Stockholm, the city of design and music: the back story

About Stockholm, the city of design and music: the back story

By the ULTIMATE Stockholm Editorial Team

Editor-in-Chief: Jai Michael

Stockholm keeps its art by the water. Nationalmuseum, Sweden’s museum of art and design, faces the Royal Palace from Blasieholmen; Moderna Museet is across the bridge on Skeppsholmen; Fotografiska looks out over the harbour from Stadsgården. On Djurgården, Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde, Thielska Galleriet and Liljevalchs make a walk of their own. On stage, the Royal Swedish Opera was founded by Gustav III in 1773, and Dramaten is the national stage for theatre.

The museums

Nationalmuseum, at Södra Blasieholmshamnen 2, is Sweden’s museum of art and design. Moderna Museet, on Skeppsholmen, lets under-18s in at no charge, and everyone on Fridays from 18:00 to 20:00. Fotografiska, at Stadsgårdshamnen 22, is open every day until 23:00.

Djurgården’s art

Prins Eugens Waldemarsudde was the home of the painter-prince; Thielska Galleriet, designed by Ferdinand Boberg and completed in 1907, was the home of Ernest and Signe Maria Thiel until 1924; Liljevalchs holds its Spring Salon each year.

Many museums close on Mondays: plan your art days around them.

The stages

The Royal Swedish Opera, founded by Gustav III in 1773, is home to the Royal Swedish Ballet, one of the oldest ballet companies in the world, in its own words. Dramaten is the national stage for theatre, and Konserthuset, home of the Royal Stockholm Philharmonic Orchestra, marks its 100th year.

Our advice: buy tickets for the opera and Dramaten on their own websites, never from resellers.

Opening hours, prices and seasonal openings change, so please check with Stockholm, the city of design and music: the back story before you go.