Drottningholms slott

About the museum

Drottningholm Palace stands on Lovön in Lake Mälaren and has been the royal couple's permanent residence since 1981. The name came into use in the late 16th century, when John III had the first palace built for his consort Catherine Jagiellon. That building burned down in December 1661, the same year that Queen Dowager Hedvig Eleonora bought the estate.

Hedvig Eleonora commissioned the architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder to build a new palace from 1662, modelled on French examples. After his death in 1682, his son Nicodemus Tessin the Younger completed the building work. Interiors such as the staircase, the Ehrenstrahl Salon and Hedvig Eleonora's state bedchamber are counted among the finest of the Swedish Baroque, and a French Baroque garden with sculptures by Adrian de Vries was laid out at the palace.

In 1744 Princess Louisa Ulrika received the palace as a wedding gift, and her time there became a cultural golden age with rococo interiors, libraries and natural history collections. The palace theatre was built during the same period. The state bought back the palace in 1777, and Gustav III lived there while the large English landscape park was created.

The palace and the whole palace grounds, including the Chinese Pavilion (Kina slott) and the palace theatre, were inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List in 1991. The royal couple use the southern part of the palace, while the state floor, the library and the other rooms are open to visitors, together with the palace park.

Highlights

• Hedvig Eleonora's state bedchamber
• The Ehrenstrahl Salon and Tessin's staircase
• Karl XI:s galleri
• Lovisa Ulrika's library and the Gröna förmaket
• The Baroque garden and the English park

Permanent exhibition

• Slottssalarna – The furnished rooms of the state floor from the Age of Greatness and the 18th century, including Hedvig Eleonora's state bedchamber, Karl XI:s galleri and Lovisa Ulrika's library.

Founded

1699

Operated by

Kungliga slotten (Ståthållarämbetet)

Admission & discounts

The Kulturarvskortet (cultural heritage card) gives 50% off admission. Free admission for, among others, members of the Friends of the National Museums, the Friends of Drottningholm Palace Theatre, ICOM members and authorised guides, upon showing a card. The minimum age for visiting without an adult is 12.

Accessibility

• Wheelchair accessible: not available
• Elevator: not available
• Accessible restroom
• Accessible parking
• Service dogs welcome
• Tactile models & exhibits: no information
• Sign language tours: no information
• Easy-to-read materials: no information
• Audio description: no information

There are no lifts or ramps. From the ground to the entrance level there are 22 steps, with a handrail, and further steps inside. Accessible toilets are in the Högvaktsflygeln wing and at the Chinese Pavilion. Disabled parking is available by the palace theatre.

Kids & families

Great for kids & families

• Family tours & workshops
• Activity booklet, scavenger hunt or kids’ audio guide
• Hands-on stations: not available
• Stroller-friendly: not available

The picture hunts Lejonsafari (Lion Safari) and Guldjakt (Gold Hunt) for children aged 4–12 are included in admission. Family tour on Sundays at 14:30 (about 30 minutes, for children around 6–12) and extra programmes during school holidays. Prams may not be taken into the palace and must be left in the arcade at the entrance.

Getting there & parking

The palace is on Lovön in Ekerö Municipality, about 10 km from Stockholm. There is a cycle path from the city centre, and boat trips leave from Stadshuskajen with Strömma kanalbolag.

Amenities & dining

• Café
• Restaurant
• Museum shop
• Coat check: not available
• Lockers: not available
• Wi-Fi

Karamellan Café and Restaurant in the visitor centre; in summer also a café in the palace park by the Chinese Pavilion. The Kungliga Slottsboden shop is in the visitor centre. Free Wi-Fi at the entrance. There are no lockers or left-luggage facilities, and bags must be carried in front of the body.

Events & venue rental

The museum hasn’t published any information on this.

Plan your visit