Explore Stockholm’s Revitalized Postmuseum
In the heart of Gamla Stan, Stockholm’s oldest district, the newly renovated Postmuseum invites visitors to explore nearly 400 years of postal heritage. Set in a charming 17th-century building—the site of Sweden’s first post office—this museum blends rich history with interactive family fun.
Reopened in 2024, the Postmuseum now features immersive exhibitions like POST, tracing Sweden’s communication evolution, and POSTIS, a playful area where children can deliver mail and play postmaster. Discover rare stamps, try on postal uniforms, and explore the renowned Treasure Chamber, home to some of the world’s most valuable philatelic artifacts.
A Historic Setting in Gamla Stan
Located in the Penelope block of Gamla Stan, the Postmuseum occupies the very building that housed Stockholm’s original post office from 1720. Recent renovations have reinforced the structure for future generations while preserving its architectural integrity. As you walk through its halls, you trace the footsteps of couriers, clerks, and kings alike.
From Royal Dispatches to Digital Messages
Immersive Exhibitions
The POST exhibition offers a dynamic journey through 400 years of Swedish communication, complete with singing mailboxes, interactive storytelling, and historic uniforms to try on. “It’s a tribute to those who made long-distance communication possible—and those who waited,” says museum director Malin Valentin. Engaging for all ages, this exhibition brings postal history to life.
Family-Friendly Fun
Designed especially for young visitors, the POSTIS play zone invites children to sort parcels, deliver mail, and step into the shoes of a postal hero. It’s a hands-on, educational adventure that makes history fun for the entire family.
Special Exhibitions: Photography Through the Mail
The museum also hosts a rotating photo exhibition featuring two unique perspectives. Photographer and postal fan Andy Allen-Olivar captures modern postal journeys using a pinhole camera hidden inside a package, while 1940s postman Nils Johansson documented postal life through his own lens. Together, their work adds a vivid, visual layer to the narrative of Sweden’s mail system.
Dining at Restaurant AVI
Complete your visit with a stop at Restaurant AVI, run by chefs Claes Bilock and Oscar Strömdahl. Whether you’re here for a hearty lunch or traditional Swedish fika, AVI offers a warm, relaxing setting with food as inviting as the museum itself.
🧭 Attractions Near the Postmuseum
- 👑 The Royal Palace: Explore the Royal Apartments, Treasury, and ceremonial halls in one of Europe’s grandest palaces.
- ⛪ Storkyrkan Cathedral: Visit Stockholm’s oldest church, home to medieval art and royal coronations.
- 🎓 Nobel Prize Museum: Discover the achievements and lives of Nobel laureates through inspiring exhibits.
- 🏛️ Swedish Parliament House: Tour the seat of Sweden’s democracy in a striking Neoclassical building.
- 🏺 Museum of Mediterranean Antiquities: Discover relics from Egypt, Rome, and the ancient world.
- 🖼️ Skeppsholmen Island: Just across the bridge, explore Moderna Museet and ArkDes for art and architecture.
- 📏 Mårten Trotzigs Gränd: Walk down the narrowest alley in Stockholm—just 90 cm wide!
- 🏰 The House of Nobility (Riddarhuset): Admire baroque architecture and noble family coats of arms in this grand hall.
- ⚰️ Riddarholm Church: The royal burial site of Swedish monarchs since the 1600s.
