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Museums #8 in Stockholm Municipality

Museum of Natural History

4.5 · 8,627 reviews
Intellectually engaging and spacious
Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
Interesting facts
1

The museum holds a collection of over 11 million specimens, including plants, animals, fungi, and minerals.

2

The Cosmonova cinema uses an omnimax screen that covers the entire dome, providing a 180-degree field of vision.

3

The museum's biological collections include the world's largest collection of Antarctic mosses.

4

The building was designed by architect Axel Anderberg and officially opened in 1916.

5

It houses a significant collection of meteorites, including fragments from the Muonionalusta impact site.

6

The museum serves as a repository for the Swedish national biological and geological heritage.

7

Many of the taxidermy specimens on display were prepared in the early 20th century using historical techniques.

8

The facility is integrated with the Royal National City Park, which provides a natural habitat for various local species near the museum walls.

Overview

The Swedish Museum of Natural History (Naturhistoriska riksmuseet) serves as Sweden's largest museum, housing over 11 million biological and geological specimens. It features Cosmonova, the country's only IMAX dome cinema, which uses advanced digital projection and 3D technology. The museum's collections include extensive fossils, minerals, and preserved animals, with a strong focus on Scandinavian biodiversity and the history of life on Earth. Architecturally, the building is notable for its massive rotunda and classical design, situated within the verdant landscape of the Royal National City Park. Research and education are core pillars, with the museum operating as a significant scientific institution linked to international taxonomic studies. Visitors can explore permanent exhibitions ranging from human evolution to the deep sea and polar regions. The venue is designed for both academic study and public engagement, providing interactive stations alongside traditional taxidermy displays.

Photo spot

The interior of the massive central rotunda, which features high ceilings and intricate architectural details.

Insider tips

Check the Cosmonova schedule in advance as films have specific showtimes and often require separate tickets.

Use the museum's lockers to store coats and large bags to navigate the exhibition halls more comfortably.

Explore the surrounding Royal National City Park after your visit to see the landscape that inspired the museum's location.

What to avoid

Do not attempt to see all 11 million specimens, as the vast majority are held in research archives rather than public galleries.

Good to know

Closed on Mondays during certain low-season periods; always check for temporary exhibition maintenance closures.

Plan your visit
Typical visit
3-4 hours
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, particularly during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, to avoid school group surges.
Address
Museum of Natural History, Frescativägen 40, 114 18 Stockholm, Sweden
Website
59.369, 18.054
Get directions
Details
Key exhibitsFossil and Evolution galleries, Polar region display, and the Mineral collection
MultimediaCosmonova IMAX dome cinema

Frequently asked

Plan for about 3-4 hours to see the highlights.

The best time to visit is Weekday mornings, particularly during the shoulder seasons of spring and autumn, to avoid school group surges..

The interior of the massive central rotunda, which features high ceilings and intricate architectural details.

Close by you'll find Hagaparken, Bergianska trädgården, Vasa Museum.