Röhsska museet is Gothenburg’s Museum of Design and Craft at Vasagatan 39 in Vasastaden, Gothenburg, Sweden. Opened in 1916 after donations from the Röhss family, it examines how designed objects shape everyday life, from furniture and fashion to typography and technology. Travelers come for one of Sweden’s leading design collections, presented in a distinctive early-20th-century museum building near the city’s principal art institutions.
What to Expect at Röhsska museet
The museum holds roughly 50,000 objects spanning Swedish, European, Japanese and Chinese design and craft. Its strongest starting point is Design Stories, the permanent exhibition that follows design from the mid-1800s to the present through more than 500 collection objects. Look closely at familiar categories—clothing, household goods, furniture, graphic design and the mobile phone—to see how materials, manufacturing and social ideas have changed.
Allow time for the permanent 18th-Century Design & Craft galleries, where dancing figurines, elaborate furniture details and complete period interiors put decorative arts in their original domestic context. The National Romantic museum building, designed by architect Carl Westman and completed in 1916, is part of the experience: its formal brick exterior and carefully composed interior rooms provide an effective counterpoint to contemporary design displays. Temporary exhibitions add changing perspectives from designers and artists; check the exhibition programme before setting out.
- Design Stories: More than 500 objects charting design from the mid-19th century to today.
- 18th-Century Design & Craft: Ornamental objects, furniture and reconstructed period interiors.
- Global collection: Swedish and European works alongside Japanese and Chinese design and craft.
- Fashion and textiles: A collection lens on dress, materials, making and changing taste.
- 10 Must-see Highlights: The museum’s own short-list route for first-time visitors.
Röhsska museet at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Address | Vasagatan 39, 411 37 Göteborg, Sweden |
| Neighborhood / Area | Vasastaden, beside Vasaplatsen and a short walk from Avenyn |
| Operating Hours | Tue–Wed 11am–6pm; Thu 11am–8pm; Fri–Sun 11am–5pm; closed Monday |
| Admission & Ticket Prices | Paid single-entry admission and a Museum Card are available; check current prices and buy ahead at the official visit page. |
| Recommended Visit Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 hours |
| Nearest Transit / Parking | Vasaplatsen and Valand tram stops are nearby; limited paid street parking is available in the surrounding central streets. |
| Official Website / Phone | rohsska.se / +46 31 368 31 50 |
Visiting Tips, Getting There & Nearby Pairings
Arrive close to the 11am opening on Tuesday or Wednesday for a quieter look at the permanent galleries, or use Thursday’s later closing for a post-sightseeing visit. Buy a single-entry ticket or Museum Card through the museum’s visit page before arrival, particularly when a temporary exhibition or opening programme is on. From central Gothenburg, trams to Vasaplatsen are the most straightforward option; Valand is also a useful stop, with Avenyn a few minutes away on foot. Drivers should not rely on finding a space directly outside: central paid street spaces are limited.
The museum’s historic building has an accessible route and lift for visitors using wheelchairs or strollers; contact the museum before visiting if you need assistance or have specific access requirements. Combine the visit with the Gothenburg Museum of Art and the concert-hall-and-sculpture ensemble at Götaplatsen, both around 10 minutes away on foot. The cafés and restaurants along Avenyn are close by, while the leafy Vasaparken and the University of Gothenburg’s Vasagatan surroundings offer an easy break between museums.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Röhsska museet open, and what is the best time to visit?
It is closed Mondays; open 11am–6pm Tuesday and Wednesday, 11am–8pm Thursday, and 11am–5pm Friday through Sunday. Arriving at opening on a weekday generally gives the clearest run through Design Stories and the 18th-century rooms.
How much are tickets, and do I need to reserve?
The museum sells paid single-entry tickets and a Museum Card. Current prices are published on the official visit page; purchasing in advance is sensible for temporary-exhibition events, although availability can vary by programme.
How long should I spend at the museum?
Budget 90 minutes for the permanent highlights and about two to two-and-a-half hours if you want to read labels closely, see a temporary exhibition and use the museum’s 10 Must-see Highlights route.
Is Röhsska museet suitable for families and wheelchair users?
Yes. Everyday objects, clothing and visual displays make the galleries approachable for older children, while the accessible route and lift support wheelchair and stroller visits. Contact the museum ahead of time for tailored access assistance.
When planning your Gothenburg travel guide or comparing verified attractions and museums in Gothenburg, pair this stop with standout local spots including Hotel Flora, Clarion Hotel Draken, Helix, and Avenue Parade Street (0.1 km away).
