The 18 Finest Matters to See and Do in Oslo

Posted: 6/26/2020 | June 26th, 2020

Balancing pure magnificence, historic structure, and a contemporary aptitude, Oslo, Norway’s lovely capital, is a metropolis that punches effectively above its weight. It’s small however bursting with matters to do: there are numerous museums, spacious parks, and scrumptious eating places to maintain you busy. It’s near quite a few forests with climbing and biking trails, and there are many locations to swim in the summertime too.

Nevertheless, because it’s costly, a number of vacationers cross Oslo by.

Whereas a go to will definitely eat into your finances, Oslo is unquestionably price a few days. To assist present exactly why you need to add it to your itinerary, listed here are my favourite matters to see and do in Oslo:
 

1. Take a Free Strolling Tour

I all the time begin my journeys off with a free strolling tour. They’re a budget-friendly option to see the principle sights, be taught a bit historical past, meet different vacationers, and get entry to an skilled native information who can reply all my questions.

Free Tour Oslo organizes day by day excursions that final 90 minutes and is a stable introduction to the town. Be sure to tip them when the tour ends!
 

2. Discover the Vigeland Sculpture Park

This distinctive assortment of sculptures is positioned in Frogner Park. It’s the world’s largest show of sculptures created by a single artist. Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) created over 200 bronze, iron, and granite statues that now stand within the open-air “gallery” (which covers a whopping 80 acres). The crying child statue is probably the most well-known! In the summertime, there are sometimes occasions held right here as effectively.
 

3. Benefit from the View on the Opera Home

This huge up to date theatre sits on the water and is residence to the nationwide opera and ballet. Opened in 2007, the constructing itself consists of a number of flat ranges that basically act as small plazas, permitting guests to stroll on the roof and benefit from the view of the harbor and metropolis. It’s a well-liked spot to look at the sundown when the climate is sweet. Examine the web site to see what performances are taking place throughout your go to.

Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, +47 21 42 21 21, operaen.no. Open weekdays 10am–7pm, Saturdays 11am–6pm, and Sundays 12pm–6pm. Admission to performances varies.

4. See the Viking Museum

Positioned on Bygdøy Island, this museum is residence to a few of the best-preserved Viking longships on the planet. The ships, a few of which date again to the ninth century, had been discovered round Norway. There are Viking burial ships right here, in addition to carts and instruments from the Center Ages. The museum is comparatively sparse (the spotlight actually is the ships), however there’s additionally a brief movie and a few fascinating tidbits of knowledge. Obtain the free audio information to benefit from your go to.

Huk Aveny 35, +47 22 13 52 80, khm.uio.no/besok-oss/vikingskipshuset. Open day by day 9am–6pm in the summertime and 10am–4pm within the winter. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD) for adults and free for teenagers below 18.
 

5. Go to the Historic Museum

This museum has plenty of artifacts and details about Norway’s previous, together with plenty of Viking content material. There are additionally exhibitions on Historical Egypt (together with mummies), Africa, and the nation’s arctic expeditions. You may also use your ticket to get free entry to the Viking Museum (and vice versa) if finished inside 48 hours. It’s free on the final Saturday of every month as effectively.

Frederiks gate 2, +47 22 85 19 00, khm.uio.no/besok-oss/historisk-museum. Open Tuesday-Sunday 10am–4pm. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD) for adults and free for teenagers below 18.
 

6. Wander Holmenkollen

The Holmenkollen Ski Soar may be seen from each nook of the town. If you wish to see it up shut, hop on the subway and get off on the Holmenkollen cease. You’ll be able to stroll as much as the bounce and go to the Ski Soar Museum (the oldest ski museum on the planet) if you wish to be taught extra about this seemingly insane sport. The bounce at Holmenkollen is 60 meters excessive, and there’s room for some 70,000 spectators (Norwegians love their winter sports activities!).

From right here you can even wander into Nordmarka for a hike. It’s a forested space north of the town with climbing, strolling, and biking trails.
 

7. Calm down at Aker Brygge

Positioned close to the pier, you’ll additionally discover the most important focus of eating places in Oslo right here, starting from French delicacies to conventional Nordic dishes. There’s plenty of window-shopping and structure to admire as effectively. The wharf has one thing for everybody and is a good place to spend a few hours absorbing life within the metropolis.
 

8. See the Royal Palace

Accomplished within the 1840s, at the moment it’s the official residence of the monarch. It’s surrounded by an enormous park, and locals can often be seen having fun with what little solar they get all year long. Throughout the summer time, elements of the palace are open to guests. Excursions final one hour and also you’ll have the ability to see a few of the lavish historic rooms and be taught concerning the monarchs who dominated Norway over the centuries.

Slottsplassen 1, +47 22 04 87 00, kongehuset.no/seksjon.html. Summer time hours range. See the web site for particulars. Admission is 140 NOK ($14.50 USD) and features a tour.
 

9. Go to the Norwegian People Museum

The Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural Historical past) is an open-air museum residence to relocated conventional Norwegian buildings. It’s close to the Viking Ship Museum (and several other different museums) and showcases over 150 buildings from varied durations all through Norwegian historical past. Essentially the most gorgeous of its exhibitions is Gol Stave Church, an intricately carved wood church that dates again to the 13th century. In the summertime, you can even feed animals and take carriage rides across the space.

Museumsveien 10, +47 22 12 37 00, norskfolkemuseum.no. Open day by day 11am–4pm. Admission is 160 NOK ($16.50 USD).
 

10. Go Swimming

Oslo is a metropolis surrounded by water and nature. It’s a inexperienced capital, with many outside areas that are perfect for swimming in the summertime. The water right here is clear and secure too. Tjuvholmen Metropolis Seaside, Sørenga Seawater Pool, and Huk are three locations price trying out in case you’re seeking to take a dip when the climate is sweet.
 

