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13 Top Things To Do In Oslo, Norway

Authors
  • avatar
    Name
    Jonathan Chum
    Twitter
    @jchum

Introduction

Oslo is a great city, with lots of things to see and do. Here are some of my favorite things to do while visiting this beautiful Scandinavian capital:

Take a Fjord Cruise

Oslo Fjord Cruise is a great way to see the city from the water. The ship departs from either Aker Brygge or the National Theater and takes you around Oslo's fjords and out into the Oslofjord. You can easily spend an entire day on this cruise, taking it back and forth between your departure point and various stops along the way. There are also more than enough different types of boats to choose from; some are faster than others, with one even being able to go up to 40 knots!

Visit the Viking Ship Museum

The Viking Ship Museum is a museum in Bygdøy, Oslo, Norway. It is located on the site of Oseberg and Gokstad, two of the best-preserved Viking ships discovered in Norway.

The museum was established on 17 May 1927 with an exhibition of five Viking Age boats found in 1904 by Nicolay Nicolaysen at Skuldelev in Roskilde Fjord. These were the Oseberg ship built ca. 870 AD, the Gokstad ship built ca. 900 AD, two smaller craft from Snorre Sturlasson's saga about Olav Haraldsson (Saint Olaf), and one dugout canoe used as a model for reconstructing similar vessels used by settlers arriving in North America around 1000 AD

The purpose of establishing this collection was to preserve these unique artifacts for future generations because they are so fragile and non-biodegradable that no further discoveries will ever be made again after these ships have been excavated from their burial mounds called 'tumuli' or 'barrows'. Built over 1000 years ago using only stone axes without metal tools or nails as reinforcements during construction these wooden boats would not survive long outside their protective burial places even if preserved indoors so each needed immediate attention upon being exposed before any rot could set into them making them unrepairable afterward!

Visit the Akershus Fortress

The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle in Oslo that was built as a royal residence in the late 12th century. From the 13th century onwards, it was used as a prison for Norwegian royalty, government officials, and other high-profile prisoners. The fortress has also housed several museums over its history, including one dedicated to Norwegian military history and another featuring exhibits from author Henrik Ibsen's life and works.

In addition to its long history of holding prisoners, Akershus Fortress has seen quite a few battles throughout its lifespan. Its walls were breached by Swedish forces during several wars between Norway and Sweden throughout the 17th century; however, these attacks never resulted in any significant damage or injuries within the building itself.

Have Fun at Tusenfryd Amusement Park

There's no shortage of things to do in Oslo, but if you're looking for something that's both fun and breathtakingly beautiful, then you should make it a priority to visit Tusenfryd Amusement Park. Located in Honefoss, Norway, this amusement park is the largest one in all of Norway. It opened its doors back in 1986 and has been open every summer since then. Even though it closes down every winter between November and April each year (and isn't open at all during other times), this amusement park still sees thousands upon thousands of visitors from around the world each season.

See Vigeland Sculpture Park

Vigeland Sculpture Park is a sculpture park in Oslo, Norway. It contains sculptures by Gustav Vigeland which are mostly located in Frogner Park, a public park in the Frogner district of West End Oslo. The Vigeland Museum contains a large collection of his works and other items related to him.

Building on his early success with 'Aftenposten' cartoon strips, Gustav Vigeland created several statues for the Norwegian Parliament building and Frognerparken (Frogner Park) between 1914-1941 before moving to Paris where he died from starvation during World War II when Norway was invaded by Nazi Germany. His family was able to keep his body safe until after the end of hostilities when they were able to return it home for burial at Vestre Aker Churchyard Cemetery near present-day Akershus Fortress where there are many more examples of his work including bronze statues depicting various scenes from both everyday life as well as racism against immigrants living or working within Europe's borders today."

Visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is a park in Oslo that contains sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and contains 200 of Vigeland's sculptures. It's located in Frogner Park.

If you visit Oslo, be sure to check out this park!

Check out the Munch Museum

The Munch Museum is a small museum dedicated to the works of Edvard Munch. It's located in Oslo, Norway, and has some of his most famous pieces such as The Scream and Vampire. The museum is open from 10 am to 5 pm, Tuesday through Sunday.

See the Nobel Peace Center

If you're a history buff or just want to learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize and its winners, then this museum is for you. The Nobel Peace Center is located in the former building of the Norwegian Nobel Institute and was opened in 2005.

The Center has three main goals: to educate visitors on the significance of the peace prize; promote peace as an alternative form of conflict resolution; and inspire people from around the world to work towards global peace through international dialogue, education, research, and networking.

Explore the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Museum of Cultural History)

The Norsk Folkemuseum is located on the Bygdoy peninsula. This museum has a wide range of exhibits, including traditional Norwegian houses, clothing, and crafts. It also features items from other European countries.

The Norsk Folkemuseum is open year-round, 24 hours a day. You can visit the museum for free but there is an entrance fee to some attractions and activities within the museum grounds such as climbing on a replica Viking ship or visiting the aquarium museum inside the main building. There are also cafes and gift shops where you can buy souvenirs from your trip to Oslo and Norway.

Visit Akershus Fortress and Castle

Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle located in the city of Oslo. It was built by King Håkon V of Norway in the late 13th century, and it has been used as a fortress and military base since then. The fortress was originally used as a residence for kings during times of war or peace. Today, it is also open to visitors who want to learn more about Norwegian history.

The most popular part of Akershus Fortress is its colorful gardens and fountains---which are best viewed during summertime when they're filled with flowers. There's also an outdoor museum where you can see artifacts from all different periods in Norwegian history, including Viking ships!

Go Skiing in Oslo

If you're looking for a way to escape the city in the winter and enjoy some fresh air, Oslo has a ski resort. The area has plenty of trails for all skill levels, and there are several restaurants and cafés nearby if you want to grab a bite before or after your jaunt. Skiing is also a great way to see the winter landscape of Norway's capital city!

See an Opera at the Oslo Opera House

The Oslo Opera House is located on Karl Johans gate, right in the heart of downtown Oslo. It's an incredible place to see a show, but if you want to enjoy the full experience, make sure to visit before or after your performance for some extra activities.

The foyer of this stunning building has a restaurant and bar where you can enjoy some delicious Scandinavian food before heading into the theater. There is also an outdoor terrace at which you can have a drink before or after your performance and enjoy views of Norway's beautiful harborfront skyline. If weather permits (or if it doesn't), head up to the rooftop terrace for panoramic views from above! Especially nice during summer months when events are going on in front of Parliament House across Karl Johans gate---you'll be able to see all sorts of fun street performers!

For those who prefer something non-alcoholic: don't worry---there are plenty more fun things happening at Opera House besides drinking! For example, there are two bars underground called "Opera Kjeller" and "Opera Basement" respectively that offer great drinks at affordable prices (and free wifi!). The gift shop also has some great souvenirs as well as Norwegian wool sweaters that make perfect gifts for friends/family back home...

Take a Ferry to an Island for Lunch

You can't leave Oslo without taking the ferry to one of the islands in the fjord. The trip is short, but it's not boring. The fjords are beautiful and you get some nice views of them as you go across on the ferry. When you arrive at your destination, there are lots of good restaurants on each island that serve traditional Norwegian food like cod, herring, and salmon cakes with cucumber salad. They also have vegetarian options such as potato pancakes or crispy breaded waffles with cheese sauce! Most lunches cost less than $10 so this is a great way to experience local culture without spending too much money!

Conclusion

If you're looking for something to do in Oslo, Norway, these are some of our favorite ways to spend your time there. We hope this list has inspired you to plan your trip and see what all the hype is about!