Florina & Christos’s Oslo Guidebook
Sightseeing
Welcome to Oslo!
Surrounded by mountains and sea, this compact, cultured and fun city has a palpable sense of reinvention.
What is it? One of Scandinavia’s most iconic modern buildings, the Opera House was designed to resemble a glacier rising out of the fjord and its prime role is to showcase opera and ballet performances.
Why go? In many ways, this building marked the start of a new era for Oslo and the regeneration of its waterfront. Don’t miss a walk on top of its roof for a superb architectural experience with wonderful city views to boot.
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Operahuis van Oslo
What is it? One of Scandinavia’s most iconic modern buildings, the Opera House was designed to resemble a glacier rising out of the fjord and its prime role is to showcase opera and ballet performances.
Why go? In many ways, this building marked the start of a new era for Oslo and the regeneration of its waterfront. Don’t miss a walk on top of its roof for a superb architectural experience with wonderful city views to boot.
What is it? Around a 30-minute walk from central Oslo, this wooded park featuring 31 sculptures beautifully overlooks the city, and is where Munch found his inspiration for The Scream.
Why go? Always open and free to visit, the park features works by artists including Salvador Dali and Damien Hirst and has a top-notch restaurant, Ekebergrestauranten from which you get the best view over Oslo city.
343 locals raden deze aan
Ekebergparken
23 KongsveienWhat is it? Around a 30-minute walk from central Oslo, this wooded park featuring 31 sculptures beautifully overlooks the city, and is where Munch found his inspiration for The Scream.
Why go? Always open and free to visit, the park features works by artists including Salvador Dali and Damien Hirst and has a top-notch restaurant, Ekebergrestauranten from which you get the best view over Oslo city.
What is it? In summer Oslo Fjord including Hovedøya and Gressholmen are ideal for cruising, swimming, beach picnics and hiking.
Why go? It only takes five minutes by ferry to reach the main island, Hovedøya, with its lush forests, beaches and monastery ruins and costs same price as a bus ticket. Buy a day pass and jump from island to island, or book a guided tour.
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Oslofjord
What is it? In summer Oslo Fjord including Hovedøya and Gressholmen are ideal for cruising, swimming, beach picnics and hiking.
Why go? It only takes five minutes by ferry to reach the main island, Hovedøya, with its lush forests, beaches and monastery ruins and costs same price as a bus ticket. Buy a day pass and jump from island to island, or book a guided tour.
What is it? A huge Olympic ski jump, located within easy reach of the city by Metro, with a viewing platform and a museum that delves into skiing history and polar exploration, plus snowboarding and modern skiing.
Why go? No trip to Oslo is complete without taking in the panoramic vistas from the top of this impressive tower with gteat views over the city. Book a whole day tour, including the ski jump.
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Holmenkollen
What is it? A huge Olympic ski jump, located within easy reach of the city by Metro, with a viewing platform and a museum that delves into skiing history and polar exploration, plus snowboarding and modern skiing.
Why go? No trip to Oslo is complete without taking in the panoramic vistas from the top of this impressive tower with gteat views over the city. Book a whole day tour, including the ski jump.
What is it? The royal residence at the top of Karl Johans gate, home to HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja. The Royal Palace Park surrounds the palace on all sides and features grassy areas, majestic trees, small ponds and statues.
Why go? Although the palace is open to the public only during 22 June until 25 August and all visitors must follow a guided tour, the impressive building at the end of Karl Johans street is worth a look. The grounds and gardens are free for visitors to wander around and for the regular changing of the guard every day at 1.30 pm.
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The Royal Palace
1 SlottsplassenWhat is it? The royal residence at the top of Karl Johans gate, home to HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja. The Royal Palace Park surrounds the palace on all sides and features grassy areas, majestic trees, small ponds and statues.
Why go? Although the palace is open to the public only during 22 June until 25 August and all visitors must follow a guided tour, the impressive building at the end of Karl Johans street is worth a look. The grounds and gardens are free for visitors to wander around and for the regular changing of the guard every day at 1.30 pm.
What is it? Akershus Festning is an old medieval fortress which has guarded Oslo from attacks by foreign navies for centuries. It also houses a renaissance castle where several kings and queens have lived.
Why go? Access to the fortress grounds is free and gets you some of the best views of the Oslo Fjord which are perfect for a stroll on a chilled evening.
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Fort Akershus
What is it? Akershus Festning is an old medieval fortress which has guarded Oslo from attacks by foreign navies for centuries. It also houses a renaissance castle where several kings and queens have lived.
Why go? Access to the fortress grounds is free and gets you some of the best views of the Oslo Fjord which are perfect for a stroll on a chilled evening.
What is it? This is one of Norway’s most visited attractions. The park is home to more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron displaying human emotions and life stages in graphic ways. The artist behind them is Gustav Vigeland, who was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park. His large house and studio, built on the premises, is now a museum dedicated to the artist.
Why go? Vigeland park is one of Norway's top tourist attractions, with more than one million annual visitors. It is a must exploring Norway’s most famous sculptor and wood carver work, in particular the topics of death and the man/woman relationship. The park is free to enter and open all year round, 24 hours a day.
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Vigeland Park
32 Nobels gateWhat is it? This is one of Norway’s most visited attractions. The park is home to more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron displaying human emotions and life stages in graphic ways. The artist behind them is Gustav Vigeland, who was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park. His large house and studio, built on the premises, is now a museum dedicated to the artist.
