The Top Museums in Gothenburg, Sweden

With six floors of art ranging from the 15th century to the present, Gothenburg’s Museum of Art has a Nordic profile and is caretaker of the world’s foremost collection of Nordic painting from the early 1900s through to today. World-renowned artists such as Picasso, Rembrandt, and Louise Nevelson are also represented, and there are often temporary exhibitions and seminars as well.

Gothenburg Museum of Art. Götaplatsen Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 368 35 00

No matter what you’re interested in you’ll probably find it here. From diving to becoming a crime investigator to having an adult sleepover with the dinosaurs, Gothenburg’s Natural History Museum is an absolute delight for all ages.

Natural History Museum. Museivägen 10, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)10 441 44 00

This is a museum that goes well beyond your bog-standard exhibitions. Films, seminars, festivals, after work drinks, workshops, live performance – the list of activities is seemingly endless and they range from ‘perfect for the kids’ to ‘this is grown up time’. Entry to the museum is free but most events will cost a small amount.

Museum of World Culture. Södra Vägen 54, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)10 456 12 00

This floating museum opens the door onto Gothenburg‘s maritime history. With an armada of 15 museum vessels waiting to be explored, you could probably spend the day here discovering new things and never, ever get bored.

Maritiman. Packhusplatsen 12, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 10 59 50

For contemporary art lovers, Göteborgs Konsthall is the place to see thoughtful – and sometimes challenging – exhibitions by new and upcoming artists from both Sweden and around the world. There are also lectures, talks, and education, all with a focus on creating dialogue.

Göteborgs Konsthall. Götaplatsen, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 368 3450

Located in a 1950s subterranean hanger about 30 meters below the surface that was one of Sweden’s most top-secret defence facilities during the Cold War, Aeroseum is now a hands-on museum housing civil aircraft, fighter planes, helicopters, and much, much more. Clamber into the cockpit and play with the controls as you relive those dreams of being a pilot.

Aeroseum. Holmvägen 100, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 55 83 00

Dedicated to preserving the history of one of Sweden’s two well-known car makers (although neither are really Swedish anymore), the museum not only houses a growing collection of Volvos from throughout its history, it also has an archive of historical documents and images about the company. Car buffs, take note!

Volvo Museum. Arendal Skans, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 66 48 14

The Nordic region’s largest science museum brings the universe to you, though animals, nature, technology, and loads of experiments. Go on a safari, soar into space, dive to the bottom of the sea – or take a soothing walk through Swedish nature. It’s all there, ready to be experienced.

Universeum. Södra Vägen 50, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 335 64 50

Small and very cosy, this is the ‘home’ of beloved children’s book character Alfons Åberg. Two floors of fun await the under-five set, including shows, a play area, slides, a maze, and a climbing area. Be sure to check out the coffee shop with its outdoor eating area.

Alfons Åberg Kulturhus. Slussgatan 1, Gothenburg, Sweden. +46 (0)31 15 42 80

One of Gothenburg’s most fascinating museums, Kortedala is a reconstructed two-room flat, furnished from top to bottom with original furniture and personal belongings, that illustrates how a young family would have lived between 1955 and 1966. Museum members conduct tours and will tell you of their own memories from that time.

Kortedala Museum. Adventsvägen 1, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Use this handy map to find the best museums in Gothenburg, Sweden: