Last updated: 12/07/2020
Check out the reasons to include the Skansen, an incredible open-air museum, in your itinerary through Stockholm, the beautiful capital of Sweden. It's a different tour that will appeal to all ages!
SKANSEN
With the changes brought about by the Industrial Revolution, the rural way of life began to give way to an industrialized society and many feared that the country's customs and traditions could be lost in history. For this reason, Artur Hazelius (an important academic who also founded the Nordic Museum) created this attraction with the aim of showing the way of life in different parts of Sweden before the industrial age. Skansen eventually became a model for other open-air museums in Scandinavia and later elsewhere in the world.
Opened in 1891, Skansen is the oldest open-air museum in the world, which seeks to showcase the whole of Sweden with houses and structures from various parts of the country. The site offers visitors the opportunity to discover the history of Sweden and how the Swedes lived according to the changing of the seasons, through the customs and traditions, work, crafts, celebrations and everyday life of bygone times.
WHAT TO FIND IN SKANSEN
After long trips around Sweden, Professor Hazelius bought about 150 houses from all over the country and sent them piece by piece to the museum, where they were reconstructed to provide a unique image of traditional Sweden. Only three of the museum's buildings are not original and were carefully copied from examples he found. All buildings are open to visitors and showcase the full range of Swedish life, from the Skogaholm mansion, built in 1680, to the 16th-century Älvros farms.
Skansen also offers a year-round program of activities that includes singing, dancing and concerts in the summer, as well as Christmas markets in the winter with dancing around the Christmas tree and concerts at the Church of Seglora. The full view of buildings in Skansen can be found in this link.
ANIMALS IN SKANSEN
This is the world's only open-air museum with wild animals, showcasing Nordic wildlife, rare breeds, pets and exotic creatures. Skansen is home to Norse wild animals such as wolves, moose, bobcats, wolverines, seals and otters. Several rare breeds of historic interest are also included in conservation projects and are part of the agricultural heritage, showing the importance of animals to families of the past. Skansen has several species that are part of national and international conservation projects, including European green frogs, sand lizards, broad-fingered crayfish, European bison, otters and wolverine. Cooperation with various conservation bodies also aims to ensure an exchange of knowledge and information that helps conservation and creates opportunities to reintroduce animals into the wild. You can check out the complete list of animals from Skansen in this link.
O Children's Zoo (Children's Zoo) features domestic animals such as cats, rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as small wild animals. O Skansen Aquarium and World of Monkeys feature exotic animals including monkeys, birds, reptiles and insects. The park area around the museum has a variety of plantations and gardens (there is an additional fee to visit). Rye and flax are grown in the countryside in Seglora, while Skane Farmstead and Skogaholm Manor they have historic buildings and each building has plants typical of the farms and nature of the time.
ECONOMY TIP: STOCKHOLM PASS
Knowing that Stockholm is not a cheap city, saving tips are always welcome, right? A good option to save is to buy the Stockholm Pass, a card that includes free entry to over 60 attractions (among them the Vasa Museum, Skansen, Royal Palace, Nobel Museum, Nordic Museum); free bus and boat tours through the city of Stockholm, islands and canals; it is a printed guide with all the tips in town. We tested and approved! There are options for 1, 2, 3 or 5 days.
Read more: Sweden: What to do in Stockholm – 2 or 3 days itinerary
WHAT IS THE VISIT TO SKANSEN
Getting to know Skansen is an opportunity to travel from 1720 to the present through the houses, workshops and shops of the past. In every building there are interpreters in authentic period costumes who tell what life was like in Sweden in the old days. It is located in an elevated area and, therefore, those who have limited mobility can use a funicular (Bergbanan) to climb to the top of Skansen.
The map below, taken from the official website, shows how grand this open-air museum is, which is more reminiscent of a large park filled with varied attractions.
Skansen Attractions Map | Figure: official websiteOn the official website, the attractions are separated by intervals of years, according to the age of the building structure. Below, check out the main buildings found in Skansen and a brief summary of what the purpose of each one is.
