Stockholm Royal Palace Tour

Tour Details

About the Tour

Category: History
Duration: 3 hours
Location: Stockholm

Photos & Highlights

Trace the steps and history of Swedish royals while you immerse yourself in their rituals and traditions
Led by a local historian
Storkyrkan (Great Church) and Royal Palace

Tour Description

Join us as we immerse ourselves in the story of the Swedish royal family and explore Stockholm, ambling through its great churches, prestigious castles, and public gardens. On this Stockholm Royal Palace Tour, we'll walk the circle of life with the Swedish royal family as we visit Storkyrkan, the Cathedral where royal weddings take place, and experience the ritual and tradition associated with the monarchy, such as the Högvakten—the changing of the guards at the Royal Palace. We’ll also gaze up at the Riddarhuset (House of Nobility) and Riddarholmen Church, the burial site of Sweden’s monarchs.

The branches of Sweden’s royal family tree act as our framework for this walking tour of the Royal Palace and other sites associated the symbolic heads of the country. Beginning on the island of Riddarholmen near a statue of Birger Jarl, one of the medieval founders of Stockholm, we'll start to unravel the story of Sweden’s history. We'll discuss why that history is almost by definition “royal,” thanks to the close intertwining of the lives of the Swedish kings with the rise and fall of their country’s political power and favor. We’ll also consider how this tradition of nobility and authority is connected to religion and the consequences of the shift from Viking paganism through Catholic Christianity to Protestantism in the wake of the Thirty Years War.

For a broader look at Swedish history, try our Gamla stan Walking Tour.

Our walk will be concentrated in the historical city center, where we’ll view the cityscape with a particular lens, looking to understand how this monarchical legacy has molded Swedish culture and society. We’ll take a leisurely walk visiting the aristocratic buildings of Riddarholmen Island before heading deeper into the historical sights of the Old Town.

Trail of Swedish Royals

Encountering stories along the way about the members of the Bernadotte dynasty, whose descendants still serve as symbolic figureheads for Sweden today, we’ll make our way to the Kungliga Slottet: the Royal Palace. Here, we’ll enter the magnificent stone castle complex and walk the same halls trod by Scandinavian royalty, discovering the antiquities and accouterments of centuries of northern wealth and splendor. And not to be forgotten, just behind the Palace is yet another stately example of the understated architectural style that defines Stockholm’s urban landscape. Storkyrkan, the Great Church, stands as a counterpart to the solemn grounds of the Palace and has acted as the stage for many notable milestones in the public lives of Sweden’s royals.

Take-Aways

As our time together comes to an end, we will fast forward to the present day, now having a better understanding of why the story of the royal dynasties in Sweden still plays a role in the hearts of the country’s citizens in the 21st century and how the tales of former kings are scattered across their shared history, forming their own archipelago—just like the physical one of the city’s geography.

For those interested in the workings of modern Sweden, we recommend our Swedish Socialism Tour.

Where You'll Start

Tour Experts

Elisabeth

Elisabeth is a sixth-generation Stockholmer with great appreciation and in-depth knowledge of the city. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and a Masters of Interpreting from Stockholm University and enjoyed a one-year study-abroad program at the University of Minnesota. Her fields of interest comprise history, architecture, art, literature, film, and politics.

Lars

Lars is himself a world traveler, but Södermalm in Stockholm is where he feels most at home. He has a passion for Stockholm’s history but very much up-to-date with the city of today. With a love of food, he is sure to know where the best chefs have their restaurants. And as a trained ranger (in South Africa) Lars is also sure to know the city’s parks, flora and fauna.

Leslie

Leslie was born in Canada and grew up in the United States before moving to Stockholm in 1982. She and her family spent the '90s in the UK and upon their return to Sweden, Leslie decided to pursue a career that allows her to share her love of Stockholm and unique perspective of Swedish culture. Thereafter she completed her education to become a qualified Stockholm guide and has special interests in architecture, history and contemporary Sweden.

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3 Reviews – (4.2)

Reviews can only be left by Context customers after they have completed a tour. For more information about our reviews, please see our FAQ.

Karin was pleasant and knowledgeable, but we found her presentation lacked focus and energy.

Marcia

Jun. 1, 2019

Nils was great!

Eric

Sep. 6, 2018