Oslo, Norway’s capital and largest city, is located in the southeast of the country, on the eastern shore of Oslofjord. It truly has much to offer. Over the recent years, Oslo city center has undergone a remarkable transformation, evolving from an unattractive construction site into a modern neighborhood and a beautiful harbor promenade. So, what exactly can you do and see in Oslo in one day?
The new MUNCH Museum houses an extensive collection of works by Norway’s most famous painter, Edvard Munch. It opened to the public in October 2021.
The unmistakable thirteen-story building on the shores of Oslofjord has sparked mixed reactions. Many deem it Norway’s ugliest building and jokingly suggest that looking at it might make you want to scream, a nod to Munch’s most famous work.
Whether you like the new Munch Museum or not, the building has already found its place in Oslo’s new skyline. In my opinion, it fits well into the modern Bjørvika district.
The Munch Museum displays “The Scream” in three versions (drawing, painting, and print), but they are never displayed simultaneously.
Every hour, one version is unveiled to the public while the other two remain covered to prevent exposure to light and fading.
It also serves as a security measure and prevention against theft. In 1994, one version of “The Scream” was stolen from the National Gallery.
The thief was then well-known Norwegian footballer Pål Enger, who placed a ladder against the museum building, climbed through a window, and simply took one of the world’s most valuable paintings.
In 2004, another version of “The Scream” and the painting “Madonna” were stolen from the old Munch Museum in the Tøyen district. Fortunately, the paintings were recovered in 2006 and are now on display again. Sadly, they were irreparably damaged during the theft.
Well, I admit that compared to the new Munch Museum building, the Opera House isn’t quite as new, but still. The new modern Opera House was unveiled to the public in 2009, and unlike the Munch Museum, the public was enthusiastic about it.
What’s great about the Opera House is that you can go up to the roof, from where you have a beautiful view of the modern Bjørvika district or the new Deichman Library building.
By the way, the library won the award for the best public library in 2021 and is also worth a visit.
Akershus Fortress is the best-preserved medieval castle complex in Norway.
Along the Oslo waterfront, otherwise dotted with modern architecture, a stroll through Akershus Fortress offers a pleasant change, immersing you in the atmosphere of old times.
Construction of the castle and fortress of Akershus began in 1299 under King Håkon V. The medieval castle, completed in the 14th century, held a strategic position and withstood numerous sieges over time.
Oslo City Hall was ceremonially opened in 1950. The functionalist building, constructed of red bricks, has two towers of different sizes.
The City Hall building is free to the public on weekdays during normal office hours.
Thus, you can freely explore the auditorium, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded, and other rooms adorned with frescoes by famous Norwegian painters.
Aker Brygge is a beautiful modern waterfront promenade with numerous cafes and restaurants. In the summer, there are plenty of opportunities for outdoor seating with views of Oslofjord, the City Hall, and Akershus Fortress.
BRIM’s hybrid boat departs from Aker Brygge for sightseeing trips around Oslofjord. It also sails in the Lofoten Islands and Svalbard, and in winter, it takes tourists on whale safaris in Tromsø.
In Oslo, BRIM offers relaxing cruises that include breakfast, champagne, or evening cruises with dinner.
The Aker Brygge district is connected by several small bridges to Tjuvholmen Island (Thief’s Island). The island was originally a city execution site (hence the name), and later, unattractive container buildings of the port warehouse were located here.
Today, Tjuvholmen is a beautiful modern neighborhood where you can find, among other things, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art or the most luxurious hotel in Oslo – The Thief.
The Royal Palace building isn’t exactly a sight that would captivate you for hours. However, since it’s essentially on the way back from Tjuvholmen to the city center, why not take a peek inside where the Norwegian royal family resides?
The Norwegian king laid the foundation stone in 1825, and the construction was completed in 1849.
Most of the rulers of the United Kingdoms of Sweden and Norway resided mainly in Stockholm, and the palace in Oslo was only used occasionally.
The first permanent resident of the palace was not until 1905 when Haakon VII became the first ruler of independent Norway (Norway gained independence from Sweden in 1905).
Since 2002, the palace has been open to the public for guided tours.
Do you want to explore what Oslo has to offer?
Karl Johan Street is the main thoroughfare in central Oslo. It leads from the Royal Palace, past the University and the National Theater, to the Parliament building, alongside Oslo Domkirke church, and ends at the train station, just a stone’s throw from the new Opera House.
To cut a long story short, it all goes back to the Napoleonic Wars. The reigning Swedish king at the time was old and childless, so the Swedish parliament sought a suitable successor to prevent unrest.
Napoleon was busy conquering Europe, so the Swedish king sought a candidate to be on good terms with him. Thus, the French marshal Bernadotte was chosen as his successor.
The Napoleonic Wars eventually ended with Napoleonic France’s defeat and the Treaty of Kiel on January 15, 1814. As a result of the lost war, Denmark lost Norway to Sweden.
It is really complex for an ordinary person to grasp who was who and who fought against whom during this period. Nevertheless, it’s important to know that Norway first fell under Danish rule for a long time, then formed a union with Sweden after the end of the Napoleonic Wars, and finally gained independence in 1905.
