10 Things to Do and See in Oslo

The magnificent combination of a bustling city and a nature reserve filled with beautiful parks and green spaces makes Oslo a must-visit destination. Norway's capital is situated between the Oslo Fjord and lush, wooded hills, so much so that in 2007 Oslo was named the second greenest and most eco-friendly city.

If you stroll through the city center, you'll only need a few steps to find a lovely park to relax in, and in just 10 minutes by ferry, you can explore the stunning beaches along the Oslo Fjord. But Norway's capital is also rich in attractions, museums, art galleries, and shops for some retail therapy.

And remember: you can't leave Oslo without first getting to know its quintessential painter, Edvard Munch. The works of this tormented yet brilliant artist are displayed at the Munch Museum and the National Gallery.

To admire the artistic spirit of this city, you don't have to enter a museum: Vigeland Park is one of the most visited tourist spots in Oslo and features 212 statues by sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Here are the 10 things you absolutely must not miss in this city full of life!

1

Located on the promontory overlooking the Oslo Fjord, the splendid fortress of Akershus is the main architectural symbol of Norway's capital.

Built under the reign of Håkon V towards the end of the 13th century to protect the city from invaders (as evidenced by the four defensive towers), in the early 1600s the medieval structure was transformed into a Renaissance palace by the wish of Christian IV.

In the 1700s, the structure began to show signs of decline, but restoration work only commenced in 1899.

Today the complex, while remaining a military installation, has taken on the aspect of a park often used for theatrical performances and outdoor concerts during the pleasant season.

Within the Akershus Festning lies the ancient Castle (Akershus Slott), whose sumptuous halls are now used by the Government for official receptions.

The royal chapel houses the Mausoleum of the Royal Family of Norway. The Norwegian Resistance Museum and the Museum of Armed Forces are also located within the fortress walls. Don't miss the beautiful view of the harbor and the city. Be sure to check out the changing of the guard, which occurs every day at 1:30 PM.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for Akershus Castle

Opening hours: daily from 6 AM to 9 PM.
Ticket price: cathedral: free admission.
How to get there: the castle is a 10-minute walk from downtown Oslo through Kronprinsesse Märthas plass.

2

One of the most popular tourist spots in Oslo is undoubtedly the National Gallery, known in Norwegian as Nasjonalgalleriet.

This gallery, part of the National Museum complex, houses the largest collection of Norwegian art from the Romantic period to modern works, spanning from the 19th century to World War II. Of great interest is the exhibition of many masterpieces by Edvard Munch, including a version of the famous Scream.

Not only are there works by Norwegian artists in the National Gallery, but also many important European painters such as Picasso, Gauguin, and El Greco.

Don't miss the masterpieces of the Impressionists Monet, Manet, Renoir, Degas, Cézanne, and Matisse. The collection of sculptures is also remarkable, featuring works such as "Triumph of Aphrodite" by Renoir and "The Morning Toilette" by Degas.

The Gallery also hosts temporary exhibitions of historical and contemporary art.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for the National Gallery

Opening hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 10 AM to 9 PM.
Ticket price: adults 180 Kr, seniors and ages 18-25 110 Kr, free admission for ages 0-18 and with the Oslo Pass.
How to get there: the museum is located at Brynjulf Bulls plass 3. It can be reached from downtown Oslo in about 5 minutes by car via Rv162, or by public transport. The stop is Nationaltheatret.

3

The magnificent Church of Our Savior, consecrated in 1697 and restored to its original (Baroque) look in 1950, is undoubtedly worth a visit, especially for the stunning stained glass windows, created by Emanuel Vigeland, the brother of the more famous Gustav, and for the beautiful ceiling painted with scenes from the New and Old Testaments.

The exquisite altarpiece, depicting the Last Supper and the Crucifixion, was created in 1748 by Michael Rasch and was a defining symbol of the church: it was later moved to various cities in Norway, until it was returned in 1950 by the church of Prestnes in Majorstuen.

If you're lucky, you may be able to attend one of the evocative concerts that are sometimes held inside the Cathedral.

The arches and porticos at the back of the Cathedral (the Basarhallene, bazaar halls), dating back to 1858, now host charming shops and markets.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for the Cathedral

Opening hours: daily from 10 AM to 4 PM, Friday from 4 PM to 11:30 PM.
Ticket price: free admission.
How to get there: the cathedral is located at 1 Stortorvet, in the center.

