Friendly disclaimer! We want to be as accurate as possible, but given these challenging times, we urge you to recheck that the venues are open when you decide to visit.
Oslo is one of Europe’s wealthiest cities, thanks to the country’s thriving oil industry. The city expanses are covered with skyscrapers and urban forests, both coming together to create a beautiful symmetry of balance that is typical of Oslo. This modern city is situated right next to the Oslo fjord, which provides a peek into the beautiful Skagerrak strait.
Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum showcases great Viking ship discoveries from Gokstad, Oseberg, and Tune, including the world’s two best-preserved Viking wooden ships, as well as other findings from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord.
Useful Info:
- Location: Huk Aveny 35
- Website: www.khm.uio.no/english/visit-us/viking-ship-museum
- Timings: 1 May – 30 September: 9 am to 6 pm, 1 October – 30 April: 10 am to 4 pm.
Oslo Opera House
An iconic city landmark, the white oblique building of the Opera House is located right next to the harbour and was constructed to emulate a floating glacier. Offering a rich program of opera and ballet, this emblematic building has oak interiors, street-level windows and a shimmering marble rooftop: to climb it and enjoy the great view over Oslo and its fjord is a must for every visitor.
Useful Info:
- Location: Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1
- Website: operaen.no/en
- Timings: Monday-Friday: 10:00 – 19:00, Saturday: 11:00 – 18:00, Sunday: 12:00 – 18:00
Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen
Aker Brygge is a lively and very popular area situated right by the fjord. It has seen an enormous development since the days when it used to be a shipyard, up until the 80s. Now visitors and locals come here for shopping, al fresco dining at one of the countless restaurants and bistros or just to take a stroll along the waterfront.
Tjuvholmen is one of the most recent areas in Oslo. Characterised by innovative architecture, it hosts many art galleries, a sculptures park and a city beach. Here you’ll also find the Astrup Fearnley Museum, housed in the spectacular wooden building designed by Renzo Piano.
Useful Info:
- Location: Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen
- Website: www.akerbrygge.no, www.tjuvholmen.no
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Located in Frogner Park, this park-inside-a-park hosts more than 200 granite and bronze sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland and is one of Norway’s most popular tourist attractions.
Useful Info:
- Location: Frognerparken, Nobels Gate 32
- Website: vigeland.museum.no/en/vigelandsparken
- Timings: open 24 hours all year round.
- Cost: Free entry
Munch Museum
Edvard Munch has a unique position in the history of art, as one of Expressionism’s early pioneers. The Munch Museum hosts a unique collection of more than 1,100 of Munch’s paintings. This makes the Munch Museum a unique starting point to explore the majority of Munch’s world-renowned works. Major works will always be on display in the museum.
Useful Info:
- Location: Tøyengata 53
- Website: munchmuseet.no/en/
- Timings: Monday-Sunday: 10:00 – 17:00
Damstredet & Telthusbakken
A picturesque area in central Oslo with characteristic wooden houses from the 19th century. These two narrow and crooked streets lined with colourful houses are the perfect way to take a break from the hustle and bustle of the city and experience some authentic old-Norway atmosphere. Around are the peaceful Egebergløkka, an allotment gardens area, and medieval Gamle Aker Kirke.
Useful Info:
- Location: St. Hanshaugen area
Akershus Fortress
This cultural and recreational area has stood witness to defining events of the country’s history for centuries. The medieval fortress erected by King Haakon V was turned into a Renaissance castle and royal residence by King Christian IV and is today a complex of castle, walls and smaller buildings overlooking the harbour. The site is frequently used for events and celebrations and there are guided tours available daily.
Useful Info:
- Website: www.forsvarsbygg.no/no/festningene/finn-din-festning/akershus-festning/english
- Timings: Main Gate: 06:00 – 21:00, Side gates: 07:00 – 21:00
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Norsk Folkemuseum is an extensive open-air museum displaying more than 150 traditional buildings from all around Norway, including an impressive stave church.
Things to do:
- Craft demonstration, animal feeding and horse riding are among the many activities available daily through the summer.
- An indoor exhibition showcases traditional handicraft items, national costumes, folk art and an exceptional insight into Sami history and culture.
Useful Info:
- Location: Museumsveien 10
- Website: norskfolkemuseum.no/en
- Timings: 1 January-30 April: 11:00 – 16:00, 1 May-30 September: 10:00 – 17:00
Oslo City Hall
The double-towered building made of red bricks hosting Oslo Rådhus is a major symbol of the city. The interiors are decorated with scenes of Norwegian culture, history and working life from the first half of the 20th century. The ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prize awarding is held here every year.
