Royal Palace, Oslo

Royal Palace, Oslo (must see)

The Royal Palace (Slottet) in Oslo was constructed in the first half of the 19th century as the residence for King Karl III Johan of Norway. Originally from France, the king (also known as Karl XIV Johan of Sweden) reigned over Norway and Sweden from 1818 to 1844. Today, the palace serves as the official residence of the Norwegian monarch (whereas the Crown Prince resides at the Skaugum estate in Asker, west of Oslo).

Situated at the end of Karl Johans Gate, the palace is surrounded by Palace Park (Slottsparken) and is fronted by Palace Square (Slottsplassen). Before its completion, Norwegian royalty resided in Paléet, a grand townhouse in Christiania (now Oslo). The construction of the Royal Palace began in 1824 and lasted for nearly 25 years, based on the designs by Danish-born architect Hans Linstow.

Despite adopting a simpler three-story neo-classical design, the palace remained unfinished when King Karl passed away in 1844. His son and successor, Oscar I, and his wife, Queen Josephine, became its first residents five years later.

The Royal Palace Chapel, consecrated in 1844, is used for religious services and various events of the Norwegian royal family, such as baptisms and confirmations.

Following the dissolution of the Union with Sweden in 1905, the palace became the permanent royal residence of Norway’s new monarch, King Haakon VII. Significant renovations were undertaken during the reign of King Harald V to address structural issues and modernize the building. Public access to the palace began in 2002, and the daily changing of the guard has since become a popular attraction for visitors.

Moreover, in 2017, the former palace stables were renovated and converted into a versatile art venue called The Queen Sonja Art Stable (Dronning Sonja KunstStall). Open to the public, this building serves as an art gallery, museum, and concert hall.

Guided tours of the palace, predominantly in Norwegian, are offered throughout the afternoon during the summer months. However, English-language tours are also available daily at 12 pm, 2 pm, 2:20 pm, and 4 pm. Tickets for these guided tours can be purchased online starting from the 1st of March each year.

Tip:
Changing of the royal guards is at 1:30 pm daily. You can always politely approach one of the guard soldiers and take a nice photo or have a chat with them :)
The garden is peaceful and freely accessible – you can have a picnic there and quietly enjoy nature.

Want to visit this sight? Check out these Self-Guided Walking Tours in Oslo. Alternatively, you can download the mobile app "GPSmyCity: Walks in 1K+ Cities" from Apple App Store or Google Play Store. The app turns your mobile device to a personal tour guide and it works offline, so no data plan is needed when traveling abroad.

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Royal Palace on Map

Sight Name: Royal Palace
Sight Location: Oslo, Norway (See walking tours in Oslo)
Sight Type: Attraction/Landmark
Guide(s) Containing This Sight:

Walking Tours in Oslo, Norway

Create Your Own Walk in Oslo

Create Your Own Walk in Oslo

Creating your own self-guided walk in Oslo is easy and fun. Choose the city attractions that you want to see and a walk route map will be created just for you. You can even set your hotel as the start point of the walk.
Oslo Introduction Walking Tour

Oslo Introduction Walking Tour

Originally a Viking village, Norway's capital city has a long and multifaceted history that begins long before its establishment as a trading hub of Ánslo in 1040 AD. Archaeological findings suggest the presence of a Christian settlement in the area predating the year 1000.

Throughout the Middle Ages, Oslo's significance varied under the rule of Danish and Norwegian kings. Around...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 4.1 Km or 2.5 Miles
Old Oslo Walking Tour

Old Oslo Walking Tour

The historic Old Town of Oslo is the oldest part of the city which dates back to the days of medieval Norway. This urban area emerged around the year 1000 and became the capital of Norway's dominion (within the Dano-Norwegian Realm) around 1300. The Old Town district continued to be known as Oslo, while the whole city was called Christiania, until 1925.

One of its prominent landmarks is...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 1.4 Km or 0.9 Miles
Grunerlokka Walking Tour

Grunerlokka Walking Tour

Formerly a working-class area of Oslo, Grunerlokka is one of the capital’s hippest neighborhoods. This district is named after Friedrich Gruner, the former chief administrator of the city in the late 1600s. Today's Grunerlokka is a fusion of Norwegian and foreign cultures, owing it largely to the late 20th-century gentrification process.

Apart from the street art, stylish bars, happening...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.5 Km or 1.6 Miles
Historical Churches Walking Tour

Historical Churches Walking Tour

Oslo's religious landscape, particularly within the Christian tradition, is a captivating tapestry interwoven with history, faith, and architectural elegance. The city boasts a collection of historical churches reflecting the evolution of local Christian communities. Diverse in their designs, these sacred sites offer a glimpse into the deep-rooted religious traditions that have shaped Oslo...  view more

Tour Duration: 1 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 2.0 Km or 1.2 Miles
Museum District (Bygdoy) Walking Tour

Museum District (Bygdoy) Walking Tour

Oslo's Museum District, located on the Bygdoy Peninsula, is home to some of the most visited museums in the city. Repositories of precious artifacts from Norway’s history, these remarkable institutions collectively represent a treasure trove for those keen on exploring this northerly nation's past.

One of the standout attractions here is the Fram Museum, showcasing the incredible...  view more

Tour Duration: 2 Hour(s)
Travel Distance: 3.1 Km or 1.9 Miles

Useful Travel Guides for Planning Your Trip


Traveler's Choice: 15 Norwegian Gifts from Oslo

Traveler's Choice: 15 Norwegian Gifts from Oslo

The Norwegians are strict about gift making and believe that each gift must be equaled with a return one. For this reason, public holidays and birthdays are a very serious business in Norway, with everyone making and receiving gifts. In the spirit of this tradition, you might want to treat your dear...