Tourist Attractions in Oslo

The most interesting and beautiful tourist sites in Oslo

Photos, reviews, descriptions, and links to maps

About Oslo

The prosperous and prosperous Oslo is an example of restraint, diligence and determination of the northern peoples, who had to work hard and constantly invent something new in order to survive. The Norwegian capital combines the best of modern architecture and progressive solutions in the field of urban infrastructure. The magnificent opera house and the Astrup-Fernli museum complex are striking examples of urban planning for the future.

On the other hand, Oslo has almost no old buildings and neighbourhoods left. City temples were erected in the late XVIII – early XIX centuries, palaces are not distinguished by special opulence and luxury. An idea of the medieval architecture of the Norwegian capital can be formed only by the fortress Akershus and the old church of Aker.

Top-30 Tourist Attractions in Oslo

Akershus Fortress

 4.5/5

14672 reviews

A 14th-century castle in central Oslo, the centre of a powerful medieval fortification that performed defensive functions until the 17th century. Under the reign of Christian IV, the castle was rebuilt in the Renaissance style. The complex fell into disrepair in the 19th century, after which it was completely restored and became a place for state receptions. The castle chapel contains the tombs of several Norwegian kings.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Royal Palace

 4.5/5

11887 reviews

A mid-19th century structure originally built for King Carl Johan as his summer residence. The exterior façade of the palace is modest and emphasises northern Norwegian restraint. The interior is decorated with works of national art. The building is surrounded by a park, on the palace square there is a regular changing of the guard. You can visit the palace on a guided tour from June to August.

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Norwegian Parliament

 4.4/5

424 reviews

A structure designed by the Swedish architect K. Johans. It is located near the Royal Palace. Compared to the monarch’s residence, the parliament building looks quite smart. The Storting is the seat of the Norwegian Parliament, which consists of 169 members. Special guided tours are organised for tourists, but between September and June they are only available on Saturdays.

Open time

Monday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: Closed
Sunday: Closed

Rådhuset

 4.6/5

1479 reviews

The building where the Oslo City Council meets. It is a modern structure built in the middle of the 20th century. The idea to build a new town hall arose after the Swedish-Norwegian union was broken in 1905. The town hall building is a significant architectural monument of the XX century and a famous symbol of Oslo. It hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize award ceremony.

Open time

Monday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Karl Johan-monumentet

 4.4/5

68 reviews

One of the city’s main streets, named in honour of King Carl IV Johan. It stretches from the Royal Palace to the Central Railway Station. The street is pedestrianised. It offers visitors to Oslo numerous restaurants, shops and souvenir shops. Along the street are the city’s main attractions: the Norwegian National Theatre, the Cathedral, the Parliament building and the Palace Park.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Aker Brygge

 0/5

At the beginning of the 19th century, Akers Bruges was an industrial area where the Akers Mek shipyards were located. In the 1980s, a decision was made to create a recreational area in the neighbourhood. Industrial buildings were demolished rather quickly, some of the buildings were reformatted and rebuilt. Nowadays, Aker Bruges is a fashionable district with expensive shopping centres, apartments and trendy restaurants.

Viking Ship Museum

 4.4/5

12412 reviews

Museum on the Bjøgdø peninsula within the Oslo city limits, where the famous Viking drakkars: the Oseberg Ship, the Gokstad Ship, and the Thun Ship are on display. The exhibition is part of the collection of the Museum of Cultural History. The building for the museum was erected at the beginning of the 20th century with funds from the state budget. Each ship is placed in a separate hall. In addition to the ships, in the museum you can see various exhibits from the Viking Age: wagons, beds, vessels, sledges.

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Kon-Tiki Museum

 4.6/5

3309 reviews

The museum exposition tells about the life and activities of Norwegian traveller T. Heyerdahl. This man is famous for having crossed the Pacific Ocean on a raft in 1947, and also made several other long expeditions (including to Easter Island). The museum keeps all the vessels on which the traveller sailed: Kon-Tiki, Ra, Fatu-Hiva, Tigris, Ra II. The collection was founded by one of Heyerdahl’s associates, K. Haugland.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Vigeland Museum

 4.6/5

626 reviews

The museum’s collection is dedicated to the work of the original Norwegian artist E. Vigeland. The museum building was designed in 1926 with the participation of the master himself. The main hall of the museum is painted with frescoes that show various moments of human existence. The collection consists of paintings, drawings, sculptures created by Vigeland. Inside the building in the chapel there is a tomb of the artist.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 12:00 – 4:00 PM

The Fram Museum

 4.7/5

9958 reviews

The museum exposition is dedicated to numerous Norwegian maritime expeditions. The centrepiece is the ship Fram, which made three major voyages in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. These voyages were organised to explore and conquer the North Pole, but the attempt succeeded only from the second time. Along the way, the islands of the Canadian Arctic Archipelago were explored. The Fram Museum was opened in 1936.

