Oslo, 10 Must-See Attractions

Modern, sophisticated, and fun, Oslo is a metropolis with magnetic charm, boasting a high quality of life, a strong eco-friendly approach, and a vibrant cultural scene that makes it one of the liveliest and most creative cities in all of Scandinavia and continental Europe.

The Norwegian capital is a constantly bustling urban center in perfect harmony with the natural environment of the northern shore of the Oslofjord, where a fjord rich in untouched forests, trails, and snowy mountains opens up.

In Oslo, urban activities combine with nature like in few other places in the world thanks to lush parks, the Akerselva River that flows through the city, the islands scattered across the Oslofjord, and numerous marked trails and cross-country ski tracks that in winter wind through the forests surrounding the city.

In this spectacular landscape setting, Oslo develops a vibrant social life full of Nordic and international attractions and activities; it is home to world-class museums like the Munch Museum and cutting-edge architectural works like the Opera House, marine pools, sculpture parks such as Vigeland Sculpture Park, breathtaking panoramic views, ski slopes, and neighborhoods to experience day and night among trendy restaurants and concerts with one of the liveliest music scenes in Europe.

With such a rich bouquet of points of interest and activities, we have tried to group the best things to see and experiences not to miss when visiting the magnificent city of Oslo.

The urban fabric of Oslo occupies only a small part of a territory that includes vast green spaces, parks, lakes, and forests that are an integral part of the city; in this landscape, there are neighborhoods and metropolitan areas of great charm easily accessible by public transport.

These are continually evolving neighborhoods to explore on foot to discover their hidden aspects, social life, innovative architecture, and popular local spots.

The central area of Oslo is well-suited for pleasant walks through streets full of traditional shops, trendy cafes, and street performers; most areas here are pedestrian-friendly, such as the city's main street, Karl Johans Gate, which extends from the central station to the Royal Palace. This spacious avenue is ideal for discovering many of Oslo's attractions, such as the Royal Palace, the National Theater, the old university buildings, and the Cathedral, as well as boutiques, restaurants, and green areas such as the small Studenterlunden Park, where you can skate on the outdoor rink or easily reach the National Gallery, one of the four buildings that make up the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.

The Bygdøy Peninsula on the west side of Oslo is one of the city's most beautiful and interesting areas.

With a short trip by land and sea, you can reach an area rich in countryside and coastal trails for hikers and cyclists, tranquil beaches like the popular Huk, farms, scenic views of the city center, and even a royal estate. However, the main attraction of the Bygdøy Peninsula is the five of Oslo's most important national museums: the Viking Ship Museum, Fram Museum, Norwegian Folk Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum.

To get to the heart of Oslo, we move to the old shipyard area of Aker Brygge, an abandoned complex that today has transformed into the vibrant heart of the city. Here you find the perfect combination of old and new thanks to the charming industrial buildings and old brick warehouses alongside modern constructions, public spaces, exclusive homes, and fashion and design shops scattered along a scenic waterfront. Always lively and vibrant, Aker Brygge is an example of neighborhood revitalization that attracts millions of visitors each year who are captivated by its special atmosphere and numerous possibilities, such as sitting at a table in an exclusive venue or visiting the fantastic exhibition halls of the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.

In contrast to Aker Brygge, the Damstredet district retains a rustic atmosphere in contrast to the modern architecture typical of Oslo; here you can stroll without stress along streets that were once degraded and have now been rehabilitated and made welcoming by local citizens and artists.

Walking along the Oslo port waterfront is another great way to touch on the city's major points of interest, starting with the fantastic Opera House, an unmistakable angular building clad in white marble that houses a large arena for concerts and opera ballet and is considered one of the most iconic buildings in the entire Scandinavian Peninsula.

In addition to enjoying memorable performances inside, you can also climb and walk on its sloped and panoramic roof that offers breathtaking views of the dramatic sunsets over the Oslofjord.

The harbor also has several typical urban saunas overlooking the fjord or even floating in the water, which is a great way to experience local customs and gain physical and mental well-being.

Continuing to walk along the quay, you encounter some buildings with modern architecture and the new location of the Munch Museum, which displays works by the greatest Norwegian artist, including the famous painting The Scream.

Other key stops along the harbor route include the Akershus Fortress, which rises on a promontory with panoramic bastions, a picturesque chapel, a Renaissance-style palace, the remnants of a medieval castle, and museums of great national historical interest.

For a tasty street food meal along the waterfront, there's nothing better than stopping at Vippa, a modern dining area inside an old industrial building with various stalls of international cuisine at affordable prices that reflect the diverse culinary cultures of Oslo in a relaxed atmosphere with stunning sea views.

To truly understand the essence of this city, you cannot miss visiting its many natural territories, landscape oases, green parks, and open-air cultural spaces.

Among these is Frogner Park in the eponymous neighborhood of Oslo, which hosts wide green areas for picnics, recreational facilities, a huge rose garden, the largest playground in the nation, and two museums. But the real attraction of the park is the iconic Vigeland Sculpture Park with hundreds of installations and sculptures that have become one of the most visited tourist destinations in Norway. Here are works of international fame made of bronze, granite, and wrought iron by artist Gustav Vigeland, with exceptional shapes and sizes, such as a 16-meter tall Monolith composed of 121 intertwined human bodies.

Another place known as an open-air exhibition space is the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park near the Aker Brygge area.

Designed by Renzo Piano, the park hosts seven sculptures by major contemporary artists exhibited against the backdrop of the gravel beach in front of the fjord.

A trip to the Oslo fjord is an unmissable activity when visiting the city, especially during the warmer months when its waters fill with boats of every kind sailing peacefully through enchanted natural landscapes that stretch between gorges, small wooded islands with vacation homes, secluded coves, and tranquil bays.

The Akerselva River, on the other hand, cuts through the metropolitan area of Oslo and around its banks branches a network of trails ideal for hiking and biking, which is a great way to explore less touristy neighborhoods like the hipster area of Grünerløkka or the new area of Nydalen on a pleasant route that runs along historic buildings, fishing spots, waterfalls, cafes, and wooded areas until reaching the city center.

Oslo is characterized by a humid continental climate with very cold winters; if you don't like cold temperatures and snow, we recommend visiting in this season. The best time for climate and weather is late spring and summer when temperatures will reach around 68°F.

Photo: © f11photo/Shutterstock