Mediterranean Museum in Stockholm – Egypt, mummies and ancient finds

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | At the Medelhavsmuseet in Stockholm you can discover Egyptian mummies, terracotta figures from Cyprus and objects from ancient Greece and Rome. We visited the museum in 2018 and were fascinated by the collections in the beautiful premises. For us who have also traveled to both Egypt and Cyprus, it will be extra interesting to see how the countries' histories are connected.

The Mediterranean Museum - in the middle of Stockholm

The Mediterranean Museum is located at Fredsgatan 2, near Gustav Adolfs Torg and within walking distance of both the Central Station and the Old Town. It is one of the World Culture Museums and displays archaeological collections from the Mediterranean region and the Near East.

When we visited, we had recently started discovering more museums in our own city. It's easy to get homesick when you live in Stockholm, even though there's so much to see!

We thought the Mediterranean Museum was a nice museum in beautiful premises, with impressive collections. For our taste, the displays of objects were sometimes a bit too classic, but the content was interesting. Egypt and Cyprus in particular caught our interest.

The Cyprus Collections – Terracotta Figures and Swedish Archaeology

One of the museum's major attractions is the exhibition Cyprus through the ages. It tells the story of more than 7,000 years of the island's history, from the Stone Age to the Roman Empire. Cyprus's location made the island a meeting place for people, goods and ideas from different parts of the eastern Mediterranean.

The objects show connections with Egypt, Greece and the Middle East, among other places. The most striking are all the terracotta figures from the cult site of Agia Irini. Almost a thousand figures are gathered in a large display. Human figures, horses and riders provide a fascinating insight into a world that is far from our own.

The Swedish Cyprus Expedition

Many of the objects come from the Swedish Cyprus Expedition of 1927–1931. The expedition carried out extensive excavations on the island, and the finds were divided between Sweden and Cyprus with permission from the then British colonial government.

The objects that came to Sweden became the basis for one of the world's largest Cypriot collections outside Cyprus. The second part of the finds is at the Cyprus Museum in Nicosia.

For us it is interesting that a museum in the middle of Stockholm can provide so much background to a country we have visited ourselves. Of course, Cyprus is much more than beaches and holiday resorts!

READ MORE: Travelling to Cyprus - guides, reports and tips

Virtual reality during our visit

When we visited the museum in 2018, you could also try out VR glasses and step into a virtual world. Peter tried it, and it was a fun break from the displays. This was part of our visit then. We have not been able to confirm that the same VR experience is still available today.

Egypt – mummies and thousands of years of history

The Egypt exhibition takes you through around 7,000 years of history, from the first settlements on the Nile and on through different eras.

Here you will find objects that tell the story of both everyday life and beliefs about death. You can see ceramics, figurines, coffins and mummies, but also learn about the people's work, food, religion and way of life.

It's easy to think of pharaohs and pyramids when you hear Egypt. The exhibition provides a broader picture of the people who lived there and created the culture that still fascinates us.

Mummies and the afterlife

Beliefs about life after death have left many traces in Egyptian collections. Grave goods, coffins and preserved bodies tell the story of how people tried to prepare the dead for a continued existence.

During our visit, we were captivated by the idea of being remembered. Names, titles and stories about the life of the deceased could be written on the walls of the tomb. Preserving the memory of a person was an important part of the notion of eternal life.

The museum also describes how digital 3D scans are used to reveal what is inside a mummy, such as amulets between layers of linen, allowing for the examination of things that would otherwise be hidden.

The walking tour reminded us of our visit to the Valley of the Kings in Egypt. Having first seen the sites on a trip and then encountering the objects and stories in a museum gives us more perspectives. The story becomes easier to imagine when you can tie it to something you have experienced yourself.

READ MORE: Travelling to Egypt - guides, reports and tips

Ancient Greece and Rome – and the Gold Room

The Mediterranean Museum also houses the exhibition Ancient Greece & Rome. Here the journey through the history of the Mediterranean region continues, with objects from cultures that have had great significance for later societies.

The Gold Room displays gold and silver objects from several areas, including Egypt, Cyprus, Greece and Italy, further reminding us of the breadth of the museum's collections.

In addition to these exhibitions, there are temporary exhibitions and a program of tours, talks and activities. The offerings change, so check what's going on when planning your visit.

Bagdad Café – food and coffee in the museum

The museum houses Bagdad Café, which is a café, restaurant and wine bar. The food has a Mediterranean feel, with elements from Turkish and Greek cuisine, among others. We thought the service looked cozy during our visit, but did not eat there. Therefore, we cannot offer any food review of our own.

You don't need a museum ticket if you just want to visit Bagdad Café, so it can be an option for lunch or coffee even without a tour of the collections.

The future of the museum

In October 2026, the Museums of World Cultures proposed that the operation should leave the current premises of the Mediterranean Museum, with a proposed relocation in 2028. The proposal requires political decisions. The museum is still open at the time of this update, but check current visitor information for an upcoming excursion.

More museums in Stockholm

• Vasa Museum
• Ethnographic Museum
• Jewish Museum
• Hallwylska Palace
• East Asian Museum