Liljevalchs konsthall

Stockholm's municipal art gallery

Liljevalchs konsthall stands at Djurgårdsvägen 60 on the museum island of Djurgården, just a few steps from Gröna Lund and the Vasa Museum. It is run by the City of Stockholm, so it is not a private gallery but a public art hall.

Unlike the big collection museums, Liljevalchs has no permanent display. The gallery lives on changing exhibitions — at least four major ones a year, showing contemporary Swedish and international art. What you see depends heavily on when you visit, so it is worth checking the current programme before you go.

The Bergsten building and the glass-bottle wing

The historic building from 1916 was designed by architect Carl Bergsten and was, at the time, one of Sweden's first publicly accessible art galleries. Since 2021 it has been joined by the extension Liljevalchs+, designed by architect Gert Wingårdh. Its most striking feature is a façade made of around 7,000 glass bottles, with glass design by Ingegerd Råman. The old and new parts are connected and accessible on a single ticket — the contrast between the classic plastered building and the shimmering glass wall is worth a look in its own right.

The Vårsalongen

The best-known recurring event is the Vårsalongen (spring salon), held every year since 1921 from late January to late March. A jury reviews numerous submissions and puts together a show where established names hang alongside previously unknown artists. From 2026, the Ung Vårsalong adds a dedicated format for younger talent. The Vårsalongen is the gallery's busiest time of year — if you prefer it quieter, visit outside these months.

What to expect

Liljevalchs is compact: 1 to 1.5 hours is usually enough for the one or two exhibitions running at a time. Café Blå Porten, with its courtyard, is part of the building and makes a good stop between other Djurgården sights.

Current and upcoming exhibitions include:

• When We See Us – A Century of Black Figuration in Painting (until 30 August 2026)
• Ylva Snöfrid: The House of the Muses (from 21 June 2026)

Since the programme is entirely made up of temporary exhibitions, it is best to check what is on via the official website before you visit.

Opening hours, admission and tickets

The gallery opens daily at 11:00: Mondays, Wednesdays and Friday to Sunday until 17:00, Tuesdays and Thursdays with an evening opening until 20:00. Hours may differ on public holidays, for instance around National Day on 6 June, and the gallery is closed on Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day.

Admission costs 165 SEK for adults and 135 SEK for students and pensioners; it is free for under-18s. Admission is free for everyone on Mondays — expect it to be busier then. Payment is by card only, cash is not accepted. Regular tickets are sold on site at the Djurgårdsvägen 60 and Falkenbergsgatan 3 entrances; only individual programme events can be booked online in advance. Current times and prices are listed on liljevalchs.se.

Best time to visit and what to combine it with

It is quietest on weekday mornings right after opening. Outside the main Vårsalongen season (January to March) it is noticeably calmer; the evening opening on Tuesdays and Thursdays until 20:00 is a relaxed alternative. The free Monday slot is worth it if you don't mind the bigger crowds.

For most visits to Stockholm, Liljevalchs is more of an optional stop for art lovers than a must-see like the Vasa Museum or Skansen. Its location makes that easy either way: on Djurgården you also have the Vasa Museum, the open-air museum Skansen, the ABBA Museum, Nordiska museet, the amusement park Gröna Lund and, for families, Junibacken all within walking distance. For an overview of the island, see the neighbourhood Djurgården, and for planning your days, Attractions in Stockholm.