Royal Palace, Oslo Palace

Address: The Royal Palace (Slottet), Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo, Norway

Website: https://www.royalcourt.no/

Hours: Palace park open year-round; guided tours in summer (check official site)

Admission: Viewing palace exterior and park: free; guided palace tours are seasonal and ticketed (check site)

The Royal Palace in Oslo is the official residence of the Norwegian monarch, located at the top of Karl Johans gate in central Oslo and completed in the mid-19th century. The building serves both as a private residence and a venue for official state functions.

Key visitor features are the palace park and the State Rooms, which are opened to the public in summer for guided tours that show ceremonial interiors and official reception spaces. The palace façade and forecourt are a central focal point in Oslo and are often used for official ceremonies.

Construction began in the 1820s and was carried out to designs by architect Hans Linstow; the palace was completed and occupied by the Norwegian royal family in the 1840s. Since then it has remained the principal royal residence and an official venue for state business.

Situated at the eastern end of central Oslo’s main boulevard, the palace overlooks the city centre and is within easy walking distance of the National Theatre, Parliament and waterfront areas.

• Visitor access: Guided tours of the palace interior are typically offered in summer months; check the palace website for seasonal opening dates and ticketing information.
• Ceremonial guard: A ceremonial changing of the guard takes place outside the palace on scheduled days, most frequently during the summer tourist season - times vary by season.

What to See#

• Palace Park: Palace Park is the landscaped grounds surrounding the palace, with paths, statues and viewpoints used by locals and visitors year-round.
• State Rooms: State Rooms - the interior reception rooms and ceremonial chambers are open for guided summer tours and contain furnishings and historic décor from the 19th century onward.

The Royal Palace (Det kongelige slott) is at the western end of Karl Johans gate in central Oslo. It is easily reached on foot from Oslo Central Station (about a 20-25 minute walk along Karl Johans gate) or a shorter walk (around 10 minutes) from Nationaltheatret station.

Numerous central buses and trams stop on streets leading onto Karl Johans gate, so the palace is readily accessible from anywhere in central Oslo.

• Check the palace's official site for the schedule of guided interior tours (limited summer openings) and for the daily Changing of the Guard - these are popular and must be booked or timed in advance to secure a place.
• Approach the palace via Karl Johans gate and enter through the Palace Park for the best photographic and walking routes; this also connects neatly with nearby attractions (National Theatre, Parliament).
• Visit early in the morning or later in the afternoon to avoid tour‑group crowds around the palace square and to enjoy the park and palace façades with fewer people.