Stockholm/Djurgården

The Djurgården ("The Animal garden") island has been royal property since centuries, and had been used as a zoological garden since the 16th century. The north-western edge of the island was a shipyard from the 18th century to the 1970s. In 1891, the Skansen open-air museum was founded. As the island hosted an exhibition in 1897, several other museums and pavilions were built. Many of them have been torn down; Nordiska Museet is the largest remainder of the exhibition.
While Djurgården contains several of Stockholm's most expensive private properties, most of the island is open to the public. Though the natural and cultural environment is protected by strict laws, developments are under way to meet the expectations of travellers.

Private cars are not allowed on Djurgården during summer.

• The tram line 7, called Spårväg City, runs from the Stockholm Central Station (Norrmalm) to Djurgården, providing a scenic way to travel with ease.
• Bus #67 from Solna, through Vasastan and Östermalm.

• The Djurgården ferry (Djurgårdsfärjan) connect Djurgården with Slussen, the transit hub between Södermalm and Gamla Stan, and Skeppsholmen, an island just opposite, belonging to the district of Norrmalm.

• Visit DjurgårdenSells transport tickets, and provides information folders. Rental of bikes, canoes, and golf carts.

The Djurgården island contains Sweden's largest cluster of museums and venues, most of them on the western part of the island, within walking distance of each other.

• Vasa Museum

  phone: +46 8-519 548 00
  address: Galärvarvsvägen 14
  This museum displays the Vasa, an original warship built for the Thirty Years War which sank in Stockholm Harbour on its maiden voyage in 1628, during the heyday of Swedish Empire. Salvaged in 1961, the ship is almost wholly preserved, and is the only one of its kind and quality in the world. A must-see, especially since it is uncertain whether current methods of preservation will be able to maintain her condition in years to come. There are adequate lifts to enable travellers with motion disabilities to see all levels of the ship. The museum contains several side exhibitions: full-scale models of the people whose bodies were found in the ship hulk, as well as wooden sculptures, the world's oldest preserved sail, and other salvaged objects.

• Skansen

  phone: +46 8 442 80 00
  address: Main entrance from Djurgårdsvägen
  Founded in 1891, Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum, containing a zoological garden specializing in Nordic fauna, such as moose, reindeer, bear, wolf, lynx and wolverine. It features over 150 historic buildings from previous centuries, from all parts of Sweden. Guides in historic costumes further enhance this attraction, and demonstrate domestic crafts such as weaving, spinning, and glass blowing. The Skansen area is fairly large (700 metres across) with steep slopes and limited public transport (there is a funicular and an escalator to the upper area) so be prepared for long walks. Adults 120 kr, children 50 kr Jun-Aug, lower other times of the year, but with fewer animals and attractions. Skansen is one of few venues open during Christmas Eve, though just a few hours, with most attractions closed.

• Skansen-AkvarietDisplays tropical animals such as lemurs, monkeys, snakes, spiders, fish and Cuban crocodiles. The aquarium requires an extra cover charge: Adults 100 kr.

• Tobacco and Match MuseumTobaks- och tändsticksmuseet, founded in 1938, with a restaurant named Gubbhyllan.

Nordiska Museet

phone: +46 8 519 546 00

address: Djurgårdsvägen 6-16

The Nordic Museum A museum of cultural history from 1520 to our days, having celebrated its own 100-year anniversary, in an impressive cathedral-like building on Djurgården. Exhibitions focus on Swedish handicraft, customs and traditions.

• Rosendal PalaceThough the beautiful and central location, this Royal palace is little known. Guided tours during summer.

• Rosendal GardensA historic free-entrance garden, worth a visit for travellers not in a hurry.

Abba The Museum

address: Djurgårdsvägen 68

A museum of the Swedish pop band ABBA opened in 2013, with a gift shop.

Vikingaliv

address: Djurgårdsvägen 48

A Viking museum opened in 2017. The main attraction is Ragnfrids saga, an 11-minute ride through dioramas depicting a Viking adventure. The ride is a bit scary; children should be at least 7 years old, and accompanied by an adult. There is also an exhibition with replicas of Viking objects. Good for visitors who want a short introduction to the Vikings and are not bothered by the cover charge or the absence of genuine artifacts. See Vikings and the Old Norse for more real-life Viking experiences.

Spirits Museum

address: Djurgårdsvägen 38

Displays the history of alcoholic beverages in Sweden with heavy drinking, heavy government control, and heavy taxation. The museum also contains the Absolut Art Collection, containing advertising for Absolut Vodka by Andy Warhol, Keith Haring and others.

