7 design museums in West Sweden & Gothenburg

Textilmuseet in Borås

Textilmuseet in Borås is one of the Nordic region’s leading textile museums and, together with Textile Fashion Center and the Swedish School of Textiles, forms the centre of the city’s strong textile identity.

Alongside their programme of temporary exhibitions the museum has three permanent galleries: Clothing & Couture, exploring Swedish everyday fashion inspired by Parisian couture between the 1930s and 1970s; Textile Power, focusing on the history of the textile industry and technological innovation; and Fashion Reboot, examining the role textiles play in society today.

Also visit the Smart Textiles Showroom for a glimpse of future textiles, and the restaurant The Company.

Glasets Hus in Limmared

In the southernmost part of Västergötland lies Glasets Hus, a fascinating destination for the whole family. The museum explores the history of glassmaking, with everything from hand-blown chandeliers and everyday glassware to intricately engraved pieces created by some of Sweden’s most skilled glass engravers.

Limmareds Glasbruk dates back to the 1740s and is now Sweden’s oldest working glassworks. Today, it is perhaps best known for producing the iconic Absolut Vodka bottle.

The art gallery hosts changing exhibitions by glass artists and designers, while the glassworks itself gives visitors the chance to watch glassblowers at work — or even try glassblowing for themselves. 

Saab Car Museum in Trollhättan

On 10 June 1947, aircraft manufacturer Saab presented its first car, the Saab 92. Two years later, serial production began in Trollhättan, marking the start of decades of engineering, enthusiasm, and unconventional ideas.

At Saab Car Museum you can follow the company’s full automotive history through a collection of around 120 vehicles, including prototypes, test cars, company cars, and racing models.

An unusual nostalgia trip for design lovers — and essential for anyone with an interest in cars.

World of Volvo in Göteborg

World of Volvo brings the story of Volvo to life, combining the company’s history with its ideas for the future through interactive exhibitions, activities, and experiences.

With a focus on innovation and sustainability, it is more than just a museum. The experience is housed in a striking new building by Danish architecture firm Henning Larsen, with restaurants, shops, and family-friendly spaces in central Gothenburg.

Whether you are interested in cars, design, technology, or Swedish industrial history, World of Volvo offers something for curious visitors of all ages.

Ekelund in Horred

Since the late 17th century, the family-owned company Ekelund — Sweden’s oldest linen weaving mill — has created textiles designed to become part of everyday life, from towels and blankets to table runners, dishcloths, and rugs.

Ekelundhuset is located in the small community of Horred, around 50 kilometres south of Borås. All production still takes place in the company’s own factory, which also houses a museum, shop, restaurant, and café.

Visitors can join a guided factory tour and follow the entire weaving process from yarn to finished textiles.

Rörstrand Museum in Lidköping

For almost 300 years, the famous Rörstrand porcelain has been part of everyday life in Swedish homes. Rörstrand Museum in central Lidköping explores the history of Swedish porcelain production.

The museum forms part of Rörstrand Center, which also includes Svenskt Tenn, Skultuna, Rotor Design, Formakademin, design shops, restaurants, cafés, and Porslinsfabriken i Lidköping — perhaps Sweden’s smallest porcelain factory — where contemporary designers including Anna Elzer Oscarson work today. The factory also produces selected items for Svenskt Tenn.

Röhsska Museum in Gothenburg

Röhsska Museum is Sweden’s only museum dedicated entirely to design and craft. Since opening in 1916, the museum has built a collection of around 50,000 objects, ranging from modern Scandinavian design to archaeological finds from China dating back 4,500 years. The collections also include fashion, classic furniture, ceramics, glass, advertising posters, and much more.

Alongside its permanent exhibitions, the museum hosts temporary exhibitions featuring Swedish and international designers and artists. Röhsska Museum also has an eco-focused café, guided tours, courses for all ages, and a museum shop.

The museum is located in central Gothenburg, just a stone’s throw from Avenyn.