There are few sites more beautiful than Drottningholm's garden in full bloom under summer skies.

The Drottningholm Palace Gardens and Park

Drottningholm's gardens and park are among Sweden’s most prominent contributions to Europe's garden design and landscaping. As you stroll around, you'll explore different artistic ideals from various centuries.

A cascade construction, made of seven cascades on each side of the centre avenue, is a free interpretation of the original Tessin cascades, which were torn down at the beginning of the 19th century. – © Gomer Swahn

There are beautiful viewpoints and landscape vistas all over the grounds. Pictured: viewing paths extend throughout the English garden and partly through the Baroque garden. – © Jonas Borg

During your visit, take a break at the café beside the Chinese Pavilion. – © National Property Board Sweden

While exploring of the palace, park, and gardens, treat yourself to a view worthy of a queen. – © Åke Eson Lindman

Just as they did years ago, visitors will find straight lines framed by linden trees and the Hercules fountain created by Dutch sculptor Adriaen de Vries. – Engraving by Willem Swidde, 1692

The garden has an outer frame of four linden tree-lined avenues. The oldest lindens are from Hedvig Eleonora’s time. – © Åke Eson Lindman

A cascade construction, made of seven cascades on each side of the centre avenue, is a free interpretation of the original Tessin cascades, which were torn down at the beginning of the 19th century. – © Gomer Swahn

The history of the gardens begins when Drottningholm was taken over by the Dowager Queen Hedvig Eleonora in 1661. To help her develop a new pleasure garden, she commissioned Nicodemus Tessin, who was inspired by the French landscape architect André Le Nôtre’s proposal for the Château of Vaux-le Vicomte in France. Tessin was also heavily inspired by the gardens of the Palace Versailles.

The Baroque parterre garden—closest to the palace—has an intricate embroidery design originally inspired by Vaux-le Vicomte. Walking further into the park, you are greeted by a water parterre with ten pools and cascades. Beyond the cascades, there are four hedge groves surrounded by pine hedges, and the finale: a large bush called “the star.” The garden would later receive an outer frame with four linden tree-lined avenues. The oldest lindens are from Hedvig Eleonora’s time.

A view of the palace over the baroque garden from the labyrinth hedge. – © Åke Eson Lindman

Queen Hedvig Eleonora ordered sculptures by Nicolaes Millich for the garden, but many of the sculptures in the park are actually war booty, taken to Stockholm from Prague and Denmark, and produced by the sculptor Adriaen de Vries.

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