Oslo Highlights
The small Northern city of Oslo is Europe´s fastest-growing capital and a favourite tourist and convention destination. Oslo is the economic and government centre of Norway, a buzzing global city that connects all kinds of Norwegian trade, banking, industry and shipping with the rest of the world, and a hub of academic and cultural activity.
During the last two decades Oslo has experienced a renewal in all aspects of urban living, cultural activities and architecture. Visitors can enjoy internationally acclaimed museums and exhibition spaces, exciting contemporary architecture, music festivals and concerts, restaurants inspired by the new Nordic culinary movement and international cuisine and a vibrant nightlife.
Being a tourist in Oslo, especially in July, can be an amazing experience. Museum goers, history and architecture enthusiasts, and nature lovers will all have plenty to enjoy. The city is welcoming to all visitors. All primary attractions and travel can be experienced with few challenges to accessibility, while the relevant infrastructure is steadily improving.
Here is only a handful of the options. For more information on attractions, excursions and dining options, please visit the official travel guide for Oslo https://www.visitoslo.com/en/.
The Munch Museum
The museum has the world’s largest collection of Edward Munch’s works. A brief introduction to the exhibition is given in English every Sunday at 1 pm.
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Sculpture park located inside the Frogner Park containing more than 200 sculptures by the artist Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943), including The Angry Boy and the 17 meters high Monolith. The park is free to enter at all times.
Norwegian Folk Museum
Located on the Bygdøy peninsula the Folk Museum is one of the world’s oldest and largest open-air museums. It contains 155 traditional houses from all parts of Norway including a stave church from the year 1200.
Museum of Cultural History
The museum houses the largest collection of items from pre-historic times and the Middle Ages found in Norway. The ethnographic collection contains Egyptian mummies, Antique art, items from Arctic expeditions as well as from African, American and East Asian cultures.
Astrup Fearnley Museum
The Astrup Fearnley Collection is a collection of modern and contemporary art counted among the most significant of its kind in Northern Europe. The museum complements works from the permanent collection by rotating exhibitions with internationally renowned artists.
Ekebergparken Sculpture Park
Sculpture and national heritage park with a strong international art collection surrounded by beautiful scenery with many spectacular lookout points. The park is always open and is free to visit.
Oslo fjord
The Oslo fjord and all its islands are easily accessible with the ferries going between Aker brygge and the islands of Hovedøya, Lindøya, Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Gressholmen and Langøyene. The islands are popular places to go swimming during summer, each with its unique character and history. With a regular public transportation ticket, it is possible to go island hopping between the different islands.
The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet
Oslo’s Opera House is located right at the harbour, with an exterior that appears to be rising right out of the sea. Visitors are invited to climb its roof and enjoy panoramic views over Oslo and the fjord. Guided tours are given in English and Norwegian.
The Viking Ship Museum
Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula with the world´s best-preserved Viking Ships, including hundreds of objects from the famous Oseberg ship.
Fram Museum
The museum contains the ship Fram, known as the strongest wooden ship ever built and still holds the records for sailing farthest north and farthest south. Visitors can come on board the ship and see how the crew and their dogs managed to survive both in the Arctic and the Antarctic.
Combination tickets are available for the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum
Natural History Museum
Norway´s largest collection of natural objects is available in the Botanical Garden, the greenhouses and the Zoological Museum. The Botanical Garden is a 150-acre garden containing 35,000 plants and 7,500 species. In the Zoological Museum visitors can view dinosaur skeletons as well as exhibitions displaying wildlife from Norway and the rest of the world.
National Gallery
The National Gallery, established in 1837, contains Norway’s largest public collection of paintings, drawings and sculptures.
Sognsvann lake
Recreation area with great places for picnics, swimming, fishing, walking and running. Easily accessible with the subway.
Oslo forests
The city of Oslo is surrounded by large forest areas with ample recreation opportunities. Most hiking routs are usually well-marked, but a map is recommended for longer distances. Both the northern and eastern parts of the forest are easily accessible with both the subway and several bus routes.
For more information about these and other activities, visit the VisitOSLO website.