Planning to watch the changing of the guard in Stockholm?
The Royal Guard has been at the palace since 1523, and its daily changing is one of the most popular sights in Stockholm.
This guide covers where to watch, the parade routes, and what you can see inside the palace afterwards.
Let’s dive right in.
WHEN AND WHERE, IN THE ARMED FORCES’ WORDS
WHEN
The ceremony begins at 12:15 p.m. on weekdays (including Saturdays) and at 1:15 p.m. on Sundays and public holidays. It lasts for about 40 minutes.
BUT CHECK ON THE DAY
Times and locations for the guard parade and the changing of the guard are subject to change.Today’s calendar
WHERE
The guard parade’s march leads to the Outer Courtyard of the Royal Palace, where the changing of the guard takes place.
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Where the Changing of the Guard Takes Place
The Main Arena: Outer Courtyard (Yttre borggården) of Kungliga Slottet
The changing of the guard takes place in the Outer Courtyard (Yttre borggården) of the Royal Palace in Gamla Stan, at the end of the guard parade’s march through the city.
- Free to watch You do not need a ticket to watch in the courtyard or along the parade route.
- A working palace The Royal Palace is the King’s official residence and a workplace as well as a monument, and the guard is a working military guard, manned mainly by the Life Guards.
The Palace Around You
The palace around the courtyard was built in the baroque style by the architect Nicodemus Tessin, and has more than 600 rooms over eleven floors.
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The Parade Route Through Central Stockholm
The parade on foot usually marches from the Army Museum on Riddargatan, and the mounted parade, on selected days from April to August, from the cavalry barracks on Lidingövägen; both cross Norrbro into the Outer Courtyard, while in November and December the parade starts from Mynttorget.
Where the Parade Starts
Where the parade starts depends on whether it is on foot or mounted:
- On foot From the Army Museum (Armémuseum) on Riddargatan, through Östermalm to the city centre; on selected days from Sergels torg instead.
- Mounted On selected days from April through August, from the cavalry barracks on Lidingövägen.
- November and December The parade starts from Mynttorget in the Old Town and circles the palace.
TWO PARADES, ONE FINISH
- Army Museum, Riddargatan
- Artillerigatan
- Strandvägen
Selected days, April to August
- Cavalry barracks, Lidingövägen
- Sturegatan
- Stureplan
- Birger Jarlsgatan
BOTH PARADES
- Nybroplan
- Hamngatan
- Kungsträdgårdsgatan
- Strömgatan
- Gustav Adolfs torg
- Norrbro
- Outer Courtyard
In November and December the parade instead leaves from Mynttorget in the Old Town and circles the palace. forsvarsmakten.se
Crossing Norrbro
Both routes come through the city centre along Hamngatan, Kungsträdgårdsgatan and Strömgatan to Gustav Adolfs torg, and cross into the Old Town over Norrbro.
- Norrbro The last bridge before the palace, with the Royal Palace straight ahead: a good place to see the column on the move.
Into the Outer Courtyard
After Norrbro the column marches into the Outer Courtyard, where the handover takes place.
Foot Marching Infantry vs. Seasonal Mounted Cavalry Units
The parade takes two forms:
- On foot The most common form.
- Mounted On selected days from April through August, with the Life Guards’ Dragoon Music Corps; in the summer months the parade marches or rides with the Music Corps.
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Where to Stand
Stand at the edge of the Outer Courtyard, arriving early, for the closest view of the handover, or on Norrbro to see the column march past before following it in.
In the Outer Courtyard
- In the courtyard Stand at the edge of the Outer Courtyard for the closest view of the handover itself.
Along the Parade Route
- On the route Stand along the route—Norrbro is the last stretch—to see the column marching, and on mounted days the horses.
Timing Strategy: Courtyard Arrival vs. Catching the Street Parade
You have to choose between a place in the courtyard and following the march:
- Courtyard first Arrive early for a place at the front; you will miss the march through the streets but see the handover best.
- March first Watch the column cross Norrbro, then follow it to the palace; you will stand further back in the courtyard but see both parts.
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Visiting the Palace After the Ceremony
After the ceremony you can go inside the palace, which is open to visitors all year: one ticket covers the Royal Apartments, the Treasury and Museum Three Crowns.
What the Palace Ticket Covers
The palace ticket covers three parts, which you visit on your own: the Royal Apartments, the Treasury and Museum Three Crowns.
INSIDE THE PALACE
The Royal Palace ticket includes entrance to The Royal Apartments, The Treasury and Museum Three Crowns. The ticket is valid for visit on your own.
| Visitor | May–September | Rest of the year |
|---|---|---|
| Adults | SEK 240 | SEK 220 |
| Children aged 7–17 | SEK 120 | SEK 110 |
Free entry for children aged 6 or under when accompanied by an adult.
IT CAN CLOSE
In conjunction with His Majesty the King's official receptions the Royal Palace can be completely or partially closed.
The Royal Apartments
The palace’s grand state rooms, used for the monarchy’s official receptions. Among them is the Hall of State, ready for use by the parliament of 1755.
The Treasury (Skattkammaren)
In the cellar vaults under the palace: the regalia, the monarchy’s most important symbols.
Museum Three Crowns
Museum Three Crowns tells the medieval history of the palace, in the cellar vaults beneath it.
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Before You Go
Check the Swedish Armed Forces’ calendar on the day, because times and routes change with the season and on official occasions, and dress for about 40 minutes standing outdoors.
How the Parade Changes Through the Year
The parade changes with the season:
- Summer The parade marches or rides with the Music Corps; mounted parades on selected days from April through August.
- November and December The parade starts from Mynttorget in the Old Town instead of crossing Norrbro.
Official Occasions
Official duties change things:
- State visits and audiences Additional guards take part in the parades.
- Palace closures The palace can be completely or partially closed during the King’s official receptions.
- Check on the day Times and locations can change; check the Swedish Armed Forces’ calendar before you go.
Standing Outdoors
The ceremony lasts about 40 minutes, outdoors, whatever the weather:
- Footwear Wear shoes with a good grip when it is wet or icy.
- Dress for standing still Bring layers in winter and sun protection in summer.
In the Courtyard
- Courtyard access Watching in the Outer Courtyard is free and needs no ticket.
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Frequently Asked Questions About the Changing of the Guard
What time does the changing of the guard ceremony start?
The Swedish Armed Forces publish the start times and note that they are subject to change; they are quoted, with a link to the daily calendar, in the box on this page.
How long does the Stockholm guard change ceremony take?
About 40 minutes, according to the Swedish Armed Forces.
Is the changing of the guard free to attend?
Yes. Watching in the Outer Courtyard and along the parade route is free. The Royal Apartments, the Treasury and Museum Three Crowns inside the palace need a ticket.
Where is the best place to stand if arriving late?
If the courtyard is already full, go back to the parade route and watch the column on the move instead—Norrbro is the last stretch before the palace.
07 / FURTHER READING
Related Sources
BEFORE YOU GO
A flexible plan is a better plan.
Opening hours, admission policies, services and access can change. Check each attraction’s official website and the SL journey planner before travelling. Suggested times in this guide are planning estimates, not venue opening hours or guaranteed transfer times.
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PHOTOGRAPHS & LICENCES1
- Vaktavlösning, Stockholms slott, 20220801, bild 2.jpg — AleWi · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Brightened and colour-adjusted for this page; cropped to fit. The edited version is shared under the same licence.
