Skansen

This living-history museum showcases five centuries of Swedish tradition, innovation and craftsmanship across 75 acres.

Set on Stockholm’s Djurgården island, Skansen boasts over 150 buildings that have been collected from all over Sweden, dismantled and reassembled here. Step back in time to meet the people who would have lived and worked in them in centuries past. There’s even a full-scale replica of a 19th-century Swedish town to explore, where traditional craftspeople ply their trades and demonstrate their skills as cobblers, tanners, glass-blowers and more, in full period costume.

Stroll through pretty gardens, visit the old-fashioned fairground with its charming swings and carousels and head to the open-air zoo to spot Nordic wildlife including brown bears, moose and otters.

Children will adore the kids’ zoo, where there’s a range of domestic animals including rabbits and guinea pigs, as well as a classic car track.

Skansen also plays host to a huge number of seasonal events and activities. Visit in summer for traditional folk dancing, plus jazz concerts every Monday through August. There's a traditional 18th-century-style Autumn harvest festival on the last weekend in September. In winter, the central square twinkles with fairy lights and the air is filled with the delicious smell of mulled wine and roast chestnuts as the popular annual Christmas market gets into full swing. Expect unique local handicrafts, festive church concerts and much dancing and merry-making around the Christmas tree.

Skansen's annual program of events is subject to change. Check their website for the most up-to-date information.