Historic places in Oslo

Historic places in Oslo

1. SeeSentrum

   Akershus Castle and Fortress

   Akershus Festning

   A medieval castle and fortress built in 1299, located close to the city centre. There are several excellent viewpoints to the Oslofjord and surrounding areas. The stone walls create an exciting atmosphere, and you are free to roam around in tight passages and staircases. There are two museums here, both related to Norwegian military history (see museums below).

2. DrinkWest

   Beer Palace

   A popular pub with fair selection of Norwegian and foreign beers. In addition to enjoying good beer it's possible to play darts and get a slice of pizza. Every Monday an international beer course is held here by Ølakademiet.

3. DoSentrum

   Boating the inner Oslofjord

   from the port next to the Oslo City Hall and Aker Brygge

   A relaxing break from the busy city: There are many boats and ferries that can take you to the idyllic, small islands of the archipelago in the inner Oslofjord. Activities such as fishing, swimming, sunbathing, strolling and exploring ashore the islands. To the museums at the Bygdøy peninsula is a separate all year ferry. Throughout the year the Oslofjord can be crossed by ferry B10 to Nesodden. There is also a boat liner to the historic Oscarsborg Fortress off Drøbak at a slightly higher fare during the summer season. Bring food and drink for picnics on the islands before starting the boat trip.

   Mostly from May to September·A valid ticket for the public transport in Oslo, the price is the same to most islands. For those who want it, there is also fjord sightseeing and a Jump On - Jump Off sight seeing boat with trips in the harbor area.

4. SeeSentrum

   City Hall

   Rådhuset

   A monumental functionalist building in red brick. Opinions are divided if this is a pretty building, but it is certainly imposing. The austere facade has a surprising number of fine details. Open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. Other rooms are also decorated with a variety of art. There are also some displays of historical artefacts in the side rooms upstairs. This is where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented every year. Although there is no public lift, disadvantaged visitors only have to ask and they can use the staff lift. On one of the towers, there is a glockenspiel playing melodies at every hour, the huge instrument is about 20,000 kg and stands 66 m above ground. The building was opened in 1950 after 32 years of planning and construction.

   1 Jul - 31 Aug: daily 09:00-18:00; Sep-Jun: 09:00-16:00·Free

5. DoInner East

   Ekebergparken

   At the steep, green hill east of city centre (tram 18 or 19 to Ekebergparken, bus 34 or 74 to Brannfjellveien) is even a sculpture park, with works by Norwegian and international artists such as Salvador Dalí, Lynn Chadwick, Richard Hudson and Per Ung among others. This point is assumed to be the background for Scream, Edvard Munch's famous picture. Alongside the idyllic forest paths you can see sculptures, but also find remnants of cultural history from different eras of Norwegian history or enjoy the incredible views over the capital. Small climbing park for children.

6. SeeWest

   Fram-Museum

   Features the vessel Fram, the world's first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration (with a strong Norwegian focus!) Included in the Oslo Pass.

   180 kr adult; child, senior citizen and family tickets also available

7. EatSentrum

   Gamle Raadhus Restaurant

   Gamle Raadhus Restaurant is located in historical surroundings: Oslo's original city hall from 1641. Serves unique traditional Norwegian food, which it has since 1856. The food (lunch and dinner) is made from scratch, with the use of local Norwegian products. Expensive.

   Mon-Fri 11:30-16:00, Mon-Sat 17:00-22:00

8. SeeInner North

   Labour Museum

   Arbeidermuseet -local labour and industrial history

   Well-kept workers' dwellings, winding streets and old factory building from the early industrial history of Oslo. Here you also find schools, public pools and factories which also become an integral part of the museum experience.

9. EatWest

   Lorry

   Lorry is an institution in Parkveien, near the Palace and at the lower end of Hegdehaugsveien/Bogstadveien shopping street. It is a quirky mix of proper restaurant and bar. Originally a "brown" tavern that has been in operation since 1901. The menu includes hearty food, particularly before Christmas when traditional Norwegian Christmas food is served. Beer on tap and a wide selection of beer in bottles. Lorry is a place for anybody: Cabinet ministers, journalists and media celebrities, university professors and artists mingle with the local beer guzzlers and friends for Friday beer. Outdoor seating in the pedestrian street.

