A day among giants, dinosaurs and 10 million species
There are outings you quickly forget. And then there are the ones that stick with you. For us, the Natural History Museum in Gothenburg became one of those moments that surprised, engaged and made us stop and take notice. This adventure is part of our Family outings & destinations with children.
Already at the entrance an atmosphere hits you – a sense of something bigger. Of history. Of life. And once we stepped inside, it began – a journey through time across Earth's evolution, filled with fossils, skeletons and preserved animals from every corner of the world.
The famous museum hiding 10 million species
The Natural History Museum is one of Sweden's oldest institutions of its kind. It holds not just historical exhibits, but an active collection of up to 10 million specimens of animals, insects and plants. It's hard to wrap your head around – but it also means that every time you visit the museum, you can discover something new.
For kids (and adults!) who love to marvel, this is pure heaven.
The Malm Whale – the world's most famous blue whale?
But what might draw the most attention – and what we've seen in pictures since we were kids ourselves – is the Malm Whale. The enormous blue whale that washed ashore outside Gothenburg in 1865 and was preserved as a museum piece. It weighed over 25 tons, is preserved in its entirety, and sits right there in the middle of the room.
But the most fascinating part? It's not behind glass. You can actually walk right up to it, look straight into its mouth – and almost touch its skin. It's mounted on a sturdy frame, giving a direct connection to the ocean's real giants that no photo could ever recreate.
It's… powerful.
Dinosaurs, butterflies and DNA
We moved on among dinosaur skeletons, vividly colored butterflies from around the world, and educational exhibits on evolution, heredity and DNA. Everything explained in a way kids can actually grasp – without dumbing it down.
Leo got to run between the display cases with sparkling eyes. Sometimes he lost focus, sometimes he stayed glued to a microscope for several minutes. That's exactly how it should be. The museum isn't a temple of silence – it's a room for the joy of discovery.
A place worth returning to
We didn't even make it through everything. And that's a good sign. Because it means we have a reason to come back. Maybe on a rainy day. Maybe when Leo is older and wants to understand more about how the world came to be.
The museum cost 70 SEK per person but is free for children and young people under 20 (May 2025), sits beautifully in Slottsskogen, and also has stroller-friendly ramps, restrooms and a place to sit and eat your own packed fika. A perfect choice for a half-day with the family – especially if you want to give your kids both play and learning on the same outing.
You'll find more tips for outings in Gothenburg for families in our guide Gothenburg with kids – 10 experiences you can't miss.
See our whole visit – follow along on video
Want to join us through the museum?
In our latest YouTube episode we take you behind the scenes: from the first impression to the fascination with the blue whale's gigantic size. We show our favorite moments and invite you into a conversation about nature, knowledge and the kids' reactions.
To the YouTube Episode! → More About the YouTube Channel →Tip: Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more family adventures
The visit in pictures
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