Drottningholm Palace, Swedan

Drottningholm Palace: Sweden’s Royal Residence of Elegance 👑🏰

Located on the island of Lovön just outside Stockholm, Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family and one of the best-preserved palaces in Europe. With its lush gardens, lavish interiors, and historic theater, it offers visitors a regal glimpse into Sweden’s past and present.


Key Facts About Drottningholm Palace 📍

  • Location: Lovön Island, 11 km west of central Stockholm

  • Built: Late 1600s

  • UNESCO World Heritage Site: Since 1991

  • Current Use: Official home of the Swedish royal family (south wing)

  • Best Time to Visit: April to October for full garden access


What to See at Drottningholm Palace 🎨

1. The Royal Apartments 🛋️

Explore the palace’s opulent halls filled with chandeliers, gilded mirrors, tapestries, and Baroque-style furnishings. Don’t miss the Queen’s bedchamber, Chinese Pavilion, and Hall of State.

2. The Drottningholm Palace Theatre 🎭

An 18th-century marvel still in use today. Its original stage machinery from 1766 is intact and functioning—creating an authentic historical experience during summer performances.

3. The Chinese Pavilion (Kina Slott) 🏮

A delicate Rococo pavilion gifted to Queen Lovisa Ulrika in 1753. This pink and pastel structure features Chinese-inspired décor and European interpretations of Asian art—an exotic gem nestled in the gardens.

4. The Palace Gardens 🌳

  • Baroque Garden: Manicured hedges, fountains, and statues

  • English Park: Meandering paths, canals, and romantic bridges
    The perfect place for a quiet walk, picnic, or scenic photography.


Activities & Experiences 📷

  • Join a guided tour for royal stories and architectural context

  • Rent a bike or boat to reach the palace in style

  • Attend a summer concert or opera in the palace theater

  • Enjoy a fika break at the café in the palace grounds


How to Get There 🚤

  • By boat: 1-hour scenic ride from central Stockholm (highly recommended)

  • By metro & bus: Green Line to Brommaplan, then Bus 176 or 177

  • By bike: A lovely 45-minute ride from the city through green suburbs


Visitor Tips 🧭

  • Arrive early to beat tour groups

  • Photography allowed, but no flash inside palace rooms

  • Wear comfortable shoes—you’ll walk through vast gardens

  • Combo tickets available if visiting the theater and Chinese Pavilion


Nearby Attractions 🗺️

  • Lovö Church: A medieval church near the palace grounds

  • Ekerö Island Villages: Traditional Swedish countryside and cafés

  • Royal Armoury (in Stockholm): Deeper dive into royal life