Public Art in Stockholm
Publish date: 14 October 2026
Sweden has a long tradition of public art, driven by a belief that art has an important role to play in society – and should be available to everyone.
Must-See Public Artworks and Sculptures in Stockholm
When walking around in Stockholm, there is a variety of artworks scattered in parks, squares, along streets, and in the subway stations for everyone to enjoy.
These are some permanent public artworks not to miss when exploring Stockholm. See also our guide to some of the city's sculpture parks here.
- The statue of the beloved Swedish actor Margaretha Krook stands at the corner of the Royal Dramatic Theatre, in the very spot where she used to take her cigarette breaks between rehearsals. The statue depicts her in her favorite outfit and is actually heated to 37 degrees Celsius (98.6 degrees Fahrenheit). Made by artist Marie-Louise Ekman in 2002. See the exact location here.
- Art Made This is an urban art project where female artists make their marks on public facades and doors in the city. Learn more about the many artworks in their Instagram gallery.
- “Vårbergs Jättar” (page in Swedish) (The Vårberg Giants) by artist Xavier Veilhan are two site-specific, sky-blue concrete sculptures located in Vårberg in southern Stockholm. The largest giant, resting on his back in the grass, is 19 meters long, 9 meters wide, and 5 meters tall! See the exact location here.
- Visual artist Yash's mural on Södermalm street Luthens Gränd. See the exact location here.
Princess Estelle's Sculpture Park – In the green Rosendal area of Royal Djurgården, an international sculpture park is taking shape since 2019, with a new permanent artwork added to the collection every year. All of the art stands under the open sky and is free to enjoy, around the clock, all year round – a perfect blend of art and nature on one of Stockholm's most beloved excursion islands.
Discover more: Sculpture Parks in Stockholm
The Iron Boy. You'll find Sweden's smallest public statue (and perhaps Stockholm's most beloved artwork) 'Boy Looking at the Moon' ('Pojke som tittar på månen') in the courtyard of the Finnish Churchin the old town, Gamla Stan. Today he is simply called 'Järnpojke' ('Iron boy'). The statue is only 15 cm tall and was made by artist Liss Eriksson in 1967. People often dress him in tiny hats and scarfs or leave him gifts. See the exact location here.
- Max Ockborn’s art works in Bredängsparken. Max Ockborn has created site specific art works that inhabit and give character to a piece of woodland in Bredängsparken park in southern Stockholm. Three sculptures are cast in aluminum, and four larger rocks have been transformed into trolls. See the location here.
- Amara Por Dios Mural in Södermalm. Artist Amara Por Dios created a beautiful, organic and colorful mural in Ragvaldsgatan, Södermalm in 2017. See the exact location here.
- Mari Rantanen’s mural in Hjulsta. Artist Mari Rantanen interpreted thoughts and feelings of youths in the Hjulsta area into a vibrant mural pattern of circles in motion, symbolizing ideas such as growing energies, new life and openness. See the exact location here.
- Mihály Kolodko's miniature statue in Nobelgatan. The Budapest based artist Mihály Kolodko has created a miniature bronze statue of Alfred Nobel just outside of the Hungarian Embassy in central Stockholm. The work celebrates Nobel and his legacy, and all Nobel Prize laureates. Read more about the statue here.
- Elmgreen & Dragset's Life Rings in Royal Djurgården. The 2021 addition to the sculpture park by Princess Estelle's Cultural foundation was artist duo Elmgreen & Dragset’s Life Rings, taking a typically singular, reusable, lightweight, and often-weathered emergency tool, and multiplies it into absurdity. In this impossible-seeming tower configuration, it looks as if the life rings have mushroomed upwards, towards the sky. Each life ring is connected to other rings, creating a structure that resembles a chain-link system. Read more about the artwork here.
- På Sergels Torg. The collaborative public art project På Sergels Torg connects the commercial life with artists to create a vibrant meeting space for everyone to enjoy in the heart of Stockholm. Find out more about the wide range of performances, exhibitions and other cultural events in Sergels Torg here.
The 1% Rule
The 1%-rule was implemented in 1963 by the Stockholm City Council, meaning that one percent of the total cost of built projects (including new construction, conversion, and extension) shall be allocated to publicly accessible artwork.
Stockholm Konst, part of the City of Stockholm’s culture administration, is responsible for the commissioning and purchasing of art for Stockholm’s indoor and outdoor public spaces.
Learn more about the 1% Rule here.
