Stockholm City Hall is among the finest works of architecture in both Stockholm and Sweden. It is the headquarters of Stockholm’s Municipal Council and where politicians and state officials make important decisions. Take a tour of Stockholm City Hall to glimpse the working life of the building and see its superb art collection. Climb the City Hall Tower and be rewarded with panoramic views.
Ragnar Östberg won a competition to build the hall in 1907 and construction of the National Romantic-style landmark took 12 years. Admire the imposing red brick structure, its series of towers and the arcades made up of archways supported by columns and capitals. In front of the building’s south façade is Stadshusparken, a park decorated with statues of Swedish artists and offering views across to Gamla Stan.
There are two types of guided tours of the hall: public tours for individual visitors and private tours for groups of 10 or more. During a tour you’ll hear stories about the history of the building and get the chance to peek inside some of the administrative chambers. A highlight is the Blue Hall, where the Nobel Prize ceremony takes place. Above it, mosaics featuring 18 million gold tiles decorate the Golden Hall.
Staircases and narrow passages lead to the top of the 348 foot (106 meter) tower. Pause at the half-way point to see historical exhibits in the small Tower Museum. Views from the summit stretch for miles over the islands and waterways of Stockholm. Adorning the top of the tower is the national emblem of the Three Crowns and at its base is a gilded cenotaph of statesman Birger Jarl.
The building stands on the southeastern waterfront of Kungsholmen island. Get here by taking the metro to Rådhuset station, which is less than a 10-minute walk away. Stockholm Central Station is also only a short walk away.
Stockholm City Hall is open daily and there are six guided tours in English per day, with more frequent tours every half an hour during the summer season. There is a fee for the tour, with discounts for children, students and seniors. The City Hall Tower and museum are open from May to September. Visit the hall’s official website for more information.
