Paleis Het Loo

About the museum

Paleis Het Loo is a palace in Apeldoorn originally built in the 17th century for the House of Orange. Construction began in 1684 for Stadtholder-King Willem III and Queen Mary II Stuart, and over more than three centuries it was used and altered by generations of the Orange family. Behind the palace, the builders laid out a large baroque garden, which can today be experienced in the style of the 17th century. In the 19th and 20th centuries, Queen Wilhelmina and her family shaped the house in particular.

After a thorough restoration, the palace opened to visitors as a national museum in 1984. Later an extension with exhibition rooms was created beneath the building, so that the palace, stables and exhibition area now together form one museum; the Prix Versailles counts it among the most beautiful museums in Europe. Carriages and cars are displayed on the Stallenplein, and the former garage of Prince Hendrik now serves as a restaurant.

The permanent exhibition "De Oranjes" tells, in six periods from Willem I to Amalia, how the House of Orange-Nassau and the Netherlands are connected. Two routes ("Willem en Mary" in the 17th century and "Huis van Wilhelmina" in the 19th and 20th centuries) lead through the palace rooms with audio narratives; on the lower level, "Sporen uit het verleden" shows everyday traces of the staff. The east wing also houses the collection of the Museum van de Kanselarij der Nederlandse Orden, which includes orders and decorations, medals, orders and court dress, porcelain and paintings. There is also a Junior Palace for children.

Highlights

• Baroque palace with two audio routes through the palace rooms
• Gardens in 17th-century style and the Oranjewandeling in the palace park
• Permanent exhibition "De Oranjes" on the history of the House of Orange-Nassau
• Stables and carriage houses with a collection of carriages and cars
• Collection of the Museum van de Kanselarij der Nederlandse Orden in the east wing
• Junior Palace for children aged 3 to 12

Permanent exhibitions

• De Oranjes – Objects, pictures and animations tell the story of the House of Orange-Nassau and the Netherlands in six periods.
• Paleisroutes mit Audioerzählungen – Two routes lead through the rooms: "Willem en Mary" in the 17th century and "Huis van Wilhelmina" in the 19th and 20th centuries.
• Gärten und Oranjewandeling – The baroque garden behind the palace is laid out in the style of the 17th century; the Oranjewandeling begins behind the colonnades.

Founded

1984

Operated by

Stichting Paleis Het Loo, Nationaal Museum

Admission & discounts

One ticket covers the palace, stables, carriage houses, exhibitions, gardens and the Oranjewandeling; there is no separate garden ticket. Free admission with Museumkaart, ICOM card, Rembrandtkaart, Vriendenpas/Entreepas, GVON membership card and Vriendenloterij VIP card (1+1 offer with one free companion until the end of December 2026). 20% discount with the voucher from the Postcode Lottery's Voordeelagenda until December 31, 2026. Tickets online or at the desk; advance booking recommended.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible
• Elevator
• Accessible restroom: no information
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits
• Sign language tours
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

The entrance building, the Stallenplein and the buildings there are easily accessible. The walk to the palace (about 500 m, clinker and gravel surface) can be bridged by a shuttle bus, which also takes folded wheelchairs and strollers. Open lifts lead to the palace (two wheelchairs each, with companions). For blind visitors there is a bronze model, "Paleis Het Loo op de tast" (by touch); for deaf visitors there is a video tour in Dutch Sign Language ("Huis van Wilhelmina", in the app or on the rental device). Assistance dogs are welcome; pets are not.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations
• Stroller-friendly
• Playground / play area

Junior Palace for children aged 3 to 12 with hands-on tasks; the family tour "Thuis bij de Oranjes" as an audio narrative; a sleuth rally through the garden (April to August); Speelpaleis Het Loo, a small playground on the Stallenplein; and the palace roof, reached by 125 steps or a lift. There is additional programming during school holidays. The shuttle bus takes strollers.

Getting there & parking

Navigation destination "Parkeerplaats Paleis Het Loo" on the Amersfoortseweg; there is a large area for bicycles, and e-bikes can be charged.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check
• Lockers

Grand Café Prins Hendrik Garage on the Stallenplein, Restaurant Balzaal in the palace with high tea; several museum shops. Free cloakroom: jackets, bags and umbrellas may not be taken into the palace; in addition there are lockers that open with the QR code on the ticket.

Events & venue rental

• Spaces for rent
• Private parties
• Corporate events
• Weddings / ceremonies

Up to 600 guests.

Available for hire are, among others, the Grand Foyer (up to about 600 people), Balzaal (about 225), Aanspanplaats (about 500), Colonnades and Berceau (about 200 each), and Stal 1 and Prins Hendrik Garage (about 125 each). The Grand Foyer can be booked all day on Mondays, otherwise after 17:00.

Plan your visit