What to See in Oslo

Oslo is surrounded by wide and partly dense forests, generally known as Marka, of which Nordmarka is the largest and most accessible section (in addition to Nordmarka there similar areas east, south and west of the city). There are lots of roads and trails criss-crossing these wide forests, but no cars, only skiers, hikers and bicycles. So it is essentially the largest park in town.…

A monumental functionalist building in red brick. Opinions are divided if this is a pretty building, but it is certainly imposing. The austere facade has a surprising number of fine details. Open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. Other rooms are also decorated with a variety of art.…

The Palace is the residence and offices of the king, Norway's head of state. Council of State meetings are held there every Friday. Building of the Palace began in 1824 and completed in 1849. The Palace sits on a small mount at the end of Oslo main street, Karl Johans gate, named after the king at the time. Originally built outside the city. Neoclassical style.…

Norway's first entry into the top league of modern architecture. Awarded the 2008 prize for best cultural building at the [http://www.worldbuildingsdirectory.com/project.cfm?id=1020 World Architecture Festival] in Barcelona, and the prestigious Mies van der Rohe award for best European contemporary architecture in 2009, its appearance is stunning.…

Barcode defines a new waterfront in the Bjørvika area. The plan for the new structures was adopted in 2003, and as of 2015 nine buildings are finished, and two are under construction. Three more are planned.…

Frogner park including Vigeland Sculpture Park is a large green area about 10 minutes by subway from the city center. In addition to being a nice green recreational area, it is also decorated with hundreds of sculptures by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere here, although the sculptures are a little depressing.…

The original campus and buildings of the University, completed around 1850. The buildings currently houses only the Faculty of Law; the rest of the university is situated at Blindern. Occasional concerts are arranged in the magnificent Universitetets Aula, housing 11 of Edvard Munch's pictures covering more than 200 square meters of wall.…

Features paintings by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch. Be aware that some of Edvard Munchs more famous pictures may actually be shown in the National Gallery, so don't complain that "The Scream" is not on display! Included in the Oslo Pass. Munch also produced huge paintings (more than 200 square metres in total) for the grandiose walls of the University of Oslo Aula.…

Situated to the south of the Frognerparken and Halvdan Svartes gate. The museum manages the sculptural works of Gustav Vigeland and offers a permanent exhibition of Gustav Vigelands sculptural works, as well as rolling exhibitions of various spatial art-forms (sculpture, installations and video-art). The museum was designed by Lorentz Ree and built in the 1920s.…

At the steep, green hill east of city centre (tram 18 or 19 to Sjømannsskolen, bus 34 or 74 to Brannfjellveien) is even a sculpture park, with works by Norwegian and international artists such as Salvador Dalí, Lynn Chadwick, Richard Hudson and Per Ung among others. This point is assumed to be the background for 'Scream', Edvard Munch's famous picture.…

Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private collection of contemporary art, founded in 1993. The museum was relocated to Tjuvholmen, Aker Brygge in 2012. The building - designed by Renzo Piano - is spectacular in itself, and the museum offers a small green oasis with a beach, very welcome in the concrete surroundings of Aker Brygge.…

Among Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not so well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926, but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door.…

The ski jump located on the west side of Oslo, which was rebuilt for the World Ski Championships in 2011. It first opened in 1892 and has been re-built many times since then. It had more than 1 million visitors every year, and was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. There is also the oldest [http://www.holmenkollen.com/eng ski museum] in the world, opened in 1923.…

Oslo's cathedral is none too impressive, but recently refurbished. Erected 1697, expanded 19th century using different coloured brick (still visible). After the terrorist attacks on Oslo in July 2011, the square Stortorget, in front of Oslo Cathedral, became the centre for afterthought and compassion. The square was fully covered by roses, greetings and mourning messages for weeks.…

A medieval castle and fortress built in 1299, [http://www.forsvarsbygg.no/ftp/verneplaner/Akershus_eng%20HQ%20visning.pdf located close to the city centre]. There are several excellent viewpoints to the Oslofjord and surrounding areas. The stone walls create an exciting atmosphere, and you are free to roam around in tight passages and staircases.…

Akerselva is Oslo's main river as it flows from Maridalen lake to the fjord near the Central station. Previously Oslo's industrial heartland, now the river and it's shores is converted into a green corridor almost the entire length from Grünerløkka to Maridalen. Bicycle and pedestrian paths along. Several small waterfalls.…

A delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund (cemetery).…

This industrial complex is perhaps an unusual attraction, but the striking buildings at the waterfall in Akerselva (Aker river) are one interesting legacy of Oslo's manufacturing past. It was the first water powered weaving mill in Norway, and during the late 1800s the largest textile company in Norway.…

The main building of Oslo public library is centrally located next to Trinity church and Ministry offices. The library was established in 1785. The current main building is in monumental neoclassical style, views are partly obstructed by the ministry "Y-building".…

This modest, sturdy, Romanesque church is the oldest existing building in Oslo. Built around 1100. It is one of the few Norwegian churches built in traditional basilica shape (three parallel naves). The building sits on a small hill in the northern corner of Vår Frelsers graveyard.