Useful Info:
- Location: Fridtjof Nansens Plass / Rådhusplassen 1
- Website: www.oslo.kommune.no/politikk-og-administrasjon/radhuset
- Timings: Wednesday-Monday: 10:00 – 16:00. Closed on Tuesday
Museum of Cultural History
At the Museum of Cultural History visitors will find a large collection of items tracing back Norwegian History from the Ice Age to Christianity, with a focus on the Viking period and the Middle Ages. On the top floors, there is an ethnographic museum with rotating exhibitions.
Useful Info:
- Location: Frederiksgate 2
- Website: www.khm.uio.no/english
- Timings: 2 May-30 September: 10:00 – 17:00, 1 October-30 April: 11:00 – 16:00 Closed on Monday
The Botanical Garden
The Botanical Garden in Oslo is a nice retreat from the hustle of the city, with vast green and lush gardens. The garden was established in 1814 and is the oldest one in Norway; it boasts an Arboretum with about 1,800 different plants including many exotic species, a scent garden and wooden sculptures by British artist Tom Hare.
Useful Info:
- Location: Sars Gate 1
- Website: www.nhm.uio.no/english
- Timings: 1 October-14 March: 07:00 – 17:00 daily, 15 March-30 September: 07:00 – 21:00 daily
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower
A must-see when visiting Oslo, the views of the city and the fjord from the ski jump are amazing. The ski museum traces the history of skiing through 4,000 years.
Useful Info:
- Location: Kongeveien 5
- Website: www.skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen
- Timings: October-April: 10:00-16:00, May and September: 10:00 – 17:00, June-August: 09:00 – 20:00
The Royal Palace
The neo-classical Royal Palace lies right at the end of Karl Johann Street and makes for a very impressive sight. The park, which surrounds the palace, is a popular picnic and sunbathing spot thanks to its grassy areas and majestic trees. Every day at 1.30 pm the guard changing ceremony takes place.
Useful Info:
- Location: Slottsplassen 1
- Website: www.royalcourt.no
- Timings: The palace is accessible during the summer season with guided tours only
Tusenfryd Amusement Park
Tusenfryd is an amusement park about 45 minutes outside of Oslo and it’s a favourite with children and families. Visit Tusenfryd and have a great time on one of the many attractions, including a wooden roller coaster, carousels and long rides.
Useful Info:
- Location: Fryds Vei 25
- Website: www.tusenfryd.no/en
Bygdøy
Bygdøy is a beautiful peninsula not far from district Frogner. There are many popular museums here, but the peninsula is also a well-appreciated recreational area during the summer months, with beaches, hiking trails and cycling paths.
Useful Info:
- Location: Bygdøy
- Website: www.visitoslo.com/bygdoy
DOGA
DogA, the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture, was established by Norsk Form and the Norwegian Design Council in 2005 as a meeting place for design, architecture and related disciplines. DogA is located in a converted power station by the Aker River and hosts a number of exhibitions, conferences and seminars.
Useful Info:
- Location: Hausmanns Gate 16
- Website: www.doga.no
- Timings: Monday-Friday: 10:00 – 16:00
Lake Sognsvann
A popular recreational area, Lake Sognsvann is easily accessible directly from the city centre. During the winter there are skiers everywhere, and in the summer many people walk or run the approximately 3 kilometres path around the lake.
Useful Info:
- Location: Sognsvann
The Kon-Tiki Museum
Thor Heyerdahl earned international fame for his expeditions across the Pacific Ocean on board the Kon-Tiki and Ra in 1947. At The Kon-Tiki Museum, you can follow the intriguing events during his expeditions and their significance for world history. See the actual balsa and papyrus rafts, and learn more about Heyerdahl’s travels.
Useful Info:
- Location: Bygdøynesveien 36
- Website: www.kon-tiki.no
- Timings: November-February: 10:00 – 16:00, March-May: 10:00 – 17:00, June-August: 09:30 – 18:00, September-October: 10:00 – 17:00
The National Museum – Architecture
The combination of classical and modernist architecture makes the building signed by two of the most important Scandinavian architects, Fehn and Grosch, an attraction in itself. Here you can find changing exhibitions related to different historical periods, with photos, models and drawings, as well as a gift shop and cafe.
Useful Info:
- Location: Bankplassen 3
- Website: www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/visit/locations/the_national_museum__architecture
- Timings: Tuesday-Wednesday: 11:00 – 17.00, Thursday: 11:00 – 19:00, Friday: 11:00 – 17:00, Saturday – Sunday: 12:00 – 17:00. Free entry on Thursdays
Norwegian Maritime Museum
The Norwegian Maritime Museum is located on the Bygdøy peninsula. Visitors can enjoy fascinating environmental exhibitions about fishing, shipbuilding, sailing, marine archaeology and an impressive collection of boat models and marine paintings.
Useful Info:
- Location: Bygdøynesveien 37
- Website: www.marmuseum.no/en
- Timings: 1 October-30 April: 11:00 – 16:00 daily, 1 May-30 September: 10:00 – 17:00 daily
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