   11:00 to 15:30 (Mondays and Sundays until 13:00)

10. DoInner East

    Middelalderparken

    Medieval Park

    Ruins of medieval old town of Oslo, such as church ruins and ruins of the former Royal Estate. Location of the annual rock music festival Øyafestivalen.

11. SeeWest

    Nasjonalbiblioteket

    National Library

    Monumental building from 1913 with frescos by Emanuel Vigeland (younger brother of sculptor Gustav Vigeland). The Library holds copies of all published material in Norway. Fine retreat on a rainy day. Free entrance to Kartsenter (Map Center) with displays of map collections and history of geography and exploration in Norway. Cafe and bar within.

    free

12. SeeWest

    Oscarshall

    Oscarshall is a royal summer Palace from the mid-19th century, now open to the public. A small palace filled with 19th-century Norwegian art and surrounded by a magnificent park. One of the finest examples of neo-gothic/romantic style in Norway. This small palace was never used as a residence. The Palace sits a hill above Frogner bay and offers fine panorama of the city. The palace was commissioned by Swedish-Norwegian King Oscar I and Queen Joséphine. Guided tours.

    Mid-May to mid-Sep: Wed-Sun 11:00 - 17:00·Adults 70 kr, seniors 60 kr, children 40 kr

13. SeeSentrum

    Oslo Cathedral

    Domkirke

    Oslo's cathedral is none too impressive, but has been refurbished. It was erected in 1697, and expanded in the 19th century using different coloured brick (still visible). After the terrorist attacks on Oslo in July 2011, the square Stortorget, in front of Oslo Cathedral, became the centre for afterthought and compassion. The square was fully covered by roses, greetings and mourning messages for weeks. Affiliated with the Church of Norway, the national Lutheran church.

14. SeeWest

    Oslo Transport Museum

    Sporveismuseet

    The museum is in a former tram depot, and still has a track connecting to the Oslo tram system. It features a collection of old trams and buses. On the first Sunday afternoon of each month, the museum operates a historic tram in the streets.

    Sat-Tue 11:00-15:00

15. EatWest

    Palace Grill

    Highly recommended gourmet restaurant where the menu changes daily according to the chef's mood and available ingredients. A ten-course meal costs about 850 kr per person. Only 23 seats and no reservations, but a good bar to while away the hours waiting for food.

16. DrinkWest

    Palace Grill

    In addition to the gourmet restaurant (see above) the palace also includes a separate bar with nice drinks and concerts every Monday, plus the 3-story outdoor seating area "Skaugum" with lots of concert during summer.

17. DrinkInner East

    Pigalle

    Grønland

    Cocktail bar with history dating back to 1965. Original interior.

18. SeeSentrum

    Royal Palace

    Slottet

    The Palace is the residence and offices of the king, Norway's head of state. Council of State meetings are held there every Friday. When new members of cabinet have been appointed by the king they appear in the front of the palace for photo sessions and interivews. Building of the Palace began in 1824 and completed in 1849. The Palace sits on a small mount at the end of Oslo main street, Karl Johans gate, named after the king at the time. It was built outside the city in neoclassical style. Tours inside the palace are arranged in summertime, starting in June 21. The tickets for the tour must be bought in advance from a post office. If there are vacant spots in a tour, they sell the remaining tickets at the Palace to people waiting in line who don't already have tickets. Don't count on getting tickets on the spot unless you are quite ahead in the line since a lot of people buy them at the post offices. There are about 2 tours in English on weekdays.

19. SeeInner North

    Saint Olav's Cathedral

    The Roman Catholic main cathedral in Norway. Seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Oslo

    the first Norwegian Roman Catholic cathedral (from 1856) which was built after the Protestant Reformation. The cathedral has church services and masses in Norwegian and several other languages, including English, Spanish and Polish.

