Things to do in Oslo: 15 Must-visit Oslo Museums and parks
The Norwegian Museum of Culture History, Munch Museum, Vigeland’s Park, and The Opera house are just a few of the most beautiful places to visit in Oslo.
Oslo has many beautiful places that you must visit, whether you are a local or a visitor, family or couple, solo traveler or with friends, there is always something for everyone to visit and enjoy the beauty of Norway’s capital.
You can read my other blog about the things you can do in Oslo here.
What should you not miss in Oslo?
There are a lot of free things to do and beautiful places to visit in Oslo, Norway. I have summed up some of the must-see places in this beautiful city. These include gorgeous architectural buildings, museums, and parks.
Museums and galleries: Oslo is home to a number of museums and galleries, including the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Munch Museum, the National Gallery, and the Nobel Peace Center. These galleries offer visitors the chance to learn about Norwegian history, art, and culture, and to see some of the country’s most important artifacts.
Parks and outdoor spaces: Oslo is home to a number of charming parks and outdoor spaces, including Vigeland Park, Frogner Park, Ekeberg Park, and the Botanical Garden. These parks have its own character that lets visitors enjoy its serenity, relax and engulf the picturesque beauty it has to offer.
Architectural landmarks: The city is home to various architectural benchmarks, including the Opera House, the Royal Palace, and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump. These buildings are notable for their unique and distinctive design and are famous amongst tourists and locals.
Beautiful Places to visit in Oslo: top 15 museums and parks to visit in Oslo
1. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
The Norsk Folkemuseum will take you back to the ancient way of living of Norwegians from different parts of the country.
You will get to see how people lived during the old days.
Norsk Folkemuseum is an open-air museum featuring over a hundred traditional Norwegian buildings, including a stave church, a schoolhouse, and a farm.
This is a must-visit museum in Oslo if you want to dig deeper into Norwegian culture and traditions.
The museum is located on the Bygdøy Peninsula, and for a more fun ride, you can just a short ferry ride from Aker Brygge at the city center or take the bus.
2. Vigeland Park
Vigeland’s park is a public park highlighting hundreds of amazing sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.
The park is well known for showcasing naked sculptures and is one of the must-see places you should not miss when visiting Oslo.
Vigeland’s park is a vast open space area and the entrance alone is enticing and makes you want to explore more the gems of the park.
You will be welcomed with towering green trees, beautifully planted flowers on the grounds, green lawns, and many more. This view of course is different during autumn and winter.
Sculptures that depict different emotions are carefully and structurally arranged throughout the open park.
3. The Munch Museum
Munch Museet is dedicated to the work of Norwegian painter and artist Edvard Munch, best known for his iconic painting “The Scream.” Over 28,000 exhibits by Munch, including paintings, prints, and drawings are on display in this museum.
The Munch Museum is located in the city center with a seaside view. The newly built Munch museum building is a work of art itself.
4. The Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Are you a winter sports enthusiast? Then Holmenkollen is for you.
The ski jump is located on a hill overlooking Oslo, and visitors can ride a cable car to the top for panoramic views of the city and the surrounding countryside.
You can also visit the Holmenkollen museum which displays the skiing history.
5. The Opera House
This is a modern architectural landmark in the city and is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. The building is located on the harbor, and guests can take guided tours of the Opera house.
You can also take a leisure walk on the side slope roof to the top to have a 360-degree view of the city harbor.
6. The Royal Palace and the Royal palace garden
The Norwegian Palace and The Royal Palace Garden is the official residence of the Norwegian royal family and is located in the center of the city. The Norwegian castle is open to the public, and guided tours are available by booking.
Slottsparken (The Royal Palace Garden), you can also enjoy the palace’s splendid garden, green lawns, tall trees around, and ducks and birds in the pond at the back area of the castle.
You can also witness the exchange of guards during the day.
7. The Viking Ship Museum
The museum is located on the Bygdøy Peninsula and features well-preserved Viking ships and other artifacts from the Viking Age.
The museum’s collection includes three Viking ships that were discovered in burial mounds, as well as other objects like weapons, jewelry, and tools. The museum is a must-see for anyone interested in the history of the Vikings and their culture.
You can either take a short ferry ride from Aker Brygge in the city center or commute by bus.
8. The National Museum
Nasjonalmuseet is a state-owned museum located downtown.