Why go? Vigeland park is one of Norway's top tourist attractions, with more than one million annual visitors. It is a must exploring Norway’s most famous sculptor and wood carver work, in particular the topics of death and the man/woman relationship. The park is free to enter and open all year round, 24 hours a day.
What is it? Opened in 2005, this interactive exhibition center is dedicated to the acclaimed Peace Prize and its previous winners. While the permanent exhibition is about the winners, its ever-changing exhibits range from photos capturing extreme wealth to those examining anorexia.
Why go? It offers a fascinating insight into the significance of the Peace Prize, as well as issues relating to war, peace and conflict resolution. It’s also super family-friendly, and children under 16 get in free.
8 locals raden deze aan
Nobel Peace Center
1 Brynjulf Bulls plassWhat is it? Opened in 2005, this interactive exhibition center is dedicated to the acclaimed Peace Prize and its previous winners. While the permanent exhibition is about the winners, its ever-changing exhibits range from photos capturing extreme wealth to those examining anorexia.
Why go? It offers a fascinating insight into the significance of the Peace Prize, as well as issues relating to war, peace and conflict resolution. It’s also super family-friendly, and children under 16 get in free.
What is it? An amazing museum in Bygdøy peninsula hosting the Fram ship. Norway has a close relationship to the Arctic, and Fram ship made it possible for Norwegian explorers to venture both to the extreme north and extreme south of the globe, making Norway one of the first nations to properly explore both these areas.
Why go? The museum is definitely worth a visit if you want to find out more about Norway’s maritime history and what life was like on-board these hazardous explorations. Spend at least 3 hours in Bygdøy's highest rated museum, which is home to the world's strongest polar vessel, the Fram ship!
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Frammuseum
39 BygdøynesveienWhat is it? An amazing museum in Bygdøy peninsula hosting the Fram ship. Norway has a close relationship to the Arctic, and Fram ship made it possible for Norwegian explorers to venture both to the extreme north and extreme south of the globe, making Norway one of the first nations to properly explore both these areas.
Why go? The museum is definitely worth a visit if you want to find out more about Norway’s maritime history and what life was like on-board these hazardous explorations. Spend at least 3 hours in Bygdøy's highest rated museum, which is home to the world's strongest polar vessel, the Fram ship!
What is it? Edvard Munch has a unique position among Nordic painters and is considered a pioneer in expressionism.
The Munch Museum's collection, left to the city of Oslo by the artist, consists of paintings, graphical prints and drawings. By constantly changing the exhibitions, the museum presents the variety in his production.
Why go? If you’re time-poor but want to see work by Oslo’s most famous son, head here. Until the new Munch Museum will be open to public right behind Opera in 2020, the old Munch Museum is two stops on the Metro. Audio tours are available in Norwegian and in English, and a film on Edvard Munch's life is shown throughout the day.
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Munch Museum
1 Edvard Munchs PlassWhat is it? Edvard Munch has a unique position among Nordic painters and is considered a pioneer in expressionism.
The Munch Museum's collection, left to the city of Oslo by the artist, consists of paintings, graphical prints and drawings. By constantly changing the exhibitions, the museum presents the variety in his production.
Why go? If you’re time-poor but want to see work by Oslo’s most famous son, head here. Until the new Munch Museum will be open to public right behind Opera in 2020, the old Munch Museum is two stops on the Metro. Audio tours are available in Norwegian and in English, and a film on Edvard Munch's life is shown throughout the day.
Food scene
Oslo Is the New Nordic Food Town. Restaurants are sophisticated, approachable, creative, relevant and delicious. Chefs serve innovative, seasonal menus with quality products, focusing on local seafood and vegetables. Tasting menus are widespread, as are a la carte options. Ambiences are unpretentious and intimate. Staffs were welcoming. Oslo’s burgeoning food scene not only held its own but it will exceed your expectations.
What is it? The Aker Brygge area of Oslo has been built up from an abandoned shipyard and is today one of the most attractive and expensive areas of the city to live in.
Why go? Its restaurants, bars and art galleries are bustling during both day and night as people enjoy shopping, eating out and the impressive architecture that meticulously combines old and new.
538 locals raden deze aan
Aker Brygge
2 BryggegataWhat is it? The Aker Brygge area of Oslo has been built up from an abandoned shipyard and is today one of the most attractive and expensive areas of the city to live in.
Why go? Its restaurants, bars and art galleries are bustling during both day and night as people enjoy shopping, eating out and the impressive architecture that meticulously combines old and new.
What is it? Oslo’s new food court, located inside an old industrial building. The various stalls serve a mixture of affordable, international cuisine, such as pulled pork tacos and crab sandwiches.
Why go? Its location at the tip of the city makes it slightly off the tourist route. It’s popular with locals who enjoy the eclectic mix of Oslo’s food cultures in a relaxed atmosphere with superb sea views.
158 locals raden deze aan
Vippa
25 AkershusstrandaWhat is it? Oslo’s new food court, located inside an old industrial building. The various stalls serve a mixture of affordable, international cuisine, such as pulled pork tacos and crab sandwiches.
Why go? Its location at the tip of the city makes it slightly off the tourist route. It’s popular with locals who enjoy the eclectic mix of Oslo’s food cultures in a relaxed atmosphere with superb sea views.