Ulriksdal Palace is situated just north of Stockholm in Solna. The palace is close enough to be a perfect afternoon outing. The subways head out in that direction and will leave you with about a 15 minute walk through a national park.

After wandering through the park you’ll come across the castle on the shore of Edsviken which leads out to the Baltic Sea. Built during the 1600s, Ulriksdal Palace was once used as a country residence for the royal family. However, the palace has been accessible to the public since 1986. Unfortunately, the palace is only open to visitors during the summer months (June, July, and August in Sweden), but the grounds are open year round.

Various buildings dot the area, most of which are museums open to visitors. I stumbled upon a beautiful old church that, unfortunately, did not seem to be open to the public. Every last door was locked. I checked.

It is Ulriksdal Palace though that is the draw in terms of buildings. But I have to confess, I did not go into the palace. I was distracted by the beautiful natural setting and slowly made my way through the park. I was not alone. Scores of people were out and about enjoying the weather, the view, and the park. Wasting away the afternoon in the best possible way.

If you’re looking for an easy get-away from Stockholm, Ulriksdal Palace allows you to escape the city without having to go too far.