4

You will probably head to Vigeland Park, the heart of the busy Frognerparken, somewhat distractedly, just because it's listed in the guide, without having the faintest idea of what awaits you.

As soon as you enter the park, you won't believe your eyes: statues of annoyed children, embracing lovers, and pensive old folks that will surprise you with their exceptional beauty.

Vigeland Park is a true open-air museum featuring the masterpieces of Norway's most famous sculptor, Gustav Vigeland, with 212 granite and bronze sculptures to admire and photograph.

The most famous statues include the Sinnataggen, or "Little Hothead," which depicts a very angry child stamping his feet, and the Monolith (Monoliten), a 17-meter tall column where 121 human figures cling to one another, almost as if they are struggling to reach the top of the obelisk.

We suggest visiting the park at sunset when the shadows create spectacular light effects that seem to gently caress the sculptures.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for Vigeland Park

Opening hours: daily.
Ticket price: free admission.
How to get there: the park is a 10-minute drive from downtown Oslo via Rv162, or a 20-minute train ride from the central station.

5

Even though they are stationary and not menacingly advancing on the sea, the dark and refined figures of the Viking ships preserved in the Museum instill a bit of fear and awe, so much so that visitors often find themselves speaking in hushed tones without even understanding why.

The funeral boats displayed at the Vikingskipshuset are imposing and majestic and tell a piece of history about the ancient seafaring people.

The boats on display, made of oak, were buried over 1100 years ago as they were used as gigantic coffins for nobles, alongside which everything believed to be needed in the afterlife was placed, from jewelry to tapestries (many artifacts found are displayed in the museum).

According to the Vikings' beliefs, the ships were meant to carry their owners, members of the royal family, into the afterlife.

The most solemn of all the ships is the Oseberg, which required 30 rowers and was decorated at the stern and bow with sculptures depicting dragons and serpents; the most solid is the Gokstad, the most significant and important example of a Viking ship; regarding the third ship, Tune, only a few fragments and planks remain.

The three ships were found in three large burial mounds on the Oslo Fjord and excavated in the late 19th century.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for the Viking Ship Museum

The museum will be closed for renovation until 2025/2026.

6

Oslo is not only rich in art, museums, and monuments, but it also knows how to have fun: the TusenFryd Amusement Park is a fantastic amusement park located about 20 km from the city center, loved by both adults and children.

In the park, you can indulge in thrilling attractions, a water park, the BadeFryd, and an area dedicated to the little ones.

Of particular note are the SpeedMonster, thrilling roller coasters inspired by race cars: they can take you from 0 to 90 Km/h in just 2 seconds and reach zero gravity 12 times per ride.

After you've strolled through the streets of Oslo, you can end your visit on a high note with some "thrilling" activities.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for Tusenfryd Amusement Park

Opening hours: from May to October with varying hours depending on the month. On average from 10 AM to 6 PM.
Ticket price:
Adults over 120 cm 459 Kr
Children height 95 to 120 cm 389 Kr; children under 95 cm free
Seniors over 60 330 Kr
How to get there: the park is located at Fryds vei 25, Vinterbro. It can be reached by car (20 km), follow the signs for TusenFryd from the E6/E18 exit at Vinterbro; by train, the stop is Ski. By bus, Route 505 from Oslo bus terminal (platform B3) heading to TusenFryd.

7

The futuristic building made of glass and white Carrara marble on the shores of the Oslofjord, **the Opera House emerges from the sea like a gigantic block of shimmering ice. **

Inaugurated in the spring of 2008, the structure, designated to host the activities of the Norwegian Opera and Ballet, has already become an icon of the city, a symbol of the waterfront redevelopment project of Oslo.

The monumental work designed by the Norwegian firm Snøhetta cost around 600 million Euros and presents itself as a bold experiment in urban architecture, evidenced by the large sloped surface that allows entry to the theater and rises to the roof from which visitors can enjoy the panoramic view of the city and its fjord.

The interiors (foyer and theater rooms) are characterized by a high level of detail and a refined choice of materials, with Baltic oak dominating.

