Explore Sweden’s history on the water with exhibits from model boats to ancient royal vessels and modern battleships.
Stockholm’s Maritime Museum draws sailors, historians and curiosity seekers to view its more than 100,000 marine artefacts. The 1,500 model boats and ships are sure to interest children as well as adults. Learn about shipbuilding and see the remains of a ship that defended Sweden’s royalty. The free museum provides a history lesson of naval defence and merchant shipping.
The museum’s Shipbuilding exhibit holds artefacts from the Viking Age of the 700s through to the 19th century. The Battle Stations exhibition features recovered parts of a submarine, the Ulven, sunk in 1943 by a German mine. Investigate the scale models of ships from the 1600s that were built by Fredrik Herik af Chapman, one of Sweden’s most famous shipbuilders.
Next, find the remains of a royal ship at the Amphion exhibit. The stern and king’s cabin have been preserved. Learn how King Gustav III lived royally at sea. Visit the Shipping and Shopping exhibit to take the helm and imagine creating your own merchant’s route on the ocean. In the Saltkråkan Playroom children can play in the replicated shops and steer a steamboat.
Temporary exhibitions offer a variety of fascinating and surprising topics to explore. Sailors are known for their tattoos a recent display of more than 150 tattoos explained the meaning of maritime body art. Step outside the museum for a splendid view of the natural beauty and water activities of Djurgårdsbrunnsviken Bay and Djurgårdsbrunn Canal. In the summer, bring a picnic to enjoy in the park outside the museum.
Walk 45 minutes along the Djurgårdsbrunn Canal from Central Station to reach the Maritime Museum in the Östermalm district. Or, drive 15 minutes from the centre of Stockholm. In the nearby lot you’ll find plenty of pay-and-display parking. Buses also stop just outside the entrance to the museum.
Stockholm’s Maritime Museum has no admission fee and is open every day except Mondays and public holidays. For current information, check the museum’s website.
