Review: Stockholm’s Royal Palace

Situated on the island of Gamla Stan, also known as Stockholm’s Old Town, is Kungliga slottet, Stockholm’s official residence and offices for the royal family. Collectively, the Royal Apartments comprise the staterooms and elaborately decorated halls used to host meetings and special events for the royal family and guests.

The original palace was built in the 10th century as a fortress and later become the residence for royalty in the 16th century, named the Kronor Castle. In 1697, a disastrous fire broke out and destroyed most of the building except for the north wing. Fifty-seven years were spent rebuilding the palace and all of its 608 rooms. The current palace is the largest royal castle used for its original purpose.

The Royal Apartments are open to visitors and tour groups. Visitors may walk through the connected series of rooms used by the royal family including the Karl XI Gallery, a stunning baroque hall inspired by the hall of mirrors in the Palace of Versailles outside Paris, France. This hall is often used for state dinners and has also been turned into a veritable nightclub for wedding receptions, with live performances by acclaimed Swedish deejay Avicii.

English tours are conducted at 10:30 a.m., and 2:30 p.m., each day, with an admission fee of 160 SEK (approximately $17). Catch the changing of the guard every day at 12:15 p.m., which takes place just outside the palace entrance.