Skansen Aquarium is a compact indoor zoo and aquarium on Djurgården island, Stockholm, home to around 200 exotic species from crocodiles to naked mole-rats. The adult admission fee has risen to 175 kr, up from the 160 kr many older guides still quote, and it is charged entirely separately from entry to the surrounding Skansen park. You can book through GetYourGuide to arrange your ticket before you travel.
Quick facts
| Address | Djurgårdsslätten 49–51, 115 21 Stockholm, Sweden |
| Opening hours | Mon–Fri 10am–4pm; Sat–Sun 10am–6pm |
| Admission | Adults 175 kr; children (4–15) 95 kr; under-4s free |
| Nearest transit | Tram 7 to Skansen, or bus 67 |
| Typical visit duration | Around 40 minutes; up to 2 hours for enthusiasts |
Why book Skansen Aquarium tickets?
- 🏛️ 200 exotic species: From crocodiles and lemurs to golden lion tamarins and naked mole-rats, under one roof.
- 🎟️ Hands-on encounters: The pet and hugging corner lets visitors stroke a snake or a spider at set times.
- 🌿 Walk through the rainforest: The Children’s Rainforest allows some animals to roam freely around visitors.
- 📜 A calm environment for the animals: Guide dogs and other outside animals cannot enter, to avoid stressing residents.
- 💰 Skip the desk: Booking ahead means one less queue after you’ve already paid to enter Skansen.
Opening hours at Skansen Aquarium
The aquarium keeps shorter hours on weekdays than at weekends.
| Day | Hours |
|---|---|
| Monday–Friday | 10am–4pm |
| Saturday–Sunday | 10am–6pm |
The pet and hugging corner, where visitors can touch a snake or a spider, opens daily during peak season and only on weekends and holidays during the quieter months.
5 great Stockholm experiences to book
- 🦌 See moose, elk and wild boars on an evening wildlife experience from Stockholm.
- ⛵ Take a cruise around the Stockholm archipelago in a classic wooden boat.
- 🍽️ Taste Scandinavian specialities on a Nordic food walk.
- 🎶 At ABBA The Museum, discover the story of Sweden’s music legends.
- 🏰 Cover all of Stockholm’s top attractions – including the Vasa Museum and Royal Palace – on a grand tour.
Ticket prices for Skansen Aquarium
| Ticket | Price |
|---|---|
| Adult | 175 kr |
| Child (4–15) | 95 kr |
| Child (0–3) | Free |
These prices cover the aquarium only. Entry to the Skansen foundation itself is a separate fee, paid first at the main Skansen entrance before reaching the aquarium. The only discount offered is for WWF Pandaklubb cardholders, who enter free; there is no senior, student or Skansen annual pass discount. To avoid queuing twice on a busy day, book through GetYourGuide in advance.
How to get to Skansen Aquarium
By tram: line 7 runs from T-Centralen to Djurgården and has good space for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
By bus: bus 67 runs from Odenplan directly to Skansen. Buses 69 and 76 stop at Djurgårdsbron, a 950-metre walk from the entrance.
By ferry: ferry line 82 connects Slussen, Skeppsholmen and Djurgården, stopping at Allmänna Gränd, 400 metres from Skansen.
On foot or by bike: walk across Djurgårdsbron and follow Djurgårdsvägen past the Nordic Museum and Gröna Lund. The walk from the bridge takes around 10 minutes, and cycle paths run the whole way.
Parking at Skansen Aquarium
Parking near Skansen is limited, with small public car parks on southern Djurgården and in Museiparken. Three spaces for visitors with disabilities are available inside Skansen itself, reached via the Sollidsporten entrance. Taxis and Färdtjänst transport can also drop off and collect passengers there. Note that Djurgårdsbron closes to general traffic on weekends and holidays between 10am and 5pm, from 22 April to 30 September.
How long to spend at Skansen Aquarium
The aquarium covers only 3,000 square metres, and a typical visit takes around 40 minutes. Animal enthusiasts who want to read every information panel should allow an hour or two, while a rushed visit is possible in around 20 minutes.
