My favourite area in Stockholm is the Royal Djurgården which is an island by the city centre. This island also happens to have a lot of museums within a small area, making it easy to spend a day here to explore everything there is. But Djurgården does not only have some of the best museums in Stockholm but also cafés, restaurants, hotels and even a theme park! I visit this lovely part of Stockholm every time I’m in the city so let me share some of my top recommendations and must-visit spots on this museum island.
The best museums in Stockholm: a guide to the museum island of Djurgården
I mention Royal Djurgården every time I get asked by friends and family of what to do on their trips to Stockholm. Especially if you also take the boat to or from Old Town as that’s an extra experience for only €4 which lets you see Stockholm from the waterside. The journey only takes about 10 minutes and is the easiest way to get in between these two must-visit locations. Or even better, if you’re staying in a hotel on Djurgården then your have all these fantastic museums, restaurants and cafés right on your doorstep.
For more recommendations on the best things to do and see in Stockholm, read my full guide here!
What is Djurgården?
What is Royal Djurgården? Well, Djurgården is only my favourite place in Stockholm. I always try to squeeze in a visit here, especially if I can also combine it with the little boat trip across to or from the Old Town. Djurgården feels like a little oasis in Stockholm. It’s an island, connected to the city centre by a bridge. It’s well known amongst locals for being the place where a lot of wealthy people live in grand houses. It is also home to 22 attractions and museums, in spite of being quite a small island. You can walk around for hours here and enjoy the nature or sit by the water. For anyone asking me advice on what to do in Stockholm or what hotel to stay in, I always recommend Djurgården.
How to get to Djurgården
As I’ve already mentioned, my favourite way to get to Djurgården is to take the public transport ferry from the Old Town, but you can of course also go by other means. Here below are the best and most convenient ways of getting to Royal Djurgården and all the museums from the Stockholm city centre.
By boat: The public transport ferry runs between the Old Town (Slussen) and Royal Djurgården, with some services also stopping at Skeppsholmen. You can buy a ticket in the SL app or tap your contactless card to pay the fee which is around €4.
By electric scooter: Renting an electrical scooter is popular around Stockholm. Some of the available brands are Lime, Voi or Bolt. You just download the app and follow the instructions to find, unlock and pay for a scooter close to you. Just be aware that the scooters are not allowed to be driven all over Royal Djurgården but can be used to travel to the island. You can see which areas allow the scooter on the map in the apps.
By tram: The tram runs from the city centre out to Royal Djurgården and is a quick and easy way to travel between these locations. Not as scenic as the boat, but very convenient.
By foot: Walking from the city centre to the bridge to Royal Djurgården takes about half an hour and is quite the scenic walk along the water. Most of the museums, restaurants and hotels on Djurgården are located just past the bridge.
Where to eat, drink and fika on Djurgården
To fuel your museum adventures at Djurgården, there are some lovely cafes and restaurants for food and drink that I would really recommend a stop by.
Cafés
- Djurgårdsbrunn Café: I discovered Djurgårdsbrunn Café only recently but it has quickly become my new go-to spot in town. There are some great options for fika or lunch and a little shop for seeds, gardening tools and little handmade souvenirs. Read my review of my favourite café in Stockholm here!
- Flickorna Helin: This lovely café is located inside a historic building from 1897 is a lovely spot to escape to for a cup of tea and a cinnamon bun.
- Stockholm 1897: Located right by the Royal Djurgården Bridge with an outdoor terrace with a view over the water for the warmer months of the year. It’s also a great restaurant to try Swedish classic dishes like toast skagen or meatballs and they also have a floating sauna in the Djurgården Canal where you can book a 2 hour time slot.
- Rosendahls Garden Café: The beautiful Rosendahl Gardens are worth a visit on their own. There is also a lovely café where you can pick up a sweet treat to enjoy in the orchard or sit down for a fika or lunch. This spot is particularly lovely in spring and summer when the flowers and trees are in bloom.
Restaurants on Djurgården
- The restaurant at The Spirit Museum: The Spirit Museum is not only a museum on Royal Djurgården where you can learn about Swedish spirits and drinks, but they also have a nice restaurant. I love trying one of the drinks flights or a glass of Swedish wine. And it’s particularly lovely to enjoy with smoked prawns and aioli. It’s also one of the only places I’ve seen in Sweden with ‘falukorv‘ on the menu. Falukorv is a traditional Swedish sausage served with macaroni. And one of my favourite comfort foods.
- Ulla Winbladh: This restaurant is known on Djurgården for serving traditional Swedish dishes. My recommendations would be the toast Pelle Janzon, classic meatballs with lingonberry jam and the Oscar II almond cake.
