In Stockholm and around Lake Mälaren there are plenty of magnificent buildings that are open to visitors – both royal castles and privately-owned manor houses. If you’re visiting a castle outside the city centre you can bet there will be gardens and a cosy café, so don’t forget your picnic blanket.
DrottningholmTel: +46 8 402 62 80Not far from central Stockholm is Drottningholm Palace, the residence of the Royal Family and one of Sweden’s world heritage sites. The palace is a unique building from the 17th century, surrounded by magnificent palace gardens. The palace gardens, with their wide lawns and leafy glades, provide the perfect surroundings for a picnic on a warm summer day. Don’t miss the Chinese Pavilion and the Palace Theatre, which has not been altered since it was completed in 1766.
Getting there: Drottningholm Palace is west of Stockholm. In the summer you can take a boat from outside the City Hall to Drottningholm, but it’s possible to get there by underground and bus all year round. A good tip is to take the boat back to Stockholm after your visit to Drottningholm – the view of the city from Riddarfjärden bay is breathtaking.Underground to Brommaplan, change to bus 301-323.
Journey time, one-way: About 30 minutes on public transport. The boat trip takes around one hour.www.royalcourt.se
Hamngatan 4Tel: +46 8 402 30 99The Hallwylska Palace was built at the end of the 19th century by a couple called Walther and Wilhelmina von Hallwyl. The palace was equipped with all the modernities of its day, such as electricity, telephones and bathrooms. Wilhelmina was one of the major art collectors of the early 20th century, and her vision was to create a museum for her collections. In 1920, their home and collections were donated to the Swedish state, and the palace and its interiors have been preserved in an identical state to this day.www.hallwylskamuseet.se
Slottsbacken 1Tel: +46 8 402 61 30The Royal Palace is an impressive Baroque building boasting more than 600 rooms. As well as visiting the state apartments, you can also visit the Royal Treasury to see the crown regalia, the Three Crowns Museum and Gustav III’s Museum of Antiques.The Royal Palace is also the workplace of some members of the Royal Family, although their permanent place of residence is Drottningholm Palace.www.royalcourt.se