Postmuseum
– Explore 400 Years of Communication in Stockholm’s Old Town

Nestled in Stockholm’s historic Gamla Stan, the Postmuseum showcases Sweden’s postal history in a 17th-century building that once housed the nation’s first post office.

Reopened in 2024 after renovations, it features interactive exhibits like POST (tracing 400 years of communication) and POSTIS (playful postal adventures for kids). Discover rare stamps, try on uniforms, and explore the Treasure Chamber with philatelic gems. A perfect blend of history and family fun in a charming Gamla Stan setting.

A historic setting

The museum is situated in the Penelope block in Gamla Stan, home to Sweden’s first post office since 1720. The recent renovations have fortified the foundation, ensuring that this architectural marvel stands strong for generations to come. As you explore the museum, you walk corridors steeped in centuries of history.

Immersive exhibitions

The POST exhibition immerses visitors in 400 years of postal history through dynamic, interactive displays. Highlights include singing mailboxes, talking artifacts, and postal uniforms to try on, blending education with playful engagement. “It’s a tribute to those who enabled communication across distances—and those who eagerly awaited their mail,” notes museum director Malin Valentin. A vibrant celebration of postal heritage for all ages.

Family-friendly fun

For families with children, the new play exhibition POSTIS is a must-visit. Here, kids can sort packages, deliver letters, and become little postal heroes themselves. This interactive space lets even the youngest visitors join the postal adventure hands-on and playfully.

Special exhibitions at the Postmuseum

In addition to the permanent exhibits, the museum also features a temporary photo exhibition. It offers a dual perspective on the postal system. Andy Allen-Olivar, a contemporary photographer and postal enthusiast, uses a pinhole camera inside a package to capture the postal system in Gothenburg. Nils Johansson, a postman and photographer from the 1940s, documented postal life through his own artistic lens. Together, their work adds a rich, visual narrative to the museum’s story.

Culinary delights await

No visit is complete without a stop at Restaurant AVI, operated by renowned chefs Claes Bilock and Oscar Strömdahl. Whether you’re visiting the museum or just in the area, AVI offers a delightful menu for lunch and fika, making it a perfect spot to relax and refuel.

🧭 Other attractions nearby

• The Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet): Explore royal apartments, the Treasury, and more inside one of Europe’s largest palaces.
• Storkyrkan (Stockholm Cathedral): Stockholm’s oldest church with medieval architecture and the statue of St. George and the Dragon.
• Nobel Prize Museum: Discover Nobel laureates, their work, and the legacy of Alfred Nobel.
• Swedish Parliament House (Riksdagshuset): Learn about Sweden’s government with a tour of its striking Neoclassical complex.
• Museum of Mediterranean and Near Eastern Antiquities (Medelhavsmuseet): Explore ancient cultures through artifacts from Egypt, Greece, and Rome.
• Skeppsholmen Island: Home to cultural gems like Moderna Museet and ArkDes, just across the bridge from Gamla Stan.
• Mårten Trotzigs Gränd: Walk down the narrowest alley in Stockholm—only 90 cm wide!
• The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset): This grand building celebrates Sweden’s noble families and baroque architecture.
• Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan): The royal burial church of Swedish kings and queens since the 17th century.