>> 1720 - 1820
- Apoteket (The Pharmacy): former pharmacy
- Bergsmansgården (The Bergsman's farmstead): farm of the Bergsman family that was formed by mining peasants
- Bolnäs House: richly decorated venue for celebrations such as weddings, baptisms, Christmas parties, wakes and parish meetings
- Djurgården Pavilion: beautiful pavilion built in the 1820s according to the design of Fredrik Blom
- Håsjö Belfry: Skansen bell tower has a height of over 21 meters
- Kaplansloftet (The Curate's Loft): 17th century two-story warehouse made of wood, the upper floor was used by the curate or chaplain
- malt kiln: the kiln is a building used for malting barley to make beer
- Lives Farmstead: the Mora i farmIt includes the farmhouse, a hut for the elderly, stables, and a store for food and clothing that was also used for sleeping during the summer.
- Milestones: the landmarks told travelers how far they had traveled and how far to the next resting place (in Skansen, there are 13 landmarks from various parts of Sweden: oldest from 1666 and youngest from 1811)
- Seglora Church: the old wooden church in the village of Seglora was about to be demolished when it was saved and moved to Skansen in 1916, making it popular for weddings
- Swedenborg's Summerhouse: summer house comes from the property where philosopher and scientist Emanuel Swedenborg lived in 1743, containing period furniture, as well as a small organ that belonged to him
- Tottie Residence: residence of a wealthy 18th century merchant who houses unique original furniture
>> 1830 - 1860
- bokbinderiet (The Bookbindery): the Binding house, located opposite the Impressor, shows how books were covered with leather covers and painted cardboard
- boktryckeriet (The Printer's Workshop): typographic workshop that is housed in a 1725 building where it is possible to see how books and papers were printed until the first half of the 19th century
- boktryckarbostaden (The Printer's Home): the printer's family lived in three rooms at the back of the print shop: a kitchen and two living rooms.
- Delsbo Farmstead: a Delsbo farm, with magnificent wall paintings and rooms for entertainment and guests, is an example of a place that cultivated linen, providing raw material for beautiful fabrics and linseed oil
- Eksharad Farmstead: thriving farm where juror Per Larsson lived and worked in the mid-19th century and where criminal cases and court disputes were heard
- Finn Settlement: example of a Finnish settlement hut found in inaccessible forest areas inhabited by Finnish farmers from the 15th to the 19th century
- Ransater Storehouse: Buildings like this were used to store the food supplies needed for people to grow their own food
- Tannery: tannery where Animal skins were once treated to make leather and fur
- Goldsmith's: Gustaf Möllenborg's goldsmith's workshop from the 1840s provided most of the artifacts on display at this location
- Hazelius Mansion: Hazelius Manor contains furniture and personal belongings of Arthur Hazelius from 1892 until his death in 1901
- kryddboden (Old Shop): former grocery store
- Flax Mill: flax mill, whose cultivation and weaving were important activities in the Middle Ages
- The Bothy: sheds like these were used as temporary housing for hay harvesting in meadows far from farms
- silver press: silver press that allowed the production of semi-manufactured silver
- Säldefall (Soldier's Cottage): This house was assigned to soldier number 91 in the Vedbo company of the Kalmar regiment
- Old Savings Bank: savings banks were intended for the working classes and had social and used to be operated by volunteers.
