Nationalmuseum

About the museum

The history of the Nationalmuseum goes back to 28 June 1792, when the Konglig Museum (Royal Museum) was founded, just three months after the death of Gustav III. The collections were built up over generations of royal collecting, including Gustav Vasa's paintings and works owned by Queen Lovisa Ulrika, and the state became their owner at the division of the estate in December 1792. The first museum opened in 1794 in the north wing of the Kungliga slottet (Royal Palace).

The collections were later moved to Blasieholmen, where the German architect Friedrich August Stüler designed a museum for this purpose. The building was inaugurated in 1866 in connection with the Stockholm Exhibition, and its interior was designed by the architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander. Since 1935 the building has been a nationally protected listed building, and the stairwells contain, among other things, Carl Larsson's wall paintings.

The collections comprise painting, sculpture and art on paper from around the 16th century to the 20th century, as well as craft and design from the 16th century to the present, in total about 700,000 objects. This makes the museum one of Europe's oldest art museums.

The museum's work also extends beyond the building: Svenska statens porträttsamling (the Swedish State Portrait Collection) is shown at Gripsholms slott (Gripsholm Castle), and objects from the collections are lent to many institutions across the country.

Highlights

• Swedish and European art from the 16th century to the 20th century
• The collection of craft and design
• Carl Larsson's wall paintings in the stairwell
• The Skulpturgården and the Designmagasinet
• Färg! – an exhibition for children and curious adults

Permanent exhibitions

• Ur samlingarna: Designmagasinet – Display storage with design and crafts, including ceramics, on the entrance level, where you can visit without a ticket.
• Ur samlingarna: Skulpturgården – Sculptures from the Nationalmuseum's collections.
• Färg! För barn och nyfikna vuxna – An interactive exhibition where you experiment with light and experience colour with your whole body.

Founded

1792

Operated by

Nationalmuseum (statlig myndighet)

Director

Susanna Pettersson

Admission & discounts

Free admission: Thursdays 17:00–20:00 free admission for everyone

The ticket covers the whole museum and all temporary exhibitions for one day. Entry to the entrance level, with the restaurant, shop, studio, children's exhibition, lecture hall and Designmagasinet, is free. The museum is cashless (card and Swish). The ticket is shown at the information desk in exchange for an entry badge.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description

A lift from street level to the entrance door, and lifts with automatic doors to every floor; all doors are propped open or have automatic door openers. A few steps with a level difference have long ramps. Wheelchairs and rollators can be borrowed from the hosts. There is a tactile map in the foyer. Disabled parking spaces are by the lift at the entrance steps. Audio-described tours are offered.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

The Färg! exhibition for children and curious adults, Barnens konstvärld (Children's Art World) on the entrance level, Färgturen (the colour tour), Hitta djuren! (Find the Animals!) in the Designmagasinet, family days in the studios on Sundays, school holiday activities, family tours and baby tours. Many activities are free. Prams can be parked outside Barnens konstvärld.

Getting there & parking

The museum is on Blasieholmen, opposite the Kungliga slottet (Royal Palace). Cycle lanes run almost all the way, and there are bicycle stands outside the museum.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers
• Wi-Fi

Restaurant Nationalmuseum on the entrance level with lunch, pastries and the Glasbaren. Nationalmuseum Shop. Lockable lockers on the lower ground floor (floor 1). Free Wi-Fi. Packed-lunch room on the lower ground floor. Bags larger than 40×20×25 cm may not be taken into the museum building.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events

Several halls and rooms can be hired, including the Ateljéerna, the Beijerska rummen, Entréhallen, Södra ljusgården and Skulpturgården.

Plan your visit