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World Travel Guide > Guides > Europe > Norway > Oslo

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Things to see in Oslo

Attractions

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 ScreamSummer 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.

Address: Tøyenhagen, Tøyengata 53, Oslo, 0578
Telephone: +47 2 349 3500.
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 1000-1700 (May-Sep); Mon-Sun 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr).

Website: http://www.munchmuseet.no
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Frogner, Nobels gate 32, Oslo, 0268
Telephone: +47 2 349 3700.
Opening times:

Daily 24 hours.

Website: http://www.vigeland.museum.no
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Akershus Slott (Akershus Castle)

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.

Address: Sentrum, Akershus festning, Oslo, 0150
Telephone: +47 23 09 39 17.
Opening times:

Daily 0600-2100.

Website: http://www.forsvarsbygg.no/festningene/Festningene/Akershus-festning
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Bygdøy, Huk Aveny 35, Oslo, 0287
Telephone: +47 2 285 1900.
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 0900-1800 (May-Sep), Mon-Sun 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr).

Website: http://www.khm.uio.no/english/
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

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.

Address: , Bygdøynesveien 39, Oslo, 0286
Telephone:
Opening times:

Daily 1000-1700 (Jan-Apr; Oct-Dec); 1000-18000 (May and Sep); 0900-1800 (Jun-Aug).

Website: http://frammuseum.no
Admission Fees:

 Yes.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Sentrum, Karl Johans gate 11, Oslo, 0154
Telephone: +47 2 362 9010.
Opening times:

Sat-Thu 1000-1600, Fri 1600-0600.

Website: http://www.oslodomkirke.no
Admission Fees:

No

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Vinterbro, Høyungsletta 19, Oslo, 1407
Telephone: +47 6497 6497.
Opening times:

Daily 1030/1100-early evening (late Apr-late September); closing times vary, so check website prior to visit.

Website: http://www.tusenfryd.no
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Sentrum, Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, Oslo, 0150
Telephone: +47 21 42 21 21.
Opening times:

Show times vary. Mon-Fri and Sun 1300, Sat 1200 (Sep-Apr) (guided tours).

Website: http://www.operaen.no
Admission Fees:

No (charge for performances and tours).

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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).

Address: Sentrum, Universitetsgata 13, Oslo, 0164
Telephone: +47 2 198 2000.
Opening times:

Tue-Wed 1000-1800, Thu 1000-1900, Fri 1000-1800, Sat-Sun 1100-1700.

Website: http://www.nasjonalmuseet.no
Admission Fees:

Yes

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: 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.

Address: Sentrum, Fridtjof Nansens Plass, Oslo, 0160
Telephone: +47 23 46 12 00
Opening times:

Mon-Sun 0900-1800 (Jul-Aug), Mon-Sun 0900-1600 (Sep-Jun).

Website: http://www.oslo.kommune.no
Admission Fees:

No.

Disabled Access: Yes
UNESCO: No

Frognerbadet

Next to the wonderful Vigeland Sculpture Park, the open-air swimming pool complex of Frognerbadet is one of the most popular summer spots in the city. With three open-air pools, including a diving pool, water slides and separate adult and children sections, the entire city seemingly packs into the complex on sunny weekends.

Address: Frogner, Middelthuns gate 28, Oslo, 0368
Telephone: +47 2 327 5450.
Opening times:

Mon-Fri 0700-1930, Sat-Sun 1000-1800 (mid-May-Aug).

Website: http://www.oslo.kommune.no
Admission Fees:

Yes.

Disabled Access: No
UNESCO: No

Tourist Offices

Oslo Visitor Centre

Address: Sentrum, Jernbanetorget 1, Oslo, 0154
Telephone: +47 8153 0555.
Opening times:

Mon-Sat 0900-1800, Sun 1000-1800

Website: http://www.visitoslo.com

Located 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.

Tourist passes

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.

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First Hotel Grims Grenka

One of the most charming of Oslo’s stays, the Grims Grenka might be a chain hotel but it has the feel of a boutique establishment. Each of the 65 rooms are spacious and come with a stash of organic tea. The Madu restaurant and the rooftop Q Lounge are both worth checking out too.

Saga Hotel

Built in the 1890s, the intimate Saga Hotel sits a stone's throw from the Royal Palace but is far less grand than its setting would suggest. Instead, its rooms are romantic and remarkably short on Scandinavian minimalism, while staff are friendly and ever-ready to field questions and source decent restaurants.

The Thief

Despite the name, The Thief is a well-priced hotel with direct access to the Oslofjord that certainly won't relieve you of all your money. Housed in a modern glass and steel building, the rooms have great views and simple modern décor. There's a gourmet restaurant on site too.

Hotel Continental

The Continental is an Oslo institution that has been run by the same family for four generations and is more than a century old. Situated in the heart of Oslo next to the National Theatre the hotel is known both for outstanding service and restaurants as well as its links with the Oslo arts scene.

Hotel Bristol

The Bristol is a lavish city centre hotel dating from the 1920s though its rouge chesterfield sofas wood panelled walls and glistening chandeliers make it appear much older. On offer are 251 rooms alongside several restaurants and bars and a fitness facility. It’s also located close to many of the main attractions.

First Hotel Millennium

Despite the 1930s facade (and the name), the First Hotel Millennium opened in 1988 and is located a few minutes' walk from the city centre. Its 114 rooms are finished in minimal Scandinavian style with wooden floors. The on-site restaurant does a decent breakfast buffet too.