Drottningholm Palace, Royal residence in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden
Drottningholm Palace is a royal residence on Lovön island in Ekerö Municipality, Sweden. The complex includes a main building with reception halls, a historic theatre, and a Chinese Pavilion set within extensive gardens.
Construction of the residence began in 1662 and was rebuilt in Baroque style from 1699 following a fire, under the direction of architect Nicodemus Tessin the Elder. The site received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1991.
The court theatre preserves its original 18th-century stage machinery and hosts classical opera performances during summer months. Visitors can see the working backstage equipment and hand-operated winch systems still used to move scenery.
Guided tours through the state apartments run regularly, while the garden areas remain freely accessible throughout the year. Reaching the site is easiest by boat or bus from Stockholm city center.
The royal family occupies part of the residence permanently while state apartments remain open for museum visitors. This dual function as both lived-in home and public museum exists in only a few European royal residences.
The community of curious travelers
AroundUs brings together thousands of curated places, local tips, and hidden gems, enriched daily by 60,000 contributors worldwide.
