Drottningholm Palace is one of the royal palaces of Sweden and the permanent residence of the royal family. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as it is the most well-preserved 17th-century palace in Sweden and a representative example of European architecture of that period .
If you want to visit Drottningholm Palace, you can buy tickets online or at the entrance. The ticket price includes admission to the palace, the Chinese Pavilion and the palace theatre. The palace is open daily from 10:00 to 17:00, except on some public holidays.
To get to Drottningholm Palace, you can take a bus, a car or a boat from Stockholm. The bus ride takes about 40 minutes, the car ride takes about 20 minutes and the boat ride takes about 50 minutes. The boat departs from Stadshusbron near the City Hall and offers a scenic view of Lake Mälaren and its islands.
Some tips for your visit are:
- Join a guided tour to learn more about the history and highlights of the palace. The tours are available in different languages and last about 45 minutes.
- Explore the palace gardens, which are divided into three sections: the baroque garden, the English park and the Chinese garden. You can admire the fountains, sculptures, pavilions and exotic plants.
- Watch a performance at the palace theatre, which is one of the oldest preserved theatres in Europe. The theatre still uses the original stage machinery from the 18th century and hosts opera, ballet and concerts.
- Visit the Chinese Pavilion, which was a gift from King Adolf Frederick to Queen Lovisa Ulrika in 1753. The pavilion is a unique example of European chinoiserie and contains original furniture, porcelain and paintings.
Some prohibitions for your visit are:
- Do not touch any objects or furniture in the palace, as they are fragile and valuable.
- Do not take photos or videos inside the palace, the Chinese Pavilion or the palace theatre, as they are protected by copyright.
- Do not bring any pets, food or drinks into the palace, as they may damage or stain the interiors.
- Do not smoke anywhere on the palace grounds, as it is a fire hazard.
Some things to see at Drottningholm Palace are:
- The state apartments, which are used for official receptions and ceremonies. They include the Hall of State, where King Gustav III was shot in 1792; the Karl XI Gallery, where banquets are held; and the Hedvig Eleonora Bedchamber, where Queen Hedvig Eleonora died in 1715.
- The private apartments, which are used by the royal family as their living quarters. They include the King’s Library, which contains over 10,000 books; the Queen’s Drawing Room, which has a beautiful ceiling painting; and the King’s Bedchamber, which has a secret door to the Queen’s Bedchamber.
- The royal chapel, which was built in 1730 and is still used for religious services. It has a richly decorated interior with paintings, sculptures and an organ. It also contains the silver baptismal font that was used for all royal baptisms since 1778.
