Hunter's Travels

The Nobel Prize Museum is a small museum located on Gamla Stan in Stockholm, Sweden, right around the corner from The Royal Palace. But is this museum really worth a visit?

Who is Nobel

Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist who lived from 1833-1896. He is widely known for his invention of dynamite and for the founding of the Nobel Prize.

After making a fortune with dynamite, perhaps Nobel wanted to leave a lasting legacy that was centered around hope, rather than destruction.

In his will dated 1895, Alfred Nobel wanted his fortune to be invested with the capital to be distributed annually as prizes for those who have conferred the greatest benefit to humankind.

The Nobel Prize originally included Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace. The Economic Sciences prize was founded in 1968 in honor of Alfred Nobel.

My Experience

When I first arrived at the museum, I was told that a free tour was going to begin in English in the next five minutes. I decided to try it out, and it was during that time that I learned about Nobel and the history behind the prize. The guide was very insightful, and I really enjoyed the experience.

After completing the tour I walked around for a bit looking at all the items, but I quickly got bored with the lack of information being provided. The Nobel Prize Museum is quite different from most museums one would visit. There is a little bit of information about Alfred Nobel, but for the most part the museum is filled up with items that were provided by the Nobel laureates.

For example, there was a giant glass case with skiing equipment that was given by Peter Agre (Chemistry, 2003). The plaque that was provided, rather than going into his discovery or contribution in chemistry, only talked about how he has done a 90 kilometers long race five times and that he loves the outdoors.

There were some touch screens placed around the museum where you could learn a little more about each person and their discoveries, but the overall theme of the museum is rotating various items provided by the winners of the Nobel Prize.

Visitor Information

Pricing

Adult: 150 SEK ($15.81)
Students: 110 SEK ($11.59)
Senior citizens: 110 SEK ($11.59)

Free admission for children and youth (0–18), as well as members of the Nobel Prize Museum.

Pricing information:

https://www.nobelprizemuseum.se/en/plan-your-visit/admission/

Opening Hours

There are some exceptions to the hours. For the most current information, please look at the link below:

https://www.nobelprizemuseum.se/en/plan-your-visit/opening-hours/

Tour Information

Guided tours in English

Monday–Sunday at 10:15, 11:15, 13:15, 15:15, 16:15, 17:15
Friday evenings at 19:15

Most recent tour times:

https://www.nobelprizemuseum.se/en/event/guided-tour/

Final Review

If you are already fascinated with the Nobel Prize, or you study one of fields that receives prizes, than this might be a good stop for you.

This is a museum that has so much potential to inspire the next generation of inventors and dreamers, but I believe it falls very short of that mark. If it wasn’t for the insightful tour, I do not think it would be worth the price of over $15.00.

If you decide to make a stop at this museum, I would recommend checking the current tour times and showing up a few minutes before. I usually don’t opt for tours as there is so much information provided at some museums, but this is one where the free tour holds a lot of value.

Without the tour I would give this museum a 4/10, but the tour brings it up to a 6/10 on my list. How would you rate this museum?