Skansen.

Who It Suits, and Who Should Think Twice

• Living-history fans 190 museum buildings moved here from around Sweden, the oldest from the early 14th century and the newest from the 1950s.
• Families Lill-Skansen, the children’s zoo, is included in the ticket, and children aged 0–15 go free with a complimentary ticket.
• Nordic-animal fans Brown bears, moose, wolverines, lynx, forest reindeer, European bison and seals, among others.
• Think twice if walking is hard The museum describes the park as hilly in places, with steep slopes, cobbled stretches and fairly long distances between attractions.

How Long to Allow

Skansen does not give a recommended visiting time. The park is hilly, with fairly long distances between attractions, so treat it as half a day or more rather than a quick stop.

Historic Houses and Farmsteads

Artur Hazelius opened Skansen in 1891 and began moving houses here from across Sweden; the Mora Farmstead, acquired in 1885, was the first. Today there are 190 museum buildings.

• Skogaholm A manor moved to Skansen in 1931, with its 18th-century kitchen garden and kitchen wing.
• A living museum Hazelius soon replaced the costumed dolls in the houses with real people demonstrating spinning, weaving and other crafts; the museum still invites you to “meet people from times gone by”.

Crafts, Workshops and the Old Town Quarter

Around the park are working crafts and trades, among them Stockholm’s Glassworks, Skansen’s Pottery, the bakery, and the printer’s and bookbinder’s workshops. The gardens include the small plots of the 19th-century Old Town Quarter.

The Nordic Zoo

The zoo keeps Nordic wild animals alongside traditional Swedish domestic breeds:

• Large mammals Brown bears, moose, wolverines, lynx, forest reindeer and European bison.
• By the water Grey seals, harbour seals and otters.
• History The first European bison calf was born at Skansen in 1918, and bison born here later helped re-establish the species in Poland.
• Animal talks Zookeepers give short talks about the animals every day; see the museum’s calendar for times.

Baltic Sea Science Center

Included in the ticket: aquariums and exhibitions about the Baltic Sea, its environment and the challenges it faces. The separate Skansen Aquarium, with animals from other parts of the world, is not included and is paid for on site.

Lill-Skansen Children's Zoo

The children’s zoo, included in the ticket and open all year: play areas, the homes of the smallest animals, and the pacifier machine.

Getting There

Skansen is at Djurgårdsslätten 49 on Djurgården. The museum’s own directions (Skansen: getting here):

• Tram Line 7 runs from T-Centralen to Djurgården; the historic line 7N runs from Norrmalmstorg to Skansen.
• Bus Line 67 runs from Odenplan to Skansen.
• Ferry Line 82 (Slussen–Skeppsholmen–Djurgården) stops at Allmänna Gränd, 400 metres from Skansen.
• On foot From Djurgårdsbron it is 950 metres, around 10 minutes.
• By car Parking near Skansen and on Djurgården is very limited.

Which Entrance

• Main Entrance Has a small lift for wheelchairs and strollers.
• Hazelius Gate Open during parts of the year only, at the bottom of a very steep hill. Just inside is the funicular railway up to the top of Skansen; the museum does not recommend it for wheelchairs and mobility scooters, in case of an evacuation.

The Hills

In the museum’s words, Skansen is a large park on a hill, “hilly in places, with steep slopes, cobbled stretches and fairly long distances between our attractions” (Skansen: accessibility). Comfortable shoes with grip make the day easier.

At the Gate

• Tickets Cheapest online; you can also buy at the entrances at a slightly higher price.
• Children Free for ages 0–15, but each child needs a complimentary ticket.
• Paying The entrances and shops are cashless.
• Lockers Paid lockers, charged by the hour, at the Main Entrance.

Summer

Opening hours are longest in summer. The season brings Midsummer celebrations and sing-along evenings on summer Tuesdays.

Spring and Autumn

Spring brings Walpurgis Night, celebrated at Skansen since 1892; from autumn onwards the opening hours are shorter than in summer.

Winter

• Christmas market Held at Skansen since 1903; in 2026 it is on Fridays to Sundays, 27 November to 20 December.
• Lucia and New Year The Lucia procession, and on New Year’s Eve the reading of “Ring Out, Wild Bells”, a Skansen tradition since 1895.
• Shorter days Winter has the shortest opening hours; check the calendar before you go.

Shoes and Layers

You are outdoors and on slopes for most of the visit: wear comfortable shoes with grip, and dress for the weather.

Adding Another Museum

Skansen is a big outdoor visit on its own. If you add one more Djurgården museum, note that their ticket rules differ:

• Vasa Museum Tickets can be bought at the door, and a ticket bought ahead gives no priority in the queue.
• ABBA The Museum Tickets are bought on its website, for a time slot.