Vänermuseet
Natural and cultural history museum on the shore of Lake Vänern in Lidköping, with aquaria of Vänern's fish, local history and a museum flat from the 1920s.
Have only individual sections read aloud
About the museum
Vänermuseet has its origins in Lidköpings Hantverks- och sjöfartsmuseum, which opened in 1918 in the town hall at Nya stadens torg, on the initiative of Lidköpings Industri- och hantverksförening. The museum became municipal in 1965 and then moved to the Orionhuset by the square, and in 1980 to the premises of the former girls' school on Mellbygatan.
At the beginning of the 1980s the idea arose that Sweden's largest lake, Vänern, should have a museum of its own. In December 1995 the museum moved into a newly built building in the Framnäs district by Vänern's southern shore, and Vänermuseet was inaugurated in 1996 by King Carl XVI Gustaf. The aim became to convey, through both natural and cultural history, knowledge of people's relationship with their environment, with Vänern at the centre.
Today the museum is run by Lidköping Municipality. The permanent exhibitions include the aquarium exhibition På Djupet (In the Depths) with Vänern's fish species, Berättelser från Lidköping, about the town's and surrounding area's history through people's stories, and Bara vanligt vatten? (Just Ordinary Water?), an interactive exhibition about Vänern and water in everyday life. The museum also includes the museum flat Ajax, a flat from the 1920s shown on guided tours, as well as the park and summer house at Villa Giacomina. The museum also arranges temporary exhibitions, events and school programmes.
Highlights
- The aquarium exhibition På Djupet with Vänern's fish species
- Berättelser från Lidköping, the town's history through people's stories
- Bara vanligt vatten?, an interactive exhibition about Vänern and water
- The museum flat Ajax from the 1920s, on guided tours
- Park and summer house at Villa Giacomina
Permanent exhibitions
- Berättelser från Lidköping – Life in the town and its surroundings through the centuries, told with objects, slide shows, films and sound recordings.
- På Djupet – Aquarium exhibition where visitors meet Vänern's fish species.
- Bara vanligt vatten? – Interactive exhibition about Vänern and water in everyday life, about bathing, drinking water and what may be flushed down the toilet.
- Founded
- 1918
- Operated by
- Lidköpings kommun
- Director
- Ida Billvén
Admission & discounts
| Adults | SEK 80 |
|---|---|
| Reduced | SEK 50Students |
| Children & teens | freefree up to age 19 · Children and young people have free admission until the age of 20. |
| Students & apprentices | SEK 50 |
| Groups (11+ people) | SEK 60 per personFor groups of more than 10 people, the first ten pay full price (SEK 80) and each additional person pays SEK 60. |
| Annual pass (12 months) | SEK 140Free admission to the museum and its programme, except at individual events. |
| Guided tour with a cultural focus, 40 min | SEK 800Price per group, in addition to admission. |
| Introduction, 20 min | SEK 300Price per group, in addition to admission. |
Members of the friends' association Vänermusei Vänner receive an annual pass that serves as admission. Advance purchase of admission tickets can be made online.
Accessibility
- Wheelchair accessible: no information
- Elevator: no information
- Accessible restroom: no information
- Accessible parking
- Service dogs welcome: no information
- Tactile models & exhibits: no information
- Sign language tours: no information
- Easy-to-read materials
- Audio description: no information
One parking space for disabled people is nearest the entrance. More information on accessibility is in the Tillgänglighetsdatabasen (Accessibility Database). The museum's website has an easy-read version and a read-aloud function.
Kids & families
Great for kids & families
| Kids’ admission | free up to age 19 |
|---|
- Family tours & workshops
- Hands-on stations
A museum for all ages. The aquarium exhibition På Djupet is a favourite with many visitors, and the museum arranges holiday programmes and events for families. Children and young people under 20 enter free.
Getting there & parking
By public transit
Framnäs city · 5-min walk
The Kinnekulle train (Kinnekulletåget) to Framnäs city stop (about 5 minutes' walk) or Lidköping transport hub (about 1.5 km, 20 minutes' walk). City bus 4 and buses 130, 131 and 132 from the transport hub stop at Framnäs city.
By car
Free parking
Many free car parks directly by the museum, more behind the petrol station and at Framnäs IP. One space for disabled people is nearest the entrance.
- Accessible parking
From the stop, walk past Framnäs köpcentrum and turn right at the roundabout by the petrol station; the museum is straight ahead.
Get directionsAmenities & dining
- Café
- Restaurant: not available
- Museum shop
Mini café with coffee, tea, organic soft drinks, chocolate, snacks and Klings glass (ice cream). You may bring your own fika basket and eat it in the glass corridor by the reception or on the outdoor deck. High chairs and a microwave for heating baby food are available. The museum shop sells sustainably chosen souvenirs, books, toys and Vänerskålen.
Events & venue rental
- Spaces for rent
- Corporate events
The museum offers conference rooms.
Inquiries & detailsPlan your visit
| Guided tours | yes · approx. 40 min |
|---|---|
| School programs | yes |
| Good to know | Guided tours of the permanent exhibitions, a 20-minute introduction, a visit to the museum flat Ajax, and visits to the park and summer house at Villa Giacomina can be booked. Groups can also book a time to visit the museum on their own. School programmes include, among others, Vattendag med Hållplats Vänern. |
