Discover the Best Museums to Visit in Stockholm

Last updated on November 22nd, 2022 at 11:14 pm

Stockholm is the lovely and lively capital of Sweden. This sprawling city is spread out over 14 islands which are connected by 57 bridges. Composed of 1/3 water, 1/3 green areas/parks, and 1/3 built up areas, there is a lot of variety in activities to do. Our visit was just before Christmas, which meant that it was pretty cold and often dark outside due to the shortened daylight hours. But, these conditions were perfect for visiting one of Stockholm’s main attractions: the museums. Keep reading to find out more about some of the ones we loved most as well as other unique museums in Stockholm!

***Disclaimer: Be sure to check COVID related entry requirements for Sweden as well as any activities you wish to participate in before booking any part of your journey!

The Vasa Museum in Stockholm

Side View of Vasa Ship at Museum in Stockholm

Picture of the Stern of the Vasa Ship at Museum in Stockholm

This is by far one of the most popular and well-loved museums in Stockholm. And, it is for good reason. Not only is the Vasa ship beautifully covered in intricate wooden carvings which tell stories about the Swedish royal family, but its story is incredibly interesting. The ship was designed to be the jewel of the Swedish Naval fleet and was one of the most impressive war ships ever built. With her 2 gun decks, 72 guns, and space for 300 soldiers on board, the Vasa was designed to strike fear in all her enemies.

Sadly, on her maiden voyage, she only made it approximately 1,300 meters before overturning and sinking into the depths. While pieces of the ship were recovered in the 17th century (especially the valuable cannons), the ship was soon lost to the pages of history. In the 1950’s the Vasa was rediscovered and brought back to the surface. Even after centuries under water, the Vasa ship was well preserved due to the unique qualities of the Baltic’s waters.

Planning Your Visit to the Vasa Museum

You can easily buy your tickets online or in person at the museum. Since the Vasa Museum is so popular, you may want to consider buying your tickets ahead of time. The availability of tickets will vary a lot based on the time of year you are visiting. We personally visited in the winter and we did not have any issues getting tickets on the day of, but the summer months will certainly be busier.

For more information about ticket prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Vasa Museum Website.

Special Things to Note

The self-guided tour is fantastic and you can download the free audioguide here on Vasa’s website. Throughout your museum journey, you will learn many things: how and why the ship was built, what life would have been like on board, the symbolism of the ship’s carvings, how the ship was recovered, and more!

I would personally recommend about planning 1.5 – 2 hours for your visit. (we were there closer to 2 hours). But, if you know that you will be short on time, the Vasa Museum provides a helpful guide to help you hit the highlights in one hour.

And, if you are are looking for something good to eat in the area, the food at the Vasa Museum Restaurant is especially delicious. We really enjoyed our meal of Swedish Meatballs with lingonberry juice to drink!

Skansen Museum of Stockholm

Red Building at Skansen Museum in Stockholm

If you are looking to take a step back in time, the Skansen Museum is the perfect stop for you. Skansen is one of the oldest open-air museums in the world. It opened in 1891 with the intention of preserving the traditional way of life (as Swedish culture was becoming more and more industrialized). Here, you can see and learn more about the historic customs and culture of the Swedish people. You will have opportunities to talk to people dressed up in period costumes and learn more about their lives. Plus, there is a bake shop with all kinds of sweet treats! Skansen’s interactive nature makes it is one of the best museums in Stockholm for families. Just keep in mind that it is open-air (largely outdoors), so be sure to dress appropriately for the weather!

Swedish Fika at Skansen Museum in Stockholm

Swedish Cookies at Skansen Museum in Stockholm

Planning Your Visit to Skansen Museum in Stockholm

Personally, I would recommend spending at least a half day at Skansen. I would also recommend bringing your own picnic or eating elsewhere (as we were not overly impressed with the meals at the cafeteria on site).

The museum has many special programs throughout the year. I was pretty sad that we personally missed their special Christmas market, but I like to think that just gives us an excuse to go back someday! They also have a Midsummer’s program, an Easter program, and more!

For your reference, the Skansen Aquarium is also located nearby. We did not personally go there, but there is an option to buy combination tickets for both the Aquarium and the Open Air Museum.

For more information about ticket prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Skansen Museum Website.

