Swedish History Museum, Stockholm (Sweden): visitor information and tickets

The Swedish History Museum (Historiska museet) is a major national museum covering Sweden from prehistory through the Viking Age and medieval period, with a standout treasure vault-style Gold Room. It sits on Narvavägen in central Stockholm, between Östermalm and the Djurgården bridge area, which makes it easy to combine with other museums on the same side of town. Best for history-focused visitors, families who want hands-on exhibitions, and travelers who prefer museums to outdoor sightseeing on bad-weather days.

Sist oppdatert: 2026

Swedish History Museum facts for visitors: Quick overview and key details

Quick overview

• Location: Narvavägen 17, 114 84 Stockholm (Östermalm/Djurgården edge)

• Ticket model: on-site ticketing, with some accepted city passes; one ticket covers both the Swedish History Museum and the Economy Museum

• Typical time needed: 1–3 hours (longer with kids, audio guide, and the Economy Museum)

• Biggest planning constraint: closed Mondays most of the year (open daily in summer)

Key facts

• Regular opening pattern (most of the year): closed Mondays; open 11:00–17:00 Tue + Thu–Sun; open until 20:00 on Wednesdays

• Summer opening pattern (1 June–31 Aug): open daily 10:00–17:00

• Adult admission: 180 SEK; children and youth up to 19: free

• Half-price windows: 90 SEK at 16:00–17:00 (except Wednesdays); 90 SEK on Wednesday evenings 17:00–20:00; 90 SEK for students on Sundays

• Companion/personal assistant entry: free (with documentation)

• Audio guide: free on your phone, or rent a device for 20 SEK

• Public transport highlights: bus 67 stops at the museum; tram 7, buses 69/76 and other lines stop at Djurgårdsbron; metro stations Karlaplan or Östermalmstorg are walkable

• Bags and lockers: lockable lockers in the entrance hall; larger suitcases can be stored in bigger lockers with a key borrowed at the information desk

• Strollers: allowed inside except in the Gold Room (due to emergency exit routes)

• Photography: allowed in exhibitions; flash and selfie sticks are allowed; tripod requires permission

Tickets and how to book without wasting time

For most visitors, tickets are straightforward: buy at the museum on arrival and go in. The museum’s standard adult admission is 180 SEK and includes both the Swedish History Museum and the Economy Museum in the same building, which matters if you are choosing between “one big museum” and a split visit.

Children and youth up to 19 enter free, so families often only need to buy adult tickets. If you are traveling with a student ID, Sunday is discounted, and there are predictable half-price windows later in the day, including Wednesday evening.

If you are building a multi-attraction day, the museum accepts certain admission passes (including Go City and Tiqets), but the practical trade-off is that pass coverage can change and may not match your exact date and itinerary. If the museum is your main priority, buying a standard ticket is usually the lowest-friction option.

The annual pass is 450 SEK and covers repeat visits plus entry to six sister museums. This is only worth it if you plan multiple museum days in Stockholm (or you want the flexibility to return without rushing).

Optional micro-checklist

• Aim for a half-price window if you are budget-focused and flexible with timing.

• If you have a city pass, confirm that the museum is included for your pass type and date before relying on it.

• If you want to add the Economy Museum the same day, treat it as “already paid for” and plan time accordingly.

• Expect no refunds or exchanges on admission tickets and annual passes.

Opening hours and best time to visit

Hours pattern (the one most travelers need): the museum is closed Mondays most of the year, open 11:00–17:00 Tuesday and Thursday through Sunday, and stays open until 20:00 on Wednesdays. In June through August, it switches to summer hours and is open daily 10:00–17:00.

Seasonal note: there are special opening hours around some public holidays and school holidays, including selected Mondays that open during school break periods, and closures on dates such as Good Friday and Midsummer. If your visit falls near Easter or midsummer week, confirm the exact day on the official opening-hours page.

Best time strategy depends on your goal. If you want quieter galleries and easier access to highlights like the Gold Room, the first hour after opening is the safest bet. If you want more breathing room in your day and do not mind a shorter “must-see” visit, the late-afternoon half-price window can be good value, but you will have less time before closing.

How to get there

The museum is on Narvavägen in central Stockholm, within walking distance of Djurgårdsbron, Karlaplan, and Östermalmstorg. That location is useful because you can pair it with Djurgården museums without committing to a full island day.

Most practical transport options

• Bus 67: stops next to the museum (stop: Swedish History Museum/Historiska museet)

• Metro: Karlaplan or Östermalmstorg, then walk

• Djurgårdsbron hub: tram 7 and buses 69/76 stop at Djurgårdsbron, then walk onward

Cycling is simple since there is a bike lane all the way to the museum. If you arrive by car, street parking is along Narvavägen, and there is designated accessible parking by the main stairs area (note that the surface is cobblestone, which can affect wheelchairs and walkers).

For broader city transport planning, use Stockholm travel information.

What you actually do inside (route logic + highlights)

Most visits follow a simple rhythm: start with the big “anchor” exhibitions, then use your remaining time to go deeper into the period you care about.

A practical first-timer route is to begin with The Viking World, since it tends to be the main reason many visitors choose this museum over smaller Viking-focused attractions. From there, move to The Gold Room to see gold and silver treasures. This sequence matters if you are visiting with a stroller, because strollers are not allowed in the Gold Room.

After the highlights, choose one deeper track:

• If you like objects and craft, spend time in the Medieval Art and related medieval-life displays.

• If you want a broader storyline, follow the History of Sweden exhibition.

