Drottningholm Palace
Ekerö, Sweden
A baroque royal residence on an island in Lake Mälaren, with formal gardens, a Chinese pavilion and an 18th-century theatre. Plan half a day, walk the garden to the lake, and note that the palace stays the royal family's home.
Drottningholm Palace on the island of Lovön in Lake Mälaren was built from 1662 to plans by Nicodemus Tessin the Elder, after the earlier palace of 1580 burned down at the end of 1661. In the 18th century it served as an important summer residence of the kings. Since 1981 King Carl XVI Gustaf and Queen Silvia have lived in the south wing; the rest of the palace is open to the public. The complex has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1991.
The grounds include Baroque gardens and an English landscape garden with statues that Gustav III bought in Italy, the Chinese Pavilion (1763 to 1770) and the Palace Theatre, where operas are staged in summer. Allow half a day to a full day for the palace, gardens and pavilion.
- Nearest town
- Ekerö, Sweden
- Category
- History & culture
- GPS
- 59.3215, 17.8860
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. Cold, short days in November–March. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Sweden: Tolls on some roads, bridges or tunnels. Congestion charges in Stockholm and Gothenburg; Øresund Bridge toll. Motorway limit for cars: 120 km/h.
Nearby
.jpg){kind=link}
Campsites nearby
- Ängby campingCampsite2 km from Drottningholm Palace · 110 pitchesTentsCaravansElectricityShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Bredäng Camping StockholmCampsite3 km from Drottningholm PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalWi-Fi
- Klubbensborgs campingCampsite5 km from Drottningholm PalaceTentsCaravansMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Långholmens husbilscampingMotorhome stopover8 km from Drottningholm PalaceMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- City – StockholmCampsite18 km from Drottningholm PalaceTentsCaravansShowersToiletsWi-Fi
- Björknäs CampingCampsite24 km from Drottningholm PalaceTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
All campsites in Sweden · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Drottningholm Palace?
Drottningholm Palace is in Ekerö, Sweden, at GPS 59.3215, 17.8860. It is about 10 km from Stockholm.
Can you camp near Drottningholm Palace?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Ängby camping, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 15 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Drottningholm Palace?
Places worth a stop nearby: Gamla Stan (11 km), Vasa Museum (12 km), Tyresta National Park (29 km) and Sigtuna (34 km).
When is the best time to visit Drottningholm Palace?
The most pleasant months are usually June–August. Still fine, with some compromises, in May and September. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)