This opulent, Baroque-style palace is one of the key structures inStockholm’s Old Town. Dating back to the 18th century, the palace today remainsan official residence of the Swedish royal family. Explore the seven floors ofthe palace and you’ll come across more than 600 rooms, a vast collection ofItalian sculptures and a daily changing of the guard ceremony.
Visit the Royal Apartments first. Here you’ll find the meeting area forthe king and his government, a gallery filled with royal portraits and theregal silver throne that is the centrepiece of the Hall of State. The throneonce belonged to Queen Kristina, a 17th-century ruler who abdicated from herrole following a change of religion. Descend into the basement to discovercrowns, swords and a silver baptismal font in the palace treasury.
Back upstairs you’ll find the first of two museums within the palace.The Museum of Antiquities is home to King Gustav III’s impressive collection ofmore than 200 Italian sculptures, but it is only open during the summer months.Find out the story of the original Royal Palace, which succumbed to fire in1697, at the nearby Tre Kronor Museum.
Make your way outside to witness the Changing of the Guard. A highlightof any visit to Stockholm, the ceremony lasts 40 minutes and features acomplete military band and mounted guards.
Visit the Royal Palace in August and you’ll come across a series ofopen-air classical concerts in the Royal Chapel and Hall of State.
The Stockholm Royal Palace is located in the Old Town, just 20 minuteson foot from the centre of the city. Buses and metro are convenient ways toreach the palace, as parking is limited and expensive. The Royal Palace is opendaily between May and September, but operates on a reduced schedule of Tuesdayto Saturday for the remainder of the year. An admission fee applies to visitthe palace but includes a 45-minute guided tour in both English and Swedish.
