Things to see in Oslo

A short ferry crossing from central Oslo to the peninsula of Bygdøy transports visitors into Norway's varied maritime past. All the attractions on Bygdøy are within 10 or 15 minutes' walking distance of one another.

One of Europe's biggest open-air museums, the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Folk Museum) is a walk through Norway's geography and history, featuring a variety of period buildings that have been transported from all over the country. Turf-roofed farms and barns in one section give way to the streets of the Old Town, complete with shop, houses and early petrol station. A five-minute walk away, the elegant Oseberg, excavated in 1904 and dating from about 800 AD, is the finest of the ships at the Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ship Museum).

The Norsk Sjøfartsmuseum (Norwegian Maritime Museum) portrays the pivotal role played by the sea in Norway's history, from Vikings to fishing to oil tankers, with magnificent model boats, film footage, artefacts and paintings. Nearby, at the Frammuseet, is the 1892 polar vessel, Fram, in which Fridtjof Nansen sailed toward the North Pole and Roald Amundsen to the Antarctic. The Kon-Tiki Museum houses Thor Heyerdahl's famous balsa raft, Kon-Tiki, and reed raft, Ra II, as well as other items, including Easter island statues (Moais) and a stuffed whale shark.

The open-air swimming pool complex of Frognerbadet is one of the most popular summer locations in the city. With three open-air pools, including a diving pool, water slides and separate adult and children sections, the whole city seems to pack into the complex to occupy every available space of grass. Norwegians make the most of the glorious summer days, with everyone from families to groups of friends converging on the pools every day of the week. The weekend often sees long queues so a morning visit is recommended. Frognerbadet is well equipped with changing rooms, toilets and a cafeteria.

The Munch Museum, to the east of the city centre, lies in the broad parklands of Tøyenhagen. It hit the news in 2004 when two of the most famous works were stolen, but its collection of other works by Edvard Munch is extensive. Changing exhibitions feature different aspects of it.

Consecrated in 1697, the cathedral has been the subject of several renovations over the centuries. The current baroque style interior dates from 1950, when the city was celebrating its 900th anniversary. It does, however, incorporate several original features including the altar screen, pulpit and font, which had hitherto been on display at the Museum of Applied Art.

With more than 100 species including lizards, snakes, dwarf crocodiles and spiders, the Oslo Reptile Park is an unusual diversion in the city centre. Snake feeding, every Tuesday at 1700, is a highlight of the week.