Europe › Sweden › Stockholm › Stockholm Palace

Stockholm Palace

Scroll
Sweden’s Majestic Royal Residence

Stockholm Palace stands as Sweden’s official royal residence and a symbol of the country’s history. Built in the 18th century, it features grand halls and elegant facades that reflect classic European architecture. Visitors can tour its opulent rooms filled with historic artworks and ceremonial items used by Swedish monarchs for centuries. The palace also serves as a venue for state events and royal ceremonies throughout the year. Its central location near the city center makes it easy to reach, offering both cultural significance and architectural beauty in one place.

Palace in Stockholm
Climate zone: Warm continental

Warm continental: Humid continental climates with warm summers, cold winters and evenly distributed precipitation, typical of northern interior mid-latitudes.

See climate table
Ticket price: $$$
$Cheap
$$Medium
$$$Expensive, upscale
$$$+Very expensive, luxury
Safety: 8.6
General Safety:9
Accessibility:7
Read details
Tourist English: 4/5
English is widely spoken in Stockholm, especially in tourist areas and at attractions like the Royal Palace, which facilitates easy communication for visitors.
Last update: 12 Oct 2026
* We earn a commission from some links on this page.
Stockholm Palace Summary
Historic for royal heritage and ceremonies. Tour grand rooms, visit museums and watch the changing of the guard.
Opening hours:
Mon-Sun:10:00 - 16:00
Public website: www.kungligaslotten.se
Sweden – Quick facts
Power Grid: 230 V, 50 Hz
Plug: Type C , Type F
Type C:
Diagram of a Type C power plug
Type F:
Diagram of a Type F power plug

Read about power adapters
Currency: Swedish Krona (SEK)
£1 ≈ SEK 13.23
Cashless info: Rating 5/5
Sweden is one of the most cashless countries in the world. Nearly all transactions are conducted through digital means, with credit cards and mobile payments being standard. Cash is rarely used.

Save with a travel credit card
eSIM providers: Best value: Saily
Flexibility: Airalo
Read our in-depth comparison
Tipping: Tipping is optional in Sweden but appreciated. In restaurants, rounding up the bill or leaving a 5-10% tip is customary. Taxi drivers expect a small tip or rounding up the fare, while hotel staff may appreciate a small tip for services.
Public drinking: Public drinking is allowed in Sweden in designated areas, especially during festivals and in outdoor events. However, drinking in public spaces such as streets and parks may be restricted.
Public smoking: Smoking is banned indoors in public places, including restaurants, bars, and public transport. Designated smoking areas are available in many public spaces.
Midsummer
(June)
One of the most important holidays, with celebrations, festivals, and outdoor activities, expect crowded areas and increased travel.
Christmas
(December)
Christmas celebrations with markets and events, expect higher prices and crowded cities.
Swedish National Day
(June)
A national holiday with celebrations, parades, and festivals, particularly in Stockholm.
Emergency contact: Emergency Number: 112 (Police, Fire, Ambulance)
Taxi apps: Uber, Bolt
Other: Sweden is known for its beautiful landscapes, from the Northern Lights in Lapland to the archipelagos. Be prepared for cold winters, especially if you plan to visit during the winter months.
Best times to travel

The best times to travel section shows how the months compare for a visit, so you can find the time of year that fits what you want to do.

Background colours of the months:
The colour shows the typical temperature: yellow (hot), green (mild) and blue (cold). How strong the colour is shows the travel season: full colour means high season, soft colour means shoulder season and soft-striped means off season.

Weather symbols:
Each month has one symbol showing what the weather is typically like, such as hot and sunny, freezing or a rainy or snowy season. Use them to quickly spot months that match the weather you want, or to avoid the ones that don't.

Crowdedness:
The people icon shows how busy the place usually is. The more people, the more crowded it gets.

Additional notes:
The grey info boxes point out special things worth knowing, like recurring weather issues or seasonal events.

for Stockholm Palace, Sweden
❄️
Jan
❄️
Feb
❄️
Mar
🌤️
Apr
🌤️
May
🌤️
Jun
🌤️
Jul
🌤️
Aug
🌤️
Sep
☁️
Oct
❄️
Nov
❄️
Dec
High season: June - Aug.
Shoulder season: May, Sep., Dec.
Tap on a month for more info Hover over a month for more info
Royal Apartments and museums closed on some days for official events; guided tours and opening hours reduced in winter
Changing of the Guard daily around noon in summer, reduced schedule the rest of the year

Stockholm Palace, also known as the Royal Palace, is one of Europe’s largest and most impressive palaces, located on Stadsholmen island in Stockholm’s Old Town. Built in the Baroque style by architect Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, it replaced the medieval Tre Kronor Castle after a devastating fire in 1697. The palace spans over 600 rooms across eleven floors, featuring opulent royal apartments, ceremonial halls and museums dedicated to Sweden’s monarchy.

