20 places to visit in Oslo

Begin your exploration of the land of fjords in the capital city — Oslo. This beautiful, modern, and vibrant city with its unique architecture will envelop you in a wave of inspiration and undoubtedly amaze you. To discover what to see in Oslo, read our guide.

Streets of Damstredet & Telthusbakken

These two streets are located five minutes apart in the southern part of the Grünerløkka district. Once home mainly to the less fortunate, the charming area later attracted members of the artistic bohemian community. Today, Damstredet & Telthusbakken is a haven of national character with the true essence of Oslo. The oldest buildings here date back to the 18th century.

The cobbled streets with their tiny colorful houses were once favored by the young Edvard Munch. The Norwegian artist even captured Damstredet & Telthusbakken in a series of watercolors.

Akershus Fortress and Castle

The Akershus Castle has a very dramatic history. Founded in the 13th century, it withstood a Swedish siege in 1308 but was completely destroyed by a fire in 1527 caused by a lightning strike. After these events, the castle was rebuilt.

The Akershus Fortress is the first example of stone architecture in Norway. Today, behind its massive walls, you will find a grand Renaissance-style palace, a royal chapel, and two museums — one dedicated to the Norwegian resistance and the other to the history of the fortress's construction. Don't miss the impressive changing of the guard ceremony (at 13:30), stroll through the palace halls, visit the chapel, and of course, enjoy the stunning views of Oslo and the harbor.

Address: Akershus Slott, Akershusstranda, Akershus Festning

Frogner Park

Frogner Park, also known as the Sculpture Park, is dedicated to the works of the famous Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland and was created by him personally from 1907 to 1942.

It features 227 sculptures made of bronze and granite, which the artist dedicated to human emotions and relationships in all their diversity and complexity. Among the most popular exhibits in the park is a 14-meter-high monolith consisting of 121 human figures. It took the sculptor 14 years to carve it from a massive block of granite.

Address: Frogner Park, Kirkeveien

Opening hours: 24/7

City Hall

The City Hall building is a landmark of 20th-century architecture and a well-known symbol of the capital. You’ve likely seen this image online. The Oslo City Council meets here, and it is also the venue for the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.

The interior of the City Hall reflects the traditions of Norwegian national culture and highlights significant events in the country's history, including those from World War II. The building features a gallery of festivities (decorated by Axel Revold), a banquet hall (by Johan Wilhelm Middelsvarten), and the "Munch Room" with Edvard Munch's painting "The Dance of Life".

Address: Rådhusplassen, 1

Opera House

This venue hosts stunning opera and ballet performances, but first and foremost, it impresses with its futuristic architecture. Take a closer look — the building resembles an iceberg drifting through the waters of Oslo Fjord.

The size of the foundation can be compared to a football field, covering 38,000 square meters. It's hard to imagine, but the opera house has 1,100 rooms and three stages. One of the building's main features is its marble roof, which you can walk on. Be sure to ascend to see the city from a unique perspective. The panorama of the city center and the view of the Oslo Fjord islands with their colorful wooden houses should be in your sights.

Address: Kirsten Flagstads plass, 1.

Sørenga Promenade

Behind the Opera House, there is a small pedestrian bridge leading to the promenade. It is truly beautiful at sunset! The waterfront area has numerous cafes and restaurants where you can try local cuisine and raise a glass of wine to your visit to the Norwegian capital.

Bygdøy Peninsula

You will want to return here again and again. The Bygdøy Peninsula is home to five magnificent national museums: the Viking Ship Museum, the Fram Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum. Each is worth a visit. But the peninsula offers more than just museums.

On the peninsula, you will also find the official summer residence of the King of Norway and the Oscarshall castle. For cyclists and hiking enthusiasts, there are excellent trails, and for those looking to cool off, there are great beaches.

Norwegian Folk Museum

Here, you can learn about Norwegian life from the Middle Ages to the present day. This open-air museum features traditional Norwegian houses from different eras. Notably, it includes an authentic 12th-century wooden church built without a single nail. Dragons are depicted at the ends of the church’s roof — a feature reminiscent of Viking ships.

Opening hours: Monday to Friday from 11:00 to 15:00, Saturday and Sunday from 11:00 to 13:00.

Address: Museumsv, 10.

You can book a hotel with a discount of up to 65% on the website.

Viking Ship Museum

One of the most visited museums in Oslo. It displays three priceless artifacts — the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune ships, which Vikings used to cross the ocean more than 1,000 years ago.

Here, you can learn about the unique features of these ships (drakkars), see Viking artifacts, clothing, and jewelry.

