Stockholm/Djurgården

Djurgården, more properly Södra Djurgården, is a park island in the southern Östermalm borough in Stockholm. The island makes up much of the National City Park (Nationalstadsparken), and contains many museums and leisure venues, such as Skansen, the Vasa Museum and ABBA The Museum. It should not be confused with Norra Djurgården, a park in mainland Östermalm.

Understand
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 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.

Get in


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.



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.









Do





 * 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 which is a small marsh with several birds and other animals.

Buy
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 can be overpriced.

Drink
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.



Stay safe
As in other heavily touristed areas, beware of pickpocketing and aggressive birds.