En route to Drottningholm, you’ll pass through the western suburbs of the capital. Drottningholm Palace was the first UNESCO World Heritage Site in Sweden. It was chosen because it is regarded as the country’s best-preserved example of an 18th-century palatial setting, and is also representative of all European royal architecture modeled on Versailles. Situated on the island of Lovön in a small inlet of Lake Mälaren, west of Stockholm, Drottningholm has been the residence of the Swedish Royal Family since 1981. Work on Drottningholm Palace began in 1662 and followed the design of Nicodemus Tessin Senior. Upon the death of his father in 1681, Nicodemus Tessin Junior completed the project and also designed the French-inspired Baroque Garden. The project involved some of the finest artists of the age. Visit the magnificently decorated State Apartments and enjoy a stroll in the outdoor surroundings, including the French- and English-style landscaped gardens.

Notes:

Tour is available only on select sailings. Due to the Royal Wedding on June 8, the Royal Palace of Drottningholm will be closed for approximately 2 weeks, starting June 1. For the Rotterdam call on June 4 and Eurodam call on June 6 the visit to Royal Palace of Drottningholm will be replaced by a visit to the Chinese Pavilion. The Chinese Pavilion is a remarkable treasure located in the park of Drottningholm. King Adolf Fredrik surprised Queen Lovisa Ulrika on her birthday in 1753 with a small Chinese pleasure palace in the Drottningholm Palace Park. It was a highly appreciated birthday present as chinoiserie was all the rage in Europe at the time. The original wooden building was replaced in the 1760s by a more permanent one, which today contains one of the finest European rococo interiors. The Chinese Pavilion, together with Drottningholm Palace and its grounds, is on UNESCO's World Heritage List.