Stockholm Medieval Museum

Display of a Town at Medieval Stockholm Museum

I personally love that this museum is 100% free! Beneath the streets of Stockholm, lies the ruins of the 16th century town wall and artifacts from the past. In the 1970’s, a major archaeological investigation was conducted to explore the ruins.

The Stockholm Medieval Museum is now built around these findings. Here, adults and children can explore the remains of the Vasa Wall from 1530, the medieval churchyard of Helgeandhuset, a battle ship, reconstructed workshops/homes, a market, wax figures in period costumes, and more. If you have ever wondered what life was like in medieval Stockholm, this is the perfect place to begin!

Planning Your Visit to Stockholm Medieval Museum

Overall, I would recommend about 1 hour to explore the Stockholm Medieval Museum.

In addition to a lot of signage, there is the option to rent an AudioGuide for a small fee. Honestly, I think it’s worth it to go ahead and get the AudioGuide. They also offer a variety of tours which you can learn about by clicking here.

For more information on ticketing prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Stockholm Medieval Museum Website.

The Viking Museum in Stockholm

Model of a Viking Man at Viking Museum in Stockholm

Display of a Home Interior at Viking Museum in Stockholm

If you are interested in an interactive experience to help you learn more about the viking way of life, this is a great museum for you. Throughout the museum you will learn all about the viking way of life: how they dressed, Viking culture and traditions, Viking folklore, and so much more.

One of the things we particularly like about this museum is the Disneyland-esque ride in the basement. The ride features the viking saga of Ragnfrid and her husband’s attempt to restore the family’s honor after losing all their money. The ride is available in multiple languages: Swedish, English, Spanish, French, German, Italian, Russian, Finnish and Chinese.

Planning Your Visit to The Viking Museum in Stockholm

Overall, I would recommend about 1 hour to visit the Viking Museum.

If you’re looking to maximize your experience, you can join a guided tour (please note that the tours are given in different languages) or you can access their free audio guides. All you have to do is scan the QR code for your preferred language once you’re inside the museum.

For more information on how to get here, ticket prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Viking Museum Website.

Fotografiska

If you are interested in photography, this might just be the perfect museum for you! Located in an old Stadsgården (a former customs house), this museum has steadily grown in popularity and renown. Here, you will discover curated photographic and videographic exhibits, staged across two floors of the building. These displays of art represent both a mix of both well-known artists as well as rising stars.

Many of the exhibits are intended to shed light on different issues people are facing around the world. My favorite that we got to see last December was Between These Folded Walls, Utopia. The artists, Sarah Cooper and Nina Gorfer, decided to explore the concept of women who have been forced to migrate for a variety of reasons. As a result, the women have been forced to explore, in a deeper way, their identities and futures. You can read more about this display as well as explore other past showings by clicking here.

Planning Your Visit to the Fotografiska Museum in Stockholm

Overall, I would recommend spending about 1 – 2 hours at the Fotografiska.

For more information on how to get here, ticket prices, opening hours, and more, please visit the official Fotografiska Museum Website.

Other Museums to Visit in Stockholm

Of course, we were sadly not able to get to every museum in Stockholm. So, here is a quick list of a few other interesting museums in Stockholm for your reference.

1. ABBA Museum

This highly interactive museum serves as a fantastic tribute to the world famous Swedish band: ABBA. Rising the fame in the 1970s and 1980s, their music continues to live on in movies, on the radio, and the Broadway musical “Mamma Mia!”

At the museum, you have the opportunity to see costumes and props, hear members of the band reminisce about their experiences, and even join the band as it’s 5th member!

For more information, please visit the official ABBA Museum website.

2. Nobel Prize Museum

The Nobel Prize is an international award that is given to “those who, during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.” Throughout the museum, you will find information about the history of the Nobel Prize and it’s winners. There is also a collection of donated artifacts given to the museum by the winners or their families. The museum also offers tours (I suggest contacting them ahead to find out when the tours in your language will be).

If you are interested in learning more about this world famous award, be sure to stop in at The Nobel Prize Museum to your visit to Stockholm!

3. Stockholm Toy Museum

Whether you are a child or a child at heart, this museum is sure to delight you. With approximately 40,000-42,000 toys/comics/etc, you will not be bored by the variety of items on display. There are even places to play with various toys!

For more information, you can visit the official Stockholm Toy Museum website.

In Conclusion

I hope that this post has offered you great insights into the variety of museums available to visit in Stockholm. I hope you have a fantastic trip to Sweden!

Happy Travels,
<3 Christine