Stockholm - Historical museums

There are about one hundred museums in Stockholm, something for every kind of cultural taste, so artistic boredom is not an option. Stockholms' museum world has something for everyone, even those who find the concept of "art" a complete snore.

Army Museum
See weapons, armour and how different wars have effected the people of Sweden through the ages.
The Army Museum, Stockholm, is an inexhaustible source of knowledge about the past. Pause for a while in the Ordnance Yard and listen to the wing beats of history! This museum is not all about wars and weapons. Many things in the military life have civilian connections. All displayed in an exciting exhibition with artefacts shown in fantastic and realistic sceneries.


General information
Address: Riddargatan 13Phone: +46(0)8 51 95 63 10
Bus: 62 Subway: Östermalmstorg
Homepage: http://www.armemuseum.se/


City Museum of Stockholm
A "must see", Stockholm from past to present with extraordinary architecture in the middle of town.

A classic stop on any museum tour. All the basics and many interesting details about Stockholm can be found on the different floors of this historic building. The architecture alone is worth the visit. The exhibits focus on the city's development from the middle ages where sickness and poverty prevailed, to the bustling multifaceted city it is today. A rewarding experience located in a lovely part of town. Close to the famous "Götgatan", where food of every variety is consumed, books are read and debated and umbrellas are sold in the rain.


General information
Address:Ryssgården (just outside the subway exit)
Phone:+46 (0)8 508 31 600
Subway: Slussen
Homepage: http://www.stadsmuseum.stockholm.se/
E-mail: info@stadsmuseum.stockholm.se


The Customs Museum
Avoid being thrown in jail when crossing the border, this exhibit will answer all of your questions.

Now how do the Swedish customs services actually work? I mean, everybody knows that trying to smuggle narcotics through South East Asia is a stupid thing to do, but how does it work in Sweden? We all have our inner hypothetical criminals inside of us and finding out how the "system" works is an obsession of many. If that is the case or if you enjoy enlightening experiences, or had some trouble at the border, then you should try this museum on for size. When you leave you will know exactly how much alcohol you can bring with you on your next trip, and realize that customs officers are universally grouchy . The Swedish Customs Museum exhibits displays about the first customs office in Stockholm and the history of customs with an emphasis on smuggling. So if you by the end of your tour are convinced that customs officers will be knocking on your hotel room door soon; the water is a block and a half north, perfect for a quick get-away.
General information
Address: Alströmergatan 39
Phone:+46 (0)8 653 05 03
Subway: Fridhemsplan

Homepage: http://www.tullverket.se/


The Haga Park Museum
In the middle of a beautiful park, just outside the city centre, free and maximum relaxation guaranteed.

This is an extraordinary place. In the middle of a fantastic park in Solna, ten minutes from the centre of Stockholm. Here you can browse the museum, enjoy the café, explore the ruins and wander across the lush landscape marveling at the ancient trees, pondering whom they've given shade to over the centuries. The exhibition in the museum is about the history of the famous park, and the different people who have been associated with it. It is the finest English park in Sweden, dating back to the Gustavian era (Gustav III). Since it's so close to the centre of town, it has become a favorite among dog-walkers and couples in need of a romantic setting, especially during the summer months. This has been the case for decades, and is also the reason the museum is devoted to promoting this somewhat hidden place.
General information
Address:Mellersta Koppartältet, Hagaparken, Solna
Phone: +46 (0)8 27 42 52
Subway:Odenplan + Bus 515 or 70 to Haga Norra


Hallwyl Collection
19th century private palace kept as the Countess von Hallwyl stipulated in her will. Absorbing and mysterious.
This private palace is a real treasure trove! See fabulous collections of antique furniture, paintings, silver, ceramics, jewellery, weapons and preserved interiors. A visit to the museum is like moving back more than a hundred years and entering a bygone time.
Free admission to the Hallwyl Collection Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information
Address: Hamngatan 4
Phone: +46(0)8 519 555 99
Bus: 2, 47, 55, 62, 69, 76
Subway: Östermalmstorg


The Historical Museum of Wines & Spirits
Drinking songs, vodka, the history and much more fun for the fan of wine and spirits.

At the Historical Museum of Wine & Spirits, Stockholm, you can get an inside look at the technical and cultural history of spirits and alcoholic beverages. Smell the spices that are used to flavour the famous Swedish aquavit and listen to Swedish drinking songs. Visit a turn-of-last century wine merchant and a Swedish destillery.

