Drottningholm, Stockholm

2 more images

The Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish royal family. It is located in Drottningholm. It is built on the island Lovön (in Ekerö Municipality of Stockholm County), and is one of Sweden's Royal Palaces. It was originally built in the late 16th century. Apart from being the private residency of the Swedish royal family, the castle is a popular tourist attraction.

3 more images

Drottningholm Palace is considered the "Versailles of Sweden," but I wouldn't say so. It's beautiful and the grounds are wonderful, but it has none of the grandeur or ostentation of Versailles! Not to mention that this palace is the current home to Swedish Royalty!

Tour the palace first, then walk the extensive grounds- there are surprises around every corner!

4 more images

Drottningholm Slott (or Drottningholm Palace) is the most famous of Sweden palaces and it is located on the outskirts of Stockholm on the island of Lovön. The name "Drottningholm" means "Queens Inlet", a well chosen name as the palace was built for Queen Hedvig Eleonora and it is located on an inlet of Lake Mälaren. It was build in 1662, after the previous palace on this site was burned down to the ground.

As Drottningholm is located so close to Stockholm it has become a popular site to visit. The Palace and its grounds are on the UNESCO´s World Heritage list, which probably draws in even more people. But despite being such a major attraction, I thought it was still relatively calm and nice to visit.

Drottningholm is not only a palace, there is much more to see and do here.Some of the things not to be missed are the theatre, changing of the guards, the gardens, the Guards' Tent, and most of all Kina Slott!


You can find more detailed information about Drottningholm and Kina Slott on my Drottningholm page

Just as important to UNESCO was the Court theatre next to the palace. Built in Lovisa Ulrika's days on the site of an older palace theatre, it was completed in 1766, during the height of Swedish enlightenment, and the stage and its Italian machinery looks exactly the same today as it did then. In the 1770s, it saw its glory days under the "theatre king" Gustaf III and anything from pantomimes to opera was played here. As the king was murdered (incidentally in another theatre), theatre going fell out of fashion in Sweden and it wasn't until the 1920s that the theatre at Drottningholm was renovated again but then it was done gently. There are still performances regularly again but for financial reasons not as many as there used to be a decade ago as the trust running the theatre gets less government funding. Visitors are welcome from May to September (see webpage below).

4 more images

Drottningholm is the residence of King Carl XVI Gustav and Queen Sylvia and is about half an hour outside of Stockholm at Lake Mälaren. In 1991 it was declared a UNESCO World Heritage site, namely because of the Chinese Palace and the very interesting theater.

When we visited, we were not able to get inside the main palace, since it was still closed due to the celebrations for the king's 60th birthday.

We decided to have a close look at the Chinese Palace, but unfortunately did not go on a tour through the theater. In hindsight I probably would have done it the other way around!

For all of you who would like to take a virtual tour of Drottningholm and all it has to offer, go to this German website of Drottningholm and click on the icon "film" (on the very left) - truly very very nicely done!

2 more images

This royal residence is the best example of teh grandeur of European monarchies. You can take a ferry from downtown that will take you to this palace in about 20 minutes. Magnificent gardens and buildings.

1 more image

Drottningholm is a bit away from the city center, but it's definitely worth seeing. It's a castle with gardens [very similar to Versailles] & the Kina Slott - a great looking Chinese house! If you're lucky, you can also catch the change of the guard, but since they're allowed to move, it might not be as much fun as usually, hehe... ;)

Drottningholm's surroundings are decorated really nicely! There are numerous parks you can take a promenade around, meadows where you can sit & relax, fountains, flower arrangements aso. Take some time to explore it!

Drottningholm Palace is a great place to visit while you're in Stockholm. It's not right in town but it is easy enough to get to by train. We loved the palace and had our own private tour of the old theatre. :)

The Royal Domain of Drottningholm on the island of Lovön, Stockholm, was the first Swedish site on the World Heritage List

-The Palace`s Exhibition floor, followed by the unique 18th century theatre where performances are still given during the summer.
-Drottningholm Castle
-The Chinese Pavilion
And on a nice day take a walk through the magnificent palace grounds

The royals have lived here since 1981--and it is a beautiful residence. If only we travellers could also spend the night! The palace was started 440 years ago and has been very weel restored--particularly beauiful is the bedchamber of Hedvig Eleanor and the Queen Lovisa Ulrika Rococo Library. The gardens are beautiful as is the Court Theatre and Chinese Pavilion. The entire palace has been declared a world heritage site by UNESCO.
Open May-August 10 AM - 4:30 PM daily
September: 12:00 noon - 3:30 PM daily
October - April Saturdays and Sundays 12:00 - 3:30 PM.