What can Oslo Offer?

Oslo city itself can be done quite easily in a weekend.  The city isn’t as large as it appears on the maps and can be walked (although there is a tram network).  The streets are easy to navigate and the architecture is stunning.  Below are the sights I packed into my weekend visit.

The Royal Palace

Located at one end of  Karl Johans Gate this 19th century palace serves as the primary residence of the Norwegian royal family: King Harald V and Queen Sonja. Completed in 1849 this Neoclassical building is fairly unguarded with no walls or railings. Unlike the Kings guards at Buckingham Palace in London that have become something of a tourist attraction the palace guards in Oslo are pretty nondescript. 

Karl Johans Gate

Karl Johans Gate is the main shopping street of the city of Oslo.  The street was named in honour of King Charles III John who was also King of Sweden as Charles XIV John.  Here you’ll find all your usual high street stores along with local department stores, pubs, cafes and souvenir shops.

Oslo Cathedral

Formally known as Saviours Church Oslo cathedral is the principal house of worship. The building dates from 1694. It is often used by the Norwegian monarchy for public events.

Opera House

Opened in 2007 the building itself is composed of multiple flat levels that act as small squares allowing visitors to walk on the roof and enjoy the view of the harbour and city.   Daily guided tours of the building are available in English. They last 50 minutes and cost 120 NOK (GB£9).

National Museum

The National Museum contains Edvard Munch’s famous painting ‘The Scream’. The gallery is small but there are a lot of artists on display. It has some Impressionist and Dutch works as well as some pieces by Picasso and El Greco. It’s not the most expansive collection but it is still worth a visit especially if you’re a fan of more classical art styles.

Akershus Fortress

Built in the 13th Century Akershus Fortress is one of the best things to do in Oslo. The landmark consists of a castle, several historic buildings, museums and an armoury.   It was originally used to defend the capital and has withheld every siege that it has faced, most of which were conducted by the Swedish.  Located right by the harbour the fortress is a beautiful area to stroll around. On a sunny day the views out across the city are superb.  Admission is free.

Storting Building

Located at top end of Karl Johan’s Gate near the Royal Palace you will find the Storting Building. Starting it’s life as a private home in 1814 it became the parliamentary building in 1866 for Norway.

Damstredet and Telthusbakken

If you want typical Norwegian cobblestone alleys and colourful wooden houses then head towards these two streets of Damstredet and Telthusbakken.  They’re perfect to visit as they’re en-route to Rodeløkka district.

Rodeløkka and Grunerlokka

Located slightly north of the city Rodeløkka and Grünerløkka districts are ideal for an afternoon of perusing independent shops. Grünerløkka is a little more of a Hipster neighbourhood.  You can expect to find artisanal handicrafts, clothing, pottery and various other trinkets in addition to record shops and second hand bookstores. There are cafes, flea markets and bakeries here too making it ideal for a relaxing day of exploring the city on foot.

The Vigeland Park

Located in Frogner Park is the world’s largest display of sculptures created by a single artist. Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) created over 200 bronze, iron and granite statues that now stand in the grounds of the park. The crying baby statue is the most famous. It’s open daily and free to visit.

Bygdøy Peninsula

The peninsula is situated to the west of Oslo. It’s here you’ll find most of Oslo’s popular museums ranging from the Fram museum, the Viking museum and Oscarshall. During the summer months Bygdøy becomes a recreational hotspot for the locals.

There is a bus service that takes 15 minutes from the city centre to Bygdøy. Use bus number 30. Check departure times and stops with Ruter’s journey planner.

During the summer season the Bygdøy ferry takes you from the city centre across the fjord to Bygdøy in 20 minutes. Check the Bygdøy ferry’s website for more information.

Fram

Located on the Bygdøy Peninsula this museum is all about Norwegian polar exploration. Opened in 1936 the museum honours explorers like Roald Amundsen (who led the first expedition to the south pole in 1911) and Fridtjof Nansen (who crossed the Greenland interior on skis in 1888). You’ll learn about the expeditions and how the people (and their animals) survived the harsh conditions. Admission 140 NOK (GB£10.40)

The Viking Museum

The Viking Age was a period of time from around 800-1066 that saw a massive expansion of Scandinavian conquests and exploration. This museum is home to the world’s best preserved Viking ships that date to the 9th century. It’s home to the largest Viking burial ship in the world. There is an array of preserved boats and carts that date back to the Middle Ages.