GalärvarvskyrkogårdenContains the memorial of the M/S Estonia (a Baltic Sea cruise ferry lost in 1994), as well as graves of prominent Swedes such as Stikkan Anderson (co-founder of ABBA, and founder of the Polar Music Award).

Friends of Handicraft

address: Djurgårdsslätten 82–84

A handicraft studio.

Art

• Liljevalchs

  address: Djurgårdsvägen 60
  A contemporary art hall, in business since 1916.

• Waldemarsudde

  phone: +46 8 545 837 00
  address: Prins Eugens Väg 6
  Prince Eugen (1865-1947), son of King Oscar II, was a revered artistic painter, and an avid art collector. His palace is now a museum housing his enormous art collection spanning the 1880-1940 period.

• Thiel Gallery

  address: Sjötullsbacken 8
  An art gallery at the eastern edge of Djurgården, reached by bus 69 (not 69K).

• Gröna Lund

  phone: +46 8 587 501 00
  address: Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9
  Djurgården has Stockholm's only amusement park, with more or less standard attractions and games. The restaurants in the park are expensive and generally far from a culinary experience. No rides are included in the entrance fee. Adults 80 kr (90 kr from mid-June to mid-August, 150 kr from 18:00 on concert nights), ages 0-7 and over 65 for free. Rides 20-60 kr with single tickets, day pass 289 kr.

• Junibacken

  phone: +46 8 587 230 00
  address: Galärvarvsvägen
  Astrid Lindgren, author of Pippi Longstocking, Karlsson-on-the-Roof and numerous other children's books, is by far Sweden's most popular writer of children's books. Located on the island Djurgården, like many other child-friendly attractions, Junibacken could be described as an indoor theme-park dedicated to the world of her (and a few other Swedish authors') stories. Story train is destination in itself here. The place also features several large playrooms; claims to have largest bookshop for kids in the country; has a restaurant. See Astrid Lindgren tourism for related destinations.

• CirkusAmong Stockholm's largest playhouses, with 1,650 seats. Features musicals and pop concerts.

• Cycling, running and hiking along the many trails around the islands, such as Crown Princess Victoria's and Prince Daniel's Love Trail on the eastern part of the island, passing by Isbladskärret a small marsh with several birds and other animals.

Most museums have souvenir shops.

Budget

Hot-dog and ice-cream stands are ubiquitous around the tourist venues. The larger museums have cafés, and some of them have seats for camping food. There are plenty of good spots for picnics, and alcohol can be consumed at most places. Otherwise, dining in Djurgården usually costs more than it tastes.

Mid-range

• Blå Porten

  phone: +46 8 663 87 59
  address: Djurgårdsvägen 64
  Blå porten, hidden in the back yard of Liljevalchs konsthall, is the one exception. Delicious food in a lush garden makes the long queues worth it. The excellent cakes and pies also makes this a good choice for a coffee break.

• Sjöcaféet

  address: Galärvarvsvägen 2
  In the same building as the visitor center, with indoor and outdoor seating.

Splurge

• Josefina

  address: Galärvarvsvägen 10
  An outdoor restaurant at Nordiska Museet.

• Solliden

  address: Berzeliigatan 14
  On Skansen, with a classical Swedish smörgåsbord served in June, July and August, and an astounding view of the inner harbour.

• Villa Godthem

  address: Rosendalsvägen 9
  A secluded restaurant.

• Oaxen

  address: Beckholmsvägen 26
  One star in the 2014 edition of Guide Michelin.

• Tyrol

  address: Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9
  A restaurant on Gröna Lund, which stages the Mamma Mia show during spring and autumn, and offers a Christmas buffet during December.

Some of the restaurants and hotels mentioned here, have a bar. Nightlife is busiest during summer.

Despite all the visitors, Djurgården has only three hotels.

• Scandic Hasselbacken

  phone: +46 8 517 343 00
  address: Hazeliusbacken 20
  A classical hotel on Djurgården.

• Melody Hotel

  phone: +46 8 502 541 40
  address: Djurgårdsvägen 68
  In the same building as the ABBA museum, opened in 2013. This hotel should not be confused with "the other ABBA Hotel": Hotel Rival in Södermalm.

• Prince Van Orangiën

  phone: +46 8 551 531 05
  address: Beckholmsvägen 26
  A 1935 hotel ship with just six rooms, and catering from the Oaxen restaurant.

As in other heavily touristed areas, beware of pickpocketing.