Reasons to visit Skansen (Stockholm)

If you are enjoying a few days in Stockholm I recommend that you dedicate one of them to visit Skansen. I was very surprised since I did not expect everything I found when I arrived, and if you want to savor it with time and tranquility I advise you to go without rushing to return.

It's about a Outdoor museum (considered the oldest in the world of these characteristics) in which a beautiful tour of the history of sweden through old houses and buildings from all corners of this Nordic country. They are real houses that led from their places of origin to here, not reconstructions.

I tell you three reasons to visit Skansen. In my opinion, it's worth it.

1 - You will know the history and culture of Sweden

Throughout this tour of these houses, schools, farms and other buildings you will know the history, culture and traditions of Sweden. You will see what the customs of the time were like, how they worked back then and how their day to day developed.

In many of these buildings you will come across people dressed in old costumes that will explain the history of that house. You can ask curiosities and doubts. You will see bakers making bread, pastry chefs, artisans in the workshops, farmers who sew in the light from the window ... Each space recreates and tells its own story.

2 - You will see a lot of animals

In addition to the Swedish tradition Skansen is a space where different varieties of animals, from exotics such as birds, reptiles and monkeys to Nordics such as elk, lynx, wolf, seal or otter. Likewise, you will also see species included in conservation projects such as the agile lizard, the bison, the otter or the green toad. There is a zoo and an aquarium, among many other spaces dedicated to animals.

3 - The children will have a great time

Although the older ones enjoy the beautiful things, the little ones in the house have a great time looking at the animals and playing in the different activities addressed to them. In the enclosure there are several parks and areas where you can ride a pony and get on attractions. In addition, in summer they can collaborate in the daily tasks of the farm of Skånegården or the cabin of Back Mats.

Practical information on the Skansen museum

The Skansen Open Air Museum was opened in 1891 by Professor Artur Hazelius. Hazelius made a trip to Dalecarlia in 1872 and realized that the culture of the time it was fading at the same time that industrial society emerged.

He reflected on it and began to make objects so that future generations had a legacy about the history of your country; For nothing in the world did he want these artisan crafts, those traditions and the way of life to be forgotten. And so Skansen was born, a journey into the past to discover Sweden's history in a playful and magical way.

How to get to Skansen?

Skansen is located on the island of Djurgården, an island where you will find several very interesting museums to visit. You can get there on foot, by bus (line 44), by tram (7) or by the Djurgårdsfärjan ferry.

The opening hours It will depend on the time of year in which you go. Now in winter, for example, it is open from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., although this summer it lengthened somewhat more in the afternoon. As I say, I recommend that you go in time as it is worth dedicating a calm day to be able to enter all the houses, chat with the locals and soak up the history of Sweden.

STOCKHOLM and the ARCHIPELAGO, Sweden | Little Grey Box (April 2024)