Stockholm’s Royal Palace has an interesting history. The original castle, named “Tre Kronor” (Three Crowns) was initially constructed as a defensive fort – dating back to the 13th century. Over time, it evolved into a castle and eventually became the royal residence.
Tre Kronor burned down on May 7, 1697, and from its ruins, the current palace was rebuilt, which was completed in 1754. The project was led by architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger. Very little remains of the Tre Kronor castle, but the cellar rooms in the northern part – dating back to the 14th century – have been preserved. You can still visit these rooms, which now houses the Tre Kronor Museum.
The Royal Palace not only acts as a museum and popular tourist attraction but also serves as the official base from where the King and Queen performs their duties. It also used to be the official royal residence, however since 1981 the Swedish royals have relocated their main residence to Drottningholm Palace on Drottningholm Island.
One of the palace’s most fascinating artifacts is Queen Kristina’s silver throne, which was miraculously saved from the fire that destroyed the original castle Tre Kronor. This throne is made of silver but has a wooden core. It has since been used by many Swedish monarchs and is used still today for official ceremonies. It is displayed in the Hall of State, a space that once hosted parliamentary meetings, back in the days when Sweden was ruled by a monarch.
The palace is centrally located. You’ll find it just at the north part of The Old Town (Gamla Stan). The closest subway stations are Gamla Stan and Kungsträdgården.
When visiting the palace you can buy a palace ticket which will give you admission to mainly five distinct areas in the palace building:
- The Royal Apartments: The main attraction is the Royal Apartments, the palace rooms that are featured on guided tours. If you book a guided tour, this is the primary area you will explore.
- The Treasury: The Royal Treasury houses the crown jewels and other regal artifacts that symbolize Sweden’s monarchy. The exhibit is relatively small, typically taking 30-60 minutes to complete.
- The Museum Three Crowns: Located in the preserved cellar rooms, this museum offers a glimpse into the medieval origins of the palace and the story of the original Tre Kronor castle.
- Gustav III’s Museum of Antiquities: This museum showcases the classical antiquities collected by King Gustav III and provides an artistic journey through ancient history.
- The Palace Church: Still used for royal ceremonies, the Palace Church is an architectural gem that visitors can admire during their tour.
In addition to the palace ticket, you can also purchase a combo ticket for the Royal Palace and the nearby Riddarholmen Church, which is where royal weddings are held and where many royals are buried.
To visit the Royal Armoury, you will need to purchase a separate ticket, available at the Armoury’s entrance. Although the Armoury is connected to the palace, it has its own entrance at the beginning of Slottsbacken street and is not included in the Palace ticket.
Guided tours are available, or you can explore at your own pace with a free audio guide. Both options provide insights into the history and current use of the palace.
You can visit some of the surrounding areas around the palace for free:
- Courtyards: The inner and outer courtyards of the palace are open to the public and free to explore. Here you have a chance to admire the palace’s architecture from different angles. During summer you can watch the changing of the guards at the outer courtyards.
- View from Lejonbacken: Lejonbacken (Lion Slope) is the name of the north entrance, where you’ll find two ramps leading up to the entrance of the inner courtyard. There’s a lion statue half way up on each of the ramps, hence the name. From the top, you’ll have a great view of the Swedish Parliament House (Riksdagshuset).
| Additional information | |
| Time needed | 2-3 hours. |
| Prices | Entrance: 200 SEK (Subject to changes. Check the official website for the latest information about prices.) |
| Opening hours | All days 10 am to 5 pm (during summer).(Subject to changes. Check the official website for the latest information about opening times and tours.) |
| Food nearby | Stiernan RamenKryp In Gamla StanTradition |
| Website | https://www.kungligaslotten.se/english/royal-palaces-and-sites/the-royal-palace.html |