Grona Lund

Grona Lund is Stockholm's amusement park, squeezed cleverly onto a small waterfront plot on Djurgarden, so its coasters thread between and over each other with the harbour as a backdrop. As well as rides it is a beloved summer concert venue, with big-name acts playing to crowds packed onto the park. It opened in 1883, which makes it the oldest amusement park in the country, and the constraint of the site is what gives it its character: there is nowhere to expand, so new rides go up rather than out and the layout is dense. The season runs from spring to autumn and the park closes for the winter.

History

The site on Djurgården has been used for entertainment since the early 18th century. In 1883 a German, Jacob Schultheis, rented it to put up "carousels and other amusements", and the name Gröna Lund dates from then; his descendants owned the park until 2001, and since 2006 it has belonged to Parks & Resorts Scandinavia. Its stage has seen ABBA in 1973 and Bob Marley in 1980. In June 2023 a partial derailment of the Jetline roller coaster killed one rider and injured nine; the investigation blamed a badly made replacement part, and the ride was taken out (Wikipedia, Gröna Lund).

What's there

• The packed coasters - thrill rides ingeniously fitted into the small site.
• The waterfront setting - rides over and beside the Stockholm harbour.
• Summer concerts - the famous gigs on the park stage.
• Classic and family rides - old favourites alongside modern thrills.

When to go

The summer season for the full park and the concert programme; it closes outside the warm months. Concert nights are busy, so check the line-up.

Practical notes

It is small and can feel cramped and crowded on busy days, the trade-off for its city-centre setting. It is seasonal, closed in winter. Entry plus rides adds up, and concerts draw big crowds.

Nearby

The Vasa Museum, Skansen and the Abba Museum are alongside on Djurgarden.

Key facts