotates.

  • The upside-down room. Upon entering, you will feel like you are floating.

  • The paradox sofa, where you will see your torso separated from your legs.

  • A talking piano, with which you can have an interesting conversation just by pressing its keys.

Without a doubt, with tickets to the Paradox Museum in Stockholm you will have the opportunity to stimulate your senses and raise your perception level with respect to reality. After this unforgettable experience, you can continue your tour of the city. Perhaps join one of the best boat tours in Stockholm or visit other museums.

Interesting information

  • Price: the entrance fee starts at 23€ per person.
  • Hours: 9:00 am to 9:00 pm from Saturday to Tuesday, 10:00 am to 7:00 pm on Wednesdays and Thursdays, and 10:00 am to 9:00 pm on Fridays.
  • Location: Sergelgatan 20, 111 57 Stockholm.

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8. Vrak, the Museum of Shipwrecks

Shipwreck Museum| ©Tony Shertila
Shipwreck Museum| ©Tony Shertila

On the island Djurgården, about 15 minutes drive from the center of Stockholm, is the Shipwreck Museum, which houses the historic ship Vrak. There, you will find several exhibits through which you will learn about the secrets in the depths of the Baltic Sea and what life was like on board the ship.

The museum consists of two floors. On one floor, all the findings from the shipwreck are on display, and on the other floor you will have access to maritime archaeological discoveries. Without a doubt, touring the exhibits here could be one of the best tours in Stockholm.

You will live an immersive experience through the interactive collections with holograms and photographs, which bring together some 40,000 objects preserved under the sea. In addition, you will watch a film that will allow you to learn about the construction of the ship in the 17th century, the sinking in 1628, its rescue in 1961, and the restoration process of more than 95%.

Also, with tickets to Vrak, the Shipwreck Museum, you can visit the restaurant area, to taste some cakes and drinks. Also, the souvenir store, with unique objects referring to the history of the shipwreck.

Information of interest

  • Price: the entrance fee is approximately 18€ per person.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 to 17:00 hours.
  • Location: Djurgården Island or Museum Island.

9. ABBA Museum

ABBA Museum| ©David Jones
ABBA Museum| ©David Jones

The legendary Swedish Europop band ABBA has a space specially dedicated to it in the city of Stockholm. This is the ABBA Museum, where you can learn all the details about the beginnings of this group, which at the time was a true musical phenomenon worldwide.

Throughout this visit, you will see a large collection of iconic costumes worn by Agnetha Fältskog, Björn Ulvaeus, Benny Andersson and Anni-Frid (members of ABBA) in their concerts, perfectly preserved. You will also see some scenographies and have the opportunity to take pictures with wax dolls of the four singers, among other things.

Also, you should know that the museum offers a virtual reality room, but the tickets for ABBA The Museum in Stockholm do not include this activity. Therefore, if you want to enjoy this tour, you will have to pay an additional fee at the time of the visit.

Useful information

  • Price: the entrance fee starts at approximately 22€ per person.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm.
  • Location: Djurgårdsvägen 68, 115 21. Stockholm.

10. Fotografiska Museum

Fotografiska| ©Maria Eklind
Fotografiska| ©Maria Eklind

During their stay in Stockholm, photography lovers have an unmissable appointment at the Fotografiska Museum. You will enjoy the work of contemporary artists, who highlight different artistic, cultural, social, environmental, landscape, urban approaches, and more.

Some of the artists whose work is highlighted at the museum are:

  • Sarah Moon. Of French origin and specialized in fashion.
  • Sally Mann of American nationality and whose work is characterized by showing the nudity of both the body and feelings.
  • Annie Leibovitz, born in the United States and known for her portraits with narrative and movement.

With tickets to Fotografiska in Stockholm you will not only see the compositions on display, as you can also take advantage of the building's prime position in the center of the city and thus get an amazing view of the surroundings, which is ideal if you are exploring Stockholm at night.

Information of interest

  • Price: the value of this ticket is at least 18€ per person.
  • Hours: daily from 10:00 am to 11:00 pm.
  • Location: Stadsgårdshamnen 22, 116 45 Stockholm.

Book tickets for Fotografiska