- Virserum Storehouse: this warehouse is a two-story utility building from the end of the 16th century, whose upper floor was used to store cereals
- Books Farmstead: displays what life was like on a farm in northern Sweden through livestock, barley cultivation and forestry, with people living close to wild animals such as bears, wolves and elk
>> 1870 - 1913
- arbetarbostaden (The Workman's Home): The worker's house on the first floor, with access from the backyard, shows how a worker's family lived in the late 19th century
- Back Mats's Cottage: building designed to house the older generation, but building is now used in Skansen's educational activities
- bagarstugan (The Bakehouse): Working women gathered in bakeries and breweries to make flatbread from barley flour
- bageriet (The Bakery): typical 1870s bakery that still sells traditional Swedish breads, cookies and rolls
- Summer Pasture Farm: on the summer pasture farms, the girls took care of the cows, sheep and goats during the summer
- Gravörverkstaden (Engraver's Workshop): the engraver's workshop is situated opposite the worker's house and is equipped like similar facilities in the late 19th century
- Gubbhyllan: it was erected in 1816 in Djurgården and served mainly as a summer residence until 1852, when it was acquired by a confectioner named Wilhelm Davidson, who opened a Swiss cafe selling cakes and aperitifs
- Hornborga Cottage: the last occupant of this house lived by fishing and repairing shoes and kept a cow and some sheep in the stable
- hackstugan (The Chipping House): small 18th century building that was a workshop used for the production of grinding wheels
- Kronberg's Studio: this is the studio of Julius Kronberg, artist responsible for the painting “Eros”, which became world famous after a photo shoot by pop group Abba for their latest album Visitors
- Pottery: is a traditional workshop where a potter makes mugs, pitchers and pots that are sold in the shop
- Kyrkhult Farmhouse: consists of a low-rise cabin with two adjoining two-story warehouses and served as a farmhouse residence
- Sheep Shelter: raising sheep was an important part of the economy of the island of Gotland and shelters were built for the sheep that lived freely throughout the year
- missionshuset (Mission House): In 1860 it became possible to leave the Swedish Church and join another government-approved Christian community and the Mission House was used for Sunday services, which included hymns, bible readings, sermon and prayers
- Orktop Farmstead: the Oktorp farm shows what a rural farmhouse looked like in the 1870s
- Orsa Hill: Orsa hill is one of the central parts of Skansen and also one of the oldest, where the mast, the Dala horses and one side the Mora farm
- post office: the post office is decorated in the style of the 1910s, and behind is the postman's family residence
- Rune Stones: in Skansen there are four runestones from the 11th century, most of the inscriptions contain a cross indicating that this was the period when Christianity was spreading in Sweden
- Forester's Hut: Men who performed logging and charcoal burning lived in simple log cabins like this ranger's hut
- Shoemaker's Shop: the shoemaker's workshop (Skomakeriet) from the 1870s consists of a single room that served as both a workshop and a residence
- Smithy: blacksmith shop built in the early 19th century that mainly produced smaller items that were needed on the farm, such as locks, hardware, hinges, door closers, as well as being important for fixing the farm's various tools, carriages, and carts
- Stone Cottage: the stone house (Stenstugan) was built in Skansen in 1891, using workers' houses as a model to show how the poor were forced to live in southern Sweden during the 19th century and consists of a single room with furniture and accessories of the most elementary type
- Upholsterer's Workshop: artisans did the work of hanging tapestries on the walls and upholsterers created comfortable chairs and sofas
- Skansen's tobacco plants: You can find tobacco growing behind the Gubbhyllan, in the shoemaker's workshop and in the tannery.
- Fulling Mill: factory that transformed wool fabrics into felt using three pairs of water-powered hammers (mill)
- Vastveit Storehouse: this is one of the oldest buildings in Skansen, being built in the 14th century and the only one of Norwegian origin
- Vala School: The Väla school is an example of the large number of schools that were built in the Swedish countryside in the mid-19th century, after parliament passed a law in 1842 requiring all children to attend school in Sweden.
