Day-trips for history buffs: The historic castles of Stockholm
Publish date: 11 February 2025
Sweden and its capital are steeped in history, as is evident in the multitude of castles and palaces dotting the greater Stockholm area.
Dazzling gardens, the Baroque, the Renaissance, and a history that's something out of a fairy tale – make the trip to one of the numerous historic palaces in the Stockholm area! Below, we’ve listed nine fascinating palaces, along with various museums and pavilions located on the castle grounds.
Most of the sites can be easily reached by public transportation: Bus, tram, the subway, or a commuter ferry. The Royal Palace lies in Old Town, in central Stockholm. Others, like the castles of Gripsholm and Skokloster, are further away from the city and might require some more planning. All are well worth a visit for anyone with a passion for history.
- Drottningholm Palace – Drottningholm was inaugurated in 1730 and has acted as the official residence for H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf since 1981. The UNESCO-listed palace features royal splendor in spades with magnificent salons, a Baroque garden, a well-preserved palace theater, and a Chinese pavilion. Located on the island with the same name, the palace is easily reached with public transport (busses depart regularly from Bromma). For the scenic route though, opt for the summer ferry.
- Gripsholm Castle – Gripsholm Castle is located in the neighboring town of Mariefred (1 hour by train from Stockholm). The castle was built on orders from H.M. Gustav Vasa in the 1500s and still has many well-preserved rooms and salons from the period. Later additions to the castle include H.M. Gustav III's Palace Theater and the National Portrait Gallery. Another beloved attraction is Leo, a taxidermy lion from the 18th century. (Made by a taxidermist who probably had to make an educated guess about what a lion actually looks like...)
- Rosendal Palace – Rosendal Palace, open for visitors only during the summer, is located on the island of Djurgården. The palace is a primary example of the Swedish Empire Style/Karl Johan Style and was built in the 1800s. The opulent palace speaks to Djurgården's history as a place for rest and relaxation, having been commissioned by King Karl XIV Johan as his hunting cabin.
Find world heritage sites in the area
Find world heritage sites in the area
Drottningholm Palace is one of Stockholm's three world heritage sites. Here's where you'll find the rest!
UNESCO World Heritage sites in Stockholm
Arrow icon- Rosersberg Palace – Built in the 1630s by the wealthy Oxenstierna family, Rosersberg has been in the care of the royal family since 1762. Most of the palace's royal splendor has been kept intact since the time of King Karl XIV Johan and Queen Desideria (the last royals to use Rosersberg as a residence) and has a large collection of well-preserved unique textiles. The palace is located north of Stockholm, a 2-km walk from the Rosersberg train station.
- Skokloster Castle – Built in the early 1600s, Skokloster is the largest private castle in Sweden. Since 1967, the impressive Baroque castle has counted as one the most notable of its kind, with its many antiques, weapons, and art collection being in the care of the Swedish state. You'll find several works by Giuseppe Arcimboldo (1527-1593) in the collection. For example the vegetable man Vertumnus. The castle is located north of Stockholm, about 1 hour from Stockholm Central Station.
- The Royal Palace – The Royal Palace in Old Town opened in 1756, having been built on the site of the old palace Tre Kronor that perished in the great Old Town fire of 1697. Although the palace is the official residence of H.M. Carl XVI Gustaf, many of the castle's 600 rooms are open to visitors. Among the most notable rooms and hallways are Rikssalen (the Hall of State) and Ordenssalarna (Halls of the Orders of Chivalry), but even the smallest reading room or bedchamber has a fascinating story to tell. You'll also find Gustav III's Museum of Antiquities, the Tre Kronor Museum, The Treasury, and The Royal Armoury on the palace grounds.
- Tullgarn Palace – Located south of Stockholm, near the small town of Trosa, is the summer residence of Tullgarn. The palace is said to have been H.M. Gustav V's favorite palace and the king spent many summers here hunting, fishing, having picnics on the castle grounds, and playing tennis on his private court.
- Tyresö Palace – A private palace south of Stockholm, in the municipality of Tyresö. The palace was built by the noble Oxenstierna family but was handed over to the state in 1930. Today it serves as a museum, under the supervision of Nordiska Museet. The lush palace garden is a lovely picnic spot and the small island of Notholmen has a summer café serving sandwiches, salads, and pancakes.
- Ulriksdal Palace – Ulriksdal in Solna is located in the green surroundings of The Royal National City Park. The late Renaissance/early Baroque estate has been the preferred summer getaway for many Swedish royals throughout history, but since the early 1900s, the Palace has been a museum in the care of the Swedish State. Aside from the lovely park and the Orangery, Ulriksdals most famous feature is its palace theater Confidencen; Sweden's oldest Rococo theatre that still sees regular use.
Museums for history buffs
Museums for history buffs
Learn about Stockholm's and Sweden's history at some of the city's best museums.
History museums in Stockholm
Arrow icon