Nationalmuseum is the national gallery of Sweden, located on the peninsula Blasieholmen in central Stockholm. It was founded in 1792 under the name of Royal Museum (Konglig Museum), and the current building, in Renaissance style, opened in 1866. It houses about half a million drawings dating from 1500 to 1900, a collection of porcelain objects, paintings, sculptures, as well as modern art. Among the artists exhibited are Perugino, El Greco, Georges de La Tour, Poussin, Rembrandt (The Oath of the Batavians), Rubens, Watteau, Chardin, Goya (The Truth, Time and History), Courbet, Renoir, Edgar Degas, Paul Gauguin and also the Swedish Carl Larsson, among others.
To visit Nationalmuseum, you need to book a ticket online in advance. The ticket price is 150 SEK for adults and free for children and youth under 19 years old. The museum is open from Tuesday to Sunday, from 11:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 11:00 to 19:00 on weekends. The museum is closed on Mondays and some holidays.
To get to Nationalmuseum, you can take the subway to Kungsträdgården station or the tram to Nybroplan station. You can also walk from the central station or Gamla Stan along the waterfront. There are several parking options nearby if you come by car.
Some tips for visiting Nationalmuseum are:
- Plan your visit ahead and check the website for current exhibitions and events.
- Download the free audio guide app or borrow an audio guide device at the entrance.
- Enjoy a coffee or a meal at the museum’s restaurant or café.
- Visit the museum shop for souvenirs and gifts.
- Respect the rules of photography and filming inside the museum.
Some tours that you can join at Nationalmuseum are:
- Guided tours of the permanent collection every day at 13:00 (in Swedish) and at 14:00 (in English).
- Guided tours of the temporary exhibitions on Saturdays and Sundays at 15:00 (in Swedish) and at 16:00 (in English).
- Family tours for children and adults on Sundays at 12:00 (in Swedish).
- Private tours for groups by booking in advance.
Some prohibitions that you should follow at Nationalmuseum are:
- Do not touch the artworks or lean on the walls or showcases.
- Do not bring large bags, backpacks or umbrellas inside the museum. You can leave them in the cloakroom or lockers.
- Do not eat or drink inside the exhibition halls. You can use the designated areas in the restaurant or café.
- Do not smoke or use electronic cigarettes inside or outside the museum.
- Do not bring pets or animals inside the museum. Only guide dogs are allowed.
Some highlights that you should not miss at Nationalmuseum are:
- The Oath of the Batavians by Rembrandt, a masterpiece of Dutch painting that depicts a historical scene of rebellion against tyranny.
- The Truth, Time and History by Goya, a symbolic allegory of the Enlightenment values that challenges the traditional authority of religion and monarchy.
- The Breakfast by Chardin, a charming still life that shows the everyday life of a bourgeois family in 18th century France.
- The Dance Lesson by Degas, a lively impressionist painting that captures a moment of movement and expression among young ballerinas.
- Midvinterblot by Carl Larsson, a controversial mural that depicts a pagan ritual of human sacrifice in ancient Sweden.
