One Stockholm day trip option is to venture out to Drottningholm to tour Drottningholm Slott, a Swedish Royal Palace. Sure, you could tour the Royal Palace in Stockholm, but I think that there’s a completely different feel the two palaces, even if you just visit the exteriors. So in this guide, I’m going to walk through everything you need to know about planning a trip to Drottningholm Slott.
About Drottningholm Slott
Drottningholm Slott was a summer palace during the 17th century but now functions as the main Royal Palace for Swedish Royalty. When the original palace burned down during the 1600s, a new palace was built over 40 years. Interestingly, the palace burned down after a visit from Queen Hedvig Eleonora, who already had plans to build a bigger, better palace. Is it coincidence or something more? I’ll let you decide.
What to See at Drottningholm Slott
I’m breaking this section into three parts as I believe there’s three separate parts to touring Drottningholm Slott. There’s the castle itself, the gardens, and the Drottningholm Court Theater.
Drottningholm Slott
Let’s start with the place itself, since for most people, this is the whole reason for venturing out to Drottningholm. I’ve already talked a bit about the history of Drottningholm Slott, so let’s instead talk a bit about what you will see on your tour.
On the first floor of Drottningholm Slott, you’ll see the Green Cabinet, Hedvig Eleonora’s bedchamber, and the residence of Gustav III. Also on the first floor are a series of Royal Portraits and the library (which features a model of Pompeii—Gustav III loved archaeology).
On the second floor, you’ll continue your tour through the magnificent rooms of the palace. But keep a look out for some of the treasures scattered throughout. There’s a bust of Catherine the Great (who was a cousin of King of Sweden), tapestries from France (specifically the Gobelins), and even more tapestries from England. King Karl XI’s Gallery, also on the second floor, is still used for royal functions, such as weddings and receptions.
In the interest of full transparency, I have to admit that I have not toured the interior of Drottningholm Slott. I have explored the gardens (more on that later), but the actual palace was closed for visitors on the day I visited. I knew that that was the case, but I still ventured out regardless, just to explore the gardens and to see the palace from the exterior (and to see how it compared to the palaces I saw elsewhere in Scandinavia).
Gardens
My time at Drottningholm Slott really focused on the gardens, as that’s what is open on a Monday in April. First, it has to be said that I visited in mid-April and there was a big feel that the gardens were still in hibernation. While there was a park with trees nearby, the main paths through the garden remained rather empty as if they were waiting for plants to be planted or to begin blooming.
But it’s not just the plants that you should consider. Deep within the gardens, you’ll find several other buildings, including the Chinese Pavilion. It can be a fun scavenger hunt as you walk through the gardens to see what you can find (although if you have a map, it’s not much of a challenge to find all of the buildings).
Take a good look at the exterior of the palace, but if it’s a nice day, the gardens, which are free to visit, are a great place to just stroll.
Drottningholm Court Theater (Drottningholms Slottsteater)
Not only does this 18th century theater still survive, but many of the original instruments, sets, and sound-effects machines still survive too. In order to visit the theater, you must take a guided tour (the cost is separate from your entrance to Drottningholm Slott).
The theater was built during the 1700s to satisfy the King’s wife who did not enjoy Swedish theater. Their son, Gustav III, loved the theater, so much so that he even wrote his own productions. After his death, the theater sat quiet for over a century before plays and operas were finally performed here again.
Entrance Fees
Tickets start at 160 SEK for a basic adult ticket. Guided tours and combo tickets can increase the price. You can buy your tickets online.
Unlike many sights, Drottningholm Slott is not open year round. While the palace is typically open daily during the summer months, it runs on a significantly reduced schedule during the year. Check the website for the most up to date opening times.
Can You Visit Drottningholm Slott in the Off Season?
Yes, you can visit Drottningholm Slott during the off season, but there is a catch. During the off season, the interior of the castle is only open on certain days. So while you could stroll the grounds, you won’t be able to visit the inside of the castle.
Is Drottningholm Slott Worth Visiting?