Open time

Munch

 4.3/5

10537 reviews

The opening of the museum was timed to coincide with the 100th anniversary of the birth of Edvard Munch, the famous Norwegian graphic artist and expressionist. This event took place in 1963. Over time, the museum has become one of the largest cultural centres in Oslo. The collection consists of several hundred paintings, 1.8 thousand prints, 4.5 thousand drawings and several sculptures belonging to the hand of the master. In 2004, several exhibits were stolen from the museum, but two years later they were returned to their place.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM

The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

 4.6/5

9213 reviews

An open-air museum organised at the end of the 19th century. It covers an area of 14 hectares. The exhibition consists of traditional Norwegian houses from different eras, collected from all over the country (more than 155 buildings in total). Inside, traditional furnishings have been recreated, giving an idea of rural and urban life of bygone times. A particularly valuable example is an ancient church dating back to 1200.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 4:00 PM

The National Museum

 4.6/5

5688 reviews

The city’s art gallery, which exhibits paintings by famous Norwegian and European masters. The museum was organised in the first half of the 19th century. There are works by Picasso, Renoir, Degas, Monet, Matisse, Gauguin, Goya, Van Gogh and other artists of the XIX – XX centuries. Separate expositions are devoted to Norwegian painters, there is even a collection of Russian icons of the Novgorod school. Entrance to the gallery is free on Sundays.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 8:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Henie Onstad Art Center

 4.4/5

1296 reviews

The centre is located about 10 km. from the Norwegian capital. It was founded by husband and wife Nils Unstad and Sonja Henie in 1968. The collection is based on the family’s private collection of 110 paintings. The Art Centre consists of six exhibition halls, an auditorium and a conference room. Outstanding masters – “classics” of modern art: Picasso, F. Léger, J. Miró, M. Ernst, P. Klee and others are exhibited here.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 9:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art

 4.3/5

4000 reviews

The museum building is located on the picturesque harbour. This modern structure consists of three parts united by a common glass roof. Two parts of the building house the museum, while the third part houses offices. From pavilion to pavilion you can pass through bridges over the canals. There is a small picturesque park in front of the museum, perfect for relaxing after viewing the museum exhibition.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 7:00 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Nobel Peace Center

 4.4/5

3839 reviews

The Nobel Peace Centre is a discussion club, museum, archive and creative space. It was opened in 2005 in the presence of the Norwegian royal family. The centre’s exhibitions show Europe’s peacemaking role in solving military conflicts and planetary problems such as neglect of nature, climate change and pollution. There is a school attached to the centre.

Open time

Monday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Oslo Opera House

 4.7/5

23155 reviews

The National Opera House, housed in an outstanding building of modern architecture. The theatre opened in 2008 and almost immediately became one of Oslo’s most popular attractions. Even the President of Finland and the Queen of Denmark attended the opening ceremony. The architecture of the opera house building is dominated by asymmetrical lines, unusual shapes and large spaces. According to the audience, the main hall has excellent acoustics.

Open time

National Theatre

 4.5/5

3935 reviews

Norway’s largest drama theatre, built in 1899. A hundred years later, the building was declared a national cultural heritage. The construction of the theatre was financed from private funds, at first it existed on sponsorship money. Later the theatre was taken over by the state. The theatre stage is dominated by plays by Norwegian, Swedish and German playwrights, but sometimes works by other authors are staged as well.

Open time

Monday: 12:00 – 7:30 PM
Tuesday: 12:00 – 7:30 PM
Wednesday: 12:00 – 7:30 PM
Thursday: 12:00 – 7:30 PM
Friday: 12:00 – 7:30 PM
Saturday: 12:00 – 6:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Oslo Cathedral

 4.4/5

3860 reviews

Oslo’s main church, built in the 17th century at the expense of the citizens. There were two Christian churches on its site from the 12th century, but both failed to stand the test of time. Stones, remnants of walls and other building material left from the old buildings were used in the construction of the Cathedral. In 2006, the Cathedral was extensively reconstructed and many interior details were replaced, but the old altar from the 17th century has been preserved.

Open time

Monday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Tuesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Wednesday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Thursday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Friday: 4:00 – 11:30 PM
Saturday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Sunday: 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM

St. Olav's Catholic Cathedral

 4.6/5

658 reviews

A Catholic church that was built in the mid-19th century in the neo-Gothic style. After years of persecution as a result of the Reformation, Catholics managed to regain their right to their own cathedral in the Norwegian capital. In honour of the cathedral’s consecration, Queen Josephine presented the parish with a copy of Raphael’s “Sistine Madonna”. In 1989, Pope John Paul II visited the cathedral. He donated a part of St Olaf’s relics to the church.

