Is Skansen Worth Visiting in Stockholm Sweden? (2024)
One of Stockholm, Sweden’s top attractions is the Skansen Open Air Museum, which offers visitors a peek into the city’s past. Depending on how much time you have in your schedule, you may be wondering if Skansen is worth visiting or if it’s just another tourist trap. In this post, I’ll explain my experience at Skansen, tell you what you can expect, and hopefully help you decide whether the museum is worth the money!
Is Skansen Worth Visiting?
I’ll cut to the chase — I definitely think that the Skansen Open Air Museum is worth visiting. Now, you may be thinking, “Everyone always says something or somewhere is worth visiting.” Hardly anyone ever says, “No, don’t go there. It’s not worth your time and money.” At least, that’s what I typically observe from most blogs… So, to be transparent and help you truly decide, here are a few scenarios in which I think someone would enjoy the Skansen Museum and a few scenarios in which it might be better for you to opt for something else. This way, you can decide what’s best based on your interests, budget, and availability.
Skansen Open Air Museum Is Worth Visiting If…
You like history and appreciate learning about different cultures. With over 500 years of Swedish life and culture represented in the park, Skansen Museum is a great way to explore the history of Sweden. There are also 150 historical buildings sourced from different parts of Sweden, so you’ll get a real sense of how people used to live all around the country.
Another scenario is that you’re an animal lover! When I first visited Skansen, I did zero research. 😅 In truth, I stumbled across the park while wandering around and decided to pay for an admission ticket on a whim. Lone and behold, I discovered that there’s an entire wildlife park (zoo) filled with Nordic animals. For example, you can see everything from reindeer and moose to brown bears and arctic fox! This was a pleasant surprise for me because as someone from Southern California, I would never see these types of animals at the Palm Springs zoo or in San Diego.
Finally, visiting Skansen is an affordable activity that doesn’t involve being stuck indoors. I know when I’m traveling, there’s always a point where I become too saturated from exploring museums. Maybe it’s being indoors or everything starts to look the same, but it just stops being worth it.
As you can likely tell from the name, Skansen is a ginormous open-air museum. There are many places to walk around, things to do, and foods to try — all while breathing fresh air and taking in the gorgeous scenery! So for these reasons, and honestly a couple of others, I found Skansen well worth visiting. But, we are all different, so here are some scenarios where I might opt for something else.
Skansen Open Air Museum Is NOT Worth Visiting If…
You aren’t in decent physical shape. I say this because Skansen is on top of a little mountain. And because the museum spans 300,000 m2 (~74 acres), you can expect a fair bit of walking. So, if you struggle walking up hills or walking for longer periods of time, this might not be your ideal activity. Plus, there are plenty of other things to do in Stockholm that require less physical exertion and still offer great views.
Another scenario is that you don’t have a whole lot of time in Stockholm. From my experience, Skansen is a half-day activity, at minimum. This is because if you want to take in all the history, different attractions, and cultural details along the way, you’re gonna need quite a bit of time. Plus, you’ll want to have time to catch one of their seasonal events or outdoor performances since they’re fun to watch. Thus, if you only have an hour or two in your schedule, I’d recommend saving this activity for another time.
Lastly, Skansen might not be worth visiting if you aren’t interested in a leisurely, educational activity. What I mean by this is that compared to more thrilling activities like kayaking in the archipelago or doing a wildlife safari, this is a much slower and chill experience. You can expect to read lots of informational signs, to observe demonstrations by staff, and to see a bunch of old buildings. This is great if you’re into it, but if you’re looking for something with more action and a higher adrenaline-rush factor, Skansen may not be your best bet.
Again, these are all just my opinions from my experience, so take them with a grain of salt. The three scenarios above could apply to you, and you still might enjoy Skansen!
Why Visit Skansen Open Air Museum
Alright, so let’s talk about why you should visit the Skansen Open Air Museum during your visit to Stockholm. To do this, let’s first look at why the Skansen Open Air Museum is famous. This way, you don’t end up like me and go without a single clue as to what it’s Skansen is known for! 🙃
First, Skansen is most well known for being the world’s oldest open-air museum. It originally opened in 1891, so it’s been around for more than 130 years. Despite this, exploring the grounds, you would never guess that it’s been functional that long because everything is so well-maintained. It genuinely feels like you’re stepping into the past or have magically entered a time capsule.
You’ll find charming old settlements dating back hundreds of years ago, see demonstrations of how the traditional foods and crafts were prepared, and even notice that all the staff is dressed up in clothing customary to the period!
The museum also does an excellent job of paying homage/respecting the traditions, ways, and culture of Sweden’s past. Plus, if you’re traveling as a family with little ones, visiting Skansen is the perfect activity because it’s not expensive, there are lots of kid-friendly activities, and you’ll even find playgrounds around the space.
