The Royal Palace in Oslo is a grand and elegant building that sits at the end of Karl Johans gate, the city’s main boulevard, surrounded by a lovely park. It’s the official residence of Norway’s monarch, currently King Harald V and Queen Sonja, and has been home to Norwegian royalty since it was completed in the mid-19th century. The palace was commissioned by King Charles III John of Norway and Sweden in 1824, and after nearly 25 years of construction, it was finally finished and first occupied by King Oscar I in 1849.

From the outside, it’s a stately yellow building with a long, neoclassical façade and a large balcony where the royal family sometimes appears during national celebrations. The grounds around it, called Slottsparken, are open to the public all year and offer shaded paths, statues, and gardens — making it a favorite spot for a walk or picnic in the heart of the city. One highlight many visitors enjoy is the daily changing of the guard ceremony in front of the palace, a simple but charming ritual that happens around 1:30 p.m.

During the summer months, the palace itself opens for guided tours, allowing guests to see some of the richly decorated rooms used for official events and royal audiences. Inside, you’ll find beautiful salons, ballrooms, and even the royal chapel. The palace is both a working home for the royal family and a symbol of Norway’s independence and monarchy, standing proudly on a hill and overlooking the bustling streets of Oslo below.