The Royal National City Park
Stockholms län
The Royal National City Park, established by the Swedish Parliament in 1994, is a pioneering national urban park located across the municipalities of Stockholm, Solna, and Lidingö. Spanning approximately 27 square kilometers, it uniquely integrates historic royal parks, urban green spaces, waterways, and cultural landmarks, making it a rare example of a protected natural and cultural landscape within a major city. The park includes areas such as Djurgården, Haga, Ulriksdal, and the Fjäderholmarna islands, encompassing a variety of environments from baroque gardens and English landscape parks to dense forests and lakes. It hosts significant historical buildings, including Ulriksdal Palace and Karl XI's 17th-century fishing cottage, alongside modern landmarks like the Kaknästornet tower. The park is also a refuge for rare flora and fauna, such as Sweden's endangered freshwater fish, the greenling. Managed mainly by the Royal Djurgården Administration, the park offers recreational activities, cultural experiences, and nature conservation, reflecting centuries of royal land use and public engagement. Visitors can explore a blend of natural beauty, historic architecture, and vibrant urban life, making it an exceptional destination for outdoor enthusiasts and culture lovers alike.
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Tip: Visit during spring and summer for the best experience of the park's natural beauty and cultural events. Entry is free, but some attractions within the park may require tickets, so consider purchasing them in advance. Use the official visitor center at Djurgårdsvägen 2 for information and guidance. Respect the park's natural and cultural heritage by following local guidelines and participating in sustainable tourism practices. Check the official website for seasonal activities and special events to enhance your visit.
Interesting facts
- •The park is possibly the world's first national urban park, established in 1994 by the Swedish Parliament.
- •It covers about 27 square kilometers, spanning multiple municipalities including Stockholm, Solna, and Lidingö.
- •The park contains Sweden's largest stands of old oak trees, including Prince Eugen's Oak, considered the largest living oak on Djurgården.
- •It includes a wide range of buildings from royal palaces like Ulriksdal Palace (1640s) to 17th-century fishing cottages and modern structures such as the Kaknästornet tower (1967).
- •The park is home to the endangered greenling, a freshwater fish species native to Sweden.
- •The area known as Fisksjöäng was once Stockholm's last shantytown, cleared in 2003 and restored to open meadowland with grazing cattle to maintain the landscape.
- •Djurgården was historically a royal hunting park and recreational area dating back to the 1600s and 1700s.
History
The concept of the Royal National City Park originated in the early 1990s, culminating in a unanimous parliamentary decision in 1994 to establish a protected urban national park.
It is considered possibly the world's first national city park, formalizing protection for historically royal lands and diverse natural areas within Stockholm.
The park's roots trace back to the 17th and 18th centuries with the creation of royal parks such as Ulriksdal's baroque garden, Djurgården's hunting grounds, and the English landscape parks around Haga and Brunnsviken.
Over centuries, the park has evolved to include urban development while preserving cultural and ecological values.
Since 2017, it has been designated a national interest for outdoor recreation by Sweden's Environmental Protection Agency.
Place Guide
Ulrikdal Palace1640s
A royal palace dating from the 1640s located within the park, showcasing baroque architecture and surrounded by historic gardens.
Karl XI's Fishing Cottage1680s
A 17th-century fishing cottage built in the 1680s, one of the oldest buildings in the park, located between Stora Skuggan and Lilla Skuggan on Northern Djurgården.
Kaknästornet Tower1967
A modern telecommunications tower standing 170 meters tall, including its mast, inaugurated in 1967 and the tallest structure in the park.
Fjäderholmarna Islands
An archipelago included in the park area belonging to Lidingö municipality, offering natural scenery and recreational opportunities.
Djurgårdens Visitor Center2013
The official information pavilion and visitor center located at Djurgårdsvägen 2, established in 2013 to welcome and guide visitors to the park.
Contact
Phone: 08-667 77 01