The Royal Palace of Drottningholm

17th-century architecture and royal recidence

The original castle was destroyed in a fire and the current castle was built in 1662, designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, on the order of Queen Hedwig Eleonora. All royal personages have expressed their taste in the castle’s interior.

Queen Hedvig Eleonora’s state bedchamber, in gold and deep blue, was created by the best artists in the country. Gustav III had a love of chinoiserie and therefore had one room redecorated and turned into the Chinese Salon. Nicodemus Tessin the Younger designed the magnificent baroque garden that took shape in 1681. The southern part of the castle is currently the residency of the Swedish Royal couple King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia.

Guided tours in English and Swedish

The castle is open almost during the whole year, with the exception of a couple of weeks in December. Between October and April, the guided tours are included in your ticket, but from May to September they cost 30 Swedish crowns (free for children under the age of 18). During the 45 minutes long tour you will see the castles staterooms and hear exciting facts.

A well-preserved 18th century theater

The Drottningholm Palace Theatre (‘Slottsteater’ in Swedish) is one of Europe’s best-preserved theaters from the 18th century. The theater is open daily from April to September with tours in different languages. You are going to see the public rooms surrounding the auditorium, the decorations and the big foyer called the Dejeuner Salon. You are also going to experience 18th century sound effects, like the thunder and wind machine. The tour takes 30 minutes. A longer, 45-minute tour, is held at 4:30 pm before the evening performances.