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Visiting Norway?
Odds are you’ll be passing through Oslo, Norway’s capital city. The city is trendy and modern with tons of neighborhoods, restaurants, and shops to explore.
While some like to use the city as a launching point for more mountainous adventures, I find it a bit too out of the way. Better instead to enjoy Oslo for its city, then head to Bergen to base your more athletic adventures.
Oslo Opera house
Although Oslo’s skyline remains fairly low profile, the most iconic building in the city is easily the Opera House. The angular building is located in the heart of Oslo, reminiscent of an iceberg rising out of the harbor. The exterior is open for visitors to explore, and I highly recommend climbing up for a great view of the surrounding city. You do in fact get to walk on the roof!
Keep an eye out for the sculpture She Lies floating in the harbor, again reminiscent of an ice structure.
Frogner Park & Vigeland Sculpture Park
Perhaps the most famous of Oslo’s parks, this green space offers more than 200 hilariously expressive sculptures of the human condition. You may have seen some of these sculptures floating around the internet, famous for their ridiculous poses. Take some time to wander the park and pick your favorite sculpture.
Saunas
You simply can’t go to Oslo without experiencing their urban sauna culture. KOK’s sauna rafts along Oslo’s fjords are particularly popular. They only fit 10 people, though, so make sure to book ahead!
Akershus Fortress
Step back in time at the Akershus Fortress. Exploring this open air museum is a great way to spend a sunny day in the city. Guided tours are also available twice a day on the weekends, though I was happy enough to explore the exteriors on my own for free.
Royal Palace
Did you know that Norway still has a monarchy? I know as American’s we’re most familiar with the English monarchy, but Norway still has one too! While the King and Queen do live here, the Royal Palace is open to the public every summer.
While I didn’t enter the palace, the exterior itself was nice to explore- I always love a royal garden!
OsloFjord
If Oslo is your only stop in Norway, I highly recommend that you get out into the fjord! Although Oslo doesn’t have quite as many islands as the neighboring capital city of Stockholm, there’s still plenty of tiny islands to see.
This boat tour is particularly popular, but you’ll see a veritable fleet of tour boats zooming around Oslofjord during the day.
Tjuvholmen
Although Oslo is filled with trendy neighborhoods, I spent a good chunk of time in Tjuvholmen- first because I was meeting a friend there for lunch, and second because by the end of my road trip all I wanted was to sit and people watch- and this was a great place to do that!
Museums:
If you’re looking for museums, Oslo has plenty!
Munch Museum
Ever heard of the Scream? The iconic painting was created by the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch, and he’s got a whole museum dedicated to him in central Oslo!
Viking Ship Museum
Vikings, Norway, the two go hand in hand. The Viking Ship Museum hosts the three best preserved Viking ships in the world- plus a whole lot of weapons, jewelry and viking age items. If you’ve come to Norway to see Vikings, this is your stop!
Kon-Tiki
Even if you’re not into history, the name Kon-Tiki may ring a bell from the critically acclaimed 2012 movie with the same name. The movie and the museum honor the 1947 era raft-journey from South America to the Polynesian Islands.
The Norwegian expedition did end up proving its point- that the journey was indeed possible without modern technology- and the original raft is presented in the Kon-Tiki museum!
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