Last Updated on July 1, 2023 by Göran Ingman
The Royal Palace of Stockholm is one the greatest attractions in Sweden. Kungliga slottet, as it's called in Swedish, It's also one of the largest palaces in Europe. Here's our advice for visiting!
First of all, the question everyone asks: Will we see any kings, queens, princes or princesses if we visit the palace?
Well, you may. Not super likely, but if you are lucky enough to be there on the right day, you just may.
None of the members of the Royal family actually live at the palace but they all work from there. King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia and the rest of the royal family, as well as the offices of the King, are located in the palace. It's also used for representative purposes for the Royal family.
The Royal Palace of Stockholm is located in the Old town, Gamla stan. The building has been around since the early 18th century, but there has been a royal castle in this location since the 13th century when the old castle, Tre kronor, was built.
Tre kronor was completely destroyed in a fire in 1697 and later replaced by the current castle.
Visiting The Royal Palace of Stockholm
The Royal Palace of Stockholm is located in the middle of the city, you can hardly miss it. But if you come by subway, the nearest station is Gamla Stan, served by the red and green line. Another option is the Kungsträdgården station, on the blue line.
If you're staying at a hotel in the central parts of Stockholm City, you can most likely take a walk to the palace.
Tickets and opening hours
The Royal Palace is open from 10.00-16.00 on Tuesday to Sunday in October to April and it's open daily from 10.00-17.00 from May to September. Please keep in mind that the Royal Apartments can be closed if there's an official reception going on.
You can buy the tickets online or at any of the entrances. The regular price for adults is 190 SEK. For kids and teenagers, from 7-17 years, the ticket price is 95 SEK.
The tickets are good for visits to the Royal Apartments, the Treasury and the Tre Kronor Museum. During the summer period, Gustav III Museum of Antiquities is also included.
There are also several combination tickets available for the palace and other nearby buildings of interest.
Guided tours of the castle
Joining a guided tour is a great way to experience the building and its rich history. The guided tours are usually just 30 SEK extra, on top of the admission price, and may be booked in advance online.
Depending on which tour you choose, they last about 30 to 45 minutes and they are held in English.
Changing of the guards at the Royal Palace
Changing of the guards has become one of the most popular attractions in Stockholm and you should try to time your visit to the Palace with this ceremony.
During the summer it's held daily and usually at 12.15, and 13.15 on Sundays. For the rest of the year, there are a few days every week without a ceremony. But if you're in Stockholm over the weekend you can almost always expect to see it.
The place to be is on the upper castle yard, close to the church Storkyrkan.
Not included in Stockholm Pass
Admission to The Royal Palace is at the moment not included in any tourist discount card.
But most other attractions and sightseeing favorites in the city are included in the Go City Stockholm Pass, which can give you a substantial discount when visiting Stockholm.
» Read more and buy the card here
10 things you didn't know about the Royal Palace
1. The Royal Palace in Stockholm is one of the largest palaces in Europe, with over 600 rooms.
2. The palace was originally built in the 18th century on the site of a former castle that had burned down in 1697.
3. The Royal Palace is the official residence of the King of Sweden and other members of the royal family, although they primarily reside at Drottningholm Palace.
4. The palace houses several museums, including the Royal Armoury, the Treasury, and the Royal Apartments, which are open to the public.
5. The changing of the guard ceremony takes place daily at the palace and is a popular tourist attraction.
6. The palace has its own chapel, the Royal Chapel, where many royal weddings, baptisms, and funerals have taken place over the years.
7. The palace is home to the Bernadotte Library, which houses a collection of over 100,000 books and manuscripts, including some from the 15th century.
8. The palace has its own theater, the Royal Dramatic Theatre, which was built in the 18th century and is still used for performances today.
9. The palace has a unique feature called the Lejonbacken, or “Lion's Slope,” which is a steep slope leading up to the palace's north entrance and is adorned with two large lion statues.
10. The palace has been the site of several significant historical events, including the assassination of King Gustav III in 1792 and the coronation of several Swedish monarchs.
On the map – here's the Royal Palace in Stockholm
Local expert, travel writer (visited 50+ countries), and I've been living in Stockholm for more than 20 years. My mission with this travel guide is to give you the best possible advice for your visit to Stockholm and to share tips on my own personal favorites in this beautiful city.