And if you’re thinking, “What if I don’t have a family or don’t plan on going with a large group of friends?” Well, if that’s the case, Skansen is just as nice for solo travelers or even couples who might be looking for a more romantic experience. The open-air museum is so large that you’re bound to find intimate spaces, areas better suited for kids, and activities suitable for larger groups. It honestly can cater to most people.
What to Do at Skansen Museum Sweden: 5 Places
Without spoiling all the fun of what is inside Skansen Museum, here are some spots that I enjoyed visiting:
1. Town Quarter
This is one of the first places you walk through. Within the settlement, you’ll find all kinds of buildings from the early 1900s that were used by specific tradespeople (i.e. pottery, furniture, a bank, and a bakery). I suggest walking through here and admiring the different artifacts on display. They even have QR codes that you can scan to read more information and see photos of the buildings when they were in use.
2. Bagarstungan
On the Skansen map, you can find a tiny building to the left of Bollnäs square called Bagarstungan. This is a flatbread bakery. Here, you can watch the staff make traditional Swedish flatbread, which they will then let you taste hot off the oven! The bread is quite tasty, and it’s fascinating to see the customary techniques, so I recommend stopping by.
Fair warning though, I’m no baker, so these things easily entertain me. 😂 Oh, and if you’re a foodie looking to familiarize yourself with Sweden’s favorite foods, I highly recommend a flavorful food tour!
3. Sami Site & Mora Farmstead
Although there are many farmsteads worth visiting, one I particularly enjoyed walking around is the Sami Site. Within it, you’ll find a Sami Hut, which is essentially a food storehouse built on top of tall wooden legs to keep animals out! It reminds me of the Baba Yaga Slavic folktale/the Witcher, which I found super cool. For those who don’t know what I’m talking about, it’s the story of a supernatural being who lives in a forest in a hut with chicken legs!
Then you have the Mora Farmstead, which has several original wooden buildings from the Dalarna region in the middle of Sweden. You can’t walk inside them, but it’s interesting to see how compact they were and their various functions.
4. Wildlife Park
Another must-visit spot for anyone who loves animals like me. As mentioned previously, you’ll be able to find a wide array of species native to Sweden. For example, there are reindeer, moose, harbor and grey seals, wolverine, arctic fox, and more!
5. Vastveit Storehouse Viewpoint
Last but not least, if you’re looking for an incredible view of the Swedish landscape then make your way to the Vastveit Storehouse Viewpoint. From here, you’ll be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view! There are also a couple of benches if you want to give your feet a break!
All in all, these were just a few of the highlights of my time. If you can, I recommend fully wandering through the entire Skansen open-air museum. There’s so much to discover, whether it be informational or physical. And if you get hungry, there’s a food court area as well as a few gift shops!
Bonuses at Skansen
I also want to mention that there are “add-on places” within Skansen. These include the Baltic Sea Science Center and the Skansen Aquarium, both of which you’ll have to buy an additional ticket to go inside. Furthermore, they are only open on certain days of the week, so you’ll want to click the links above for the available times and dates.
How Much Is a Ticket to Skansen?
If you’re buying adult, student, or pensioner tickets, I recommend buying a ticket online in advance. You can score yourself a nice discount as tickets cost ~$10 USD when you go this route. Meanwhile, if you wait to buy them on-site, tickets cost almost twice the amount.
Additionally, ticket prices are subject to fluctuations depending on the season. For example, prices go up during late April in preparation for the summer tourist season, and they go back down in early September. For the off-season though (September 1 – April 28), ticket prices are as follows:
- 185 SEK (~$18 USD) for adults
- 165 SEK (~$16 USD) for students and pensioners (senior citizens)
- 70 SEK (~$7 USD) for children aged 4 – 15
Thus, I recommend buying adult tickets in advance, online, and children’s tickets on-site at the main entrance!
✅ Purchase an entrance ticket to the Skansen Open Air Museum
How to Get to Skansen Museum
Skansen Open Air Museum is located on the island of Djurgården, about a 10-minute walk from the Vasa Museum. This is the location on Google Maps. From my experience, it takes about an hour to walk to Skansen from Gamla Stan.
And if you’re thinking of walking…let me just warn you, I thought it was all fun and games at first as I was enjoying the surrounding scenery. But, by the time I left Skansen and made my way back to Gamla Stan, I was absolutely exhausted. According to my watch, I had logged over 18,000 steps that day and was so drained.
Thus, if you’re traveling with little ones or don’t want to walk excessively, I would recommend taking the bus, tram, or boat. You can even opt to do Stockholm’s hop-on-hop-off bus & boat. This pass is good for 24 hours and makes 20+ stops to popular locations and tourist sites around the city, including Skansen. So if you’re trying to maximize your time exploring and minimize your time commuting, this is the best way to do it.
How Much Time Do You Need in Skansen Museum?
