Drottningholm – Palace, Park and World Heritage

Drottningholm combines royal history, exceptional gardens and various ways to spend the day actively or culturally. The royal estate is located on the island of Lovön, about 10 km outside Stockholm. This is an interesting combination when choosing your accommodation: you can experience Drottningholm as a destination in its own right or combine your visit with a stay in the Stockholm area.

Palace, theatre and Chinese pavilion

At the centre is the royal estate with its buildings and gardens. The ensemble is exceptionally well preserved and contains original interior furnishings. Drottningholm Palace Theatre dates from the 18th century and, together with the palace, forms part of the World Heritage Site. Those interested in architecture and courtly culture will find a place here where several historical themes come together directly at a single destination.

Another special feature is Kina slott in the park at Drottningholm. The pleasure palace was built in the 18th century as a gift to Queen Lovisa Ulrika and is now a museum. Kina slott and its surrounding grounds have been on the UNESCO World Heritage List since 1991. The palace itself also features architectural elements inspired by the palaces of France and Italy. This creates a varied cultural experience that extends beyond visiting a single building.

The historic estate also includes the palace chapel. It opened in 1730 and has been in continuous use ever since. Services are held there on the last weekend of every month, and everyone is welcome to attend. Evert Lundquist’s studio was located in the old engine house at the Chinese Pavilion. Today, it houses an atmospheric museum with oil paintings, charcoal drawings and drypoint etchings.

Gardens, water and walking paths

The palace park offers a completely different way to experience Drottningholm. Avenues, a French-inspired pleasure garden, an English park and a Baroque garden shape the grounds. There are also two ponds with canals, islands and bridges, large lawns and walking paths. Families can therefore structure their visit according to their interests and energy levels: a cultural tour can be followed by a longer stay outdoors, while other travellers may choose to make the gardens the focus of their visit.

For themed walks in the palace park, the Royal Walks app offers suitable routes. A cycle path also leads from central Stockholm to Drottningholm. This makes travelling by bicycle an option that can be incorporated into the day’s itinerary, without limiting the visit exclusively to palace rooms and museums.

Getting there and planning suitable accommodation

Drottningholm Palace is easiest to reach by an SL bus from Brommaplan. In summer, you can also travel from the city by a turn-of-the-century boat across Lake Mälaren; the journey takes one hour. Visitor parking is available in Drottningholm and at Drottningholm Palace Theatre. Bus and wheelchair-accessible parking spaces are also available.

When looking for a holiday apartment, it is therefore worth deciding on your preferred travel rhythm. Those who mainly want to combine the palace, theatre, museums and park in one day can plan Drottningholm as a cultural focus. Those who want to use a bicycle, bus or, in summer, the boat can consider the journey itself part of the excursion. Choosing the location in this way helps you select accommodation that suits your personal mix of city visits, culture and walks.

For the overarching travel overview: Drottningholm.