Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Fine Arts), Stockholm (must see)
Tucked away on Stockholm鈥檚 Blasieholmen peninsula鈥攋ust far enough from the tourist bustle to feel cultured but close enough for a scenic detour鈥攖he National Museum of Fine Arts, or simply the National Museum, is Sweden鈥檚 crown jewel of artistic grandeur. Think of it as the nation鈥檚 visual brain: refined, storied, and occasionally dramatic. It all began with generous patrons like King Gustav III and Carl Gustaf Tessin, whose taste for the finer things laid the groundwork for a collection that is as rich as it is eclectic.
Born in 1792 under the very regal name 鈥淩oyal Museum鈥�, it鈥檚 been hoarding beauty and boosting national pride ever since. Its current quarters, opened in 1866, were the brainchild of German architect Friedrich August St眉ler, who borrowed a few pages from the northern Italian Renaissance playbook. Outside, it plays it cool with a somewhat restrained fa莽ade鈥攂ut step inside, and you're greeted by a sweeping staircase that practically begs you to ascend like a minor royal.
Like any well-aged institution, the museum鈥檚 had a few makeovers over the years. In 1961, it bulked up with more workshops, and by 1996, it was civilized enough to add a restaurant. Then came the big one: a five-year, top-to-bottom renovation, from 2013 to 2018. Now it boasts modern infrastructure, swanky climate controls, proper accessibility, and enough security to make a Bond villain sweat.
But that's not all... The National Museum is more of a cultural empire than a single building. It oversees the National Portrait Gallery at Gripsholm, the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, assorted castle collections, and even the Institute Tessin in Paris. Oh, and since 2018, there鈥檚 also a satellite location way up north鈥攖he National Museum Jamtli in 脰stersund鈥攂ecause art deserves snow too...
Undoubtedly, today, the National Museum is more than just a vault of masterpieces鈥攊t鈥檚 a living, breathing celebration of Sweden鈥檚 creative soul. So, go on, give it a visit鈥攁nd don鈥檛 forget to check out that staircase...
Born in 1792 under the very regal name 鈥淩oyal Museum鈥�, it鈥檚 been hoarding beauty and boosting national pride ever since. Its current quarters, opened in 1866, were the brainchild of German architect Friedrich August St眉ler, who borrowed a few pages from the northern Italian Renaissance playbook. Outside, it plays it cool with a somewhat restrained fa莽ade鈥攂ut step inside, and you're greeted by a sweeping staircase that practically begs you to ascend like a minor royal.
Like any well-aged institution, the museum鈥檚 had a few makeovers over the years. In 1961, it bulked up with more workshops, and by 1996, it was civilized enough to add a restaurant. Then came the big one: a five-year, top-to-bottom renovation, from 2013 to 2018. Now it boasts modern infrastructure, swanky climate controls, proper accessibility, and enough security to make a Bond villain sweat.
But that's not all... The National Museum is more of a cultural empire than a single building. It oversees the National Portrait Gallery at Gripsholm, the Gustavsberg Porcelain Museum, assorted castle collections, and even the Institute Tessin in Paris. Oh, and since 2018, there鈥檚 also a satellite location way up north鈥攖he National Museum Jamtli in 脰stersund鈥攂ecause art deserves snow too...
Undoubtedly, today, the National Museum is more than just a vault of masterpieces鈥攊t鈥檚 a living, breathing celebration of Sweden鈥檚 creative soul. So, go on, give it a visit鈥攁nd don鈥檛 forget to check out that staircase...
Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Stockholm. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "黑料吃瓜网: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.
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Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Fine Arts) on Map
Sight Name: Nationalmuseet (National Museum of Fine Arts)
Sight Location: Stockholm, Sweden (See walking tours in Stockholm)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Sight Location: Stockholm, Sweden (See walking tours in Stockholm)
Sight Type: Museum/Gallery
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:
Walking Tours in Stockholm, Sweden
Create Your Own Walk in Stockholm
Creating your own self-guided walk in Stockholm is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
The Museums Island Walk
With almost 70 museums in operation, Stockholm is one of the richest (in terms of museums) cities on the planet. The island of Djurg氓rden, a cultural hotspot inside the capital, also known as the Museums Island, is home to an array of museums and other cultural attractions suitable for visitors of all ages.
One of the most renowned venues on the island is Scandinavia鈥檚 most popular museum,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
One of the most renowned venues on the island is Scandinavia鈥檚 most popular museum,... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.3 Km or 2.1 Miles
City Center (Norrmalm) Walk
Once upon a cobblestone, Norrmalm wasn鈥檛 even part of Stockholm. Up until 1635, it was a town of its own before it decided to join the 鈥渂ig leagues.鈥� Fast forward a few centuries, and this central district has become a spirited jumble of old-world charm and postwar boldness. The 1950s and 鈥�60s came in swinging wrecking balls, knocking down swathes of old buildings to make room for future... view more
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.0 Km or 1.9 Miles
Sodermalm District Walking Tour
S枚dermalm, or "S枚der" for short, is a borough in central Stockholm, incorporating a large island of the same name (formerly known as "脜s枚n"). Although considered an island, the water surrounding S枚dermalm to the north and south does not flow freely but passes through a series of locks. Visitors are charmed by the borough's narrow, cobbled streets and neat squares, as... view more
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.3 Km or 1.4 Miles
Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip
Souvenir Shopping Guide: 15 Distinctly Swedish Products to Buy in Stockholm
If you come to Stockholm on the trail of Karlsson-on-the-Roof character (Swedish: Karlsson p氓 taket), created by Astrid Lindgren, you're bound to enjoy yourself big time! Just don't forget to spare some time for gift shopping, so as to please your loved ones back home. In doing so, you...