It has free guided tours in English and Norwegian lasting about 45 minutes, which assemble outside the back door of the Parliament (on Akersgata). There is a limit of 30 people per tour, so it is advisable to be there at least 10 minutes prior to the start of a tour.

is also located at Bygdøy, in the former residence of the Norwegian World War 2 collaborator and nationalist leader, Vidkun Quisling. The Center houses exhibitions and provides research on Holocaust and the plight of religious minorities. Included in the Oslo Pass.

The small, old bazaar surrounding the church is now used by artisans and craftsmen, and holds a couple of small cafes and restaurants. The current building was constructed around 1850 in neo-romantic style on the site of an older butchers' bazaar.

Sognsvann lake is one of the most popular places in Marka (Oslo forest), nice meadows and easy path around lake, paths continue through the forest - metro line 5 to Sognsvann station. Surprisingly this lake is the geographical mid point of Oslo.

The University botanical gardens is located just south of Tøyen park next door to Munch Museum. A wonderful and relaxing area. Free entrance, opening hours 1 Apr-30 Sep: Sa-Su 10AM-8PM, M-F 7AM-8PM, 1 Oct-31 Mar: Sa-Su 10AM-5PM, M-F 7AM-5PM.

The largest church in Oslo. A monumental building in neo-Gothic style, constructed in red brick. The nave is octagonal with a Greek cross superimposed. The church is centrally located next to the Ministry offices and Oslo public library.

A cool park in eastern Oslo, the uppermost park in Grünerløkka neighborhood, a so-called Greenwich village look-alike area. On Sundays, there is a second-hand market. The name refers to the birch threes there. The park covers one block.

Graves of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, and a large number of reputed Norwegians. Several statues, including one by Gustav Vigeland. Gamle Aker Church (the oldest building in Oslo) stands in the northern corner of the graveyard.

In addition to two 1100 year old Viking-ships (apparently the best preserved in the world), it also contains various other Viking artefacts and a Viking burial chamber, complete with ancient skeletons. Included in the Oslo Pass.

Blindern Campus is home to functionalist landmarks from 1920-1930s. The new (1999) library building at Blindern is an imposing building in black polished stone and glass, it stands out as a landmark among the pre-war buildings.

Surrounds the Royal Palace at the top of Karl Johan street. Oslo's most central park is a pleasant grass covered area with majestic old trees. Wide walkways crisscross the park. The Royal guards has a small barrack in the park.

a large open air museum featuring typical buildings from various periods in Norwegian history. This includes a city building that shows living conditions from the 1850s to the 1980s. Included in the Oslo Pass.

Features the vessel Fram, the worlds first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration (with a strong Norwegian focus!). Included in the Oslo Pass.

As one of the first of its kind in Europe, museum’s collection contains some 35,000 artefacts illustrating the history. Historical collections ranging from ancient Greek vases to modern European design.

Oscarshall is a royal summer Palace from the mid-19th century, now open to the public. A small palace filled with 19th century Norwegian art and surrounded by a magnificent park. Guided tours.

A thriving design and architecture centre providing areas for large and small exhibitions, conferences and meetings, activities for children, as well as a bookshop and café.

A small square park in eastern Oslo, Grünerløkka neighborhood, a so-called Greenwich village look-alike area. The park covers exactly one block in Grünerløkka's grid.

This imposing building with elements of art noveau was the main offices of the Central Bank of Norway from 1906. Now used by the national museum for contemporary art.

Popsenteret (Center of Popular Music) is a museum and location for various events and rolling exhibitions, interactions etc. within the cultural realm of pop music.

A Unique collection of mini bottles. While the bottles are small, the museum exhibits 12,500 of them from a collection of 53,000, over an area of 1,500m2.

Ruins of medieval old town of Oslo, such as church ruins and ruins of the former Royal Estate. Location of the annual rock music festival Øyafestivalen.

Houses a huge collection of ships and boats and records the impact of Norway's seafarers on their own country and the world. Included in the Oslo Pass.

Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro. Among other things, a wooden tram from the Holmenkollen line and a trolleybus are exhibited.

Describes Norwegian military history and provides an insight into the development from the Middle Ages to the first years after World War II.

Displays Tor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artefacts from Easter Island. Included in the Oslo Pass.

A fun and very interactive place for both children and adults. Contrary to information in the common tourist brochures this building.

featuring Norwegian art from the national-romantic period, as well as some art by international artists. Included in the Oslo Pass.

This 1931 building includes gallery and cafe. A prominent example of functionalism in Norway at the transition from neoclassicism.

Includes some confronting exhibitions as well as an exhibit for every winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Included in the Oslo Pass.

The steep Damstredet with traditional wooden houses. Towering on the hill above are the iconic Westye Egeberg blocks.

Pleasant park surrounding university buildings on Karl Johan street, completed around 1850.

Describes the resistance against the Nazi German occupation of Norway during World War II.

Museum with exhibitions showing the city's cultural and commercial development.

This museum has just re-opened, and is a treat. Included in the Oslo Pass.

The Kampen neighbourhood is an area with many traditional wooden houses.

Traditional Norwegian wood architecture, not found downtown anymore.