Royal Palace, Oslo

The Royal Palace in Oslo (Norwegian: Slottet) is the official residence of Norway's monarch and one of the capital's most recognisable landmarks. It crowns the Bellevue hill at the very end of Karl Johans gate, the city's main shopping and promenading street. King Harald V and his wife live here today, so this is a working royal home rather than a museum.

Who designed the palace and when was it built?

The architect was Hans Ditlev Franciscus von Linstow, and the building is neoclassical in style. Construction ran from 1825 to 1849. The palace was meant to house King Karl Johan, ruler of the united kingdoms of Sweden and Norway, but he did not live to see it finished. Norway was a poor country at the time and funding depended on parliamentary approval, so work slowed repeatedly and at times stopped altogether. The palace was inaugurated on 26 July 1849, and King Oscar I became its first resident.

Since when has it been the permanent royal residence?

For decades the palace served the rulers of the Swedish-Norwegian union. It became the permanent seat of the Norwegian monarch in 1905, when King Haakon VII moved in after the union with Sweden was dissolved. Every Norwegian king since has lived and worked here.

What is worth seeing?

• The building itself. The plain, symmetrical neoclassical facade dominates the city centre, and the square in front offers a view down the whole length of Karl Johans gate toward the station and parliament.
• Changing of the guard. A daily guard ceremony takes place in front of the palace and is popular with visitors.
• The Palace Park (Slottsparken). The surrounding park was laid out as a Romantic landscape garden, probably inspired by German gardens of the 1840s. It is open to walkers and is a favourite resting spot for locals.
• Interior tours. State rooms, including the Council Chamber and the Grand Ballroom, can only be seen on a guided tour during the summer season. Some tours run in English, and the route changes slightly from year to year.

Planning your visit

Interior tours require advance ticket booking and a security check, so look up current dates on the royal court's official website before you travel. The palace pairs naturally with a stroll along Karl Johans gate, which leads from the central parts of town straight to the residence. Because the building is inhabited, you cannot simply walk in, but the exterior, the park and the guard ceremony are available without a ticket.

Frequently asked questions

Does the king really live in the palace? Yes. It is the official residence of King Harald V and his wife, which is why access to the interiors is limited.

Can I go inside on my own? No. The interiors are visited only on a guided tour, in the summer season, with advance booking.

Is the park an entrance-fee area? The palace park is an open public space used by tourists and Oslo residents alike.

How do I get there? Walk up Karl Johans gate toward the Bellevue hill. The palace is visible from far away at the end of the street.

How much time should I plan? An hour or two is usually enough for the exterior, the park and the guard ceremony; joining an interior tour makes the visit longer.