• If you are visiting with kids, look for the children’s content tied to the History of Sweden area and consider using the children’s audio story.

If you are short on time, the museum’s “Highlights” audio guide is designed as an efficient one-hour loop across five exhibitions (with 16 selected objects). That is a good compromise when you want substance without committing to a full museum day.

How long to plan (short, standard, longer)

Short (60–90 minutes): Do the Viking-focused material plus the Gold Room, and use the highlights audio guide to keep you moving. This is the best fit if you are also trying to reach Djurgården for a second major museum.

Standard (2–3 hours): Add one of the deeper tracks (medieval or the broad history route), and build in time for lockers, the shop, and a café stop. This pace matters most if you are visiting with kids or you do not want to feel rushed through the core rooms.

Longer (half day): Include the Economy Museum (already covered by your ticket), plus lunch or coffee in Rosengården and any scheduled guided tour or event you are interested in. This is less ideal if you only have one day in Stockholm and want outdoor landmarks too.

Accessibility, families, constraints

Accessibility: The main entrance is steps-only, but there is an elevator to the right of the entrance stairs and automatic door openers at the elevator entrance and in the entrance hall. Lifts provide access to all floors (some are narrow), accessible toilets are available on all floors, folding chairs can be borrowed, and a quiet room is available on request at the information desk. The museum also notes hearing loop availability in specific rooms and offers audio guides in multiple languages.

Families: Strollers are allowed inside the museum except in the Gold Room, and there is stroller parking in the entrance hall. Baby changing facilities are in accessible restrooms on all floors. Families who bring food can use a packed-lunch room one floor down with running water and a microwave, which can save time and money compared with leaving the museum to eat.

Not ideal for: visitors who cannot manage stairs and prefer not to use a lift for entry, or travelers arriving with large luggage who do not want to rely on limited locker capacity.

Rules, security, surprises

A few rules and “small surprises” change how smooth your visit feels:

Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside. Photography is allowed in exhibitions, and the museum explicitly permits flash photography and selfie sticks. Tripods require permission, so content creators planning stable video or long exposures should plan ahead.

Bag planning matters. Small bags are allowed inside, but larger bags and suitcases should go into lockers in the entrance hall. If you have a larger suitcase, you may need to borrow a key for the bigger lockers at the information desk.

The museum is smoke-free, including the courtyards.

Costs and money on site

The main cost is admission: 180 SEK for adults, free for children and youth up to 19. Seniors and students pay the same standard price, but there are predictable discount windows, including a half-price period late afternoon and reduced pricing on Wednesday evenings.

Your ticket includes entry to the Economy Museum in the same building, which is easy value if you have the time and interest. Budget extra only if you plan to book a guided tour, attend a concert or lecture, or join other paid events, as these can carry additional fees.

On-site payments: the museum encourages card or Swish, but also accepts cash. Audio guides are free on your phone, while a dedicated device rental costs 20 SEK.

Nearby landmarks and what to combine it with

The museum’s location works well for a “north Djurgården edge” day rather than a full cross-city itinerary.

If you want to stay in the same area, combine it with major Djurgården museums, since tram 7 and multiple buses connect through Djurgårdsbron. The most logical pairings are the Vasa Museum, Skansen, and Nordiska museet if you want a museum-heavy day without backtracking.

If you prefer a lighter second stop, treat the museum as your indoor anchor and then switch to a neighborhood walk in Östermalm or a waterfront stroll toward Strandvägen.

If you want a calmer add-on later in your trip, Skogskyrkogården is a very different kind of visit and works well on a separate day.

Practical tips that actually change the day

• Check whether it is a Monday before you set your route. Most of the year, it is closed.

• Use Wednesday evening if you want longer opening hours and a lower ticket price, but expect other locals to have the same idea.

• If you arrive with luggage, go straight to the lockers and ask for a larger-locker key early. Availability can be limited.

• If you are visiting with a stroller, plan to park it before the Gold Room.

• Bring headphones if you plan to use the free phone-based audio guide, so you are not relying on speaker audio in galleries.

• If you are on a budget, bring a packed lunch and use the lunch room instead of leaving the museum mid-visit.

FAQ

Do you need to book Swedish History Museum tickets in advance?Usually no. Most visitors buy tickets on site, but confirm special events separately if you are visiting for a concert, lecture, or booked tour.

How much are Swedish History Museum tickets?Adult admission is 180 SEK. Youth up to 19 are free, and there are specific half-price periods later in the day.

Is the Economy Museum included?Yes. The standard admission ticket covers both the Swedish History Museum and the Economy Museum in the same building.

What are the opening hours?Most of the year it is closed Mondays, open 11:00–17:00 most days, and open until 20:00 on Wednesdays. In June–August it is open daily 10:00–17:00.

Can you visit with a stroller?Yes, but strollers are not allowed in the Gold Room. There is stroller parking in the entrance hall.

Where can you store bags and suitcases?There are lockable lockers in the entrance hall. Larger suitcases can go in bigger lockers with a key borrowed at the information desk.

Can you take photos inside?Yes. Photography is allowed in exhibitions, including flash and selfie sticks. Tripod use requires permission.

Is there free Wi-Fi?Yes. The museum provides free Wi‑Fi, with login details available at the ticket counter.

Can you bring your own food?Yes. There is a packed-lunch room one floor down with running water and a microwave, and you can also eat outside in the courtyard when weather allows.

Are dogs allowed?Only guide and assistance dogs are allowed inside.

Is the entrance step-free?The main entrance is stairs-only, but there is an elevator entrance to the right of the stairs.