Built in 1299 by King Haakon V Magnusson, the ancient walls and medieval tower of this imposing fortress still dominate the seafront. Renovated in the 17th century, it has magnificent banqueting halls and reception rooms alongside dank medieval dungeons. The Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum (Resistance Museum) is also held here, retelling the story of Norwegian resistance under Nazi occupation.
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Things to see in Oslo
Tourist offices
Oslo Visitor Centre
Address: Jernbanetorget 1, Sentrum, Oslo, 0154, Norway
Tel: +47 8153 0555.
Opening Hours:
Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800
www.visitoslo.comLocated outside Oslo Central Station, this visitor centre has plenty of staff ready to help with queries, offer suggestions and take care of bookings. They can also aid tourists with hotels, transport and tours, and have plenty of free maps and leaflets to dispense.
The Oslo Pass (www.visitoslo.com/en/bookonline/oslopass) is good value for tourists, giving free admission to 30 museums and attractions. The pass also offers unlimited local travel on all forms of transport (including the ferries plying the waters between the city and the islands of the Oslofjord), free entrance to Tøyenbadet and Frognerbadet swimming pools and free parking in the municipal car parks. It also gives price reductions on sightseeing trips and numerous other discounts for cinemas, restaurants, car hire and souvenir shops. You can buy cards for one, two or three days (concessions are available) online, at the tourist information office, hotels and Narvesen newsagents.
Akershus Slott (Akershus Castle)
Opening Times: Daily 0600-2100.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Akershus festning, Sentrum, Oslo, 0150, Norway
Telephone: +47 23 09 39 17.
Munch Museet (Munch Museum)
This museum dedicated to Norway’s most famous painter, Edvard Munch, still has some real gems. Highlights include two versions of The Scream, Summer Night/The Voice and his 1902 Madonna. The museum also hosts an ever-changing roster of exhibitions giving an insight into different aspects of Munch’s oeuvre.
Opening Times: Mon-Sun 1000-1700 (May-Sep); Mon-Sun 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Tøyengata 53, Tøyenhagen, Oslo, 0578, Norway
Telephone: +47 2 349 3500.
Website:
www.munchmuseet.no
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Unusual, unique and occasionally spooky, the Vigeland Sculpture Park is home to over 200 bronze, granite and cast iron creations by the 20th-century artist Gustav Vigeland. The sculptor was also responsible for the design of the park itself, and thanks to its large acreage, it never feels crowded here.
Opening Times: Daily 24 hours.
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Nobels gate 32, Frogner, Oslo, 0268, Norway
Telephone: +47 2 349 3700.
Website:
www.vigeland.museum.no
Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ship Museum)
A short ferry trip from central Oslo, the peninsula of Bygdøy is home to some of the city’s best museums, including the wonderful Viking Ship Museum. Containing two of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships, as well as scores of artefacts such as tools and sledges, it offers the perfect introduction to Norway’s Dark Ages past.
Opening Times: Mon-Sun 0900-1800 (May-Sep), Mon-Sun 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Huk Aveny 35, Bygdøy, Oslo, 0287, Norway
Telephone: +47 2 285 1900.
Website:
http://www.khm.uio.no/english/
Fram Museum
Located on the peninsula of Bygdøy, Fram Museum tells the story of Norwegian polar exploration with a focus on three Norwegian explorers—Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen. Inside the museum visitors have the chance to view the exploration vessel Fram, still intact. This is the first ship that was built in Norway for polar research.
Opening Times: Daily 1000-1700 (Jan-Apr; Oct-Dec); 1000-18000 (May and Sep); 0900-1800 (Jun-Aug).
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Bygdøynesveien 39, Oslo, 0286, Norway
Website:
http://frammuseum.no
Nasjonalgalleriet (National Gallery)
Norway's National Gallery houses a respectable pre-1945 international art collection, with works by Gauguin, Picasso, Cezanne and El Greco. But it is the Norwegian collection that is the main draw here, thanks largely to the huge collection of work by local artist Edvard Munch, including a version of Skrik (The Scream).
Opening Times: Tue-Wed 1000-1800, Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 1100-1700.
Admission Fees: Yes
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Universitetsgata 13, Sentrum, Oslo, 0164, Norway
Telephone: +47 2 198 2000.
Website:
www.nasjonalmuseet.no
Oslo Domkirke (Cathedral)
Consecrated in 1697, and restored in 1950, this magnificent cathedral is Norway’s answer to Westminster Abbey. Hugo Lous Mohr created its ceiling art between 1936 and 1950, while the stained glass windows are by sculptor Emanuel Vigeland. A number of original features remain, including the altar screen, pulpit and font.
Opening Times: Sat-Thu 1000-1600, Fri 1600-0600.
Admission Fees: No
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Karl Johans gate 11, Sentrum, Oslo, 0154, Norway
Telephone: +47 2 362 9010.
Website:
www.oslodomkirke.no
Oslo Opera House
Oslo Opera House is one of Norway's biggest cultural institutions. With a spectacular fjord-side setting, the futuristic ice-white building plays host to an ever-changing programme of shows, including opera and ballet plus plays and modern music concerts. Pre-booked guided tours are available all year round.
Opening Times: Show times vary. Mon-Fri and Sun 1300, Sat 1200 (Sep-Apr) (guided tours).
Admission Fees: No (charge for performances and tours).
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, Sentrum, Oslo, 0150, Norway
Telephone: +47 21 42 21 21.
Website:
www.operaen.no
TusenFryd Amusement Park
TusenFryd is Norway’s biggest theme park and is home to 30 rides, among them SuperSplash, one of the steepest water rides in Europe, and SpeedMonster, which propels riders from 0 to 90 kmph (56 mph) in less than two seconds. The Barana Fryd area keeps children occupied, while the water park comes into its own in summer.
Opening Times: Daily 1030/1100-early evening (late Apr-late September); closing times vary, so check website prior to visit.
Admission Fees: Yes.
Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No
Address:
Høyungsletta 19, Vinterbro, Oslo, 1407, Norway
Telephone: +47 6497 6497.
Website:
www.tusenfryd.no
Oslo Radhus (Oslo City Hall)
Opened in 1950 as part of the city's 900th anniversary, Oslo City Hall is a dominant, although not especially pretty, part of the capital’s skyline. Perched on the waterfront overlooking the fjord, the twin-towered building is better inside than out with colourful frescos and murals redeeming the staid exterior. It also hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony.
Opening Times: Mon-Sun 0900-1800 (Jul-Aug), Mon-Sun 0900-1600 (Sep-Jun).
Admission Fees: No.
Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No
Address:
Fridtjof Nansens Plass, Sentrum, Oslo, 0160, Norway
Telephone: +47 23 46 12 00
Website:
www.oslo.kommune.no
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