Open time

Monday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Tuesday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Wednesday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Thursday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Friday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Saturday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM
Sunday: 7:30 AM – 6:30 PM

Trinity Church

 4.4/5

203 reviews

A spacious 19th century church with a capacity of about 1,000 parishioners. The church was built according to the project of architect A. Chateauneuf in neo-Gothic style. The building has a cruciform shape and is crowned with a bell tower. The external facade is made mainly of red brick. Inside there is a XIX century altar and a historical organ. The windows of the church are decorated with picturesque stained glass windows.

Open time

Monday: Closed
Tuesday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Wednesday: 4:00 – 6:00 PM
Thursday: Closed
Friday: Closed
Saturday: 12:00 – 2:00 PM
Sunday: Closed

Old Aker Church

 4.5/5

184 reviews

Oslo’s oldest building and the only surviving medieval temple. The building is considered a valuable architectural monument. The first mentions of this church are found in the sources of XI-XII centuries. Presumably, the temple was erected under King Olaf III, who ruled Norway in 1067-1093. The first building was wooden, later there was a stone construction. In the XIX century the church was going to be demolished, but the Society for the Protection of Historical Monuments stood up for it.

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Our Savior's Cemetery

 4.8/5

89 reviews

One of the oldest necropolises in Oslo, founded in 1808. In the mid-19th century, the cemetery acquired its own Lutheran church, which, surprisingly enough, has been home to a parish of the Russian Orthodox Church since 2003. The burials stopped in the middle of the XX century and the cemetery was declared a memorial cemetery. There are graves of famous Norwegian political, scientific and cultural figures here.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

The Botanical Garden

 4.6/5

7475 reviews

Norway is a country with a cool climate and plenty of rainy days. The more Oslo residents and tourists appreciate the beauty of the city’s botanical garden, which blooms in summer and fills the warm air with sweet aromas. The garden was founded in the early 19th century during the time of maximum interest of European scientists in botany. In addition to ornamental plants, medicinal herbs are grown on the territory in large quantities.

Open time

Monday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Tuesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Wednesday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Thursday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Friday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Saturday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM
Sunday: 7:00 AM – 5:00 PM

The Vigeland Park

 4.7/5

17835 reviews

The park is located in the open air and houses 227 sculptures made of various materials: granite, iron and bronze. The exhibits were created by Norwegian sculptor G. Vigeland. The master created only nudes, some sculptures of the park cause ambiguous emotions, but it is believed that he was an outstanding sculptor. The central composition “Monolith” consists of intertwined human figures and depicts the cycle of life.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours

Tusenfryd

 4.2/5

7715 reviews

Tusenfrid is considered one of the largest and most popular amusement parks in Scandinavia. There are high-speed roller coasters, all kinds of bungee rides and carousels for the youngest visitors. On one of the rides you can feel the real state of weightlessness as in Space. There are many cafes and snack bars on the territory of the park, where a wide range of street food is available.

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Akerselva

 4.6/5

75 reviews

One of Norway’s longest rivers, stretching 8.2 kilometres. There are national parks and nature reserves along its banks. A walk along the Akerselva River offers wonderful views of the northern Norwegian countryside. The river also flows through Oslo and supplies some of the city’s industries.

Sognsvann

 4.8/5

804 reviews

A great area for outdoor recreation, where Norwegians like to go on weekends and holidays with the whole family. Hiking with tents around the lake, cycling, skiing and skating in winter are very popular with the locals. It is not uncommon to see Norwegian politicians taking a morning jog or exercising here.

Holmenkollen

 0/5

One of Oslo’s urban neighbourhoods, or rather part of the Vestre Aker district. It has ski and biathlon tracks, hotels, guest cottages, restaurants and a full-fledged tourist infrastructure. Holmenkollen is located on a hill at the highest point of Oslo, and every year one of the Biathlon World Cup stages is held here. The district became a sports and cultural centre in the late 19th century.

Oslo sightseeing fjord Tour

 4.5/5

146 reviews

A picturesque bay, one of Norway’s famous fjords, which stretches from the Danish Straits to Oslo. People have settled on the shores of the Oslo Fjord since the Stone Age, and well-preserved remains of ancient Viking drakkars have been found here. There are many small islands scattered around the bay, and the coastline is highly indented, which creates obstacles to the passage of large ships.

Open time

Monday: Open 24 hours
Tuesday: Open 24 hours
Wednesday: Open 24 hours
Thursday: Open 24 hours
Friday: Open 24 hours
Saturday: Open 24 hours
Sunday: Open 24 hours