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Step into the Home of a Genius at Sweden's Nobel Museum
Published by Bill Lehane, Writer
Country: Sweden 
The Experience
Forget the usual sunny and snowy sights of Stockholm. If you're in the Swedish capital, the smartest thing to check out is the home of the Nobel prizes: the Nobel Museum. Short films, original artifacts and interactive exhibits at the Nobel Museum all offer insight into the greatest minds of the last century. The Nobel Museum also offers a frequent rotation of mini-exhibitions on a particular winner or subject.
At the Nobel Museum you can discover the story of Alfred Nobel, a native of Stockholm and the son of a wealthy industrialist, Nobel put his privileged education to good use by inventing dynamite! It was not an easy road to this discovery. Indeed, his brother died in one of their early experiments. A man of varied interests, Nobel was a strong believer in pacifism, and he also wrote poetry and plays. He made a will in 1895 bequeathing much of his fortune to the establishment of trust funds for the famous prizes which began in 1901 and bear his name to this day.
Each year, the 10 million kronor (about US$1.2 million) prize is given by a Swedish committee for the best accomplishments in medicine, physics, literature, and chemistry. There is also an economics prize, commonly associated with the others, that was actually devised in 1968 by the Swedish Central Bank in memory of the famous inventor. Bear in mind that the Nobel Peace Prize, in accordance with Nobel's wishes, is actually awarded from Oslo, Norway. No reason was given for the decision, but it is thought Nobel may have intended it as a gesture of cooperation between the two Nordic countries. Another museum called the Nobel Peace Center is located in Oslo.
While the Nobel Museum does partake in the delightful Swedish tradition of offering free coffee to patrons, no visit would be complete without lunch or a coffee break in the Kafe Satir. Here you can turn your chair upside down and see which famous mind has graced it (many of the Nobel winners have signed the underside of one of the café pews in recent years).
Located in the heart of Stockholm's charming old town or Gamla Stan, the Nobel Museum is also well placed for visitors looking to get a few of the main sights into one short trip. The Royal Palace and the Royal Mint, as well as some of the city's best art, are all located nearby.
At the Nobel Museum you can discover the story of Alfred Nobel, a native of Stockholm and the son of a wealthy industrialist, Nobel put his privileged education to good use by inventing dynamite! It was not an easy road to this discovery. Indeed, his brother died in one of their early experiments. A man of varied interests, Nobel was a strong believer in pacifism, and he also wrote poetry and plays. He made a will in 1895 bequeathing much of his fortune to the establishment of trust funds for the famous prizes which began in 1901 and bear his name to this day.
Each year, the 10 million kronor (about US$1.2 million) prize is given by a Swedish committee for the best accomplishments in medicine, physics, literature, and chemistry. There is also an economics prize, commonly associated with the others, that was actually devised in 1968 by the Swedish Central Bank in memory of the famous inventor. Bear in mind that the Nobel Peace Prize, in accordance with Nobel's wishes, is actually awarded from Oslo, Norway. No reason was given for the decision, but it is thought Nobel may have intended it as a gesture of cooperation between the two Nordic countries. Another museum called the Nobel Peace Center is located in Oslo.
While the Nobel Museum does partake in the delightful Swedish tradition of offering free coffee to patrons, no visit would be complete without lunch or a coffee break in the Kafe Satir. Here you can turn your chair upside down and see which famous mind has graced it (many of the Nobel winners have signed the underside of one of the café pews in recent years).
Located in the heart of Stockholm's charming old town or Gamla Stan, the Nobel Museum is also well placed for visitors looking to get a few of the main sights into one short trip. The Royal Palace and the Royal Mint, as well as some of the city's best art, are all located nearby.
When to Go to Nobel Museum
Continental Airlines, SAS, and British Airways offer the most flights to the Swedish capital. Some of the dozens of other airlines that fly to Stockholm are likely to offer lower fares depending on your departure city.
Once you're there, the Nobel Museum itself is located right on the city's Metro at Gamla Stan station, which services the red and green lines. The metro tickets are expensive (a single ticket is 20kr (US$3) but day tickets and student/OAP discounts are available.
Tickets to the museum are 70kr (US$10) for adults, but children go free and student/OAP discounts are available.
It’s best to visit the Nobel Museum in the fall, winter or spring to take advantage of the longer hours of operation. If you're there in early December, when that year's winners visit the museum, you might meet a genius or two in the flesh!
Once you're there, the Nobel Museum itself is located right on the city's Metro at Gamla Stan station, which services the red and green lines. The metro tickets are expensive (a single ticket is 20kr (US$3) but day tickets and student/OAP discounts are available.
Tickets to the museum are 70kr (US$10) for adults, but children go free and student/OAP discounts are available.
It’s best to visit the Nobel Museum in the fall, winter or spring to take advantage of the longer hours of operation. If you're there in early December, when that year's winners visit the museum, you might meet a genius or two in the flesh!
Odds n' Ends
The Nobel Museum offers an audio guide for 20kr (US$3) that gives details about the permanent and temporary exhibitions in nine languages:: English, French, Russian, Chinese, German, Spanish, Swedish, Italian, and Japanese.
If you're coming with children, the Nobel Museum offers a special trivia hunt for bright young things; ask at the reception desk. For the smallest eggheads (ages 3-11), there's also an interactive play room called the Bubble Chamber.
If you're coming with children, the Nobel Museum offers a special trivia hunt for bright young things; ask at the reception desk. For the smallest eggheads (ages 3-11), there's also an interactive play room called the Bubble Chamber.
Want a Guide?
- Nobel Museum
- The official site of the museum, where daily guided tours in English are included in the admission price.
- Nobel Museum - Groups & Events
- If you're planning to visit the Nobel Museum in a group, you can get a dedicated guided tour at a time of your choosing - even when the museum is closed to the public. Special rates apply. Maximum 25 persons.
Places to Eat
- The Veranda at the Grand Hotel
- If money is no object and you just have to try Swedish smorgasbord - here it's about $60 a head.
- Pelikan
- A restaurant which prides itself on serving traditional Swedish food to any and all comers. It's located in a turn-of-the-century building a couple of Metro stops down from the Old Town.
- Rosendals Tradgard
- It's a few miles outside the city centre, but for something completely different why not have lunch in the converted greenhouse of a public botanic garden?
Recommended Places to Stay
- 2 Kronor Hostel
- Centrally located, this hostel is ideal for exploring the city on foot. Dorm beds available for $31 as well as other room types.
- Rica Hotel Gamla Stan
- A pricier option for those who want to stay in a 17th Century building with medieval atmosphere right in the middle of the Old Town. Rooms from $107 per night.
- Archipelago Hostel
- Another centrally-located hostel with slightly higher rates. Dorm beds start at $38.
Additional Places to Stay Nearby
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Media References
- Past Nobel Superstars - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
- 36 Hours in Stockholm - NYTimes.com (newspaper)
- Best of Stockholm: Must-Dos - NationalGeographic.com (magazine)
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