Djurgården

Understand

The Djurgården ("The Animal Garden") island has been royal property for 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 first of its kind. 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.

Getting there

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) connects Djurgården with Slussen, the transit hub between Södermalm and Gamla Stan, and Skeppsholmen, an island just opposite, belonging to the district of Norrmalm. 1 Visit Djurgården. Weekdays 09:00-17:00. A visitor centre which sells transport tickets and provides information. Rental of bikes, canoes, and golf carts. (updated Jul 2015)

See

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.

1 Vasa Museum (Vasamuseet), Galärvarvsvägen 14 (Nordiska museet/Vasamuseet 7 ), ☏ +46 8 519-548-00. Jun–Aug: daily 08:30–18:00, Sep-May: 10:00–17:00 (W 10:00-20:00). 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 the 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: skeletons found in the ship hulk with full-scale models of the people who died, as well as wooden sculptures, the world's oldest preserved sail, computer simulations of the disastrous voyage, and other salvaged objects. 2 Vrak – Museum of Wrecks. Virtual reality and other modern technologies present the shipwrecks of the Baltic Sea, of which many remains on the seafloor. 3 Skansen, Main entrance from Djurgårdsvägen (Skansen 7 ), ☏ +46 8 442 80 00. 1 May-20 Jun: daily 10:00-20:00, 21 Jun-31 Aug: 10:00-22:00, shorter hours the rest of the year, but always at least 10:00-15:00. 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, relocated from all parts of Sweden. Museum 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

Do

1 Gröna Lund ([grønaˈlɵnd]), Lilla Allmänna Gränd 9 (Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund 7 ), ☏ +46 8 587 501 00. Open at least noon-23:00 most days June-August, shorter hours in May and early September. 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. 2 Junibacken ([ˈjʉːniˈbakən]), Galärvarvsvägen (Nordiska museet/Vasamuseet 7 ), ☏ +46 8 587 230 00. Jan-May: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00, June: daily 10:00-17:00, July: daily 09:00-18:00, 1-15 Aug daily 09:00-18:00, 16-31 Aug daily 10:00-17:00, Sep-Dec: Tu-Su 10:00-17:00. 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 a 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. 3 Cirkus (Skansen 7 ). Among Stockholm's largest playhouses, with 1,650 seats. Features musicals and pop concerts. Mamma Mia! the Party, Tyrol, Lilla Allmänna Gränd 2 (bus number 67, or the Tram to the station Liljevalchs/Gröna Lund, or by ferry on the Djurgårds ferry from Slussen on Södermalm to Allmänna Gränd). A dinner, show and after-show party where you can sing and dance with the cast to the music of ABBA. The Greek taverna from the musical and its landlord, Nikos, have been recreated in Gröna Lund amusement park on Djurgården, near

Eat

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 can be overpriced.

Mid-range 1 Blå Porten [bloːˈpuʈən], Djurgårdsvägen 64, ☏ +46 8 663 87 59. M-F 11:00-23:00, Sa Su 11:00-19:00. 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. 2 Sjöcaféet, Galärvarvsvägen 2. In the same building as the visitor center, with indoor and outdoor seating. (updated Jul 2015)

Splurge 3 Josefina, Galärvarvsvägen 10. An outdoor restaurant at Nordiska Museet. 4 Solliden, Berzeliigatan 14. On Skansen, with a classical Swedish smörgåsbord served in June, July and August, and an astounding view of the inner harbour. 5 Villa Godthem, Rosendalsvägen 9. A secluded restaurant. 6 Oaxen, Beckholmsvägen 26. One star in the 2014 edition of Guide Michelin. 7 Tyrol, 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.

Drink & nightlife

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

Sleep

Despite all the visitors, Djurgården has only three hotels.

1 Scandic Hasselbacken, Hazeliusbacken 20, ☏ +46 8 517 343 00, [email protected]. A classical hotel on Djurgården.