Stockholm’s Gröna Lund | Fun At Every Turn

Gröna Lund, there’s always fun at every turn. There are very few places in the world that blur the lines between different age groups better than amusement parks, especially the great ones like Sweden’s Gröna Lund. Despite the segmentation between “child-friendly” and “extreme” rides (and everything in between), there aren’t many places where you can see everyone enjoying, no matter who they are or where they come from.

But of course, you won’t notice that once you’re in the park. It’s just a feeling of sheer satisfaction as you twirl through the different attractions. Walking through the 6 hectares of Gröna Lund feels like an exhilarating dream, from its stately main entrance to its 19th-century carousel pigs to the different roller coasters scattered around the park. But of course, there’s much more to it than that.

A Park Steeped in History

Before it became an entertainment powerhouse, Gröna Lund was first the name of a small park in Stockholm. In 1883, this piece of land was rented by one Jacob Schultheiss, and became the site of carousels and various amusement booths and rides. This became the first incarnation of the park we know today — the oldest amusement park in Sweden!

Today, Gröna Lund hosts just about everything you would expect in a park of this caliber. It has also been known as one of Stockholm’s biggest concert venues, with a record capacity of 32,000 at a 1980 Bob Marley concert! This is a record that can no longer be beaten due to modern local regulations preventing such large crowds, thereby cementing Gröna Lund’s reputation.

Getting To Gröna Lund

The park is strategically located on the seaward side of Djurgården Island. This places it near other great urban attractions, such as the Skansen open-air museum. The location also allows visitors to see the surrounding sights at the apex of taller rides (though it’s highly likely, sightseeing isn’t the first thing on anyone’s mind at this point).

The central location also makes it easily accessible via public transport. There are three choices coming from the city center. One can take the ferry, or Bus #44 going to the park. Gröna Lund is also accessible via Tram #7.

Attractions

What attraction would you look for first when entering an amusement park? Let’s explore Gröna Lund by going up the adrenaline scale, starting off with the milder ones.

Child-Friendly

Three of the outstanding child-friendly attractions in the park are the Circus Carousel, Fun House, and Mirror House. The carousel and fun house were both opened in 1883. The carousel still even has its original, hand-made pigs from when it first opened! The funhouse had been refurbished in 1986 to give it a more modern look, along with the Tunnel of Love which first opened in 1917.

Speaking of Tunnel of Love, there is another one in Gröna Lund by the name of Kärlekstunneln. This is a more romantic variation, complete with twinkling lights that remind one of the fairytale realms. While the lights are child-friendly, this is a ride better enjoyed by teens and adults looking for a place to steal a quick kiss!

More Active Rides

And then there are the more active rides, like the Radiobilen. This is a bumper car ride that first opened in 1968. There are also various tower rides:

Fritt Fall Tilt (Drop Tower)
Lantern (Spinning Tower)
Ikaros (Tilting Tower), a 95m-tall structure that opened just this year
Eclipse (Swing Tower), 121 meters tall

And who says walking can’t be just as exhilarating? There’s the House of Nightmares that opened just in 2015, offering all the latest high-tech spooks to get your hair crawling! This realistic haunted house attraction actually has a storyline that centers on a diabolical doctor and his inhuman experiments.

Kings of Sky and Steel

Soaring through the sky while strapped to a steel chair may not be everyone’s cup of tea, but if this is your thing then Gröna Lund has you covered — seven times over! Ride through a bit of the park’s past with the circa-1970s Nyckelpigan. If you want something more heart-pumping, there’s Jetline, which is the fastest in the park! This reaches a top speed of 90 kph, despite being first built in 1988!

Or, you might be interested in the Insane, a fourth-dimensional roller coaster that might drive you just that — insane. Here, you will be rotated independently of the track, which can seriously mess up your sense of direction!

Those with kids can take the slowest ride, the Tuff-Tuff-Tåget which goes only 8 kph. If you want something that’s both traditional yet modern, you might want to check out the Twister, which is a wooden roller coaster!

Aside from rides and concerts, there are also lots of other attractions in Gröna Lund. Just recently, the park hosted an immersive Mama Mia experience, placing you right in the middle of the Greek-set musical!

Lund is also the site of a pentathlon that covers various sports, from basketball, to skeeball, to can alley! If you are the competitive sort, you can form a team with friends and sign up here. The event even includes options for billeting quarters!

And if all the fun and adrenaline make you hungry (as it will undoubtedly do), then you can rest in one of the various restaurants within the park premises. There are bars and snack stands, too, offering eats from different cuisines. Munch on some pastries or splurge in barbecues — your choice! Beverages are also served.

One thing you have to watch out for, however — the park’s opening hours vary by day, and by season. So if you’re planning a trip through Gröna Lund’s 31 rides, then you have to check out their site first. They also have an email address and a phone number so you can check personally before bringing your family. Note that some other rides and attractions also have separate entrance fees.

The Gröna Lund experience isn’t one that you’re likely to forget, whether you’re an avid thrill-seeker or a family person with the kids in tow. Just sit back and enjoy, and stay safe while you do!