Oslo

Aamot bridge

Pedestrian suspension bridge, crossing the Akerselva river

One of the earliest chain hangers in Europe and the earliest in Norway, leading from the river side park, across the river to the park by the neighborhood of Grünerløkka.

Aker river

Akerselva

Akerselva is Oslo's main river as it flows from Maridalen lake (Oslo's main water reservoir) to the fjord near the Central station. Previously Oslo's industrial heartland, now the river and its shores is converted into a green corridor almost the entire length from Grünerløkka to Maridalen. Bicycle and pedestrian paths along. Several small waterfalls. Industrial facilities remain as memories of Oslo's manufacturing origins.

24 h·Free

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).

Akrobaten pedestrian bridge

the acrobat

Contemporary 200-m-long pedestrian bridge across the tracks of Oslo central station, connecting Grønland, where the Barcode high rises are, and Bjørvika, where the Opera House is. Awarded 1st price (Certificate of Excellence) in ECCS, European Award for Steel Bridges, in 2012. Popular spot for photo shoots, day and night.

Astrup Fearnley Museet

at Tjuvholmen

Astrup Fearnley Museet is a private collection of contemporary art, founded in 1993. The museum was relocated to Tjuvholmen, Aker Brygge in 2012. The building - designed by Renzo Piano - is spectacular in itself, and the museum offers a small green oasis with a beach, very welcome in the concrete surroundings of Aker Brygge. The museum offers temporary exhibitions, and is an established and central institution in Norwegian contemporary art.

Tue Wed Fri 12:00-17:00, Thu 12:00-19:00, Sat Sun 11:00-17:00, Mon closed·Adult 120 kr, student 80 kr, children under 18 free; included in Oslo Pass

Barcode

Barcode defines a new waterfront in the Bjørvika area. The plan for the new structures was adopted in 2003, and as of 2015 nine buildings are finished, and two are under construction. Three more are planned. While the buildings contribute to a spectacular waterfront, viewed from the seaside, they also block much of the sea-view from the other side, and therefore their contribution to the concept of "Fjordbyen", the initiative of the Oslo City Council to make the entire waterfront from Frognerstranda (west), to Bekkelaget (south-east) available for public recreation, is disputed. The buildings are mostly inhabited by actors in the financial and consulting business (PWC, KLP, Deloitte, etc.), while the MAD building holds private apartments. The neighborhood is famous from 2019 TV series Beforeigners.

Blindern Campus - University of Oslo

Blindern Campus is home to functionalist landmarks from 1920-1930s. The new (1999) library building at Blindern is an imposing building in black polished stone and glass, it stands out as a landmark among the pre-war buildings.

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

Damstredet/Fredensborg

The steep Damstredet with traditional wooden houses. Towering on the hill above are the iconic Westye Egeberg blocks.

free

DogA - The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture

A thriving design and architecture centre providing areas for large and small exhibitions, conferences and meetings, activities for children, as well as a bookshop and café.

Emanuel Vigeland Museum

Among Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not so well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926, but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door. The main attraction in this museum with no windows is the 800 square meters fresco "Vita", (Italian for "life"), showing the human life from conception till death, but other examples of his art are also on display. Included in the Oslo Pass.

Only open a few hours every Sun afternoon·90kr/adult 60kr/student children free

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

Frogner and Vigeland park

Frogner park including Vigeland Sculpture Park is a large green area about 10 minutes by subway from the city center. In addition to being a nice green recreational area, it is also decorated with hundreds of sculptures by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere here, although the sculptures are a little disturbing. If your children want to climb the statues, nobody will even bother to look twice at you. There is also a cafeteria, and two museums, the City Museum of Oslo and the Vigeland Museum. If you fancy an outdoor swim, Frognerbadet is situated next to the Frognerpark with 3 pools, several diving towers and a water slide.

24 h·Free

Government Building Complex

Regjeringskvartalet

Regjeringskvartalet is a group of buildings housing several of the offices of the executive branch (ministries) as well as the Supreme Court. The area does not display a consistent style but instead reflects 200 years of development. The prime minister's building and the Y-building are functionalist or brutalist architecture. The Y-building has a particular layout and the facade is decorated by Picasso's drawings carved directly into the concrete. Pablo Picasso also decorated the stairwell in the prime minister's building. The Royal Ministry of Finance occupies an imposing art nouveau (jugendstil) building in red granite. The bomb on 22 July 2011 caused considerable damage to several buildings (leaving 2000 offices unusable) and 8 civil servants lost their lives in the explosion. Some buildings have been repaired, others are demolished and some are still in the process of reconstruction. The area is open to pedestrians. A partly shattered newspaper panel with the original pages dated July 22 still stands. The July 22 Centre is the middle of the area.

