Best Viewpoint of Stockholm ⋆ Lifeguin

Waddle up the City Hall Tower of Stockholm

The City Town Hall and Tower stand tall among the iconic structures that grace Stockholm’s skyline, embodying the city’s grandeur and cultural significance. As with every city, we also had to find a tower to waddle up in Stockholm. And after waddling 365 stairs, the view was worth the waddle. Explore the City Town Hall Tower with us, learn where to buy tickets, and why it is worth the waddle.

Throughout the years, the City Town Hall and Tower have witnessed countless historic moments and significant events. It has served as a venue for political gatherings, ceremonies, and official receptions. Notably, it hosts the annual Nobel Prize banquet, a prestigious event that celebrates the achievements of Nobel laureates worldwide.

Let’s waddle on and explore.

A little bit of history about the City Town Hall

As with other buildings also, this one holds centuries of rich history within its walls. It was built between 1907 and 1923 and was designed by the renowned Swedish architect Ragnar Östberg. The tower’s architectural style draws inspiration from national romanticism and Gothic Revival influences.

Nearly eight million bricks were used in the building. Stockholm City Hall was inaugurated on the 23rd of June, 1923, 400 years after Gustav Vasa arrived in Stockholm.

The tower has become a popular tourist attraction, inviting to explore and ascend its spiral staircase. Waddling up the tower provides a unique opportunity to witness panoramic views of Stockholm’s stunning landscapes. We loved and hated every step at the same time.

Interesting facts about the City Town Hall and Tower in Stockholm

- Tower Height. The City Town Hall Tower stands tall at approximately 106 meters (348 feet), making it one of the prominent landmarks on Stockholm’s skyline.
- Golden Hall Mosaic. The Golden Hall within the City Town Hall is adorned with more than 18 million gold mosaic tiles, creating a shimmering and opulent ambiance. The mosaic depicts scenes from Swedish history, mythology, and folklore, showcasing intricate artistry.
- Nobel Prize Banquet. The City Town Hall hosts the annual Nobel Prize banquet, where Nobel laureates are honored for their exceptional contributions in various fields. This grand event attracts dignitaries and distinguished guests from around the world.
- Tower’s Clock. The City Town Hall Tower features a famous clock that is not only decorative but also serves as a functional timepiece. Its dial measures around 7 meters (23 feet) in diameter, making it one of the largest clocks in Europe.
- Tower’s Bells. The City Town Hall Tower houses a magnificent set of bells, including the famous Storklockan (Great Bell), which weighs approximately 9 tons. The melodic chimes of the bells can be heard across the city, marking the passage of time and adding to the tower’s enchanting ambiance.
- Astronomical Observations. At the top of the City Town Hall Tower is an observatory equipped with a telescope. Historically, it was used for astronomical observations and studies, adding a scientific dimension to the tower’s functions.
- The tower represents the Swedish national coat of arms.

How to get to the City Hall Tower of Stockholm?

Getting to the City Town Hall Tower in Stockholm is convenient and accessible, thanks to the city’s well-connected public transportation system. Here are a few options to reach the tower:

- Public Transportation. Take the Tunnelbana with the subway to the T-Centralen station, a central transportation hub in the city center. From there, it’s a short waddle to the tower. Follow the signs for the City Town Hall (Stadshuset) or ask for directions from the station personnel.
- Bus. Several bus routes serve the area around the City Town Hall. Use the Stockholm Public Transport (SL) website or app to find the appropriate bus route and stop closest to the tower.
- Ferry. Stockholm is renowned for its archipelago; taking a ferry to the City Town Hall Tower can be a delightful experience. Several ferry lines operate on Lake Mälaren; some have stops near the tower. Check the ferry schedules and routes to find the most convenient option.
- Waddle. Waddling to the City Town Hall Tower is an option if you’re already in the city center or nearby.

How much is a ticket to the City Hall Tower in Stockholm?

You can buy tickets directly at the ticket office opposite the tower’s entrance. Note that you can waddle up the tower only at certain times and only a specific number of people so it is not overcrowded. Also a ticket to the Town Hall will cost you extra.

Adults: 90 SEK
Children aged 0–11: free entry
Penguins: free entry

It is not possible to pre-book tickets.

Changes in prices might occur, therefore check their website here – LINK

Opening Hours

The opening hours may vary, so we recommend checking the official website or contacting the City Town Hall directly for the most up-to-date information. However, as a general guideline, the tower’s opening hours are as follows:

During the summer season (typically from May to September):

Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 8:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM

During the winter season (typically from October to April):

Monday to Friday: 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM
Saturday and Sunday: 10:00 AM to 3:00 PM

Please note that these hours are subject to change, especially during holidays or special events, so verifying the opening hours before your visit is always a good idea. Check more information here – LINK

Waddling up the City Town Hall Tower

Before you waddle up the City Town Hall Tower, we encourage you to waddle around the area. Overall, it’s wonderful here, and there is a lot to see. We didn’t, in the end, visit the City Town Hall at all and just waddled up the tower, but enjoyed the surroundings nonetheless. And one might never know when a new friend comes by. We met a nice woman also traveling with her penguins around.

Let’s focus on the tower as such, although visiting the City Town Hall could also be worth it. Before buying a ticket, check the hours you can waddle up the tower so as not to wait too long. The first entry is at 9.00 am, and the last entry is at 3.45 pm. In between, it is 9.45 am, 10.30 am, 11.15 am, 12.00 pm, 12.45 pm, 1.30 pm, 2.15 pm, 3.00 pm. The visit takes about 35 minutes, although it depends on the speed you can waddle upstairs, which for us was not as fast. 😅

You start your waddle, crossing through a beautiful door. The way up is narrow and very interestingly built. It felt neverending to go up, and our heads started to spin. 😅

Somewhere in the middle comes a BIG surprise. Halfway up is a gallery, which is nothing unusual apart from the giant statue. Once you see it, there is only one question: ” How did they get it inside here?” Very impressive.

Overall, you have to waddle up 365 steps before a beautiful view greets you. You see Stockholm from every side. You won’t see all the 30,000 islands that Stockholm’s archipelago comprises, but enough to be impressed.

Capture the perfect photographs, breathe in the fresh air, and soak in the tranquil ambiance as you appreciate the beauty of this Nordic gem from a unique vantage point. And yes, it was windy up there but beautiful.

Enjoy your visit, and waddle on!

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