The National Museum has just transferred recently to a new state-of-the-art building and is nearby the famous Aker Brygge so it is perfect for an afternoon walk exploration and end it with a cup of coffee in the coffee shops nearby while enjoying a splendid ocean view.
It houses thousands of artwork collections ranging from antiques to modern works of art by different well-known artists.
9. Natural History Museum
Are you interested in the life and extensions of different animal species? Then Natural History Museum in Oslo is a must-see destination for you. This museum is home to a wide variety of exhibits showcasing diverse geology and zoology.
One of the highlights of the Natural History Museum is the “Evolution of Life” exhibit, which traces the history of life on Earth from the earliest forms of single-celled organisms to the complex plants and animals that we see today. Visitors can see fossilized dinosaurs and other extinct creatures, as well as learn about the evolution of human beings.
Kids and adults alike will enjoy exploring the various displays and learning about the natural world.
Whether you’re a nature enthusiast or just want to learn more about the world around you, the Natural History Museum in Oslo is a must-visit destination. Fascinating specimens and scientific exhibits await visitors.
10. The Nobel Peace Center
Who has not heard of the Nobel Peace Prize? If you are a fan of this yearly Nobel Peace Prize ceremony then you must visit this museum.
It is a museum dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize and its winners and the works of its recipients.
The center is just adjacent to the National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) so you can plan a visit to these two museums simultaneously.
11. Ekeberg Park
Ekebergparken is a park on a hill that overlooks the city. It also has statues scattered all over the hill.
You can also find Ekeberg animal park there, where kids can ride a pony, feed goats, and just submerge yourselves in the animal farm. If you are visiting Oslo with kids, then you should visit Ekeberg.
Ekeberg Park is a great place to relax and enjoy the outdoors and is a popular destination for picnics and outdoor events.
Wear comfortable walking shoes so you can explore this beautiful forest park that overlooks the city. You will also find at the bottom of the hill the well-known Ekeberg Restaurant.
12. The Botanical Garden
Are you looking for free and exciting things to do in Oslo? Come and discover flora and fauna. This charming garden is home to thousands of plant species from all over the world.
The garden also has a number of greenhouses, where visitors can see tropical plants and exotic flowers.
The garden is a great place to relax and enjoy nature so come and discover flora and fauna in this garden.
13. Sognsvann
Do you enjoy camping, picnic, and bathing? Then Sognsvann is the place for you to visit.
This beautiful lake has a very enchanting mirror-like view of the trees in the water during the summer.
And during the autumn, the beautiful and colorful trees and the leaves on the ground are just so relaxing to the eyes.
It has its own beauty also during the winter time when the lake becomes frozen and turns out to be a skating area for the locals and visitors as well.
Take the metro downtown all the way to Sognsvann station and the lake is just a few meters walk from the station.
14. Akershus Fortress (Akershus festning)
Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle that is very history and is important in Norwegian history.
It is located on the waterfront in the heart of the city.
The castle has been used as a residence for the royals and also it has been used as a prison.
You can also find the royal mausoleum here which is the final resting place of some royals like King Sigurd I, King Haakon V, Queen Eufemia, King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, King Olav V, and Crown Princess Märtha.
15. Fram Museum (Frammuseet)
Are you interested in arctic research? Then visit Fram museum is also located in Bydoy.
It is a museum that features polar exploration. It houses expeditions, vessels, and explorers.
The main attraction of the museum is the FRAM, a ship built for the polar quest. In addition to the Fram, the museum also has a number of other exhibits and displays related to polar exploration. These include items such as clothing and equipment used by the explorers, maps and other documents, and interactive exhibits that help visitors learn about the history and challenges of polar exploration.
The ship has been preserved in its original condition, and visitors can walk through it and see what life was like for the explorers who sailed on the Fram.
Summary:
Visiting charming parks, walking in the colorful gardens, visiting famous museums, and having picnics in the parks are just a few of the things you can do in Oslo.
Oslo has a lot to offer ranging from charming free parks where visitors can wander around to museums where guests can explore and dig deeper into Norwegian culture, visit captivating parks and gardens, and walk in the streets of Kar Johan are the things you can do in Oslo. There is so much fun to do in Oslo so if you are planning to visit Norway’s capital then plan ahead your itinerary so you can make the best of your vacation.
It is best to visit parks during the summertime so you can enjoy the peaceful colorful view of nature, plants, and flowers. Either way, each season has its own beauty so come and explore Oslo as you wish!
You can read my other blog about the things you can do in Oslo here.
