Moderna Museet is Stockholm’s museum of modern and contemporary art, on Skeppsholmen island at Exercisplan 4. Its collection spans painting, sculpture, photography, film and installation art, with works by Picasso, Dalí, Matisse and Warhol alongside Swedish and Nordic artists. Displays change over time, so the selection varies from one visit to the next. Look out for the outdoor sculptures, then continue to ArkDes in the same complex or walk around the island for views across the water.
A collection across many art forms
Moderna Museet brings together modern and contemporary art from Sweden and abroad. Its collection ranges across painting, sculpture, photography, film, video, drawings, prints and installation art. Photography in the collection reaches back to the 1840s, while other works span from the early 20th century to the present.
Names associated with the collection include Pablo Picasso, Salvador Dalí, Henri Matisse, Andy Warhol, Marcel Duchamp, Louise Bourgeois and Hilma af Klint. Swedish and Nordic artists are represented alongside artists from other parts of the world. The museum’s collection is large, but only a portion is on display at a time.
Displays that change over time
Works from the collection appear in changing presentations, alongside temporary exhibitions. Some displays arrange art around themes, giving visitors a chance to see connections between works rather than follow a single timeline. Because the selection shifts, the artists and pieces on view depend on the current presentation.
The range of media gives the galleries different rhythms: a painting or photograph may sit alongside a film, sculpture or installation. Temporary exhibitions bring further changes to the visit. Check the museum’s current programme before going if you have a particular artist or exhibition in mind.
Art beyond the galleries
Sculptures and installations can also be found outside the museum. The outdoor works include pieces by Erik Dietman and Carl Nesjar, among others, and give the visit an additional art stop before or after the galleries. The island setting also makes it easy to continue on foot around Skeppsholmen and look out across the surrounding water.
Moderna Museet and ArkDes, Sweden’s centre for architecture and design, are in the same complex. Visiting both makes sense if you want to add design and architecture to an art-focused day. The island’s setting is part of the experience, with boats passing nearby and harbour views along a post-visit walk.
Planning your visit
The museum is at Exercisplan 4 on Skeppsholmen. It is closed on Mondays. On Fridays, the main collection is free to visit from 18:00 to 20:00; check the current programme for details about temporary exhibitions and any separate admission requirements.
Guided tours are available and can help explain the works on display. The museum is accessible by wheelchair, with an accessible entrance, lift and restroom. Families can also visit, and children’s activities have included guided tours and art-making sessions, though the schedule can vary. Leave room in your plans for the outdoor sculptures, a stop at the gift shop or a walk around the island.
FAQ
When is Moderna Museet free?
Admission to the main collection is free on Fridays from 18:00 to 20:00. Check the current programme for details about temporary exhibitions.
Is Moderna Museet closed on Mondays?
Yes. The museum is closed on Mondays.
What can you see at Moderna Museet?
The museum displays modern and contemporary art across painting, sculpture, photography, film and installation. Works by Picasso, Dalí, Matisse and Warhol are among those associated with its collection, alongside Swedish and Nordic art.
Is Moderna Museet wheelchair accessible?
Yes. The museum has a wheelchair-accessible entrance, elevator and restroom.