The palace is both a working royal residence and a cultural landmark open to the public year-round. Visitors can explore the lavish Royal Apartments decorated with exquisite Rococo interiors, the Treasury housing royal regalia and Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities showcasing fine art and historical artifacts. The Royal Chapel hosts religious ceremonies and important state occasions.

Popular highlights include the daily ceremonial Changing of the Guard, which attracts crowds eager to witness this traditional display. While the palace impresses with its grandeur and history, some visitors mention that the lighting inside the apartments can feel dim and detailed signage or explanations may be limited, requiring guided tours for full appreciation. Navigating the many stairs may also be challenging for those with mobility concerns.

Overall, Stockholm Palace offers a compelling blend of history, architecture and royal tradition that enriches any visit to Sweden’s capital.

Why travel to Stockholm Palace?

🏯Places worth seeing
  • 1 Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities
  • 2 The Royal Chapel
  • 3 The Treasury
🏞️Natural landmarks
  • 1 Slottsbacken
🎈Events
  • Changing of the Guard Ceremony

Knowledge before you go

  • Book tickets online. Guard change daily at 12:15 pm.
  • Allow 2-3 hours to explore apartments, Treasury and Tre Kronor Museum.
  • Arrive early for best guard ceremony views; arrive by 11:30 am peak season.
  • Combine with Gamla Stan walk nearby; palace hosts official events so check closures.

How to travel to Stockholm Palace

Visitors can reach Stockholm Palace easily via Stockholm Arlanda Airport, the main international gateway. From the airport, trains and buses connect to Stockholm Central Station located in the city center. The palace lies within walking distance in Gamla Stan or reachable by metro to Gamla Stan station. Public transport and taxis are plentiful and convenient within Stockholm.

Access summary

  • From Arlanda (ARN): Arlanda Express train to city, then walk. ~30–40 min.
  • From Bromma (BMA): Airport bus/SL bus plus metro to old town. ~40–50 min.
  • From central Stockholm: 10–15 min walk or short metro/bus to Gamla Stan.

Where to stay near Stockholm Palace

Stockholm’s Old Town and nearby Norrmalm district offer a variety of accommodation from charming boutique hotels to luxury international chains, making it easy to stay close to the Royal Palace and other main attractions.

Packing recommendations for Stockholm Palace

Log in to add this place to a travel list and get a summary of all recommended items for your whole trip.

Budget snapshot
Costs compared to home

We calculate the average costs when travelling to destinations and compare those with the living costs at your home. With this you can get an estimate of how expensive or cheap the destination is for you.

To customise this, you can set up which location and price level are used for the calculations in your account settings.

+25 %
Daily expenses in the region are around 25% higher than the average across United States. That means you'll spend considerably more on meals and getting around.
Exchange rate trend

The exchange rate price factor shows how expensive or cheap a currency currently is compared to its historical average. It's a quick way to see if a country is currently more or less affordable due to exchange rate changes.

-4 %
Your exchange rate (GBP to SEK) is 4% better than in recent years. That means travelling now costs around the same compared to the past.

Safety information overview

General safety
9
Stockholm Palace is exceptionally safe, with robust police presence and well‑lit surroundings. Crime rates are low and visitors rarely encounter theft or vandalism. Standard precautions – keep valuables secure and stay in designated tourist areas – ensure a worry‑free experience.
Accessi­bility
7
Stockholm Palace offers excellent accessibility: wide, level entrances, elevators and tactile signage. Wheelchair users can explore most rooms, though some historic corridors remain narrow. The guided tours are inclusive, but advance booking is recommended to secure accessible seating.

Looking for inspiration?

Discover
Top museum destinations and cultural institutions
Museum travel has developed a dedicated following built around the world's great permanent collections, blockbuster exhibition programmes and the architecturally significant…
Read more
Discover
Top historical destinations and historic sites
The most compelling history destinations are places where the past is still physically present and legible in the landscape, the architecture and the daily life of the people who…
Read more
Discover
Best museum destinations in Europe
Europe holds the world's greatest concentration of significant museum collections, accumulated over centuries of patronage, scientific inquiry and in many cases imperial…
Read more
Discover
Best historical destinations in Europe
Europe is one of the most historically dense regions on earth, where the evidence of successive civilisations, empires, conflicts and cultural movements is layered into the…
Read more
Discover
Most beautiful beaches and coastal escapes
For a lot of people, a beach is the whole point of a holiday, but what makes a beach day perfect really depends on personal taste. Some travellers want isolation and the feeling…
Read more
Discover
Stunning national parks and wilderness areas
National parks exist because someone decided that certain landscapes were too important to lose. The best of them protect ecosystems, wildlife and natural processes that would…
Read more
Discover
Intimate escapes and romantic getaways
The most memorable trips for couples tend to have less to do with luxury and more to do with the quality of shared experience. A place that slows you down, removes the usual…
Read more
Was this page helpful?
Feedback