On the second floor, don’t miss Simone Hooymans’ Plantenes Stemme (Talking Plants), an immersive, botanically themed animation and soundscape. As a visitor in Oslo (you’re unlikely to be checking out a book), reserving one of the sewing machines or using the 3D printer – just a few of the free-to-use services available to library-card holders – but there’s still plenty to see and do here. Outside the museum, don’t miss the 9m (29.5ft) bronze sculpture The Mother by British artist Tracey Emin, which kneels on the pier just outside the museum. Changing exhibits offer new interpretations of Munch’s art, and temporary exhibitions celebrating other artists ensure you’ll always have a reason to return. Vigeland was inspired by the complex nature of human emotions, the full range of which is reflected in his artworks, from joy and playfulness to grief and anger – perhaps his most famous piece is Sinnataggen (The Angry Boy), a tantrum-throwing toddler. The beautifully landscaped outdoor art gallery forms part of leafy Frognerparken on Oslo’s affluent west side (and brings together a vast collection of sculptures rendered in granite), iron and bronze.
- ” and they have an eclectic selection of floating saunas with different capacities at Bjørvika and Sukkerbiten – the latter location is far less overlooked.
- As a visitor in Oslo, you’re unlikely to be checking out a book, reserving one of the sewing machines or using the 3D printer – just a few of the free-to-use services available to library-card holders – but there’s still plenty to see and do here.
- Hop off to stroll the forest trails (ramble around the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery and see 19th-century military installations), one of which, Lavetthustet, is now a summertime art gallery.
- Public electric ferries travel between the islands of the Oslofjord (allowing you to explore them at your leisure for the cost of a 24-hour Ruter public transport ticket), or even for free with an Oslo Pass.
- By opting for the approximately 10km round-trip to the inviting cabin Ullevålseter, you’ll be indulged with choices of beverages and homemade treats – who can resist a delicious kanelbolle (cinnamon bun)?
- Two long-awaited museums have also opened their doors to the public in recent years – the National Museum and Munch.
Shop for vintage treasures in Grünerløkka
Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the Oslo Opera House is where the city’s transformation to Nordic culture capital all began. Look out for a fossil in the limestone floor as you make your way up the stairs to the top-floor Light Hall (where you’ll find temporary exhibitions by mostly contemporary artists). There’s a small collection of paintings by Edvard Munch — including a vibrant version of The Scream (three other versions are on display in the Munch Museum), as well as pieces by other familiar names including Monet and van Gogh. The permanent collection brings to life over 6500 objects and artworks across 86 chronologically arranged rooms. Don’t let the understated, low-profile exterior of Norway’s National Museum fool you – inside you’ll discover a luminous treasure chest of art and design spanning millennia.
But outside, the entire building is effectively an extension of the harbor front public realm, inviting everyone to walk up on the sloping roof for panoramic views across the harbor and the city. The collection continues one floor up — where you’ll find the works of famous Norwegian and international artists from 1500 to the present day. The 5.1 mile-long Akerselva river starts at Lake Maridalsvannet and flows right through to downtown Oslo, dividing the east and west sides of the city. SALT is a nomadic art project where you can relax in water-filled barrels — while KOK is a floating sauna with epic fjord views.
Visit the Deichman Bjørvika, a library like no other
Sign up to unlock our digital magazines and also receive the latest news — events, offers and partner promotions. Sign up for our newsletter for the best of the city. If you choose the roughly 10km round-trip route to the welcoming cabin, Ullevålseter, you’ll be rewarded by your choice of drinks and home-baked goods – who can resist a kanelbolle (cinnamon bun)? It’s an ideal spot for birdwatching; over 160 species are known to stop by and the marshy bay attracts wading birds in particular. Hop off to stroll the forest trails (ramble around the ruins of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery and see 19th-century military installations), one of which, Lavetthustet, is now a summertime art gallery. Frøken Dianas Salonger only carries a few genuinely vintage items — but the retro-look stock is beautifully arranged in its sumptuous boutique.
