6 Amazing Places to Visit in Oslo
Oslo is one of the world’s largest capitals in terms of area, but only 20 percent of this land mass has been developed — the remainder consists of parks, protected forests, hills, and hundreds of lakes. Regularly ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live, Oslo boasts a rich cultural scene and numerous things to do, and is famous for its theatre, museums, and galleries.
The National Museum
Oslo’s National Museum encompasses the National Gallery and the National Museum — Architecture, as well as additional collections of contemporary art and design. Oslo’s National Gallery houses the country’s largest art collection, featuring the works of Norwegian artists from the 19th century through the present, including J. C. Dahl and several works by Edvard Munch, including his most famous work, The Scream.
Royal Palace
Located high up on the northwest end of Karl Johansgate, the Norwegian Royal Palace, built in 1825, dominates the cityscape. The impressive 173-room building is open to the public for guided tours during the summer only, with English-language guides four times daily.
Oslo Cathedral
Although consecrated in 1697, Oslo’s Cathedral has been rebuilt and renovated numerous times. Its tower was rebuilt in 1850, while its interior was renovated soon after the end of WWII. Notable features include the main doorway with its decorated bronze doors, as well as the ceiling paintings by H. L. Mohr, the Baroque pulpit and altar (1699), and the stained glass by Emanuel Vigeland.
Oslo Opera House
Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, as well as the National Opera Theatre, the 1,364-seat Oslo Opera House seems to almost want to slip into the city’s harbor, an effect exaggerated by its angled exterior surfaces. Clad in Italian marble and white granite, the Opera House is the largest cultural building constructed in Norway since Trondheim’s Nidaros Cathedral in the 14th century.
Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum
Located at the base of Holmenkollen Ski Jump, the Ski Museum is the oldest of its kind in the world, open since 1923. Here, ski enthusiasts will find exhibits and artifacts chronicling nearly 4,000 years of ski history and exploring various related topics, including weather and polar exploration. The oldest ski on display here dates back to AD 600, and there are several other examples, including skis from the 8th, 10th, and 12th centuries.
Akershus Fortress
Rising above the Oslofjord on the promontory of Akernes sits the majestic Akershus Fortress, built by Håkon V at the end of the 13th Century. Take your time to wander the grounds and ramparts with their wonderful harbor views before exploring the quaint chapel with its tomb of Håkon VII (1872–1957) and the remains of the original medieval castle.
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