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Historic site · Oslo

Oslo City Hall

Oslo rådhus

Today
Open today, 09:00 – 16:00
Standing
Must see · Heritage site
Rank
Rank 1 of 3,842
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Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

Plan your visit.

Opening hours

Monday 09:00 – 16:00
Tuesday 09:00 – 16:00
Wednesday 09:00 – 16:00
Thursday 09:00 – 16:00
Friday 09:00 – 16:00
Saturday 09:00 – 16:00
Sunday Closed

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

About Oslo City Hall

Oslo City Hall (Oslo rådhus) is the municipal building of Norway's capital and houses the city council, the city administration and other municipal bodies. It was designed by the architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson and built between 1931 and 1950, with an interruption during the Second World War. The red-brick building with its two towers faces the Oslofjord and was officially opened on 15 May 1950 as part of the city's 900-year anniversary. Every year on 10 December it hosts the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

What's inside

The main hall was decorated by Henrik Sørensen and Alf Rolfsen. It is 31 metres wide, 39 metres long and around 21 metres high, with a marble floor and partly marble-clad walls, and its wall paintings depict Norway and Oslo between the wars and during the occupation. The semi-circular City Council Hall is clad in oak and tapestries, the most noticeable designed by Else Poulsson and showing St. Hallvard and the seven virtues. The eastern tower holds a carillon of 49 bells, which plays every hour from 7 a.m. to midnight.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

How long to spend

The City Hall's own guided tours last about 45 minutes and give an introduction to the history of Norway and of the building, told through its art and architecture. Tours can be booked in Norwegian, English and German, with room for up to 30 people per tour; larger groups are split into several tours. Because the building is an active political office building, some halls may not be accessible during a tour, and changes can happen at short notice. Allow extra time for the security check at the entrance.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

Season and crowds

The City Hall is open to visitors Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:00 and is closed on Sundays. Parts of the ceremonial building can be unavailable even when the house is open, and because of events and other activity the building may be closed or open for shorter hours. Closed dates published for the rest of 2026 are Friday 20 November, Saturday 5 to Friday 11 December, 24, 25 and 26 December and 31 December; the list continues with 1 January 2027. Check the closed-dates list on the City Hall's page before you go.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

Tickets

The City Hall is open to tourists and other visitors; the prices on its website are for private guided tours. The City Hall's page on private guided tours lists prices per tour group of up to 30 people: NOK 2,509 for a tour on a weekday until 16:00, and NOK 3,126 for a tour on a weekday after 16:00 or on weekends and holidays. Tours are requested through the City Hall's booking form. Cancellations must be made no later than three working days before the agreed tour; after that the full amount is invoiced. If the City Hall cancels a tour and no new date can be found, the booking is not invoiced.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

What to watch out for

All visitors must pass through a security check to enter the City Hall, and at busy times there can be a queue, so allow some waiting time. Step-free access is available from the courtyard via an outdoor lift at the west tower and via ramps, and from the sea side via a ramp; stairs are marked with tactile and contrast markings. Accessible toilets are in the main cloakroom on level 1U and in the meeting centre on level 2U. Security staff inside or outside can help if you need assistance during your visit.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

Place details and sources

Wheelchair access
Available OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Building
Public building OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Type of place
Attraction OpenStreetMap · Checked 2026-09-09
Established
1950 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Heritage designation
cultural heritage preservation in Norway Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architectural style
functionalism Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Height
66 m Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Opened
1950 Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architect
Arnstein Arneberg Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Architect
Magnus Poulsson Wikidata · Checked 2026-09-09
Wikipedia article
Oslo City Hall Wikipedia · Checked 2026-09-09

Common questions

When is Oslo City Hall open?

Monday to Saturday from 09:00 to 16:00; it is closed on Sundays.

How long does a guided tour take?

The City Hall's guided tour lasts about 45 minutes.

What does a private guided tour cost?

NOK 2,509 per group of up to 30 people on weekdays until 16:00, and NOK 3,126 on weekdays after 16:00 and on weekends and holidays.

Is there a security check at the entrance?

Yes. All visitors must pass through a security check to enter the City Hall.

Is the City Hall step-free?

Yes. From the courtyard there is step-free access via an outdoor lift at the west tower, and from the sea side via a ramp.

Where is Oslo City Hall?

At Rådhusplassen 1 in Oslo.

Where it is

Open directions in Google Maps

Nearby

Within 32 min on foot
  • Madserud gård 45 min
    32 min walk

    Madserud gård

    • High
    • Historic site

In Oslo

Same category

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Source: OpenStreetMap contributors, Wikidata ·