The National Maritime Museum focuses on shipping, shipbuilding and naval defence. It is house in an attractive building, designed by the architect Ragnar Ostberg in 1938, in a beautiful location by the calm waters of Djurgardsbrunnsviken.

There are some 100,000 exhibits, including more than 1,500 model ships. The oldest Swedish model is a reproduction of the “Cathedral ship” from the early 1600s. The model collection comprises every conceivable type of shop from small coasters and Viking longboats to oil tankers, coal vessels, dinghies, full-riggers and submarine. A series of models on a scale of 1:200 shows the development of shops in Scandinavia since the Iron Age. Life-size settings provide a good idea of life on board the various ships. Among them are exquisite original cabin and elegant stern from the royal schooner Amphion.

Linked to the museum is the Swedish Marine Archaeology Archive, containing an extensive collection of maritime documents and photographs. There is a special children’s section with a workshop which is open on Sundays and in school holidays.