Accessibility at Skansen Aquarium
The aquarium is wheelchair accessible, with the exception of the small indoor rainforest, which can still be viewed from outside. In summer, the upper part of the lemur enclosure and a small skeleton display are not reachable by wheelchair. Pushchairs are generally allowed, though not inside the lemur area or Children’s Rainforest, and not during school holiday peak periods. There are no toilets inside the aquarium itself; the nearest are at Skansen’s main entrance and at Galejan, around 100 metres away, including an accessible toilet. Guide dogs and other outside animals are not permitted, since they stress the resident animals.
What to see inside Skansen Aquarium
The Children’s Rainforest. Visitors can walk directly among some of the free-roaming animals in this humid, planted enclosure, a highlight for younger visitors.
The pet and hugging corner. Staff bring out a snake or a spider for visitors to touch safely, on a set weekend or daily schedule depending on the season.
The primates. Marmosets, golden lion tamarins, lemurs and baboons occupy several enclosures, with the lemur area extending upstairs during the summer months.
The reptile and amphibian displays. Crocodiles, turtles, lizards and snakes fill much of the aquarium’s remaining floor space, alongside a changing collection of fish and corals.
Practical visitor tips for Skansen Aquarium
| Tip | Detail |
|---|---|
| Budget for two tickets | Skansen park entry and aquarium entry are charged separately, even though the aquarium is inside the park |
| Check the pet corner schedule | It runs daily in peak season but only weekends and holidays the rest of the year |
| Bring cash-free payment | The aquarium’s own ticket desk rarely has more than a five-minute queue |
| Time your visit around lemur season | The upstairs lemur route and skeleton display only open in summer |
| Book tickets in advance | Reserve through GetYourGuide to save a step once you arrive |
Frequently asked questions
| Question | Answer |
|---|---|
| Does the Skansen ticket include the aquarium? | No, the aquarium charges a separate entrance fee on top of general Skansen admission |
| Is the aquarium open on Mondays? | Yes, it opens every day, though weekday hours end earlier than weekends |
| Can I bring my dog? | No, guide dogs and other outside animals are not permitted, to avoid stressing the resident animals |
| Is the aquarium wheelchair accessible? | Yes, throughout, except the small rainforest, which can be viewed from outside |
| How long should I plan for the visit? | Around 40 minutes for a typical visit, longer if you want to read every display |
Things to do near Skansen Aquarium
Skansen, the open-air museum and zoo surrounding the aquarium, holds over 150 historic buildings and Nordic wildlife such as bears and wolves. A short walk away, Gröna Lund amusement park offers rides overlooking the water.
The Vasa Museum, home to a nearly intact 17th-century warship, is a 10-minute walk along Djurgårdsvägen. ABBA The Museum sits nearby for fans of the band’s history. Further along the island, Waldemarsudde, the former home of Prince Eugen, combines art galleries with waterside gardens.
Alternative aquariums and zoos within two hours
Fjärilshuset & Haga Ocean, Solna. This butterfly house paired with a small tropical aquarium is about 20 minutes from central Stockholm.
Tropicarium, Kolmården. A dedicated public aquarium and terrarium, including a large shark tank, is roughly 1.5 to 2 hours away.
Kolmården Wildlife Park. Scandinavia’s largest zoo, with a cable car safari and dolphin shows, is around 1.5 hours from Stockholm by train.
Parken Zoo, Eskilstuna. This combined zoo and amusement park is roughly an hour from Stockholm by train.
Furuvik Zoo. A smaller zoo and amusement park near Gävle is about two hours north of Stockholm.
More Stockholm travel
Other Stockholm travel guides on Planet Whitley include:
- Viking Museum, Stockholm:: Visitor guide with prices, times & key information.
- See the world’s best-preserved 17th century ship at the Vasa Museum in Stockholm.
- 9 Stockholm tours and experiences worth booking (and which to skip).
- Admire extraordinary photography at Fotografiska Stockholm.
- Plan your visit to Sweden’s largest science and technology museum – Tekniska.
- Practical guide to visiting the Nordic Museum in Stockholm.