For those with an interest in Swedish Royal history, absolutely the palace is worth visiting. I also think it can be an interesting experience for most visitors. Drottningholm Slott feels a world away from Stockholm and that alone can make it worth the visit for some.
Is Drottningholm Worth Visiting if the Palace is Closed?
I made the trip out to Drottningholm Slott on a day when it wasn’t open. I had one free day in Stockholm and I chose to make a day trip day. I started my day at Uppsala and finished at Drottningholm Slott. Because I was traveling on a week day in mid April, the castle was not open. Honestly, I don’t think the journey was worth it.
Now I have to say that I’m happy that I went out because it gave me something to do and I did enjoy my walk through the grounds. Sure I could have walked around Stockholm (but half of the museums were closed there too), but walking the castle grounds had very different feel. Honestly, it was nice to escape the hustle and bustle of the city, since my itinerary had a heavy city focus.
But because I couldn’t go in the palace, it wasn’t as exciting as it could be. So, if you’re visiting Stockholm and considering a visit to Drottningholm Slott, I’d look to other day trip options if the castle is closed that day.
How Long Do You Need in Drottningholm Slott?
I’d suggest setting aside at least a half day to visit Drottningholm Slott. You’ll need anywhere from 30 to 60 minutes to make the journey from Stockholm’s city center to the palace (plus the equivalent time to return). Beyond that, you’ll want time to explore the interior of the palace, plus I recommend taking a stroll through the gardens (mine lasted about an hour). If you want to visit the Drottingholm Court Theater, or linger at any of the sights on this list, you may want to budget a bit more than a half day.
Getting to Drottningholm Slott
From Stockholm, you’ll need to take the metro to Brommaplan. You can do this by taking either line 17, 18, or 19. From Brommaplan, you’ll catch a bus to Drottningholm. There’s numerous buses that you can get, but just make sure you get the bus going in the correct direction (I did not and had to get off and take a second bus going the opposite direction). Typically the buses to Drottningholm depart from platforms A, E, and F.
This whole journey costs 42 SEK. One public transportation ticket will cover both your metro journey and your bus ticket. Just keep in mind that you will need two tickets: one for the journey to Drottningholm and one for the return journey to Stockholm.
It is possible to walk from Brommaplan to Drottningholm Slott. It’s about a 45 minute walk, but since your metro ticket can be transferred to the bus, it makes sense to just take the bus. That said, it’s a doable walk. I did the walk, but not by choice. You cannot purchase a ticket on the bus, so you either need to use the SL app or have purchased a multi-journey travel pass (such as a 24 hour pass).
My phone was having issues and would not send me the verification code to finalize my payment in the app (it was not an issue with the app but with my phone service itself—three restarts later and my phone finally worked again). I digress, but my point stands. You can walk part of the journey (from Brommaplan to Drottningholm, not Stockholm to Brommaplan), but you don’t need to.
If you’re here during the summer months, you have the option to arrive via boat. This is more expensive than taking public transportation but can add a unique perspective on the palace that you won’t be able to get any other way. Boats depart from the Klara Malarstrand Pier in Stockholm (near City Hall) and take about one hour to make the journey to Drottningholm Slott.
Final Thoughts
While it’s true that I didn’t get to tour the interior of any of the buildings at Drottningholm Slott, I am glad I visited. That said, for nearly all travelers, I don’t think it’s worth visiting Drottningholm Slott if the main castle is closed. Sure you can wander the grounds, but that only lasts for so long. I just feel like you’d be able to get so much more out of your visit if you toured the actual palace and not just the outside.
Continue Your Adventure
Sweden: No visit to Sweden would be complete without a visit to the capital city of Stockholm. There’s plenty of day trip options, including Uppsala. Plus, don’t miss Gothenburg, the second largest city in Sweden. And check out my Sweden Travel Guide for everything you need to know.
Scandinavia: Start planning your trip to Scandinavia with this 10 Day Itinerary, featuring stops in Denmark, Sweden, and Norway. Check out my Scandinavia Budget for a realistic look at travel costs and budgeting tips. Plus, here’s my top tips for traveling Scandinavia.