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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.
- But public electric ferries zip between the Oslofjord’s islands and, for the price of a 24-hour Ruter public transport ticket (or for free if you have an Oslo Pass), you can visit them at your own pace.
- Opting for the approximately 10km round trip to the welcoming cabin, Ullevålseter, will reward you with a selection of beverages and homemade treats – who can resist a kanelbolle , cinnamon bun,?
- Two long-awaited museums have also opened their doors to the public in recent years – the National Museum and Munch.
In Grünerløkka, discover vintage gems as you shop.
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, tennis betting tips 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.
Effectively extending the public realm of the harbor front — the entire structure outside invites all to ascend the sloped roof for sweeping views of the city and harbor. Ascending one floor — you will discover the works of renowned artists from Norway and around the globe, spanning from 1500 to the present. Flowing from Lake Maridalsvannet to downtown Oslo — the 5.1-mile-long Akerselva river separates the eastern and western parts of the city. You can unwind in water-filled barrels at SALT (a nomadic art initiative), while enjoying breathtaking fjord views from KOK, a floating sauna.
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 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.
Hike the forested trails of Nordmarka
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.
This is an excellent way to embrace local life — as the health advantages of saunas are well-documented. Besides the coals, the harbor offers several spots to warm up before taking a refreshing dip in the fjord. Locals cherish the laid-back atmosphere with stunning views of the sea, enjoying the diverse array of food cultures found in Oslo. Being situated at the city’s edge makes it somewhat removed from the usual tourist paths.
Among the variety of shops (Velouria Vintage is packed from floor to ceiling with jeans and vintage band T-shirts), while Xaki Vintage features a more spacious layout, showcasing curated goth and punk items. Their eclectic assortment of floating saunas with varying capacities can be found at Bjørvika and Sukkerbiten — with the latter being much less recognized. By crossing the river at Sagene, you can explore the area’s history more deeply at the Labour Museum. The upper floors, which cantilever outward, are designed to maximize the footprint while harmonizing with the low-rise environment. His permanent exhibitions of paintings (prints), and sketches delve into constant themes of illness, sadness, 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.
Looming over the waterfront at Bjørvika (Munch opened in 2021), as the new home dedicated to Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch. Alongside individual figures — there are functional sculptures including an enormous fountain and a sundial. For a slightly less crowded experience, wander on the roof at the end of the day to watch the sun dip down behind the fjord. As you’d expect (it houses state-of-the-art rehearsal rooms and performance halls), which you can see on one of the excellent guided tours. Gleaming on the waterfront at Bjørvika since 2008, the white marble masterpiece was designed by award-winning Norwegian architects Snøhetta to resemble a glacier gracefully rising from the fjord. Displays on the first (ground) floor explore design in the context of major societal themes — pondering questions such as “Can machines make beautiful things?