- Hasselbacken restaurant: Hasselbacken is a hotel on Djurgården which also has a lovely restaurant. Have you ever heard of Hasselback potatoes? This is where it got its name. Therefor it is of course also the siganture dish on the menu. Another fun pick on the menu is the little pick and mix bowl for dessert as it’s really popular in Sweden, especially on Saturdays.
- Villa Godthem: Villa Gothem is another restaurant on Djurgården which served traditional Swedish dishes. They also offer a lovely afternoon tea which is influenced by Swedish flavours like dill, Västerbotten cheese, skagen and rhubarb.
Where to stay on Djurgården whilst exploring the best museums in Stockholm
Royal Djurgården is a lovely location for hotels to stay at whilst in Stockholm. Since you’re not in the heart of the city centre, but on a calmer island surrounded by nature, it’s a much more relaxing experience whilst still being near to everything Stockholm has to offer. You can easily get around to other areas by boat, tram or bus and you of course has some of the best museums in Stockholm on your doorstep.
- Backstage Hotel: This hotel is located on Djurgården in the same building as the ABBA Museum. They even have an ABBA Gold album themed junior suite in collaboration with the museum.
- Hotel Hasselbacken: A classic Stockholm hotel which provides a calm oasis in the city surrounded by the nature and museums of Djurgården, whilst still being nearby to the lively city centre.
Nearby you also have some other hotel options that are more than just a room with a bed:
- Collector’s Victory Hotel: a cosy antique collectors hotel in the Old Town. l love staying at this quirky hotel and have written a full review about here.
- Grand Hotel Stockholm: is the most luxurious stay in Stockholm. Treat yourself to an indulgent stay in this historic hotel right by the water opposite the royal palace.
- Hotell Skeppsholmen: this charming hotel with Scandinavian vibes is located on another island next to Royal Djurgården called Skeppsholmen.
Read my extensive guide to the best hotels in Stockholm here, including these gems on Djurgården.
The best museums on Djurgården in Stockholm
There are so many museums in this part of Stockholm that it can be difficult to choose which one to visit. That’s why I’ve put together this little guide to share my thoughts and recommendations. And hopefully it can help you put together your itinerary for your time in the city.
Which museum or attraction on Djurgården in Stockholm suits you best?
- Best for families: Junibacken
- Best museum for music: ABBA Museum
- Best museum for learning more about life in the Nordics: The Nordic Museum
- Best museum for history enthusiasts: The Vasa Museum
- Best museum for seeing Nordic animals: Skansen
Read more about each individual museum here below. If you’re thinking of visiting multiple museums, do consider getting the Stockholm Pass. It can save you money as it includes entrance to a lot of the top museums at Djurgården.
Skansen: the oldest open air museum in the world
Skansen is a place where you can both see Swedish native animals such as moose and grey seals. As well as admire old buildings and see what life would have been like back in the day in Sweden. This is the worlds oldest open air museum which opened in 1891. And as if that was not enough, it is also a Nordic zoo.
The best time to visit: Skansen is a lovely summer destination as you can really make the most of spending your time outdoors. However Skansen also has the best Christmas market in Stockholm. It feels really old-fashioned and cosy in the best of ways.
Don’t miss: The seals are absolutely adorable and I also love seeing the folk dance performances. To see the performances, keep an eye out for the performance schedules for your visit.
I would highly recommend a visit to Skansen. And if you wish to support us at no extra cost for you, then feel free to book your tickets from €22/pp through our link here. It really helps us keep growing and exploring new places and experiences to recommend. Thank you for your support – we really appreciate it! ❤️
Prince Eugene Waldermarsudde
This art gallery used to be the residence of Prince Eugene up until 1947. Here you can admire the receptions rooms as well as the art collection and temporary exhibitions.
The best time to visit: is during late spring and the summer months when the garden is in bloom.
Don’t miss: the beautiful garden and sculpture park outdoors. If you’re looking for a souvenir then the gift shop sells a plant pot designed by Prince Eugene himself.
Find your tickets here from €16/pp.
The Spirit Museum – Spritmuseet: the best museum in Stockholm for food and drinks
Discover Swedish drinking tradition and history as well as art like the Absolut Art Collection. There is also a lovely restaurant with an outdoor terrace during the warmer months of the year.
The best time to visit: during the week if you want a quieter experience or between Wednesday and Saturday if you want to have the opportunity to take part in one of the spirit or wine tastings. See the website for upcoming tastings.
Don’t miss: trying the Traditional Tray flight in the bar for a proper Swedish drinking experience with akvavit. Akvavit is very typical for Sweden and is often enjoyed at holidays like Midsummer, Crayfish parties, Christmas and Easter. There is also the Swedish themed wine or beer flights if you prefer something different to spirits.