Free admission to the Wine & Spirits Historical Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information
Address: Dalagatan 100
Phone: +46(0)8 744 70 70
Bus: 65
Subway: Odenplan / St Eriksplan
Homepage: http://www.vinosprithistoriska.se/


Ivar Lo-Johansson Museum
Studio and workplace of the Swedish author, preserved just as the author kept it for decades. This is the studio of the Swedish author Ivar Lo-Johansson who died in 1990. Though called a museum, it is actually "just" the place where he wrote his many books, a small one room apartment close to the water on Södermalm (the south side). It has been compared to a time-capsule since the author left the apartment in almost exactly the same way during the decades he worked there, only adding a few wall-hangings and books. A great place to walk in an authors' shoes, and get the inspirational vibe.
General information
Address: Bastugatan 21
Phone:+46(0)8 658 25 84
Subway: Slussen


The Jewish Museum
An astonishing view of judaism throughout history from peaceful times to the horrific holocaust and today.

The Jewish Museum in Stockholm is the only one of its kind in the Nordic countries. The permanent exhibitions show unique objects and settings that gives an account of the lives and traditions of Jews.
Free admission to The Jewish Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information
Address: Hälsingegatan 2
Phone: +46(0)8 31 01 43
Bus: 4, 47
Subway: Odenplan


Långholmen Prison
The famous prison that had the last execution in Sweden. Now a museum equipped for curious visitors.

The home of criminals galore! Well, not really, not anymore that is. But there was a time not so long ago when this was a dreaded place where thieves and murderers plotted their escapes and corrupted the officers while planning the next big thing. The museum exhibits all of the prisons long and curious history and offers accommodations for the morbid and daring crowd that values comfort. Many myths and rumors surround this place and a visit will get you the inside scoop on escapees, the executions and much more. Definitely worth the short trip, and don't forget to bring your bathing suit.

General information
Address: Långholmsmuren 20
Phone: +46(0)8 720 85 81
Subway: Hornstull (exit Långholmsgatan)


Museum of Ethnography
A wonderful multi-cultural museum exhibiting distant civilizations, their religion, art and much more.

See souvenirs from all over the world brought home from four centuries of arduous travels by Swedish explorers, missionaries, scientists and others. The exhibitions reflect aspects of life among people in America, Asia and Africa. There is a popular café and gift shop.

General information
Address: Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 34
Phone: +46(0)8 519 550 00
Bus: 69Subway: -


Museum of Far Eastern Antiquities
Mystique and art are symbiotically displayed here for curious eyes to behold.

This is one of Europe's finest collections of Chinese stoneware and porcelain from the Song, Ming and Qing dynasties. Large library specialising in sinology.
General information
Address: SkeppsholmenPhone: +46(0)8 519 557 50/70Bus: 65Subway: KungsträdgårdenHomepage: http://www.ostasiatiska.se/


Museum of Medieval Stockholm
An under ground museum with enticing displays, right in the middle of the city. A must see.
This is a very cool museum under ground, where they have built up medieval environments around real archeological finds. In this manner the museum exhibits the rise and development of medieval Stockholm. The tomb-like feel of some of the exhibits leave you intrigued rather than claustrophobic, and when the summer cafe is open you find yourself lingering there, maybe longing for some nameless need to know about the past or just too stuffed to move from your cafe seat after you went medieval on your food.

Due to complete extensive renovations the museum is moved to the Culture House at Sergels Torg in Stockholm.
General information
Address: Sergels Torg
Phone:+46(0)8 508 31 808
Subway:Gamla Stan or Kungsträdgården
Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities
The cultural heritage of the Mediterranean and the bordering regions.
At the Museum of Mediterranean Antiquities, Stockholm you will see archaeological findings from the ancient civilisations of Greece, Egypt, Cyprus, Italy and the Near East and a large Islamic collection. In an impressive marble setting of the building from 1644 you will find mummies, sculptures, jewellery, ceramics, glass and mosaics.
General information
Address: Fredsgatan 2, Gustav Adolfs Torg
Phone: +46(0)8 519 553 80
Bus: 53, 59, 62, 65
Subway: Kungsträdgården

Museum of National Antiquities
Exhibitions about Swedish cultural history and art from the Stone Age to the 16th century.
The Museum of National Antiquities is responsible for Swedish cultural history and art from the Stone Age to the 16th century and has extensive collections from these 14,000 years of Swedish history. Do not miss the Viking exhibition and the Gold Room with real fine treasures.
Free admission to the Museum of National Antiquities with the Stockholm à la Carte card!
General information
Address: Narvavägen 13-17
Phone: +46(0)8 519 556 00
Bus: 44, 47, 56, 69, 76
Subway: Karlaplan


The Museum Ships
Climb aboard these ships to feel what it was like to be a sailor during the turn of the century.

