Kungliga Hovstallet is a place where you can see the horses, carriages, cars, uniforms and harnesses that are used for ceremonial occasions by the Swedish royal family. The Kungliga Hovstallet have been located at Väpnargatan 1 in Östermalm, Stockholm, for more than a hundred years. You may have seen a carriage passing through the city, or on TV during events such as the Crown Princess’s wedding. These horses and carriages are kept at the Kungliga Hovstallet, a hidden gem in the city center.
The main task of the Kungliga Hovstallet is to plan and carry out all transportations by car for the royal family. Horse and carriage are used for ceremonial occasions such as state visits, the opening of parliament and when the King receives new ambassadors. The Kungliga Hovstallet have their historical roots in the time of Gustav Vasa and represent a significant cultural heritage in the form of classical riding and driving art and royal carriage culture. The Kungliga Hovstallet also have the task of managing, developing and presenting this heritage to the public.
Visitors are welcome all year round on guided tours of carriages, stables and harnesses. There is also a café in the courtyard. The Kungliga Hovstallet are open on Saturdays and Sundays from 12:30 to 15:00. Tickets cost 100 SEK for adults and 50 SEK for children (7-17 years old). You can buy tickets online or at the entrance.
To get to the Kungliga Hovstallet, you can take the subway to Östermalmstorg or Kungsträdgården, or the tram to Nybroplan. You can also walk from Strandvägen or Dramaten.
Some tips for your visit are:
- Wear comfortable shoes and clothes that suit the weather, as some parts of the tour are outdoors.
- Photography is allowed, but without flash.
- There are no guided tours in English, but you can get an information sheet in English at the entrance.
- You can book a group tour for at least 20 people, with the option of ordering coffee and sandwiches.
- You can also book a horse-drawn carriage ride through the city.
Some things to see at the Kungliga Hovstallet are:
- The parade carriages that are used for state visits and weddings, such as the Glass Coach and the Berlin Coach.
- The horses that are trained and educated to perform processions and transportations, such as Kladruber horses and North Swedish horses.
- The cars that are used by the royal family, such as a Cadillac from 1899 and a Volvo S80 from 2001.
- The uniforms and harnesses that are worn by the drivers and riders, such as livery coats and shabraques.
- The buildings that date from 1894 and have a castle-like appearance with turrets and arches.
The Kungliga Hovstallet are a unique attraction that offer a glimpse into the history and culture of the Swedish monarchy. Don’t miss this opportunity to see how horses, carriages and cars are used for royal ceremonies today.
