The ABBA Museum: where glitter, bell bottoms and hits meet

Stockholm is known for its archipelago, its delicious cinnamon buns and – not to forget – the ABBA Museum. The place where the glittering world of the 70s is closer than anywhere else. As soon as you step inside, you are hit by a concentrated load of glitter and glamor. A warning up front: if you think you can leave this place without having at least Waterloo or Dancing Queen on a permanent loop in your head, you are very much mistaken.

You are greeted at the entrance by life-size ABBA cardboard cut-outs. It only takes seconds to imagine yourself in brightly colored glitter suits and the famous platform shoes. For those who are ready to fully immerse themselves in the journey through time, there are interactive stations – for example, the opportunity to perform on stage with the virtual ABBAs. Whether vocally talented or not, everyone is a star here (even if sometimes only in their own ears). The costumes that made the quartet famous are an absolute eye-catcher. It’s clear that the 70s were not about restraint – bell bottoms as wide as the archipelago and outfits that probably contain more glitter particles than many a firework. You can’t help but wonder how Agnetha and Frida managed to dance in these works of art without going blind – so much reflective material is usually only found on safety vests.

But the real fun begins when you find yourself in the karaoke booth and it turns out that singing along to ABBA hits like Mamma Mia or Gimme! Gimme! Gimme! sounds easier than it actually is. But don’t worry: the staff have heard it all before and are unflappable. The rest of the visitors don’t care about the off-key tunes either – they’re far too busy swinging their air guitars or bathing in imaginary disco balls.

For the true fan, there is also a replica of ABBA studio equipment. Here you can feel like a real music producer – or at least pretend to understand what all those buttons do. And if you dare, you can even try to create your own mix. The fact that it ends up sounding more like a techno-distorted version of The Winner Takes It All? No problem.

At the end of your visit, you’ll not only have a smile on your face, you might also be a little overwhelmed by the cramped and colorful euphoria of the museum – which is called “The Abba Experience” for a reason. And it is definitely an experience to see Abba in a few rooms from the beginning to the bitter end – and the glamorous comeback as AI. PS: be sure to book tickets online in advance, a spontaneous visit makes little sense.

Here’s the link to the Abba Museum (I do not get paid for this): this way to the   ABBA MUSEUM