Embark and explore the inside of a steam powered ice-breaker; Sankt Erik from 1915 was Sweden´s first ocean-going ice-breaker! See the captain´s bridge and his lounge.

Embark also Finngrundet; a lightship, the last one in use which served in the Baltic Sea from 1903 to 1969.
Free admission to the Museum Ships with the Stockholm à la Carte card!
General information
Address: Galärvarvspiren, Djurgården
Phone: +46(0)8 519 548 91/90
Bus: 44, 47Tram: The Djurgårdslinjen Tram

National Maritime Museum
Love ships and the ocean? This place offers all the information you could ever wish to know.
This place has everything for lovers of ships and the ocean. Whether you're an excited neophyte or weathered sailor with a peg-leg and stories a plenty, you're sure to find something that sparks your interest here. The museum exhibits everything from sea trade and the building of ships to naval defence in a selection of ways. The naval history is illustrated with replicas, model ships, artwork, historical finds and more. A place for any ocean and ship enthusiast.
General information
Address: Djurgårdsbrunnsvägen 24
Phone: +46(0)8 519 549 00
Subway: T-Centralen (then bus 69 to Sjöhistoriska museet)





National Museum of Cultural History
Huge museum displaying fashion, furnished rooms, Sami art, paintings and more.

The Nordic Museum is Sweden's national museum of cultural history. The building was inaugurated in 1907. The museum exhibits some 1,300,000 artefacts that reflect every aspect of Swedish fashion, food and beverage, furniture, folk art and much more from 16th century and on to our times.
General information
Address: Djurgårdsvägen 6-16
Phone: +46(0)8 519 560 00
Bus: 44, 47
Tram: The Djurgårdslinjen Tram






Nobel Museum
Venture into the minds of the Nobel-prize winners with film displays, other artifacts, computers and more.



At the Nobel Museum, Stockholm, you can follow the changes of the 20th century through the Nobel Prize and the Laureates. Explore the work and ideas of more than 700 creative minds presented through multimedia and artefacts in the exhibition "Cultures of Creativity". See the dynamite and the mould that changed the world!
Don´t miss the creative shop! Or take a break and have some Nobel Ice Cream at the café - it´s the same flavour and recipe as the one served as dessert at the Nobel banquet last December!
Free admission to the Nobel Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!
General information
Address: Stortorget (Old Town)
Phone: 23 25 06
Bus: 2, 3, 53, 55, 76
Subway: Gamla Stan
Homepage: http://www.nobelmuseet.se/


Postal Museum
From your hand to the hands of the postal service to disappearance. Here you can finally solve the mystery.

The Royal Coin Cabinet
Learn about money and finances in Sweden and all the gritty history it has filled the newspapers with.


Learn the history of Swedish money and finances. The collections contain coins and other means of payment as well as medals and other objects with numismatic connection from all over the world. The museum is in charge of keeping the national register of coin hoards up to date. The Royal Coin Cabinet Museum in Stockholm, is located in Old Town, right by the Royal Palace.
General information
Address: Slottsbacken 6
Phone: 46(0)8 519 553 04
Bus: 2, 43, 55, 76
Subway: Gamla Stan

Homepage: http://www.myntkabinettet.se/


Skansen Open-Air Museum
The only place where Swedish culture, stage area and a zoo could be pulled off simultaneously.

Founded in 1891, Skansen is one of the major attractions in Stockholm. See some 150 houses and farmsteads assembled here from all over Sweden. Meet Nordic animals at the Zoo, "Mini-Skansen" and summer concerts. Enjoy Swedish traditional festivals, theme days and the famous Christmas market. Free admission to Skansen Open Air Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information
Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49-51
Phone: +46(0)8 442 80 00
Bus: 44, 47
Tram: Djurgårdslinjen Trams


Strindberg Museum
The home of the famous Swedish writer, who among other things tried to chemically produce gold.