To get the full Skansen Museum experience, then I’d recommend allotting at least half a day. This is because there’s just so much to see and do here! Not to mention there are also performances and demonstrations on certain days of the year. You can even make this a full-day activity as there are plenty of food stalls to grab a bite from, gift shops to peruse through, bathrooms, and a bakery.
But, if all you want to do is visit the animals, or explore the old settlements, then you could probably get away with 2-3 hours here. However, I do think you’ll be missing out on a lot!
I spent about 3 hours there, which I know is contradictory to the advice I just gave you. But, let me explain — I went on a Tuesday, 3 hours before closing, and the park was practically empty! I remember texting my brother that it felt like I was trespassing because I saw only 7 other guests during my visit.
And, while it was strange, it meant I could enjoy all the views and attractions in peace, which I loved. It also allowed me to cover a lot of ground quickly since I didn’t have to wait in queues for demonstrations or weave around people to see the animals! That said, I didn’t see every inch of the museum… but I’d wager I saw 80% of it!
Where to Stay in Stockholm
If you’re not a local to Stockholm, chances are you’ll need a place to stay. If this is the case, here are my recommendations based on my experiences and extensive research! And for context, below are short descriptions of the different neighborhoods that the hotels are in:
- Gamla Stan: This is Stockholm’s historic Old Town. You can expect to see lots of colorful buildings, narrow alleys, and lots of tourists.
- Norrmalm: The downtown area of Stockholm. You’ll find several sit-down restaurants, fancy shops, cute cafés, and beautiful parks.
- Södermalm: This is known as the trendy residential part of Stockholm. You’ll see numerous cafés and boutique shops and notice that it’s located high up (elevation-wise).
🌲 NOTE: I have a comprehensive review post about the Castanea Old Town Hostel if you’d like to check it out.
Low-Cost Stays
- Castanea Old Town Hostel: Super comfortable hostel in Gamla Stan | ⭐️ 9.5 / 10
- Best Western: 3-star hotel in Norrmalm (downtown Stockholm) | ⭐️ 8.1 / 10
Mid-Range Stays
- Hilton Stockholm Slussen: 4-star hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 8.4 / 10
- NOFO hotel: 4-star hotel in Södermalm | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
Fancy Stays
- Hotel Frantz: 4-star hotel in trendy Södermalm | ⭐️ 9.1 / 10
- Grand Hôtel: 5-star hotel located right on the water | ⭐️ 9.6 / 10
You can also explore other places in Stockholm and check rates & availability with the buttons below.
Skansen in Stockholm: FAQ
Honestly, there isn’t much you need to bring to Skansen. I just recommend bringing these few items:
sunscreen, a small bag for carrying souvenirs, a camera, extra layers of clothes, a jacket because it does get cold on top of the mountain once the sun sets, and a reusable water bottle. Oh and be sure to wear comfortable shoes since most paths are gravel or cobblestone!
Yes! Skansen is open 365 days a year. You can check the official Skansen website for the times of operation for certain days.
To avoid weekend crowds and explore more efficiently, I recommend going during the weekdays. In terms of specific times, I recommend going later in the day so you can enjoy stunning views from the many viewpoints. Oftentimes, I found myself marveling at the colorful sunset from different parts of Skansen and these moments ended up being one of my top highlights from my time in Stockholm. Just keep in mind that demonstrations usually stop about an hour before closing time, so if you want the full Skansen experience, plan accordingly.
Yes, Skansen is included in the Stockholm Pass! For those who don’t know, the Stockholm Pass is a digital pass that can save you money if you plan on visiting multiple attractions over a 1, 2, 3, or 5-day period. I recommend buying the Stockholm Pass if you want to ride the hop-on hop-off bus, visit Skansen, and see another attraction in a 24-hour period. Otherwise, it’s better to buy them separately.
Wrap-Up: Is Skansen Worth Visiting in Stockholm?
Skansen is a popular attraction in Stockholm, Sweden for tourists and locals alike. And from my perspective, it is well worth visiting. Considering the price point and everything that Skansen has to offer, it provides a great return on investment. For example, you’ll have an amazing opportunity to explore the world’s oldest open-air museum, see all kinds of Nordic animals that aren’t commonly found at other zoos around the world, and partake in an array of interesting educational and cultural experiences!
That said, much like visiting the Vasa Museum, I know this open-air museum isn’t meant for everyone. So, regardless if you decide to go or not, I hope this post has helped show you what to expect at Skansen Museum.
Discover the Nordic Region
- 🇫🇮 Headed to Helsinki, Finland? Here are the best foodie experiences Helsinki has to offer! Or, learn how to visit picturesque Tallinn from Helsinki! It’s the perfect day trip for a little change in pace!
- 🇳🇴 Passing through Norway? Explore the city with a local guide for the best experience! I did this and it made my trip to the city so much more worthwhile 🙂