Find your tickets here from €18/pp.
The Nordic Museum – Nordiska Museet
The Nordic Museum is an excellent museum for learning more about life in the Nordic across the last 500 years. The building itself is just stunning and there is also a lovely museum gift shop.
The best time to visit: during the shoulder season of springtime and autumn the nature around Djurgården is beautiful but the area is less busy with tourists compared to the heigh of summer. I would also recommend going around opening hours for the best experience as it can get busy later on.
Don’t miss: admiring the main entrance where a sculpture of Odin sits on top of the gable. There is also an exhibition of fascinating table settings which has been on display at the museum since October 1955.
Find your entry tickets here from €15.
ABBA
This interactive museum which highlights the life and career of the music phenomenon from Sweden is a fun way to spend a couple of hours. They have iconic costumes and lots of fascinating stories to learn more about throughout the museum which is bound to feel nostalgic for those growing up with the music. The museum is located in the same building as Backstage Hotel right near the Gröna Lund theme park on Royal Djurgården.
The best time to visit: To avoid crowds I would recommend visiting either first things in the morning when the museum opens or in the low season of winter.
Don’t miss: to put on your best performance in the section where you get to take centre stage and perform an ABBA classic! I have a really funny video of my father in law singing his heart out on this stage which still makes me smile.
Find your fast track tickets here from €31/pp.
The Vasa Museum – Vasamuseet: the best museum in Stockholm for a unique experience
This museum tells the story of The Vasa Ship which sank in 1628 and then was recovered and is now on display inside this museum, which is one of the best and most unique experiences in Stockholm.It’s fascinating to learn more about the ship itself, but also how it was salvaged in 1961. I would go so far as to say that if you are only seeing one museum in Stockholm, it should be the Vasa Museum.
The best time to visit: If you wish to avoid crows then I would recommend visiting immediately after opening or the last two hours before closing. The Vasa Museum is one of the most popular museums in Scandinavia, so this is one that definitely can get quite busy.
Don’t miss: a guided tour where you get to learn some fascinating facts and the story of this magnificent ship – and why it sank.
Find your entry tickets here from €29/pp and if you prefer to also have a guided tour you can find those tickets here from €54/pp.
The Museums of Wrecks – Vrakmuseet
Learn more about the wrecks and remains in the Baltic Sea, near what used to be a popular shipyard on Djurgården.
The best time to visit: If you wish to do the daily guided tour in English, then visit the museum around 15.00.
Find your combined tickets to the Museum of Wrecks and the Vasa Museum here from €29/pp.
The Viking Museum – Vikingamuseet
An interactive museum telling the stories of life during the Viking Age through archeological finds and reconstructed environments. The guides are all dressed in Viking-era clothing and happy to tell tales of these adventurous seafarers.
The best time to visit: is in low season of autumn and winter or weekdays. Combine a visit with a lunch in restaurant Eld for a viking themed meal on Djurgården.
Don’t miss: the dramatised ride Ragnfrid’s Saga.
Find your tickets here from €19.
Liljevalchs Art Gallery
An art gallery showcasing both Swedish and international contemporary art in Stockholms oldest art gallery.
The best time to visit: during the Spring Salon (Vårsalongen) a jury-selected exhibition which has been running since 1921.
The Thiel Gallery
The Thiel Gallery is often recognised as the finest art gallery in Sweden. Go along to see the current exhibitions or book a guided tour to really immerse yourself in the art.
The best time to visit: Tuesday and Wednesday afternoon tends to be quieter for less crowds during your visit.
The Museum of Science and Technology – Tekniska museet
Tekniska Museet is an interactive museum with exhibitions around Science and Technology that are family friendly.
The best time to visit: is in the morning or in the evenings to avoid the worst crowds and school groups. It is also popular for families so weekends tend to be busy.
Don’t miss: Walking through The Forest exhibition or play in the mathematical garden outdoors where you can solve puzzles or play musical instruments.
Other attractions on Djurgården worth seeing
You would imagine that with so many museums, restaurants and hotels in such a small area, there might not be enough space for anything else, but there are a couple other great attractions on Djurgården as well.
The Rosendahl Gardens – Rosendahls Trädgård
The Rosendahl Gardens are free to visit and I’ve already recommended their café further up in this article, but it’s such a cosy spot for a cinnamon bun or a lunch. There is a charming farm shop with everything from honey and condiments to books and ceramics. Each week there is a new seasonal lunch menu in the restaurant, inspired by the season. My favourite memory from Rosendahl Gardens is sitting in the orchard with a freshly baked cinnamon in the autumnal sunshine with friends. Life certainly felt pretty sweet right there and then!