The Strindberg Museum, Stockholm is located in the home of the famous Swedish writer August Strindberg (1849-1912). Here you can see his apartment, his desk, paintings and photographs. Visit also his library. The Strindberg Museum gives guided tours, lectures and performances. There is also a bookshop.
Free admission to the Strindberg Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card.

General information
Address: Drottninggatan 85
Phone: +46(0)8 411 53 54
Bus: 43, 52, 65
Subway: Rådmansgatan
Homepage: http://www.strindbergsmuseet.se/



Svindersvik
A wonderful building from the 18th century with a beautiful garden and pavilion close to town and right by the water.


Simply a beautiful house of the smaller variety preserved for generations to see in a picturesque setting. Both the house itself and most of the furniture date back to the 18th century. Svindervik is made up of many small details that when combined complete the experience. The pavilion, the garden and the interior send you back in time and the hectic life of the city will literally seem centuries away.
General information
Address: Svindersvik
Phone: +46(0)8 457 06 60
Subway: Slussen, then Saltsjöbanan to Nacka Station
Homepage: Svindersvik


Tramway Museum
From horse drawn sleigh to the futuristic subways of today.

Free admission to the Stockholm Transport Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information At the Stockhom Transpor Museum you can see the development of public transportation from tramcars pulled by horses to the underground metro of today. See the oldest electrical motor vehicle in the world and more than sixty other vehicles. Let the kids try to drive a tram themselves!
Address: Tegelviksgatan 22
Phone: +46(0)8 462 55 31
Bus: 2, 53, 55, 66
Subway: -



Tre Kronor Museum
See the remnants of the old fort and other preserved objects to fully enjoy the fascinating history.

The Royal Palace in Stockholm was built 1697-1754 on the ruins of the old castle Tre Kronor (Three Crowns), destroyed by fire in 1697. TheTre Kronor Museum, Stockholm, is situated in the cellars of the Royal Palace. Here you can see remnants of the Tre Kronor castle which dated back to the 13th century, sections of the old defense walls from the 1200s and many artefacts rescued from the flames. See the fantastic story of the old Tre Kronor castle!
Free admission to the Royal Palace Tre Kronor Museum with the Stockholm à la Carte card!

General information
Address: Royal Palace (north)
Phone: +46(0)8 402 61 30
Bus: 3, 43, 55, 59, 76
Subway: Gamla Stan


Tobacco and Match Museum
Everything you could ever need to know about the history of tobacco and matches in Sweden.

Founded in 1938, The Tobacco & Match Museum shows the industrial and cultural history of Swedish tobacco and matches. The exhibits include memoribilia from some of the hundreds of tobacco factories that operated prior to the tobacco monopoly starting in 1915. The museum is run with the financial support of the tobacco company Swedish Match AB, which also owns the collections.

General information
Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49 "Gubbhyllan" Skansen
Phone: +46 8-442 80 26
Bus: 44 and 47


The Vasa Museum
See the famous warship Vasa from 1628 and learn about a King's vanity which brought it all down.


Ahoy! The almighty pirate ship be all you need to see on your trip. HARRR! Well it's not really a pirate ship but it's as close to it as you'll get. This is the museum that displays the warship Vasa from 1628 when the world looked a whole lot different.
On August 10, 1628, she set sail for the first time. A sudden gust of wind caused her to list so that water poured in through the lowest tier of open gun ports. She sank ridiculously quickly. This was supposed to have been the mightiest ship, and to have strengthened Sweden's command of the Baltic. Instead she sank in 100 feet of water.
This was an enormous blow to the naval ego and to the king who had decided upon the dimensions of the ship. So there it lay until 1956, when it was decided upon to try and salvage the historic monument.
This is Scandinavias' most popular museum. The smell of the sea air, the exhibits about the old Vasa crew and much more have inspired people for decades. For those wishing to scurvy back in time and let themselves be swept away to a world of dangerous oceans and embarrassing incidents then this is a must.

General information
Address: Galärvarvsvägen 14
Phone: +46(0)8 519 548 00
Bus: 44,47 or 69
Subway: Karlaplan or T-Centralen