Skansen

Skansen
Skansen
Skansen
Skansen
Skansen featuring a house


Experience Sweden’s rural traditions and spot almost 300 animal species at the zoo and aquarium that are part of one of the world’s oldest outdoor museums.

At the Skansen museum you can learn about five centuries of rural traditions and social life in Sweden, spot wildlife native to Scandinavia and take part in Christmas and Midsummer celebrations. Between 1833 and 1901, Artur Hazelius purchased 150 historical Swedish buildings and relocated them to Stockholm’s Djurgården Island. Opened in 1891, this is one of the world’s oldest outdoor museums.

The museum’s 150 buildings portray the varying social conditions in Sweden from the 16th to 20th centuries. Visit an 18th-century wooden church, a glass-blowing workshop and pottery factory, a bakery and traditional farm dwellings. Meet historical narrators dressed in period clothing, listen to them tell stories of rural life and watch demonstrations of workday tasks from centuries ago.

Go to the museum’s zoo to find around 75 Nordic animal species. Among these are brown bears, wolves, elk and native breeds of horses and sheep. Get close to 200 exotic animals, such as snakes, crocodiles, baboons and parrots, in the Skansen Aquarium.

Come to Skansen for one of its cultural events. Enjoy the live music, storytelling and Maypole dancing of the Midsummer festival. During the year-end holidays the museum hosts a Christmas market. Shop for handicrafts and decorations and sample seasonal food and drink. Younger visitors can enjoy dancing around the Christmas tree and taking part in decoration-making workshops.

While here enjoy traditional Swedish food at the museum’s cafés and restaurants. These include coffeehouses and the re-creation of an 18th-century tavern. Don’t miss the chance to try a smörgåsbord, a Swedish buffet of hot and cold meats, pickled and smoked fish, cheeses and salads.

Located on Djurgården, Skansen is a 30-minute walk from the city center. Public transportation, such as the bus and tram, will take you from the city center to the museum’s entrance. Alternatively, take the ferry from Gamla Stan to Djurgården. Pay-and-display parking is available but limited.

Skansen is open daily. Check the museum’s official website for the opening times and fees for the individual houses and restaurants.

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Things to do near Skansen

A trip to Skansen is not complete without exploring its vibrant cultural scene, which includes delightful art exhibitions, engaging theatre performances, and charming shopping opportunities. Visitors can immerse themselves in Swedish traditions while enjoying the picturesque surroundings and various activities that capture the essence of the region.

Shopping

In Skansen, you can visit Nordiska Kompaniet, Östermalm Market Hall, and Gallerian, all located within 1.6km, offering a vibrant shopping experience. If you're up for a drive, head to the larger shopping areas in Stockholm city centre for even more options.

Recreation

Enjoy a vibrant night at Sodra Teatern, where music and entertainment come alive. For a refreshing swim, visit Eriksdalsbadet, featuring outdoor pools perfect for families. Meanwhile, Zinkensdamms IP offers an energetic atmosphere for sports enthusiasts, making it an ideal spot for recreational activities.

Adventure

Experience the thrill of skiing at Hammarbybacken Ski Area, located 1.2km from Skansen, where you can enjoy vibrant ski sports. Alternatively, take a scenic ride on the SkyView cable car gondola, also 1.2km away, offering stunning views and family-friendly adventure vibes.

Nightlife

Experience the vibrant nightlife in Skansen with a visit to the nearby Royal Djurgården Circus, just 124m away, offering captivating performances. Alternatively, enjoy a show at the Royal Dramatic Theater, 621m from Skansen, or the Oscar Theatre, 1.2km away, both showcasing rich cultural experiences.

Find the best attractions near Skansen

During your visit to Skansen in Stockholm, immerse yourself in the rich culture by exploring the Skansen Museum and its aquarium. Don't miss the charming urban park and piazza square, perfect for leisurely strolls. For a dose of music history, visit the local music museum. Reviews highlight these attractions as must-see spots, catering to those seeking both outdoor experiences and cultural enrichment in this vibrant city.

  • ABBA The Museum: Immerse yourself in the spectacular world of ABBA at this interactive museum, where you can explore the band's history, listen to their iconic songs, and even try your hand at performing their hits. Located only 186m from Skansen, it offers a vibrant cultural experience that music lovers won't want to miss.
  • Gröna Lund: Just 249m away, Gröna Lund is a thrilling amusement park perfect for families and adventure seekers. With a variety of rides, games, and entertainment options, it provides an exhilarating outdoor experience that promises fun for all ages.
  • Vasa Museum: Situated 311m from Skansen, the Vasa Museum showcases the remarkably preserved 17th-century warship, Vasa. This maritime museum offers a fascinating glimpse into Sweden's nautical history and is rich in cultural significance.

Best time to go to Skansen

The best time to visit Skansen can depend on the weather and when visitor numbers rise and fall. The hottest average temperature around Skansen falls in July, when visitor numbers are moderately high and weather is mostly sunny with light rain. The coolest average temperature around Skansen falls in January, visitor numbers are moderately low and weather is mostly cloudy with no rain (dry).

calendarCalendar MonthtemperatureTemperaturerainPrecipitationmostlyCloudinessoccupationOccupancypricePricing
January28.8°F (-1.8°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudyModerately LowSlightly Low
February29.3°F (-1.5°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudyModerately LowSlightly Low
March33.8°F (1.0°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudyAverageAverage
April41.9°F (5.5°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageAverage
May51.1°F (10.6°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
June59.5°F (15.3°C)Light RainMostly SunnyModerately HighSlightly High
July63.9°F (17.7°C)Light RainMostly SunnyModerately HighAverage
August62.2°F (16.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnyModerately HighAverage
September55.0°F (12.8°C)Light RainMostly SunnyAverageSlightly High
October45.7°F (7.6°C)Light RainMostly CloudyAverageSlightly Low
November38.8°F (3.8°C)Light RainMostly CloudyModerately LowAverage
December31.6°F (-0.2°C)No Rain (Dry)Mostly CloudyAverageAverage

Booking tips and Expedia advantages for Skansen

To save money on your trip to Skansen, visit during the cheaper months of January to February or October, and book your hotel about a month in advance for the best rates. Sundays are typically the least expensive nights to stay, while Wednesdays tend to be pricier. Use Expedia's search tool to find budget-friendly hotels, and consider packages that combine flights, accommodation, and activities for additional savings. Keep an eye out for free cancellation options and last-minute deals for greater flexibility.

  • The most and least expensive months on average to stay in a hotel: The cheapest months to stay around Skansen are January to February and October, where the prices are slightly lower. This is in comparison to May to June and September, where prices are slightly higher.
  • The best time to book a hotel: Booking a hotel around Skansen about 1 month out from when you are planning to stay is usually when prices are lowest. If you're a little more spontaneous, you could also peruse Expedia's last minute deals for hotels, look out for the green banner below the price, as this indicates a cheaper deal.
  • The most and least expensive days on average to stay in a hotel: The least expensive day to stay around Skansen is Sunday. The most expensive day to stay around Skansen is Wednesday.
  • Find cheap hotels on Expedia: Expedia's search tool enables you to specify your budget, preferred location, and additional criteria. You can arrange the results to display prices in ascending order, allowing you to view the most affordable hotels at the outset. Furthermore, you have the option to refine your search by hotel type; for instance, selecting the Eco-certified filter will showcase sustainable and environmentally-friendly hotels available for booking.
  • Consider bundling your trip: You can save money by combining your Skansen hotel reservation with your flights and activities through an Expedia package.