>> 1914 – 1945
- Boberg's Observatory: small octagonal observatory designed by architect Ferdinand Boberg
- Village Hall: functioned as a district meeting place for 50 years and later the building was donated to Skansen
- ironmongery: hardware store whose fittings originally date from the 1880s, although the interior was partially modernized in the 1930s
- Ironmonger's Apartment: apartment occupied by the blacksmith and his family, with furniture from the 1930s, including electric stove, vacuum cleaner and others
- Tinsmith's Workshop: illustrates what a small body shop was like around the year 1900
- Co-op Store: cooperative from the 1930s, where it is still possible today buy ice cream and cookies typical of that time
- Allotment Huts: With basic food shortages in cities during World War I, working-class families grew potatoes and other vegetables in allotments
- mekaniska verkstaden (Engineering Works): based on a factory that was founded in 1889 and produced compression ignition engines among its products
- Brofästet Temperance Hall: first Swedish lodge of the International Order of the Good Templars was formed in Gothenburg in 1879, inspired by the American lodges
- Saddler's Workshop: workshop equipped with leatherworking tools from the late 19th century and producing saddles, trunks, covers, as well as upholstery for carriages
- Skane Farmstead: the Åkesson family home now functions as a real farm with typical 1920s animals such as ox, cows, calves, horse, Swedish guinea fowl, Skåne geese and Swedish yellow ducks
- Furniture Factory: the furniture factory dates back to the 1920s and visitors can see various stages of the furniture manufacturing process, which are made using the techniques and styles of the time
- Statarlangan (Farm Labourer's Cottage): contains two-family dwellings and displays how they lived around 1920
- Örtagården (Herb Garden): the herb garden contains about one hundred herbs, medicinal plants and decorative plants that have a long history in Sweden
>> 1946 - 1965
- Squirrel Playground: Children's playground with a tree house with climbing frame, wooden and steel musical instrument and other games
- Contemporary Allotment: contemporary garden that changes every year following gardening trends
- Rose Garden: created in 1964, in this garden there are about 50 species of roses
- Saemien just (The Sami site): Sami are the only indigenous people living in Europe
- Forestry Center: Centro Florestal is an educational establishment and works as a workshop for children
SCRIPT TIP BY SKANSEN'S HIGHLIGHTS
To experience all that Skansen has to offer, set aside a few hours. Visitors usually stay, on average, up to 4 hours at the site. For those who have 1 to 2 hours available, the tip is to follow the compact itineraries from this link. We talk briefly about them in this script suggestion below.
- Skansen's Town Quarter: It represents a Swedish town at the turn of the last century. At engineering works are an example of the industrial environment of the 1920s, while the The bakery from the 1870s sells bread and baked goods at the counter. At Stockholm Glass Studio, you can watch various types of glassware being made. There is also a shop that sells the items produced here. At Pottery, mugs, pitchers and pots are manufactured and sold. On the other side of the square is Printer's Home dating from the 1840s. ironmongery (hardware store) is housed in a building from the late 1800s. Most of the buildings at the time were still constructed of wood, but the construction process began to change, with board sawn by mills. O Ironmonger's Apartment behind ironmongery remote to the 1930s, with modern conveniences such as an electric stove, central heating and a water closet.
- The Herb Garden: The herb garden is full of herbs, medicinal plants and ornamental plants with ancient ties to Sweden.
- The Allotment Huts: Around the time of the First World War, allotments for growing potatoes and other useful plants were common in cities. The cabins here date back to the 1920s and 1940s.
- The Álvros Farmstead: It shows life on a farm whose way of life mainly involved livestock and forestry. Wild animals like bears, wolves and moose would roam nearby.
- The Bollnas House: This building was used to host celebrations such as wedding parties, baptisms and Christmas parties, but also funerals and catechetical parish meetings.
- Market Street (Marknadsgatan): The stalls are used for fairs at various times during the year. This location hosts Stockholm's largest Christmas market.
- The Mora Farmstead: The Mora farm was built in the 1700's and consists of a farmhouse, a hut for the elderly, stables and a storeroom for food and clothing.
- Summer Pasture Farm: In the summer, the animals from Fazenda Mora were brought here, and the women of the farm made cheese and butter.
- Seglora Church: This 18th century church is still used today for weddings, baptisms and concerts.
- Vala School: In 1842 it was decided that all parishes should have at least one school. This housed a classroom and teacher accommodation.
- The Farm Labourer's Cottage: Agricultural workers were hired for one year at a time on large farms in Sweden. The entire family lived in a single room and received wages mainly in the form of food. Workers lived in this house until 1945, when this system of agricultural work came to an end.
- Skogaholm Manor: It was erected as an agricultural property and manor house. In the 18th century, tools, horseshoes, hoes and shovels were produced here.
WHERE TO EAT AND DRINK IN SKANSEN
There is no shortage of dining options for all tastes in Skansen. There are many possibilities for lunch, a “fika” or a traditional Swedish “smorgasboard” in one of the many cafes and restaurants in Skansen. Below, we list all the main options for where to eat at the museum:
- bageriet: This is a recreated 1870's bakery offering fresh bread, biscuits and assorted traditional rolls.
