The Oslo travel guide

Most people arriving from abroad treat Oslo as a short pit-stop on their way to explore other parts of Southern Norway (understandably so, as it’s very easy to get to the city from the airport) but the Norwegian capital is definitely a spell-binding destination of its own! With its unique mix of futuristic architecture and old world charm, and as many opportunities to marvel at art as to explore gorgeous landscapes and taste delicious food, Oslo truly has something for everyone.

Here’s 10 things not to miss when you visit the Norwegian capital:

The Munch Museum

Recently reopened in a state-of-the-art, 13-floor building in Bjørvika by the Oslofjord, the Munch Museum is the ultimate destination if you’re looking to immerse yourself in expressionist painter Edvard Munch’s life and art — and, of course, see the famous The Scream painting up close. Apart from containing the largest collection of art by a single artist (Munch, obviously), the museum also features seasonal exhibitions of contemporary art as well as cultural events. And if all the art immersion makes you peckish, the museum has a deli, a bistro and a bar you can relax at.

Photo by Bob Engelsen

Vigeland Park & Museum

Amid the serene, posh streets of Frogner, lies a sprawling park unlike anything you’ve ever seen: dotted with more than 200 expressive, quirky bronze, granite and cast iron statues of human forms in strange poses, all created by the visionary Gustav Vigeland who wanted to donate them to the city of Oslo. What’s even more unique, is that the park is free to visit and open every day, 24 hours a day. Whether you think the various statues, from the angry boy to the man who seems to be throwing babies in the air tell a story or not, Vigeland park will certainly captivate your attention.

Tip: Don’t miss a visit to the Vigeland Museum, the sculptor’s home and studio located at one end of the park, which contains his early works and sketches, as well as plaster models of the statues exhibited at the park.

Photo by Ina-Cristine Helljesen

The Akershus Castle

A lone medieval sentinel in the increasingly modern-looking Oslo harbor, the Akershus Castle cuts an impressive figure — particularly at night, when the spotlights hit the 13-century stones. A perfect spot for a stroll where you’ll be surrounded by history while enjoying spectacular views of the waterfront and the rest of the city.

Holmenkollen

In Norway, skiing is a way of life and has been a means of transportation for millennia, so it makes sense that there would be a museum dedicated to it! The ski jump hill in Holmenkollbakken is easily reachable via metro and the panoramic views of the city you’ll get from the top of the tower are simply unparalleled. And while the museum itself —where you can explore 4,000 years of skiing history and also experience how it feels to jump from that tower thanks to the ski simulator— is currently closed due to renovations to celebrate its 100-years anniversary, the tower itself is still worth a visit.

Oslo Opera House

Even if you’re not a fan of opera (or ballet) the Oslo Opera House should still be on your list of places to visit. The iconic building at Aker Brygge was designed to look like a glacier that rises out of the Oslofjord, and it’s a favorite spot for photography enthusiasts and influencers to take pictures from. Tip: Make sure to walk up to the top of the building (take extra care in the winter, as it can be slippery) for truly breathtaking views.

Photo by Fredrik Ahlsen | Visit Norway

Karl Johans gate

Apart from being Oslo’s main shopping street and lined with interesting shops and cute cafes, a stroll down Karl Johans gate will give you the opportunity to marvel at two gorgeous landmarks: the National Theater, where you can spot the statue of famous playwright Henrik Ibsen, and the Royal Palace, where the HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja currently reside. If you time your visit right, you could even see the changing of the guards.

Fram Museum - The Polar Ship Fram

Would you like to see the strongest wooden ship ever built up close, the one that still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south? Then, you’re in luck: located at Bygdøy, the Fram Museum offers a comprehensive look at the history of polar expeditions, as well as a 270-degree surround film that shows what the sailors like Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen would experience onboard the Fram ship. And yes, you can go onboard the ship!

Norsk Folkemuseum – Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

You’ll feel like you’ve stepped into a different world: the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is actually not one single space but an expansive open air museum — one of the largest of its kind in the world. With everything from medieval farmhouses and traditional workshops to a stave church dating back to the 13th century, the whole experience is like an immersive trip to Norway’s past.

The Nobel Peace Center

At the center of Aker Brygge, the fascinating legacy of the Nobel Peace prize is featured through exhibitions and interactive installations. You can take a guided tour and learn more about Alfred Nobel, the Swedish chemist and engineer who created dynamite but wanted to leave a better legacy behind, as well as the most recent Nobel Prize winners as well as the history of the institution.

Photo by Fredrik Ahlsen | Visit Norway

Mathallen Food Hall

A stroll by the Akerselva river will bring you to Mathallen, where you can treat your taste buds to all kinds of Norwegian and Scandinavian flavors within the spacious food halls’ specialty shops and restaurants. With more than 30 eateries available you may have trouble choosing one, but thankfully you don’t have to: you can pick up food items from different stores and enjoy them at the open food court area. Oslo has never tasted better!