Slottsparken, or The Palace Park, is the green heart wrapped around Oslo’s Royal Palace. Locals jog its paths before work, families sprawl on the lawns after school, and visitors wander under old chestnut and linden trees on their way up Karl Johans gate. It is a formal royal garden mixed with the feel of a neighborhood park, right in the center of the city, and it has been part of daily life here for generations.
If you are wondering whether Slottsparken is worth your time, the short answer is yes. It is free, central, safe, and full of classic Oslo views, from the palace facade to the skyline stretching toward the fjord. You can pair a quiet stroll here with museum visits, a coffee on Karl Johan, or a picnic in summer. The park is also where you can watch the changing of the guard at the Royal Palace, a small slice of pageantry that delights children and adults alike.
Curious about where to enter, what to look for, and when the gardens are at their best? Let me walk you through how to enjoy Slottsparken like someone who grew up with it.
Where Is Slottsparken and How To Get There
Slottsparken surrounds the Royal Palace at the western end of Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main boulevard. From Oslo Central Station it is an easy, slightly uphill walk of about 20 minutes straight along Karl Johan. If you prefer public transport, Nationaltheatret station sits just below the park and is served by metro, suburban trains, trams, and buses. From there, it is a gentle two to five minute walk into the trees.
There are entrances on all sides, but most visitors approach from Slottsplassen, the grand gravel square facing east down Karl Johan. If you want a quieter start, slip in from the southwest near Parkveien and you will be among the larger trees within seconds.
A Short History and What Makes It Special
The Royal Palace was completed in the 1840s, and the surrounding park was designed in the romantic landscape style popular at the time. What I love about Slottsparken is how deliberately it blurs formal royal gardens with Norway’s love of nature. You will find sweeping lawns, curving paths, a couple of small ponds, and long avenues lined with linden and maple. The planting aims for variety over spectacle, so the park stays attractive in every season, not just in peak bloom.
The western side feels more wooded and secluded, while the eastern side opens toward the palace and the city view. This balance is why locals use it for everything from first-date walks to baby’s first nap in a stroller. It is elegant without being stiff.
Park Highlights You Shouldn’t Miss
Slottsplassen and the Palace View
Start on the palace square, look back down Karl Johans gate, and you will see one of Oslo’s signature sightlines. The equestrian statue of King Karl Johan stands in the middle, and if you angle yourself to the right you can line up the palace, the statue, and the boulevard for a classic photo. Early morning light from the east is soft and flattering, and evenings glow nicely when the sun sets behind the palace.
Dronningparken, The Queen’s Park
On the northeastern side of the grounds is Dronningparken, a more intimate garden with historic roses, perennials, and neatly kept beds. It opens to the public in the warmer months, typically daytime, and feels like a secret within the bigger park. When the roses are at their peak you will smell them from the path. If you enjoy garden details, linger here for the plant labeling and the variety of old cultivars.
The Ponds and Birdlife
There are a couple of small ponds that attract ducks and the occasional heron. You are welcome to look, though feeding wildlife is discouraged. The edges of these water features are perfect for a quiet pause.
Tree Avenues and Seasonal Color
If you are visiting in autumn, walk the linden avenues for rustling gold. In spring, maples and horse chestnuts leaf out first and the lawns green up quickly. Winter brings a calm, sculptural beauty. After snowfall, the park turns into a soft white amphitheater and you will see children testing small sleds on the gentle slopes.
Changing of the Guard: What To Expect
The changing of the guard takes place on Slottsplassen in front of the palace. It is a short ceremonial routine with the Royal Guards in dark uniforms and plumed hats. In summer there are occasionally full parades or musical elements. Exact timings can vary through the year, so check the official listings before you go, but plan for a midday window and aim to arrive a little early if you want a front-row spot near the statue.
Parents appreciate that the ceremony is compact, and there is space to step back if a child needs a break. Photographers should stand slightly off-center to capture both the guard line and the palace facade.
The Park Through the Seasons
Spring
By late April the lawns have woken up and crocuses and early bulbs pop in Dronningparken. Morning bird song is lively, and the air smells of damp soil and fresh leaves. Bring a light jacket and prepare for variable weather.
