Visit Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace is a magnificent palace near Stockholm. This pleasure residence was designed to charm the beautiful ladies of Swedish royalty. It is considered the best-preserved castle in Sweden, even though it has changed considerably over the centuries. To satisfy its elegant guests, it followed the fashions prevalent in Northern Europe between the 16^th and 18^th centuries. It reflected its time and has retained an almost untouched image of each era. Let us take you on a tour of this fabulous royal residence.

A little bit of history about Drottningholm Palace

Drottningholm Palace has a very romantic history. It was a gift from a king to his queen! Its name, in fact, means " Queen's Island " in Old Swedish. It was built on the island of Lovön, in the heart of Lake Mälaren, between the 16^th and 17^th centuries. It is a " lady's castle," which was given as a gift several times over the centuries and often served as a wedding present.

It is therefore a pleasure residence, with no defensive function. It has passed from queen to queen and evolved according to changing fashions. These trends are particularly visible in the gardens. The park has developed over time and has thus preserved the different decorative styles that have succeeded one another there.

Your guided tour of the castle

While Drottningholm Palace is owned by the Swedish state, the royal family has exclusive use of it, and a portion remains private. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have even made it their primary residence since the 1980s. You can therefore visit the public areas, but the South Wing of the palace is private. Who knows, you might even catch a glimpse of the royal family from afar!

The castle's architecture is inspired by that of Versailles, and the facade is particularly impressive. The best way to appreciate it is to arrive by boat and admire the castle from Lake Mälaren.

Inside, many rooms in the state apartments are open to the public:

• Adjoining bedrooms and offices;
• Small reception rooms;
• The grand baroque staircase;
• The library…
  
  

Buildings are also available for your use outside of the days when the royal family is receiving guests:

• The Chinese pavilion which serves as a backdrop for the magnificent Chinese pieces, brought back by the Swedish East India Company in the 18^th century.
• The palace theatre, with its original 18^th- century machinery and scenery.
• Don't miss the park visit, which is very representative of different eras:
• The Baroque garden is the oldest. It was created in the pure tradition of so-called " French-style " gardens, inspired by the plant creations of Le Nôtre, under Louis XIV.
• The beautiful avenues of chestnut and Swedish trees were planted at the beginning of the 18^th century, around the Chinese pavilion. It is a more natural area, a precursor to " English gardens ".
• The last part is a typical 18^th- century English park with canals
  
  

Practical aspects

The gardens are open all year round, free of charge. Spring is of course the best time to visit, as you can admire the flowerbeds and working fountains.

The palace is open to the public on weekends year-round. To visit during the week, you must come between April and October. The period is slightly more limited for visiting the theater and the Chinese pavilion, only between May and September.

Check in advance for closing days or partial openings, especially during royal family receptions, to ensure the most comprehensive visit possible. You can also inquire about guided tours that will allow you to learn more about this fabulous castle.

We hope we have inspired you to visit this castle of the Swedish royal ladies and wish you pleasant walks in its gardens.

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