Stockholm to Drottningholm Palace

By the Viamo editorial team · Editor Terje Moy · Last updated July 2026 · 5 min read

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Drottningholm Palace, the private residence of the Swedish royal family and a UNESCO World Heritage Site, sits on an island in Lake Mälaren just outside central Stockholm, and getting there is part of the appeal — a scenic boat across the water is the classic route, though a quicker metro-and-bus combination works just as well year-round. Here's how the two compare.

The scenic way: the Strömma boat

In the warmer months, Strömma runs boats from Stadshuskajen, the quay beside Stockholm City Hall, directly to Drottningholm, taking around 50 minutes each way. It's a genuinely pleasant journey past some of Lake Mälaren's waterfront and the western edge of the city, giving a different perspective on Stockholm than the more famous archipelago boats heading the other way, and for many visitors the boat trip is as much a part of the day as the palace itself. This service is seasonal, generally running from spring through early autumn, and tickets are bought separately from Stockholm's standard SL public transport passes, so budget for it as its own cost rather than assuming a transit card covers it.

The practical way: metro plus bus

Year-round, the most reliable way to reach Drottningholm is the Tunnelbana (metro) to Brommaplan, followed by a short local bus onward to the palace, with a total journey of around 30–40 minutes including the change. This route is covered by standard SL travel cards and tickets, making it the cheaper option as well as the only one available outside the boat's operating season. It's a straightforward, frequent connection with none of the seasonal uncertainty of the boat, and it's usually faster overall once waiting times are factored in.

Driving to Drottningholm

Drottningholm is about 11 km from central Stockholm, roughly a 20–25 minute drive. Driving is a reasonable option if you're visiting outside the boat season and want to skip the metro-and-bus connection, or if you're combining the palace with other stops west of the city. There's parking available near the palace grounds, though it can fill up on busy summer days when both the boat and road traffic converge on the site.

What to see at Drottningholm

The palace itself, often described as Sweden's answer to Versailles on a smaller scale, is still an active royal residence, though a portion of it is open to the public, with lavishly decorated state rooms reflecting several centuries of Swedish royal history. The surrounding gardens, laid out in formal French style near the palace and shifting to a more naturalistic English style further out, are free to walk through even without a ticket to the palace interior, and are a pleasant destination in their own right on a fine day.

The Chinese Pavilion

Tucked within the park grounds, the Chinese Pavilion (Kina Slott) is an 18th-century pleasure pavilion built in a fanciful Chinese-inspired style, originally a birthday gift from King Adolf Frederick to Queen Lovisa Ulrika. It's a separate ticketed attraction from the main palace and is generally considered one of the most unusual buildings in Sweden, well worth the short walk from the main palace if time allows.

The Court Theatre

The Drottningholm Palace Theatre, dating from the 1760s, is one of the best-preserved 18th-century theatres in the world, with much of its original stage machinery, scenery and backdrops still functional. It hosts opera and theatre performances using historic staging techniques during the summer season, and guided tours run outside performance times, making it a highlight for visitors interested in theatre history specifically.

Getting around once you're there

Everything at Drottningholm — the palace, the gardens, the Chinese Pavilion and the theatre — sits within an easy walk of each other on the same island grounds, so no local transport is needed once you've arrived, whether by boat or by metro and bus. The site is flat and stroller-friendly, and the gardens in particular reward simply wandering rather than following a fixed route.

Combining with other Stockholm excursions

Drottningholm's short journey time makes it easy to combine with other things in the same half-day, and travellers who enjoy this kind of royal-and-historic day trip often also visit Sigtuna or Uppsala on a separate day during the same Stockholm stay, both reachable by commuter train. For a different kind of boat trip around the city, our guide to Stockholm archipelago ferries covers the Waxholmsbolaget network out to the islands, a longer and more open-water experience than the calmer Mälaren crossing to Drottningholm.

Which should you choose?

The Strömma boat is the more memorable option when it's running, turning the journey itself into part of the visit, but it's seasonal and costs more than standard transit. The metro-and-bus route is faster, cheaper, covered by SL cards, and available year-round, making it the sensible default for most visitors, especially outside summer. If you're planning a longer Stockholm stay, see our Stockholm airport to the city guide and the broader Sweden by train guide for how the wider network fits together.

Frequently asked questions

What is the best way to get to Drottningholm Palace from Stockholm?

In summer, the scenic Strömma boat from Stadshuskajen (around 50 minutes) is popular, but the metro to Brommaplan plus a short connecting bus (around 30–40 minutes) runs year-round and is covered by standard SL tickets.

Does the boat to Drottningholm run all year?

No — it's a seasonal service, generally running from spring through early autumn. Outside that period, use the metro-and-bus route instead.

Is Drottningholm Palace still used by the royal family?

Yes — it's the private residence of the Swedish royal family, though part of the palace, the gardens, the Chinese Pavilion and the Court Theatre are open to visitors.

How long do I need to visit Drottningholm?

A half-day, roughly 3–4 hours, is enough to see the palace interior, walk the gardens and visit the Chinese Pavilion, longer if you're attending a performance at the Court Theatre.