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Museum · Estocolmo, Estocolmo
Skansen
The world's first open-air museum, opened in 1891 on a hill in Djurgården: houses and farms from all over Sweden, craftspeople at work, Nordic animals and a view over the city.
Illustrative images. The pictures in this guide are illustrations based on the real place, not photographs, and may differ from it.
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About Skansen
Skansen was created in 1891 by Artur Hazelius to show how people lived in Sweden before industrialization. He bought houses, farms, churches and workshops from various regions and reassembled them on a hill in Djurgården. Today there are about 150 buildings, from a Sámi farm from Lapland to mansions from Scania, including a 19th-century town street with a bakery, glassworks, print shop and workshops.
In the open houses, staff dressed in period clothing demonstrate the work: the bakery oven, the loom, the forge. The small wooden church of Seglora, from the 18th century, is used for weddings. There are gravel paths between woods and small lakes, and the view from the top of the hill opens out over the city and the water.
The animal area brings together Nordic species: elk, brown bear, wolf, lynx, wolverine, seal and reindeer, in large enclosures. There is also an area of domestic animals of Swedish breeds, where children can have contact, and an aquarium with a separate terrarium and separate entrance.
Skansen is the place where Stockholmers celebrate Midsommar in June, with dancing around the flower-decorated pole, and where the Christmas market takes place on December weekends. In summer there is folk dancing and music on several days. The museum is open year-round, with reduced hours in winter.
Before you go
Practical information
Cidade Turismo reviews its information regularly, but something may have changed. Check with the place before planning your trip.
How much time to set aside
3 to 4 hours; a whole day at a relaxed pace, with children.
Best time
From May to September, when most of the houses are open with artisans. Midsommar in June and the Christmas market on December weekends are the festive days. In winter many houses close and it gets dark early. Check the day's program.
How to get there
It's in Djurgården, a 10-minute walk from Museu Vasa. Tram 7 stops at the main entrance, Skansen. Bus 67 also goes there. There is an entrance with a funicular, Hazeliusporten, for those who don't want to climb the hill.
Tip
Pick up the map at the entrance and check the day's schedule: demonstrations in the workshops run on a timetable. Wear comfortable shoes: the museum is large and has slopes. For the animals, go early in the morning when they are more active.
Official website
Get your questions answered
Frequently asked questions about Skansen
Is Skansen open in winter?
Yes, year-round, but in winter the opening hours are short and many houses remain closed. The animals and some workshops stay open, and in December there is a Christmas market on weekends.
What animals are at Skansen?
Nordic animals such as moose, brown bear, wolf, lynx, wolverine, reindeer and seal, and Swedish domestic breeds. The aquarium inside the park has a separate ticket.
What's Midsommar like at Skansen?
On Midsommar eve, a Friday in June, the museum raises the decorated maypole and there are folk dances, music and traditional costumes. It gets crowded; arrive early.