The Palace Park is a 54-acre (22-hectare) enclave of trees, ponds and winding gravel paths. Walk the grounds, admire the statues and watch soldiers in the park surrounding the Norwegian Royal family’s main home. Construction of the park started in the 1820s as the palace was being built. It was one of the city’s first public parks. Many of the trees planted at that time are still standing today.
As you stroll through the park, observe the statues of famous Norwegians. They include sculpted figures of the British-born princess who became Queen Maud of Norway in 1905 and the sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
The park’s main feature is the Royal Palace. Pause to take in the stuccoed brick facade of this early 19th-century building.
Witness the Changing of the Guard, the ceremony that sees the soldiers guarding the palace relieved of their duties and new sentries taking their posts. The spectacle lasts for about 40 minutes and takes place at lunchtime every day.
In the summer, the palace opens its doors for guided tours. Visit the state rooms, mirror hall, dining room and chapel. For details and prices, check the official website of the Royal House of Norway.
Enjoy quiet moments by the Ice Pond. Walk over its small bridge and admire the abundance of water lilies. In earlier times, ice was cut from this pond in the winter for use in the palace ice cellar and by some of Oslo’s breweries.
During the summer months you can visit Queen’s Park. This is the park within a park that is used by members of the Royal Family when they are in residence. It is open to the public from May 18 to October 1.
Situated in the centre of Oslo, the Palace Park is well-connected to metro, bus and tram networks. The park is free to enter, but there’s a fee for guided tours of the palace.
