Oslo, Norway’s largest city and its capital, is situated in the scenic southeast inlet of Oslofjord. The city center is compact and incredibly walkable, with an abundance of green spaces and captivating landmarks. Oslo has been a major maritime hub since the Middle Ages and its epic sea-voyaging history is showcased in the numerous Bygdøy Peninsula museums. The best way to spend time in Oslo is by enjoying the city’s eclectic food, art, fashion, and architecture as well as experiencing the lush nature nearby.
Frogner Park is an early 20th-century public park situated in Oslo's Frogner borough. It’s the largest park in the city and is best known for the Vigeland installation or Vigeland Park, which is a collection of 212 sculptures created by Norwegian master sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Among the highlights include The Fountain, The Monolith, Sitting Man and Woman, and Heap of Dead Bodies, each made from bronze and granite, and each piece representing different stages of human life.
Located on the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo, the Viking Ship Museum is most famous for housing Viking-era burial ships and grave goods. The Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune ships were restored to their former glory after being excavated from various archeological sites. The Museum of Cultural History of the University of Oslo oversees the management of the museum, which operates daily except for Mondays. It is accessible by bus from Oslo Central Station and by water taxi from the port in front of the City Hall.
Situated on the hilltop across the bay from Aker Brygge, the Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle that has served as a military base, a prison, and a government office since the Middle Ages. It is also home to the Royal Mausoleum, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, and Norway's Resistance Museum. It is still an active military facility with the headquarters of the Norwegian Ministry of Defence located on the east wing. Akershus Fortress is 10-15 minutes away by foot from the Oslo City Hall.
The Royal Palace has served as the primary residence of Norway’s monarch since1849 and was built in the Neoclassical architecture style. The palace is located on Karl Johans gate and is bordered by the Palace Park and the Palace Square. It is accessible by train and is just an 11-minute walk from the Oslo City Hall or a 20-minute walk from Oslo Central Station. The Royal Palace is open to the public from late June until mid-August.
Northwest of Oslo lies an enormous ski jump hill towering over the city since 1892 called the Holmenkollbakken. It takes about 20-30 minutes by car and around 50 minutes by train from the city center to reach Holmenkollen hill. There is a museum underneath the ski jump structure where exhibitions feature over 4,000 years of history, from Norwegian polar exploration to the roots of modern winter sports. There’s also an observation deck at the top of the ski jump tower offering sweeping views of Oslo.
Built in 2008, the Oslo Opera House was designed to reflect the Norwegian concept of friluftsliv, which roughly means “open-air living,” with its tall windows and thin angled columns that give full access to the harbor view. Its public rooms and halls as well as its marble-embellished roof are also designed for visitors to explore and enjoy. This contemporary structure is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and is a stone’s throw away from the Oslo Central Station.
The Kon-Tiki Museum is one of several must-see attractions within the Bygdøy Peninsula. Its main exhibits are the vessels and maps from the Kon-Tiki expedition, wherein Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl sailed by raft from South America to the Polynesian islands through the Pacific Ocean. Another highlight of the museum is the Ra II reed ship that Heyerdahl rode from North Africa to the Caribbean. The museum is open daily and is accessible by the No. 30 bus or the ferry to Bygdøynes during summer.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History shares the Bygdøy Peninsula with the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and other beloved Oslo attractions. Established in 1894, this indoor and open-air museum showcases a diverse collection of artifacts and over 150 structures relocated from urban and rural Norway. It’s most famous medieval buildings on site are the Gol Stave Church and the Rauland farmhouse.
Norway’s dedicated museum to the nation’s famed Expressionist artist Edvard Munch is located in the Tøyen neighborhood of Gamle Oslo borough in the city’s East End. The Munch Museum showcases more than half of Munch's paintings, including masterworks such as The Scream (1910) and Madonna. The art museum is open daily and can be reached by train via Tøyen station, just 20 minutes from the Oslo Central Station.
First time in Oslo? Karl Johans gate is the best place to start sightseeing since it’s the main thoroughfare in the city center. Aside from the myriad of cafés, restaurants, bars, and boutique shops lining its streets, Karl Johans gate has a deep-rooted history. Its western section was originally built in the 1840s to serve as the connecting avenue of the Royal Palace to the rest of Oslo. The National Theatre and the Norwegian parliament building can also be found on Karl Johans gate.
Museum hopping definitely tops the list of things to do in Oslo. The city’s rich nautical heritage and cultural history are chronicled in places like the Viking Ship Museum and the National Gallery. This “green” harbor city is also famous for its marvelous parks, outstanding seafood restaurants, cutting-edge architecture, and for being the only venue outside of Sweden to host the prestigious Nobel Peace Prize.
The weather in Oslo from May to August is ideal for sightseeing as it’s the warmest period throughout the year. These are peak travel months and visitors can expect nearly 24 hours of daylight come June and July. Winter sports enthusiasts should plan their visit between September and April when skiing conditions north of Oslo are optimal.
Sentrum, or the city center, is the most convenient location for tourists to stay in since most of the attractions and landmarks are just walking distance to luxe Oslo hotels. The main seaport and ferry terminals can be found to the south of Sentrum while the Royal Palace is located north. The Aker Brygge district offers slightly more affordable hotel options for travelers. In terms of proximity to facilities for winter activities, Holmenkollen is the place to be.