The building houses 1,100 rooms, including a large auditorium with 1369 seats in a horseshoe shape, whose stage measures several thousand square meters, part of which is located 16 meters below sea level; the second hall (400 seats) and the studio (200 seats).

To visit the interior of the building, it is necessary to book a guided tour (in advance) in English; the atrium and roof are open to visitors.

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for the Opera and Ballet Theatre

Opening hours:
atrium and roof with free entry. Interior from Monday-Saturday 11 AM-6 PM, Sunday 12-6 PM.
Guided tours in English from Monday to Saturday at 1 PM and 2 PM and Sunday at 2 PM and 3 PM.
Ticket price:
*Guided tours: adults 120 Kr, children 70 Kr.
Atrium and roof with free admission.
How to get there: the theater is located at Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1. It can be reached on foot in 20 minutes from downtown or by tram and bus.

8

Located on the Bygdøy peninsula, the **Norwegian Folk Museum is the largest open-air museum in Norway ** where visitors can experience Norwegian cultural history from the Middle Ages to the present through reconstructions of rural and urban landscapes, rich collections, and many engaging activities.

The museum comprises more than 150 buildings from different regions of the country dating back to the 17th and 18th centuries and a stavkirke (stave church) built entirely of wood around the year 1200 in the municipality of Gol and transported here in 1885 at the request of Oscar II, King of Sweden.

Completing the fascinating museum space are historic workshops, craft labs, carriages, music and folk dances, guides dressed in traditional costumes, and even a historical playground.

If you want to spend a pleasant day outdoors and discover Norwegian life, arts, and traditions, the Norsk Folkemuseum will not disappoint!

Opening Hours and Ticket Price for the Norwegian Folk Museum

Opening hours: daily from October to April 11 AM-4 PM and from May to September 10 AM-5 PM.
Ticket price:
High season - roughly every weekend and from May to September: adults Kr 180, seniors: Kr 140, ages 18-25 Kr.100, Children 0-17 and with Oslo Pass free.
Off-season - roughly weekdays and all of January: adults Kr 140, seniors: Kr 120, ages 18-25 Kr 80, Children 0-17 and with Oslo Pass free.
How to get there: The museum is located at Museumsveien 10 in Bygdøy, about 5 km from the center of Oslo. By bus: 30 Bygdøy from downtown, stop at Folkemuseet. By car/bike/on foot: from the E18 or Bygdøy Allé, take the exit to Bygdøy. Follow the signs to the Norwegian Folk Museum.

9

Of course, the typical dishes of Oslo are linked to its ancient and deep maritime tradition: in this city, you can savor various types of fresh fish and seafood specialties that you have never tasted anywhere else.

You must not miss the famous salmon, whether smoked or grilled, cod, catfish, herring, shellfish, and shrimp, either cooked or freshly caught.

If you prefer meat, Oslo does not disappoint: you can find elk, reindeer, and venison which already has a strong flavor but is often enhanced with a sauce made with sour cream.

Also noteworthy is the dried meat, which in Oslo takes the form of ham or sausages, possibly accompanied by the delicious geitost, a sweet cheese made from cow and goat milk.

To fully enjoy these dishes, we invite you to try the exquisite local beer and the delicious aquavit from Oslo.

10

Oslo offers a wide range of hotels, bed & breakfasts, farm stays, hostels, and campgrounds. Most bed & breakfasts are located in the city, though some are spread throughout the countryside: pay attention to the signs along the roads, looking for the words rom or husrom.

Another place you can stay is in the fishermen's cabins, known as rorbu. A bit out of the way, these cabins are completely independent, with a living room and kitchen in one space, a bedroom, and a bathroom.

A rorbu with two bedrooms costs from 600 NOK per night, and you often have to pay a little extra for towels and linens.

Hostels in Oslo belong to two different chains: Hostelling International and VIP Backpackers Resort International, both very welcoming and comfortable.

A single room costs from 100 to 300 NOK per night, while a double room ranges from 300 to 600 NOK. In the rooms, you will find blankets and pillows, but you must bring your own sheets or, if you prefer, rent them at the hostel.

**Hotels often offer discounted rates especially on weekends and in the summer: **compared to the rest of Europe, prices in Oslo are not very high. Another very convenient option for your vacation is the farm stays located in the western part of Oslo, where you can care for animals and engage in various activities: fishing, hiking, horseback riding, and boat excursions.