11. Go to the Fram Museum

This distinctive museum focuses on polar exploration, a prevalent subject in Norwegian historical past and tradition. The centerpiece is the Fram, the world’s first ice-breaking ship (and the final one made out of wooden). In use between 1893 and 1912, the Fram made many journeys to the North and South Poles and is claimed to have sailed farther north and farther south than another wood ship in historical past. The museum could be very detailed and gives a number of historical past, in addition to images, instruments, and artifacts.

Bygdøynesveien 39, +47 23 28 29 50, frammuseum.no. Open day by day 10am–6pm. Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD).
 

12. Study concerning the Kon-Tiki Expedition

The Kon-Tiki Museum focuses on the works and expeditions of historian and explorer Thor Heyerdahl. Utilizing a conventional balsa raft, Heyerdahl crossed the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia, proving that the islands had been populated from the Americas and never Asia, as had been beforehand thought. The journey took 101 days and was filmed, successful an Academy Award in 1951.

The unique raft may be discovered within the museum, together with info on Heyerdahl’s different expeditions and archeological discoveries. The journey impressed the 2012 historic drama movie Kon-Tiki (which is a superb journey movie).

Bygdøynesveien 36, +47 23 08 67 67, kon-tiki.no. Open day by day 9:30am–6pm (shorter hours within the autumn and winter). Admission is 120 NOK ($12.40 USD).
 

13. Go to the Holocaust Middle

The Holocaust Middle focuses on the Norwegian expertise of the Holocaust, highlighting the tragic destiny of Norwegian Jews in addition to the persecution of non secular minorities around the globe. Established in 2001, it moved from the college to the previous residence of Vidkun Quisling, a fascist who headed the Norwegian authorities below Nazi occupation from 1942 to 1945 (he was executed for struggle crimes after the struggle ended). The middle has all kinds of exhibitions, photographs, movies, artifacts, and interviews. It’s somber and sobering however price a go to.

Huk Aveny 56, +47 23 10 62 00, hlsenteret.no. Open weekdays 9am–4pm. Admission is 70 NOK ($7.25 USD).
 

14. See Metropolis Corridor

Oslo’s Metropolis Corridor is open to the general public and free to enter. Whereas it may not sound like an fascinating sight, excursions of the corridor are literally fairly informative. There are about 20 murals and artistic endeavors contained in the constructing, overlaying all the things from conventional Norwegian life to the Nazi occupation. You’ll additionally be taught concerning the historical past of the Nobel Peace Prize, which is awarded right here yearly (the opposite Nobel Prizes are awarded in Stockholm).

15. Discover Akershus Fortress

Initially in-built 1290, Akershus Fortress is a medieval fortress that later developed right into a Renaissance palace below Danish King Christian IV. It was constructed each for cover and as a royal residence (presently, it’s used as an workplace for the prime minister). The fortress has by no means efficiently been besieged, although it did give up to the Nazis throughout World Warfare II.

Inside, you’ll discover a army museum in addition to a museum devoted to the resistance throughout WWII. Guided excursions can be found in the summertime and there are sometimes live shows and occasions held right here so test the web site to see if something is happening throughout your go to.

+47 23 09 39 17, forsvarsbygg.no/no/festningene/finn-din-festning/akershus-festning. Open day by day within the summers 10am–4pm (winter hours range). Admission is free.
 

16. Go Tobogganing at Korketrekkeren

Tobogganing is a conventional Norwegian winter exercise and one you shouldn’t miss in case you’re right here in the course of the winter. Stretching over 2,000 meters lengthy, the Korketrekkeren observe is enjoyable for adults and children alike. Sleds and helmets can be found for lease for 150 NOK ($15.50 USD) and also you lease them by the day so you may get pleasure from as many rides as you want.
 

17. Discover the Nationwide Gallery

The Nationwide Gallery incorporates Edvard Munch’s well-known portray “The Scream” (which was painted in 1893 and has been stolen twice). The gallery is small, however there are a number of artists on show. You’ll discover some Impressionist and Dutch works, in addition to these by Picasso and El Greco. It’s not probably the most expansive assortment, however it’s nonetheless price a go to, particularly in case you’re a fan of extra classical artwork kinds, like me.

The Nationwide Gallery is briefly closed and can reopen in 2021. Yow will discover a few of its assortment within the Nationwide Museum.
 

18. Get Off the Overwhelmed Path

In case you’re in search of one thing extra quirky, listed here are a few of the extra off-the-beaten path sights and museums the town has to supply:

• Norwegian Museum of Magic – A small museum open solely on Sundays, with plenty of magic memorabilia and props. There’s additionally a small magic efficiency as effectively.
• The Satan of Oslo – This statue is over 900 years outdated and depicts a person being attacked by a lion and a dragon. It’s part of the Oslo Cathedral (although it’s a lot older than the cathedral itself).
• The Mini Bottle Gallery – House to over 50,000 bottles, this quirky museum is the one mini bottle museum on the planet. The bottles are full of all the things from meals to bones to worms (and far, rather more!).
• Edvard Munch’s grave – Munch painted the well-known “The Scream.”
• She Lies – This glass and stainless-steel sculpture sits out within the harbor and evokes the ability and fantastic thing about an iceberg.

 

***

It doesn’t matter what you’re fascinated with, Oslo will have the ability to hold you entertained. With its numerous assortment of museums, an abundance of parks and climbing trails, and delightful vistas and surroundings, you’ll have a tough time losing interest right here. And, whereas it’s an costly vacation spot, I promise a visit to Oslo is price each krone!

Photograph credit: 7 – Daderot, 8 – Claudine Lamothe, 9 – 9 LaMaitre

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