Skansen

The world's first open-air museum with 150 historic buildings, period craftspeople and Nordic wildlife — on Stockholm's Djurgården since 1891.

Skansen is the world's oldest open-air museum, set on the Djurgården peninsula in Stockholm. Founded by Artur Hazelius in 1891 to preserve traditional Swedish rural life before industrialisation swept it away, the sprawling grounds contain more than 150 historic buildings from across Sweden — from medieval farmsteads to 19th-century townhouses. Craftspeople in period costume demonstrate old trades such as glassblowing and pottery. Skansen also houses a small zoo with Nordic animals including moose, brown bear and wolverine. It offers a vivid journey through Swedish history and remains an essential stop on any visit to Stockholm.