Stadshustornet, the City Hall Tower

Address: Hantverkargatan 1 (at the end of Norr Mälarstrand)
Phone: 08-508 290 58
City Hall opening hours: www.stockholmtown.com
Tower hours:
April, Sat-Sun 10:00-16:30
May-Sept, Daily 10:00-16:30.
Busses: 3, 62
Subway Station: T-centralen (and then a short walk)

Right on the water in the middle of town, the City Hall Tower is one of the easiest-to-recognize landmarks in Stockholm. The three golden crowns on the top, 106 meters (almost 350 feet) high, can be seen from all over the city.

You’re going to have to do some climbing to enjoy the view from the City Hall Tower. Although you can take an elevator halfway to the top, you will have to scale a narrow stairway to reach the lookout platform. The view really is worth the effort though! When you tire of the unobstructed vista, you can also check out the small museum located up in the tower.

Every December the Swedes hold the Nobel Prize Banquet and Ball in the City Hall down below the tower in the City Hall itself, and it is well worth a visit if you are interested in 1) the Nobel Prizes, 2) the workings of Swedish local government or 3) walking through one of the few great halls in the world where a happy-ending, fairy-tale feast is held every year. You will, however, have to buy a separate admission ticket.

By the way, if there are any gourmets in your family, the restaurant in the basement of the City Hall, Stadshuskällaren, will serve last year’s Nobel Prize Dinner for any dinner party who orders it in advance. Phone 08-506 322 00.