NOTE: The Viking Museum is currently closed for refurbishment until 2026

Image Courtesy of Google.com

Oscarshall

Oscarshall is the royal house of teh Norwegian monarchy. Built from 1847 to 1852 by Danish architect Johan Henrik Nebelong, commissioned by King Oscar I. It is open to the public during the summer months with guided tours on the hour. Admission is 125 NOK (GB£9.30).

Aker Brygge Wharf

Perfect for a stroll and host to the largest concentration of restaurants in Oslo Aker Brygge. Enjoy a wide array of foods ranging from French cuisine to traditional Nordic dishes or a simple day of window shopping and admire the architecture. There are also lots of food trucks around here in the summer. The wharf has something for everyone and is a great place to spend a couple of hours window shopping, people watching and admiring the view of the fjord.

Fjord Cruise

Oslo is enveloped by the Oslo fjord (a narrow inlet with towering cliff walls). It’s full of narrow sounds and serene bays and there are lots of small islands populating the waters. Cruises usually last a couple of hours and take you up and down this idyllic landscape. They’re available all year round as the fjord is stunning in every season. Expect to pay around 439 NOK (GB£32.65) for a two hour cruise.

22nd July and Utøya attack

On a somewhat more thought provoking moment on Saturday 22nd July 2011 an extremist Anders Breivik drove a van to the Government Office Complex in the centre of Oslo which killed eight people. Later that afternoon 69 people were killed in a mass shooting on Utøya island. On the adjacent street to where the bomb exploded there is a small window memorial on Teatergata Street.

Places to eat

Oslo is brimming with places to eat and drink. In fact you maybe a little spoilt for where to go. Below are a few places I tried.

W.B Samson Bakery

This is located in Egertorget, off Karl Johans Gate, and is the oldest bakery in Oslo. Founded in 1894 by Wilhelm Bismark Samson it offers an assortment of freshly baked breads, cakes, pastries and fresh juices. I ordered a cream filled bun and a coconut pastry… delicious!

Nectar Vinebar – www.nektarvinbar.no

Located at Fredensborgveien 42, 0177 Oslo just down from Damstredet street you will find this little yet cosy restaurant-cum-winebar.

SALT – salt.no

SALT is a small food and entertainment area with several independent food stands and entertainment rooms, located on the harbour front opposite the Opera House, overlooking the Oslo fjord.

Mathallen – mathallenoslo.no/en

Mathallen located in the Rodeløkka district is a food hall offering all kinds of food and beverages all housed under one roof. My two favourite stalls in Mathallen is Hopyard (a cute cosy little pub) and Bistro Budapest (offering Hungarian food and drink). If you’re looking for somewhere relaxed with plenty on offer and people watching this is the place to aim for.

Oslo Food Hall

In the heart of Oslo city centre you can find the Oslo Street Food food hall. Here you can choose between different food stalls with authentic flavours from all corners of the world. Like Mathallen it’s a relaxed social venue for dining.

Syverkiosken

Located near Alexander Kiellands Plass, not too far from Mathallen, lies a true gem: the last remaining wooden hotdog kiosk in Oslo’s city centre. Through rainy days Syverkiosken is always there, like a friend you can count on. There used to be 40 hotdog kiosks around the city that have been serving hotdogs since 1979. With prices starting from 20 NOK (GB£1.50), it’s one of the city’s cheapest snack options.

Bristol Pub – hotelbristol.no

Located at Kristian IVs gate 9, 0164 Oslo next door to the Bristol hotel you will find this cosy pub. It serves great pub food and drinks with open brick walls and tv screens.

Final Thought

I wasn’t sure what to expect of Oslo. Yes, I’ve been to Iceland and Denmark and my vision of the city was based on those experiences. Oslo is lovely and feels very safe. It’s immaculate. There isn’t a scrap of rubbish on the floor and only isolated areas of graffiti around the city. Like much of Scandinavia Oslo is expensive but the Norwegians are super friendly and their command of spoken English language puts native English speakers to shame. Would I recommend Oslo? Yes, do it. It’s lovely for a couple of days.

Farm house at Sandefjord near Torp airport

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