10 Best Things to Do
Oslo brings major art collections and striking waterfront buildings within easy reach of wooded hills. Spend a morning with Munch or at the National Museum, walk the Opera House roof, then explore the harbour or head towards Holmenkollen. The dining scene ranges from intimate neighbourhood rooms to ambitious tasting menus built around Norwegian ingredients. A few days allow time for the central sights and the museums on Bygdøy, with space left for the city’s parks and quieter residential streets.
MUNCH
Bjørvika, Norway
MUNCH gives Edvard Munch’s work a prominent waterfront home in Bjørvika, with permanent collection displays and changing exhibitions spread through a tall contemporary building. The museum also places his art in conversation with other artists, so it rewards time beyond the best-known pictures. Views from the upper levels add another reason to explore the building. Book a timed visit, check what is on display and leave enough room in the day to enjoy the surrounding waterfront afterwards.
Edvard Munch and contemporary art
The National Museum
Vestbanen, Norway
The National Museum brings art, architecture and design together beside Oslo’s western waterfront. Its collections unite works from the former National Gallery and other national museums, giving visitors a broad view of Norway’s visual culture alongside international art. Munch’s 1893 version of The Scream is a major draw, but the decorative arts and design displays deserve time too. Plan a generous visit and use the rooftop terrace for a break when conditions allow.
Norwegian art and design
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Frogner, Norway
Vigeland Sculpture Park fills part of Frogner Park with more than 200 works by Gustav Vigeland, made in bronze, granite and cast iron. The figures depict human relationships and the stages of life, from small, expressive sculptures to the monumental group around the Monolith. It is an easy place to explore at your own pace and a useful outdoor counterpoint to Oslo’s museums. Entry to the park is free, and the changing seasons give repeat visits a different atmosphere.
An outdoor art walk
Oslo Opera House
Bjørvika, Norway
The Oslo Opera House makes architecture part of a waterfront walk, with sloping white surfaces that lead visitors onto its roof. Snøhetta’s building is also a working home for opera and ballet, with warm oak interiors contrasting with the pale exterior. Come for the harbour views, then consider a performance or guided tour to see more of the building. The surrounding Bjørvika district makes it easy to combine the visit with MUNCH and time beside the water.
Waterfront architecture
Fram Museum
Bygdøy, Norway
The Fram Museum places the original polar ship Fram at the centre of the visit, allowing you to step aboard and explore the world of the crews who sailed into the ice. Exhibitions explain the expeditions and the practical challenges of life in extreme conditions, while Gjøa is displayed in the neighbouring building. It is a particularly engaging way to approach Norway’s exploration history. Give the ships time, rather than rushing through on a quick circuit of Bygdøy.
Polar exploration
Norsk Folkemuseum
Bygdøy, Norway
Norsk Folkemuseum brings historic Norwegian buildings together in an open-air museum on Bygdøy. Rural houses, farm buildings and an old-town area show how people lived in different places and periods, while the medieval Gol stave church is a highlight. Indoor displays add context through folk art, crafts and cultural history, including Sámi material. The experience changes with the season, so check for demonstrations and family activities when planning a visit, and dress for time outdoors.
Norwegian buildings and everyday history
Akershus Fortress
Central waterfront, Norway
Akershus Fortress rises above Oslo’s harbour, with a history reaching back to the late thirteenth century. The medieval stronghold was later reshaped into a Renaissance castle, and the grounds offer an easy way to connect the city’s older history with its present-day waterfront. Walk through the site for its stone buildings, open spaces and views, then consider a castle visit for more detail. Grounds access and the opening arrangements for the interiors are different, so plan them separately.
Oslo’s historic harbour views
Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower
Holmenkollen, Norway
Holmenkollen combines a striking ski jump with a museum devoted to Norway’s relationship with skiing. The displays connect sport, everyday life and exploration, while the tower gives a very different perspective on Oslo and its surrounding landscape. It is a useful excursion for visitors who want to understand why the outdoors matters so much here, even outside the ski season. Choose a clear day if the view is a priority and allow for the journey up from the centre.
Ski history and a view over Oslo
Nobel Peace Center
Rådhusplassen, Norway
The Nobel Peace Center explores the Peace Prize through the stories of its laureates, Alfred Nobel and the ideas behind their work. Exhibitions use photographs, objects and digital displays to connect individual lives with wider questions about dialogue and change. The central location by Rådhusplassen makes it easy to fit into a waterfront day. Check the current exhibition programme before visiting, as the museum is updating parts of its displays and access can vary during the work.
The people and ideas behind the Peace Prize
Natural History Museum
Tøyen, Norway
Oslo’s Natural History Museum combines zoology, geology and climate displays with the Botanical Garden at Tøyen. Dinosaur skeletons, fossils and mineral collections provide plenty to explore indoors, while the garden offers a quieter walk among plants from around the world. It is a useful family outing because the visit can shift between close-up exhibits and open space. The garden is free to enter, while museum admission is separate, so decide how much of the site you want to see.
Dinosaurs, minerals and a garden walk