Oslo City Hall (Radhuset)
Rådhusplassen 1, Oslo, NOR
Clad in heavy red bricks, the Oslo City Hall is impossible to miss in central downtown Oslo. The administrative seat of the City Council, the building may look simply functional, however, it houses important murals and artworks from celebrated Norwegian painters and sculptors. Here, within its stately walls, the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.
The building contains the Festival Gallery, complete with a stunning view of the harbor side, the East Gallery with Peter Krohg’s stunning mid-20th-century frescoes, and Central Hall, with a mural of Oslo’s patron saint, St. Hallvard. Enjoy Oslo City Hall while on a half-day, full-day group or private tour, which may be self-guided using an audio recording or go by hop on/hop off sightseeing boat to visit the city’s top cultural attractions such Vigeland Museum, Polar Ship Fram and Viking Ship museums and Holmekollen ski jump. Most guided tours combine walking around the city and setting sail on a cruise to explore the Oslo fjord to Bergen.
- Oslo City Hall is an ideal spot for architecture and history buffs.
- Free tours and pre-booked group tours are available in English, Norwegian, French, German, and Spanish.
- The building is wheelchair and stroller accessible.
- As the attraction is located near the harbor, stroll and enjoy the views after a tour.
Oslo City Hall is located on Pipervika in central Oslo, close to many of the city’s other important landmarks, including the Royal Palace, Karl Johans Gate, the Oslo Cathedral, Nobel Peace Center, and the Ibsen Museum. You can reach the building by bus, tram, or subway, though the easiest way is to take the Line 12 tram to the Kontraskjæret stop and walk for a few minutes until you see the unmistakable landmark.
Oslo City Hall is open throughout the year, with most visitors coming during major holidays and summer. Peak season in Oslo coincides with the warm summer months (mid-June through August).xa0 If you want to take advantage of the free tours, come during this time. The Christmas season is also a particularly magical time of year to visit the city, which has fantastic holiday markets.
Recognized for its functional architecture, Oslo City Hall is also known for its art, particularly the works of renowned artists and sculptors that decorate the building. The more interesting parts of the building are the towers, the east tower with the carillon playing a song every hour and the west tower with the astronomical clock showing the time, month, and positions of the moon, sun, and zodiac signs.
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