Amidst the array of modern buildings on the coastal promenade in Oslo stand the Royal Palace, the National Theater, the city university, and the parliament, offering glimpses into Norwegian history.
To be honest, I’ve never been inside the theater building, but I always make a point to stop in front of it at the statues of two of Norway’s most prominent literary figures—Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson.
Have you ever heard of eclecticism? No? Neither had I. Nevertheless, that’s exactly the style in which the Norwegian Parliament’s building is constructed.
This architectural period is characterized by the revival and blending of styles from previous eras, including Gothic, Renaissance, and Baroque, often all used simultaneously.
Sometimes, you might come across the term “era of stylistic confusion.” But I must say, I quite like the building of the Norwegian Parliament.
Work began in 1836 to establish a permanent structure. Heinrich Ernst Schirmer and Wilhelm von Hanno won the competition for the design, but the Storting ultimately rejected their proposal because the proposed building too closely resembled a church.
Instead, on May 18, 1860, the design by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet was selected. The parliament moved into the new building on March 5, 1866.
Are you planning to visit Norway?
Frogner Park is a public park in Oslo. It houses a permanent installation of sculptures created by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
In the park, you can admire over 200 sculptures comprising more than 600 figures.
Among the most photographed sculptures in the park are the bronze statue “Angry Boy,” the “Wheel of Life,” and the “Monolith” – a towering column over 14 meters high composed of 120 human figures intricately intertwined.
All of Vigeland’s sculptures depict human beings of various ages, genders, and body types, captured in sometimes quite acrobatic poses.
Vigeland’s vision was to capture all stages of life, and the sculptures’ nudity was intended to ensure their timelessness.
One great thing about Vigeland Park is that it’s open 24 hours a day and has no entrance fee.
The ski jump on Holmenkollen’s hill is a landmark of Oslo. Cross-country skiing and ski jumping, for which the area at Holmenkollen is built, have a well-established tradition in Norway.
Ski jumping competitions at Holmenkollen have been held annually since 1892 when the winner jumped a whopping 21.5 meters. In 1922 and 1923, even the Norwegian Crown Prince Olav (later the Norwegian king reigning between 1957 and 1991) appeared among the competitors.!
No world record has ever been set at Holmenkollen. The Norwegian Robert Johansson holds the record for the Holmenkollen ski jump, with 144 meters.
Holmenkollen is a beautiful place to visit, even if you’re not particularly passionate about ski jumping. From the top of the ski jump (or its surroundings), you can enjoy a lovely view of Oslo.
Moreover, the area around Homenkollen is a great starting point for hikes in Nordmarka if you’re interested in exploring the nature around the capital.
For example, you can exit the T-bane at Frognerseteren station, from where you can walk a few hundred meters to the Frognerseteren cabin, where you can enjoy coffee and cinnamon rolls, or hike to the Fuglemyrhytta cabin, designed by the architects from the Snøhetta studio (just like the Opera House).
Note that contrary to a number of publicly open cabins located in the surrounding city forest Nordmarka, the Fuglemyrhytta is only accessible if you book an overnight stay.
Fuglemyhytta is, however, a good hiking goal if you want to visit the nearby Vettakolltoppen viewpoint.
Please take this article as an introduction to what you can see in Oslo.
Of course, there are many more places to see, but you can visit these top 10 attractions in one day, giving you a great introduction to Oslo.
If you have more days available, I would also recommend visiting the museums on the Bygdøy Peninsula, which we will cover in a separate article in the future.
The best time to visit Oslo is during the summer months (June to August) when the weather is warm and the days are long. However, winter (December to February) is also popular for those interested in winter sports and the holiday season.
My favorite times to visit Oslo are May, September, and October.
Getting from Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) to the city center is straightforward. The easiest and most convenient option is to travel by train.
Vy trains run frequently from Oslo Airport to Oslo Central Station (Oslo S), taking about 20 minutes. Tickets can be purchased at the airport or in the Ruter app.
The Flytoget Airport Express Train is a slightly more expensive but very convenient option. It runs every 10 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to reach Oslo Central Station. Tickets can be purchased at the airport.
Several airport shuttle buses operate between Oslo Airport and various parts of the city. These buses can be a good option if you stay outside the city center or need to get to specific locations not serviced by the train.
Taxis are available at the airport but are the most expensive option. They offer the convenience of door-to-door service, which can be useful if you have a lot of luggage or are traveling in a group.
In addition to the places mentioned in this article, we can also recommend the museums on Bygdøy Peninsula (Fram Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, Folk Museum), the Ski Museum at Holmenkollen, or the National Museum next to the City Hall.
If you want to spend a day relaxing, we highly recommend The Well Spa.
Oslo has an efficient public transportation system, including buses, trams, trains, and ferries.
The Ruter public transportation system covers the entire city, and the Oslo Pass offers unlimited travel on public transport and free or discounted entry to many attractions.
You can buy the tickets for the public transport in the Ruter App.
Moreover, the city center of Oslo is quite walkable.
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Hi! We are Ivar & Radka, an international couple who runs the Guide to Lofoten. More about us
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