Stockholm is a city where history and modernity coexist, offering a rich tapestry of architectural styles. In this article, we’ll focus on landmarks that hold historical and iconic significance, showcasing the city’s enduring architectural heritage.
This is the first of eight articles about Stockholm’s architecture. Go to this page for a list of all articles in this series.
Stockholm City Hall
Stockholm City Hall was completed in 1923, and is an iconic example of National Romantic architecture designed by Ragnar Östberg.
The tower stands 106 meters tall and features three gilded crowns, symbolizing the Swedish coat of arms. Approximately 8 million bricks were used, and the building took 12 years to complete.
The City Hall hosts the annual Nobel Prize banquet in the Blue Hall, which is ironically not blue but retains its name from an initially intended design.
The tower and the city hall building itself are both open to the public. You can enter the inner courtyard and the park for free. You need to buy a ticket to visit the tower and the main building.
Address: Hantverkargatan 1 (Google maps)
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace was inaugurated in 1754 and is one of Europe’s largest palaces, measuring 230 meters (755 feet) long and 125 meters (410 feet) wide.
The building is designed by Nicodemus Tessin the Younger, and showcases Baroque architecture influenced by Roman palaces.
The palace stands on the site of the medieval Tre Kronor Castle, which was destroyed in a fire in 1697. It houses over 600 rooms and serves as both a royal residence and a cultural monument.
The Royal Palace is open to the public, you can enter both the outer and inner courtyards for free. An entrance fee is required to see the inside of the palace.
Address: Kungliga slottet (Google maps)
Stockholm Cathedral (Storkyrkan)
Storkyrkan, Stockholm’s oldest church, is a historic cathedral located in Gamla Stan. Originally constructed in 1306, it has played a central role in Sweden’s religious and royal history. The church showcases a captivating mix of Gothic and Baroque architectural styles, with its Baroque facade added in the 18th century.
During the Reformation, it transitioned from a Catholic church to a Lutheran one and became Stockholm’s official cathedral in 1942.
Storkyrkan is located right next to the Royal Palace, it’s open to the public for an entry fee.
Address: Trångsund 1 (Google maps)
The German Church
The German Church (Tyska kyrkan) in Stockholm’s Gamla stan is a historic landmark with deep roots in medieval Stockholm. Originally established in the 14th century as a guild house for German merchants, it became an official church in 1571 and is dedicated to Saint Gertrude. Its 96-meter (315 feet) spire is a striking feature that stands out on Stockholm’s skyline. The church is designed in Baroque and Gothic Revival styles.
This building is very tall compared to other buildings in Gamla stan. You can clearly see its pointy tower from the viewpoint at Monteliusvägen. And if you try to photograph it in front of the entrance, you’ll notice how tall it is and how little space there is to step back for a full view. This church is a popular tourist attraction and it is open to the public.
Address: Svartmangatan 16 (Google maps)
Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan)
Riddarholm Church (Riddarholmskyrkan) is one of Stockholm’s oldest and most historically significant buildings. Located on Riddarholmen, an island near Stockholm’s Old Town, along the waterfront, offering picturesque views of Stockholm’s harbor. It was originally constructed in the late 13th century as a monastery for the Franciscan Order, also known as the Greyfrisrs.
The church is a prime example of medieval Gothic style, with later Baroque elements. Its most striking feature is the openwork cast-iron spire added in 1835 after the original was destroyed by lightning.
It serves as the final resting place for many Swedish monarchs and contains numerous royal sarcophagi and tombs.
The church is open to the public. It’s primarily open during summer months with guided tours available.
Address: Birger Jarls Torg 2 (Google maps)
The Parliament House
Riksdagshuset (Parliament House) is Sweden’s national parliament building, located on Helgeandsholmen, a small island between Stockholm’s city center and Gamla stan (the Old Town). Designed by architect Aron Johansson, the building was constructed between 1897 and 1905 in a Neoclassical style with a Baroque Revival facade.
The structure occupies nearly half of Helgeandsholmen and is a prominent feature of Gamla stan. Its impressive front facade includes a monumental Neo-Baroque frontispiece, two Neoclassical wings with Corinthian columns, a large relief of the Swedish coat of arms, and a statue of Mother Svea atop the balustrade.
Address: Riksgatan 1 (Google maps)
Kaknästornet
Kaknästornet is a prominent telecommunications tower located in the Gärdet area of Stockholm’s National City Park, in eastern Stockholm. Built between 1963 and 1967, it was designed by architects Bengt Lindroos and Hans Borgström. The tower stands 155 meters(509 feet) tall, 170 meters(558 feet) with its antenna, and consists of 34 floors, making it one of the tallest structures in Scandinavia.
The tower was completed in 1967 and inaugurated by the late, beloved Prime Minister, Olof Palme. It served as the tallest building in the Nordic countries until 1971 and remained a significant architectural landmark until it was surpassed by Turning Torso in Malmö in 2005. Its primary function is as a major hub for Swedish television, radio, and satellite broadcasts.
Kaknästornet previously featured indoor and outdoor observation decks, which provided panoramic views of Stockholm, but it has been permanently closed to the public since 2018. Despite this, the tower remains an iconic feature of Stockholm’s skyline and continues to play a vital role in Swedish broadcasting infrastructure.
Address: Mörka Kroken (Google maps)
Danelius building
The Danelius building (Daneliuska huset), located in the Östermalm district, occupies a prominent wedge-shaped plot between the streets Birger Jarlsgatan, Biblioteksgatan, and the square Stureplan. Constructed between 1898 and 1900, the building was designed by architect Erik Josephson and is celebrated for its distinctive French Renaissance-inspired architecture.
The building’s limestone façade draws inspiration from the grand castles of France’s Loire Valley, featuring a steeply pitched conical tower and intricate decorative details. Originally commissioned by wholesaler Bror August Danelius, who made his fortune in the salmon trade, the Danelius building was initially designed with luxurious rental apartments that reflected the opulence of the era.
Today, the building holds significant cultural value and is classified as a blue-listed property by the Stockholm City Museum, a designation given to structures of the highest cultural and historical value.
Address: Birger Jarlsgatan (Google maps)
The old Royal Institute of Technology building
The old Royal Institute of Technology building located at Drottninggatan 91–95 in Stockholm has a rich history and architectural significance.
The school had multiple buildings on the street Drottninggatan, and they were constructed in stages starting in the 1860s. They served as the main facilities for the institute until KTH (which is the Swedish abbreviation for the Royal Institute of Technology) moved to its new campus at the street Valhallavägen in the early 20th century.
The main building was designed by architect Fredrik Wilhelm Scholander, who was known for his work on various institutional buildings.
The architecture reflects a mix of Neo-Renaissance and National Romanticism, characterized by robust brick construction and classical detailing. The main building features a three-story structure with a prominent façade that is set back from the street to minimize noise and maximize light in the classrooms.
The complex originally included several wings, with laboratories and classrooms designed to accommodate the needs of engineering education. The main building spans approximately 72 meters (236 feet) along the Drottninggatan street.
Address: Drottninggatan 95A (Google maps)