Jogging, strolling, and skipping: there are quite a few ways one can appreciate and admire one of Sweden’s most visited recreational parks and pleasure gardens. Commissioned by King Gustav III, the park has also been termed as a Gustavian Park and is a section of the Royal National Parks of Sweden. Few would content with its status after having toured its grounds and the various unexpected attractions it holds. Most would begin their journey at Koppartälten, the iconic metallic tent of blue and white stripes that one would easily mistake for a carnival grounds at first sight. These old stables and guards’ lodgings now house a park museum exploring the different designers and key personnel gathered to bring this landscape to life, granting it with the mystical charm it now holds. A few hundred meters off to the side is a typical set drawn out of the 18th century European architectural style, the simple beige block exteriors revealing little of the elaborate stucco within. This is the Gustav III’s Pavilion, a perfectly shaded backdrop to a calm picnic at the park.

Stroll past Haga Palace, one of three royal palaces within the perimeters of the park, which is currently a state house for guests of the government. Dainty winged wonders abound at the Fjärilshuset or The Green House, a kitchen gardens turned into a Butterfly Museum. And you might just be witness to the wedding vows of a lucky couple, wreathed in angelic whites against the verdant green trees at the Temple of the Echo. This outdoor museum has latticed openings in a cupola of green, a fairytale setting to a milestone moment. What has been described is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to the natural and historical landmarks that are abundant within the park. So don’t be afraid to lose yourselves within the park grounds and await the next surprise down that tree-lined bend ahead.