Government Building Complex

Regjeringskvartalet

Regjeringskvartalet is a group of buildings housing several of the offices of the executive branch (ministries) as well as the Supreme Court. The area does not display a consistent style but instead reflects 200 years of development. The prime minister's building and the Y-building are functionalist or brutalist architecture. The Y-building has a particular layout and the facade is decorated by Picasso's drawings carved directly into the concrete. Pablo Picasso also decorated the stair well in the prime minister's building. The Royal Ministry of Finance occupies an imposing art noveau (jugendstil) building in red granite. The bomb 22 July 2011 caused considerable damage to several buildings (leaving 2000 offices unusable) and 8 civil servants lost their lives in the explosion. Some buildings have been repaired, others are demolished and some are still in the process of reconstruction. The area is open to pedestrians. A partly shattered newspaper panel with the original pages dated July 22 still stands. The July 22 Centre is the middle of the area.

Gustav Vigeland Museum

Situated to the south of the Frognerparken and Halvdan Svartes gate. The museum manages the sculptural works of Gustav Vigeland and offers a permanent exhibition of Gustav Vigelands sculptural works, as well as rolling exhibitions of various spatial art-forms (sculpture, installations and video-art). The museum was designed by Lorentz Ree and built in the 1920s. The striking building in red brick is one of the finest examples of Norwegian neoclassic architecture. The complex also included a studio for the artist. The urn of the artist is kept in the tower.

Closed on Mondays·80 kr adult. Included in the Oslo Pass

Helvete

This was a record shop run by Euronymous (the stage name for Øystein Aarseth, considered to be a very central figure in the early black metal scene) between 1991 and 1993. It was a meeting place for the members of the early scene. As of 2022, the building houses Neseblod Records, which maintains the place as an unofficial museum to black metal.

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

Henie Onstad art gallery

The Henie Onstad Kunstsenter is an art museum located at Høvikodden (in Bærum municipality) on a fine location at the fjord near Sandvika. Sonja Henie and Niels Onstad created the museum by donating their private art collection and funds for running the museum. Henie was famous figure skater (three-time Olympic champion) and Hollywood film star. Onstad, her husband, was a shipping magnate and art collector. The museum is located just outside the city border in the Bærum suburbs between the abandoned airport Fornebu and Bærum centre at Sandvika.

Hjemmefrontmuseet

The resistance museum

Describes the resistance against the Nazi German occupation of Norway during World War II.

Closed · opens 10 am tomorrow·Adults 100 kr, children 40 kr

Hjula weaving mill

Hjula Væveri

This industrial complex is perhaps an unusual attraction, but the striking buildings at the waterfall in Akerselva (Aker river) are one interesting legacy of Oslo's manufacturing past. It was the first water powered weaving mill in Norway, and during the late 1800s the largest textile company in Norway. The factory operated for more than 100 years. The water-powered factories along Aker river was an important factor behind Oslo's exceptional growth in the late 1800s. Hjula weaving mill and nearby Nedre Vøyen spinning mill are still standing at the waterfalls. Buildings have been converted to restaurants, shops, TV studios and offices.

Holmenkollen

The ski jump located on the west side of Oslo, which was rebuilt for the World Ski Championships in 2011. It first opened in 1892 and has been re-built many times since then. It had more than 1 million visitors every year, and was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. There is also the oldest ski museum in the world, opened in 1923. Walking and mountain bike riding are popular activities here during the summer.

Holmenkollen Chapel

built with inspiration from the stave churches and benefits from dragestil wood carvings. The chapel used by the Royal Family at Christmas time and Holmenkollen ski festival.

Høyesterett

Supreme court building

This monumental building hosts the High (or Supreme) Court of Norway. The Court was established in 1815 and has been in function since except for the occupation 1940-1945. Guided tours by appointment.

Kampen

The Kampen neighbourhood is an area with many traditional wooden houses.

free

Kirkeristen

Basarene (the Bazaar)

The small, old bazaar surrounding the church is now used by artisans and craftsmen, and holds a couple of small cafes and restaurants. This building was constructed around 1850 in neo-romantic style on the site of an older butchers' bazaar.

Kon-Tiki Museum

Displays Thor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artefacts from Easter Island. Included in the Oslo Pass.

100 kr adult

Kunstnernes hus

This 1931 building includes gallery and cafe. A prominent example of functionalism in Norway at the transition from neoclassicism.

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.

Munch Museum

Opened in Oct 2021, this striking harbour building exhibits paintings by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch (1863-1944). Lots of his famous work is here - he made many versions of "The Scream" and these are rotated for display. Munch also produced huge paintings for the grandiose walls of the University of Oslo Aula, but these are seldom accessible to the public. Entrance is free on Wednesdays from 6pm-9pm, you still have to book a ticket. The former museum further out at Tøyen has closed.

Sun-Tue 10:00-18:00, Wed-Sat 10:00-21:00·Adult 160 kr, student 100 kr, child free

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