Sure (it’s not quite as dramatic as the fjords on Norway’s west coast), but the tennis betting tips sparkling Oslofjord has a charm all of its own. The parallel streets Thorvald Meyers gate and Markveien have several vintage and vintage-inspired stores and, if you’re willing to rummage, you’re bound to find a bargain. Artsy, alternative neighborhood Grünerløkka is packed with bars, restaurants and shops, and it’s the place to come to bag yourself some unique vintage apparel, whether your style is ’70s disco, ’80s glam or ’90s grunge. KOK has floating communal saunas at Aker Brygge and Bjørvika (and they also offer a sauna cruise), where you chug out to a quieter spot on the fjord. Then (when you’re sufficiently sweaty), jump into the fjord for a cold but exhilarating dip, before repeating the cycle as many times as you like. Emerging from the Maridalsvannet reservoir north of the city center, this 9km-long , 5.6-mile, river is now a treasured natural feature complemented by waterside parks and scenic bridges.
Explore the wooded paths of Nordmarka through hiking.
No trip to Oslo is complete without taking in the panoramic vistas from the top of this impressive tower – the best views in the city. Around a 30-minute walk from central Oslo, this wooded park featuring 31 sculptures beautifully overlooks the city and is where Munch found his inspiration for The Scream. The city’s food court, located inside an old industrial building. Find everything from outdoor saunas and sculpture parks to boat lakes and picture-perfect bars overlooking the river.
Well-documented are the health advantages of saunas, making this a wonderful opportunity to immerse yourself in local traditions. There are several spots at the harbour where you can warm yourself up, prior to taking a revitalizing dive into the fjord. Locals favor this place for its delightful combination of Oslo’s diverse food cultures, all enjoyed in a casual setting with stunning sea views. Slightly removed from the usual tourist path, its position at the edge of the city provides a unique experience.
Among the selection of shops (Velouria Vintage is crammed floor-to-ceiling with jeans and retro band T-shirts), while Xaki Vintage is more spacious, with a curated selection of goth and punk pieces. ” and they have an eclectic selection of floating saunas with different capacities at Bjørvika and Sukkerbiten – the latter location is far less overlooked. Cross over the river at Sagene and you can delve deeper into the area’s history at the Labour Museum. Its cantilevered upper floors fan out to maximize the footprint while still fitting in with its low-rise surroundings. Permanent exhibitions of his paintings, prints and sketches explore recurring themes of sickness, melancholy and nature.
Don’t miss a walk on top of its roof for a superb architectural experience — with wonderful city views to boot. Today you’ll find an arc of sandy beach, a separate nudist bathing spot, a camping area , this is the only island where camping is permitted,, a volleyball court, a kiosk and even some public art. This was the site of the city’s first airport back in the 1920s, but most of the land is now a protected nature reserve. Yet this once-polluted waterway powered Oslo’s factories during the 19th-century textiles boom, and a walk along at least some of its fast-flowing course will give you an insight into the city’s industrial heritage. Each floor has zones to sit — create, work and socialize and there’s a cinema and art installations to discover too. Over its 13 floors, the museum conserves and displays the collection of works that Munch bequeathed to the city four years before his death in 1944.
Munch (opened in 2021 and towering over the waterfront at Bjørvika), serves as the new venue dedicated to Edvard Munch, Norway’s most renowned artist. In addition to individual figures, the area features functional artworks such as a massive fountain and a sundial. For a more tranquil experience, stroll on the rooftop at sunset to witness the sun setting behind the fjord. State-of-the-art rehearsal studios and performance halls reside within (as you would anticipate), viewable during one of the excellent guided tours. Since 2008, a stunning white marble structure has been shining on the waterfront at Bjørvika, designed by the acclaimed Norwegian architects Snøhetta to evoke a glacier elegantly rising from the fjord. The exhibits on the ground floor delve into design within the framework of significant societal issues, raising inquiries like “Can machines create beauty?”
