Royal Palace, Oslo (must see)

The Slottet, also known as the Royal Palace, situated in Oslo, was constructed during the first half of the 19th century to serve as the Norwegian residence for King Charles III of Norway, who hailed from France. He held the title of king for both Norway and Sweden. Presently, the palace serves as the official abode of the reigning Norwegian monarch, while the Crown Prince resides at Skaugum in Asker, located to the west of Oslo.

The commencement of palace construction dates back to 1825, and the arduous process lasted for nearly twenty-five years. Overseeing the construction was the local architect Hans Linstow, who faced considerable political challenges throughout. At one point, the government halted further funding due to the king's efforts to strengthen the bond between Sweden and Norway. Despite adopting a simpler three-story neo-Classical design, the palace remained unfinished when King Charles III passed away in 1844. His son and successor, Oscar I, became its first resident five years later.

Since 2002, the palace has opened its doors to the general public, allowing them to admire the remarkable renovations and grandeur it now exhibits. The daily ceremonial changing of the guards has emerged as a popular attraction among tourists in recent times. Moreover, in 2017, the former palace stables underwent restoration and transformation into a versatile art venue. This building serves as an art gallery, a museum, and a concert hall, accessible to everyone.

Guided tours are offered throughout the afternoon during the summer months, predominantly in Norwegian. However, English-language tours are available at 12pm, 2pm, 2:20pm, and 4pm daily. Tickets for these guided tours can be purchased online starting from the 1st of March each year.

Why You Should Visit:
Not a palace in the tradition of older European monarchies but still elegant and beautifully decorated with many of the objects you'd expect to see in a royal residence.

Tip:
Changing of the royal guards is at 1:30 pm daily. You can always politely approach one of the guard soldiers and take a nice photo or have a chat with them :)
The garden is peaceful and freely accessible – you can have a picnic over there and quietly sit down in the midst of nature.