Address: Huk Aveny 35.

Opening hours: May to September from 09:00 to 18:00, October to April from 10:00 to 16:00.

Kon-Tiki Museum

This private museum is dedicated to Thor Heyerdahl. It is also located on the Bygdøy Peninsula, and its main exhibit is the very raft "Kon-Tiki" that Thor Heyerdahl used to cross the Pacific Ocean in 1947. The exhibition also includes other vessels used by Heyerdahl on his expeditions. Fans of the subject will find it fascinating.

Address: Bygdøynesveien, 36.

Opening hours: Year-round, except December 31, January 1, and May 17.

Reptile Park

The park’s population is truly impressive: around a hundred species of lizards, snakes, spiders, and fish, including some venomous ones. The terrarium inhabitants are fed on Tuesdays at 5 PM. If you’re not deterred by the sight of feeding reptiles, be sure to visit — it will be far from boring!

Address: St. Olavs Gate, 2.

Opening hours: Tuesday–Saturday from 10:00 to 18:00, Monday closed.

The Storting Building

The word "Storting" refers to Norway's unicameral parliament. It was established in 1814, and its founding date is recognized as a national holiday. The legislative body meets in this beautiful building with over 150 years of history.

The building is constructed of yellow brick in an eclectic style. It has magnificent proportions, blending into the surrounding landscape without dominating it. Nine doors lead inside, and they are always open, showing that anyone can approach the authorities for assistance or simply admire the interior decor.

Oslo Cathedral

The cathedral holds the esteemed title of Oslo's main church. It was built in 1697 and has undergone numerous restorations since then, preserving its unique design. The interior is particularly noteworthy, featuring an ancient altar from 1748, paintings of the Last Supper and Crucifixion by M. Rassh, stained glass by E. Vigeland, painted ceilings, and luxurious wall decorations.

Skasle Cemetery

An ancient cemetery established over 200 years ago. Today, it has its own Lutheran church with a parish. The necropolis now serves as a memorial, with burials having ceased in the mid-20th century. It houses the graves of notable scientists, politicians, and cultural figures of the state.

Fram Museum

This attraction is highly recommended by guides in Oslo for those interested in the history and life of Antarctica. The main exhibit of the museum is the ship that R. Amundsen once used to conquer the continent. In addition to the ship, you can view medical instruments, mounted Antarctic animals, navigation equipment, and personal items of sailors. A pleasant aspect is that you can explore the ship in its entirety, entering technical rooms and cabins, and climbing to the bridge and deck.

Royal Palace

Exploring such attractions in Oslo is a great family activity. The palace complex, dating back to 1849, was the residence of the Norwegian king. The building is designed in a conservative and austere style, with no decorations. The "jewel" of the palace is considered to be the surrounding park area — anyone can walk there and watch the ceremonial guard for free. Entrance to the internal ceremonial halls is also free, though using mobile phones or taking photos is strictly prohibited.

Karl Johans Gate

One of the main pedestrian streets of the capital, named in memory of Charles IV.

Visitors are offered a variety of shopping opportunities: souvenir shops, grocery stores, clothing and shoe boutiques. Additionally, there are restaurants and cafes offering local cuisine. The street is also known for its cultural and historical landmarks: the palace park, the Parliament House, the National Theatre, and more.

Munch Museum

The Munch Museum opened in Oslo in 2021 and is now the largest museum in the world dedicated to the work of a single artist.

The new museum was simply named MUNCH. The artist's creative legacy is displayed across all 13 floors of the ultra-modern building. Before his death, Edvard Munch bequeathed the city about 28,000 works: paintings, drawings, sculptures, prints, and photographs, as well as archives and personal items. Since 1963, the collection was housed in a relatively small building in the residential area of Tøyen. In 2004, two of the most valuable paintings — "The Scream" (1910) and "Madonna" (1894) — were stolen, which further motivated the decision to move to a new location. Fortunately, the paintings were returned.

Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

The Astrup Fearnley Museum's collection features paintings and sculptures by outstanding Norwegian and international artists. Works by Andy Warhol, Matthew Barney, Richard Prince, and many other prominent figures in contemporary art are on display here.

The museum building, resembling a sail, was designed in high-tech style by architect Renzo Piano. The materials used in construction — wood and glass — make the structure's outlines unique and easily recognizable. The museum consists of two buildings located on the edge of the fjord, separated by a strip of water.

TusenFryd Amusement Park

A wonderful amusement park with well-developed infrastructure. The attractions cater to both children and adults. There are cafes, a car track, swings, water rides, and famous roller coasters (with varying heights and "intensity").