Summer
This is picnic season. The park is free and open around the clock, and the shade under the big trees makes it cooler than the surrounding streets. You will spot graduates in caps, bridal portraits, and people catching a nap between museums. If you want calm, arrive before lunch or after dinner when the day visitors thin out.
Autumn
Crisp air, golden leaves, and a few of the best palace photos of the year. Weekends are great for slow circuits of the paths with a takeaway coffee. Some benches get afternoon sun, which is precious as days shorten.
Winter
Snow transforms Slottsparken into a monochrome postcard. Paths are gritted, but footwear with good grip is wise. On clear days the low winter sun lands beautifully on the palace front. It is rarely crowded, so you can have long stretches of quiet.
Picnics, Etiquette, and Local Norms
Norwegians treat parks like shared living rooms. Use the bins provided, keep music at a level other people cannot hear, and avoid stepping into flowerbeds or fenced areas. Open flames are a bad idea in the palace park, so skip disposable grills. Alcohol rules are enforced more strictly in central parks than in some suburban green spaces, and local police are visible around the palace.
Dogs are welcome on leash. In summer, bring a lightweight blanket that dries quickly and a small bag for your trash. If the lawn you choose is sloped, orient your picnic so you are facing the palace. It feels right.
Accessibility and Facilities
Most main paths are wide, gently graded, and stroller friendly. There are some steeper sections on the western side, but you can always find a gentler alternative. Benches are frequent. There are no built-in public restrooms inside the park, so plan to use facilities at Nationaltheatret station or a nearby café. Drinking fountains are not common, so carry water.
For visitors with reduced mobility, the approach from the east via Slottsplassen is the smoothest. In winter, path maintenance is good, but compacted snow can still be slippery. Consider simple traction aids if you are sensitive to ice.
Easy Walking Route I Recommend
Enter from Slottsplassen, take in the palace facade, then bear left along the broad path that curves around the north side. Detour into Dronningparken if it is open, then continue west as the park gets quieter. Loop past one of the ponds, climb gently to the southwest corner for a peaceful bench, then head back along the southern edge with filtered views of the city. The whole loop takes 30 to 45 minutes at a relaxed pace.
What To See Nearby
Slottsparken sits among several of Oslo’s cultural heavy hitters. The National Museum is a short walk to the southwest, the Ibsen Museum is just down the hill, and Nobel Peace Center, Aker Brygge, and Oslo City Hall are all within a pleasant 10 to 15 minute stroll. If you want a longer green walk, continue west to Frogner Park and the Vigeland sculptures, about 30 minutes on foot or a quick tram ride.
Tours of the Royal Palace
In summer, the Royal Palace opens for guided tours in English and Norwegian. Tickets are limited and times are fixed, so book ahead if a palace interior is on your wish list. The tour entrance is on the northwest side of the building, not on the main square. Even if you skip the tour, the exterior staircase and balcony line are worth a closer look for the neoclassical details.
Safety and Small Practicalities
The park feels safe at all hours, and you will frequently see the Royal Guard patrolling the perimeter. As in any city park, keep an eye on your bag in busier periods. Dress for changing weather, especially in spring and autumn when you might cycle through sunshine, a brief shower, and back to sunshine in one afternoon. In winter, a hat and gloves make longer walks much more comfortable.
Quick Answers to Common Questions
How much time do I need?
Plan for 30 to 60 minutes for a first visit. Add time if you are picnicking or pairing with nearby museums.
Is Slottsparken good for kids?
Yes. There is open space to run, ducks to watch, and the changing of the guard is a hit. Bring a ball or a frisbee and you will fit right in.
Can I bike through the park?
Cycling is allowed on certain paths, but many people are walking slowly and enjoying the scenery, so ride gently and yield to pedestrians.
When is Dronningparken open?
It opens seasonally in the warmer months during daytime. Opening periods can shift with weather, so check signage at the gate as you pass.
Are drones allowed?
No. This is an active royal residence with security restrictions. Keep flying gadgets in your bag.
Slottsparken is one of those places that anchors a city without trying too hard. Spend an hour under its trees and you will understand a lot about Oslo: how we fold nature into daily life, how formal and informal happily share space, and how a simple walk can be the best part of the day.