Gröna Lund Amusement Park & Tivoli
Gröna Lund is Stockholms theme park and have a variety of rides like rollercoasters and drop towers. Although the are primarily open during the summer season, there are also seasonal events during Halloween.
Junibacken
Juniebacken is all for children and families and is a museum and cultural centre dedicated to Nordic children’s literature like Pippi Lockstocking and the Moomins. There is a popular story train, fun play areas and daily performances to entertain the youngest in the family. The bookstore at Junibacken is the largest children book shop in Sweden so if you’re looking for a literary souvenir to bring back to the children in your life, this is a great place to find one.
Find your tickets to Junibacken here from €21.
Other museums in Stockholm worth visiting
Although many of the best museums in Stockholm are located on Djurgården, there are a few others also in other parts of the city also worth a visit.
Stockholm Royal Palace
In the Old Town sits the Stockholm Royal Palace which is such an impressive building to see the interiors of. The royal reception rooms are incredibly ornate and I spent hours just walking around and trying to see as much as possible. I would also warmly recommend a guided tour as there is so much fascinating information to learn about the Royal Palace. The tours are also available in multiple languages. If you would prefer not to stay on Djurgården then there are some lovely hotels in Stockholm’s Old Town as well.
Read my full review of the Stockholm Royal Palace here!
Natural History Museum of Stockholm
The Natural History Museum lets your explore exhibitions about nature, evolutions and dinosaurs. There is also Cosmonova, the largest dome-cinema in Sweden which is incredibly impressive and definitely a must-see if you visit the museum.
Hallwyl Museum
The Hallwyl Museum is located in the historical Hallwyl House in the city centre of Stockholm. Here you can discover what the life of the upper class of Sweden would’ve looked like 100 years back in time. Admire the stunning residence and the interior details collected by the former owner Wilhelmina von Hallwyl.
Get your tickets here from €14/pp.
Nationalmuseet – The National Gallery of Fine Arts
The national gallery of fine arts was one of the first museums I ever visited in Stockholm as my old history teacher took us for a day trip when I was in school. There is a lovely mix of art, paintings, sculptures and drawings from the Middle Ages up to the 1900s. The collection also features artists like Rembrandt, Rubens, Degas and Renoir as well as Swedish artists like Carl Larsson and Anders Zorn. I love visiting the National Museum
The museum is located near Skeppsholmen and the hotel here is a great option of where to stay in the city centre if you don’t want to stay on Royal Djurgården but still want to be a little secluded, they also have a really lovely restaurant.
FAQ – The best museums in Stockholm
If you can only do one museum in Stockholm, then my recommendation would be the Vasa Museum. It’s such a unique museum and it’s quite incredible being able to see the massive ship whilst learning more about it.
Most museums in Stockholm are completely cashless and only accept card payments or contactless payments.
It differs between museums if you are allowed to bring a bag inside, with some museums only allowing small bags inside. Some museums also offer lockers for personal belongings.
My favourite way to travel to Djurgården is by boat from Old Town (Gamla Stan) which is the same fee as the normal public transport and can be paid for by tapping your card at the gates. You can also get the tram or buses from the city centre.
Need more inspiration for your Stockholm trip?
- Where to Find the Best Cinnamon Bun in Stockholm: How to do fika like a local
- Things to See and Do in Stockholm: An Insider’s Guide to the City
- The best hotels in Stockholm Sweden: Five-Star, Boutique & Iconic Luxury Hotels
- Collector’s Victory Hotel Stockholm – An antique collectors charming hotel in the heart of the Old Town
- Stockholm Royal Palace: A Guide to Sweden’s Grandest Residence
- Djurgårdsbrunn Cafe: the best cafe in Stockholm
Some recommendations for other locations in Sweden?
- Grisslehamn Hotel Havsbaden Spa & Resort: Luxury relaxation near Stockholm
- Stora Sundby Slott: a Swedish fairytale castle outside of Eskilstuna
Or perhaps you are also visiting neighbouring Nordic countries?
Meet Moa, our multi-talented writer from Sweden who now calls Edinburgh, Scotland home. With over a decade exploring Europe’s hidden corners—from Nordic landscapes to alpine villages—Moa brings a unique perspective shaped by her years as a travel guide in the Swiss and Austrian Alps. As a whisky book author and freelance drinks writer, she has an eye for exceptional food and beverage experiences, while her background as a photographer ensures she never misses a scenic moment. Whether she’s discovering old European cities or chasing golden hour in mountain villages, Moa’s stories blend cultural insight with a dash of adventure and plenty of authenticity.