20. SeeSentrum

    Slottsparken

    Palace Park

    Surrounds the Royal Palace (see above) at the top of Karl Johan street. Oslo's most central park is a pleasant grass-covered area with majestic old trees. When you are in the park, don't miss Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park area, which contains sculptures made by children from all over Norway. Wide walkways crisscross the park. The Royal Guards have a small barrack in the park.

    24 hours·Free

21. EatSentrum

    Stortorvets Gjæstgiveri

    Traditional dining in an older, historical building, serving Norwegian food.

    Rather affordable: Today's dish 189 kr lunches. Nevertheless, the dishes in the al-la-carte menu are a lot more expensive

22. SeeSentrum

    The Armed Forces Museum

    Forsvarsmuseet, The Defence Museum

    Describes Norwegian military history and provides an insight into the development from the Middle Ages to the first years after World War II.

    Closed · opens 11 am tomorrow·Adults 100 kr, children 40 kr

23. SeeWest

    The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

    Norsk Folkemuseum

    A large open air museum featuring typical buildings from various periods in Norwegian history. This includes a city building that shows living conditions from the 1850s to the 1980s. Included in the Oslo Pass.

    Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·130 kr adult, 100 kr student

24. SeeSentrum

    The Queen Sonja Art Stable

    A museum, art gallery and concert hall located in the former stables of the Royal Palace in Oslo. Varying exhibitions where most of the items are from the Norwegian Royal Collections.

    100 NOK, children under 12 years free

25. SeeInner North

    Tramway Museum

    Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro. Among other things, a wooden tram from the Holmenkollen line and a trolleybus are exhibited.

    NOK?/adult

26. DoInner North

    University of Oslo

    Main campus

    The University of Oslo is Norway's oldest and second largest university. The main campus is at Blindern where most buildings are in red brick, functionalist style. On campus there are student associations and dormitories, gyms, the meteorological institute and research institutes within an area of more than 1 square kilometer. The university hospital is next door on the other side of ring road 3. Botanical garden and museum, zoological and geological museums are at Tøyen in eastern Oslo. Subjects: Education, Aesthetic Studies and Musicology, Health and Medicine, History, Philosophy, and Culture Studies, Information Technology and Informatics, Language and Literature, Economics, Leadership and Administration, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technology, Media Studies, Religion and Theology, Social Sciences and Psychology. The law school is in the original university buildings in downtown. Some classes are taught in English.

27. SeeWest

    Viking Ship Museum

    In addition to two 1100-year-old Viking ships (apparently the best preserved in the world), it also contains various other Viking artefacts and a Viking burial chamber, complete with ancient skeletons. Included in the Oslo Pass. It is closed for a major refurbishment and plans to reopen in 2027.

    100 kr adult, 80 kr students and seniors, children under 18: free

28. See

    Viking Ship Museum and Historical Museum

    Museum featuring the Tune, Oseberg and Gokstad Viking ships, found in burial mounds. Closed until 2027 for renovations.

29. DoInner East

    Walk along the river Akerselva

    Eastern riverbank walkways

    An 8-km-long walk totally takes you past forested areas, historical buildings, fishing and swimming spots and several waterfalls.

30. SeeSentrum Not mapped

    Nordic Bible Museum

    Nordisk bibelmuseum

    This is a little museum dedicated to the Bible's history, cultural influence, and main translations. The friendly tour guides will take you through their impressive collection, which spans centuries and includes a reproduction of a Dead Sea scroll page. You also get an opportunity to try writing on papyrus and vellum.

    T-Wed: noon-5pm, Thu: 11am-6pm, Fri-Sun: 11am-4pm, Mon: closed·110 kr

31. Do Not mapped

    Oslo Chamber Music Festival

    Founded by renowned violinist Arve Tellefsen in 1989. The programme usually spans from medieval to contemporary music. Over the years artists (in no particular order) like Barbara Hendricks, Jan Garbarek, the Hilliard Ensemble, Trio Mediæval, Solveig Kringlebotn, Elisabeth Norberg-Schulz and many others have performed.

32. DrinkSentrum

    Gamla

    Rock'n'roll bar and stage in historical surroundings.

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oslo (CC BY-SA 4.0).