Skeppsholmen Island

Expanses of water, stunning landscapes, and a peaceful atmosphere—that’s what defines Skeppsholmen, or “Ship Island.” Once cut off from the rest of the city, this small island used to be a royal pleasure garden, free from any construction. However, its strategic location on the Baltic Sea, at the city’s entrance, made it the perfect spot for military buildings and shipyards. Back then, it was completely off-limits to ordinary citizens. Today, things couldn’t be more different! You can visit Skeppsholmen as often as you’d like, where you’ll discover a well-preserved military heritage and several museums dedicated to art and antiquities. Here, you’re surrounded by modern, colorful sculptures: a mobile by Alexander Calder, works by Niki de Saint Phalle, and pieces by Jean Tinguely. This open-air setting already hints at the spirit of the place just behind you: the Moderna Museet, Stockholm’s museum of modern and contemporary art. Inaugurated in 1958 and first housed in a former naval drill hall, the museum was expanded in the 1990s by Spanish architect Rafael Moneo. Today, it shares its spaces with ArkDes, the museum of architecture and design. Inside, the collection brings together more than 130,000 works—paintings, sculptures, photographs, installations, and videos. You’ll encounter the great names of modern art, from Picasso to Dalí, from Matisse to Louise Bourgeois, along with contemporary artists from across the globe. The Moderna Museet is renowned for its ambitious exhibitions and its commitment to offering a broader vision of art, highlighting women artists and creators from diverse cultures. It has lived through notable moments, such as the spectacular 1993 theft of several works by Picasso and Braque, or the extraordinary donation of more than 700 pieces by former director Pontus Hultén. Today, under the direction of Gitte Ørskou, the Moderna Museet remains a vibrant place where historic masterpieces meet contemporary creations, making Stockholm one of Europe’s great capitals of modern art.