Riddarhuset

House of Nobility on Riddarhustorget

Riddarhuset (the House of Nobility) sits on the edge of Gamla Stan, on Riddarhustorget between the old town and the island of Riddarholmen. The baroque palace, completed in 1660, with its soft pink facade and steep hipped roof, is considered one of the finest baroque buildings in Northern Europe – and the view from the square alone is worth the stop, even though the interior is only open briefly.

For centuries the building was the meeting place of the Swedish nobility, the so-called Estate of Knights, which sat here as its own estate in the Riksdag until the 19th century. Today it is the seat of a private foundation that opens its ceremonial rooms to visitors at fixed times.

The hall of coats of arms

The centrepiece is the grand main hall: packed floor to ceiling are around 2,300 coats of arms belonging to the noble families once registered with the house. This collection is unique and puts Sweden's social history on display in a single glance – a sight you won't find quite like it anywhere else.

Since the interior is open only for a short window anyway, a brief half hour is enough to take in the hall and the adjoining rooms. There's no need for more to absorb the effect of the space.

Visiting and opening hours

The house is open only at very limited times – that's the key thing to plan around. Regular hours are Monday to Friday, 11:00 to 12:00, though not on weekdays that fall on public holidays. In summer (29 June to 21 August) a wider window applies, 10:00 to 13:00, also on weekdays only.

Admission costs 60 SEK for adults and 40 SEK for students and seniors; children under 12 go free. Payment is on site on arrival, by card or Swish only – cash is not accepted. No advance booking is needed for an individual visit; just arrive within the opening hours. Allow 30 to 45 minutes.

Visitors who want to come outside the regular hours, or as a group, need a pre-booked guided tour (available in Swedish, English or German). This costs 1,200 SEK on weekdays, 2,000 SEK in the evening or at weekends – plus admission in each case – and is booked via [email protected]. Occasional cultural evenings with lectures are also held in the great hall (doors open 16:30, lecture 18:00–19:00); entry to these is free.

Getting there and around

The address is Riddarhustorget 10. The nearest metro (T-bana) station is Gamla Stan, about a 6-minute walk north along Munkbroleden. Riddarhustorget sits right in front of the building.

The location makes Riddarhuset a good short stop on an old town walk. The island of Riddarholmen lies right next door, with the Riddarholmen Church, the burial place of Swedish kings. A few steps further on, the old town begins with the Royal Palace, Storkyrkan and Stortorget. For more on the neighbourhood, see the Gamla Stan overview.