Kungliga Djurgarden (Royal Djurgården), Stockholm (must see)

Royal Djurgården (Kungliga Djurgården), commonly referred to as Djurgården, is an island and district in Stockholm, forming part of the Royal National City Park. Historically known as Valdemar Island (Valdemarsön), Djurgården is renowned for its rich natural environment, featuring extensive parklands dotted with ancient oak trees, many of which have significant historical and cultural value.

The island is home to several urban settlements, with Djurgårdsstaden and Beckholmen located in its southwestern region. However, much of Djurgården is covered in park areas, which include a variety of museums, culturally significant villas, embassies, and other institutions. Notable landmarks include the open-air museum Skansen and the amusement park Gröna Lund, both of which attract numerous visitors annually. Djurgården has been historically associated with high-profile residents, including royalty, diplomats, and other prominent figures.

Djurgården is renowned for its oak trees, initially intended for Swedish Navy shipbuilding. Although many were slated for felling in the early 19th century, many were preserved, and new ones were planted by Israel af Ström in 1830. By the 1920s, botanist Rutger Sernander cataloged the most impressive oaks, some over 400 years old with circumferences of at least five meters. Despite a decline, Djurgården still has the largest stand of old oaks in Northern Europe.

Among the notable oaks is Prince Eugen's oak, located in the park north of Prince Eugen's Waldemarsudde, which is considered the largest living oak on the island. This majestic tree stands 21 meters tall with a trunk circumference of 920 centimeters and is estimated to be between 300 and 400 years old, with some sources suggesting it could be as old as 1,000 years.

Due to its historical and cultural significance, Southern Djurgården has been designated as a national interest for cultural environment conservation, further underscoring its importance as a treasured part of Sweden's heritage.