- Coffee Petissan: It's a cozy little cafe where you can taste the best homemade cookies Skansen has to offer.
- Restoration Gubbhyllan: It was built in 1816 and served primarily as a summer residence until 1852, when it was acquired by a confectioner named Wilhelm Davidson. He opened a Swiss cafe that sells cakes and snacks. Currently, it offers food and coffee, healthy drinks and delicious cakes.
- Stora Gungan Tavern: It is a restaurant and café that serves your meals in a pink house from the 1880s. It serves traditional Swedish meals. At Christmas time, it is possible to reserve tables for the famous Swedish Christmas Smorgosboard.
- Skansen Terrassen: it is a self-service restaurant for the whole family. Great option for lunch or a cup of coffee with cake or a typical sweet. The restaurant is open all year and in summer there is an outdoor area.
- Kafé Koloni: Small and pleasant Café that serves ecological and tasty sandwiches, pies, cakes and sausages, as well as ice cream and ecological coffee.
- Cafe Flickorna Helin: Cozy cafe serving tasty, light food as well as bread and cakes from its own bakery. In winter the fireplace is lit and in summer there is an outdoor terrace overlooking the beautiful canal.
- Tre Byttor Café: It is a summer restaurant that serves Swedish cuisine from the à la carte menu. Tre Byttor, with three small rooms, also suitable for smaller conferences or dinners.
- Sollliden Restaurant: Sollliden restaurant was built in 1950-52 and has a beautiful view of Stockholm. A summer buffet is offered in connection with the summer solstice and singing Tuesdays, as well as Walpurgis dinner, New Year's dinner and a traditional Christmas table (all must be pre-booked).
- waffle stand: Fresh waffles with jam and whipped cream are served at one of the stalls on Market Street.
- Balderslunden food court: The Balderslunden food court consists of several cafes and restaurants. Here you can have a “fika” for lunch or just enjoy a delicious ice cream.
- Gamla Krogen at the Bollnas Square: At Gamla Krogen there are options such as sandwiches, healthy salads and even a tasty “fika”.
- bollnäs grillroom: A good option for those who want a quick snack, a hot dog or a hamburger
- Nyloftet Coffee: Near the children's zoo, there is a small indoor cafe from the mid 1900's. It offers a wide variety of cakes and hot drinks.
- smokehouse: Here you can buy smoked and grilled fish from the Baltic Sea, such as herring and salmon.
HOW TO REACH SKANSEN
Skansen is located on the island of Djurgården, a former royal park east of the city centre. It is a short walk from the Vasa Museum, the Nordic Museum and the Gröna Lunds amusement park. If you are walking from downtown, follow Djurgårdsvägen street until you reach the museum. You #44 and #47 buses also lead there, and an old-fashioned tram runs along the waterfront to Skansen at certain times of the year. At pedestrian ferries Djurgården are another good option. Just disembark at Gröna Lunds and walk through the amusement park to Skansen.
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IMPORTANT INFORMATION
Skansen
- Address: Djurgårdsslätten 49-51, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden
- Schedules: check the schedules of each day before visiting because they change on commemorative dates and holidays in the countryPark and Zoo: January to March and October to December from 10 am to 3 pm (4 pm on weekends) / April from 10 am to 4 pm / from May to June and September from 10 am to 6 pm / July and August from 10 am to 8 pm / December from 10 am to 6 pm
- Historic Homes: May to September 10am to 5pm (or later) / October to April (limited number of homes) 11am to 3pm
- Entrance: vary between SEK 160 and SEK 220 depending on the time of year | free with Stockholm Pass
- Guided tours: see more information in this link
We thank the Visit Stockholm for the tickets granted to visit the Skansen. All opinions are based on our own experiences.
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Read more about Stockholm:
- Sweden: What to do in Stockholm – 2 or 3 days itinerary
- Sweden: Nobel Prize Museum in Stockholm
- Sweden: Vasa Museum – the ship rescued from Stockholm
- Sweden: Stockholm accommodation tip
- Arlanda Express: train from Stockholm airport to downtown
- Storkyrkan: The historic Stockholm Cathedral in Sweden
- Sweden: How to get from Stockholm Airport to the center
