What is Skansen?
Skansen is the oldest open-air museum in the world. It’s located on the island of Djurgården in Stockholm, not far from Vasa Museum. Skansen is open year round, but hours differ depending on the season. Check the Skansen website for the most up to date information. Entry prices also vary depending on the season, but the cost was 185 SEK ($18 USD) when I went in October 2022.
Who is Skansen for?
Skansen is for adults and children alike. Those who appreciate history and those who love animals will enjoy spending a few hours wandering around Skansen. There is so much to see with more than 150 structures showcasing nearly 500 years of Swedish history. There is Lil-Skansen (children’s zoo) and wildlife park where you can see all sorts of Nordic animals.
What to Look Out For?
During your self guided tour, you will walk by the Hällestadsstapeln, an old bell tower that was moved from Östergötland to Skansen in 1894. Oktorpsgården, the Oktorp farmstead, shows what a farmstead looked like in the 1870s. The Väla School is an example of a school from the 1800s after Parliament passed a law in 1842 requiring school attendance.
The Seglora kyrka is a wooden church built in 1792 in Västergötland. It was later moved to Skansen in 1918.
My favorite area of Skansen is the Stadskvarteren (‘city quarters’). Here you’ll see many buildings used by tradespeople such as the engineering works, book bindery, hardware shop, furniture factory and more.
When to Visit Skansen?
As mentioned before, Skansen is open year-round. In October the foliage was colorful and gardens still beautiful. An added bonus is that we went mid-week and it was nearly empty. Skansen has been hosting a Christmas Market since 1903 and it looks incredible. It’s from the end of November to mid December. They offer entertainment and other events throughout the year so really anytime is a great time to visit Skansen if you want to get outdoors.
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