8 hotspots you must visit in Oslo
Norway (Oslo) is a beautiful and unique country for a short stay
However, Norway has a long history of building its own future and beliefs. Even in art and design, you can find a distinctive Norwegian color or direction. The capital, Oslo, is a city that sees the future through the past. Urban regeneration, life by the fjords, and the concept of freiluftsliv, which means enjoying nature in any weather, make the Norwegian capital an attractive destination. In Norway’s capital, the familiar smell of hot dogs, called pulla pølse in Norwegian, lingers in the air as they waft from convenience stores. This humble snack, traditionally a sausage stuffed into a thin flatbread, is a food of great cultural value in Norway.
1. Oslofjord
Oslofjord Sightseeing
Nestled at the mouth of the Oslofjord, a small bay on the country’s southern coast, Oslo has flown under the radar for travelers for years, overshadowed by the popularity of Copenhagen and Stockholm. But Oslo has a design and food culture and impressive architecture that rivals its Scandinavian neighbors. Being off the beaten path means it’s not nearly as crowded, which is a bonus. Swimming in the Oslofjord is a year-round activity that Oslo residents enjoy, and travelers should definitely try it.
2. Viking Ship Museum
Private Shore Excursion: Oslo City Tour and Viking Ship Museum
Set on Oslo’s Bygdoy Projection, the Viking Boat Display (Vikingskipshuset) houses an expansive grouping of Viking-period relics found around Oslo Fjord. The historical center is most popular for its Viking ships, which have been meticulously recreated and exquisitely shown in unblemished white exhibitions.
3. Fram Museum
The Fram Museum Admission Ticket
If you’re in the Vigjøy district, you’ll find the Fram Museum, an unusual museum.
Housed in two triangular buildings, one with the Fram and the other with the Öyüa, this museum is dedicated to the history of polar endeavors. The Fram was an expeditionary ship built in 1892 that traveled between the waters of the North and South Poles. You can even board the Fram and tour the interior.
4. Oslo Opera House
Oslo Discovery Tour
An icy, floating cultural center on the sea, the Oslo Opera House is a landmark building in the Bjørvika district, a redevelopment of a former industrial area into the city’s new cultural district. Designed by Snøhetta, Norway’s leading architecture firm, the opera house is a structure of white granite and Italian marble that rises above the Oslofjord like a giant glacier. Visitors can walk up to the roof, which extends from the ground upward, and enjoy views of the city. It’s a popular place to relax, and it offers more than just opera and ballet performances.
5. Grunerøka District
Located in the northeastern part of the city, the Grunerøka neighborhood is a favorite spot for Oslo’s young people, with a completely different atmosphere on weekdays and weekends. Initially a collective housing area for factory workers, it has since evolved into a multicultural, youthful neighborhood influenced by nearby immigrants and young people looking for affordable housing.
Small shops and cafes tucked away in the alleyways also offer their own attractions, and what used to be a restaurant during the day is transformed into an atmospheric bar in the evening. On weekend nights, Oslo’s younger generation flocks to the area for a “real weird night out”. The usually quiet and shy people do a 180-degree turn. The famous bar is packed with young people from 10pm onwards, and once inside, it’s hard to get a footing. Convenience stores and fast food restaurants that normally close at 10 p.m. stay open until 2 a.m. on Saturday nights, and the last tram out of the city at 12:30 a.m. is very popular.
6. A sculptor’s park that resembles Norwegian nature
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Oslo Shore Excursion: Panorama Tour with Vigeland Sculpture Park & Ski Jump
Norway’s nature is unique in Northern Europe. Despite being the land of tens of thousands of lakes and fjords, Norwegians have already taken to nature in their daily lives. The work of composer and sculptor Gustav Vigeland is described as naturalistic, realistic and expressionistic. The Vigeland Sculpture Park, which houses sculptures by him and his students, is located in Frogner Park. It is the largest sculpture garden in the world, founded in 1915, and Vigeland died without completing it. In the 100 years since, the space has remained unfinished, with sculptures depicting all aspects of human life and emotions, from birth to death. The most famous piece, “The Big Pillar,” features 121 children and adults intertwined. During his lifetime, Vigellan said it was his religion. Vigeland’s sculptures will make you think about life and death and life itself.
7. Birkerlunden Flea Market
After a wild Saturday night, Sunday afternoon brings another bustle as the largest flea market is held in Birkelunden Park.
On Sunday afternoons, the flea market is centered around Birkelunden Park, and it’s a great way to get a closer look at Oslo life.
Bring some cash. Bargaining is also possible.
8. Frogner
Oslo Discovery Tour
The Frogner, northwest of downtown Oslo, is a hip place to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center and enjoy some style. It’s home to many international embassies and consulates, as well as stylish locals, so it’s naturally dotted with gourmet food shops, clothing stores, and cool bars that cater to them.
Start by taking tram #19 from the Slottsparken stop behind the Royal Palace and getting off at Riddervolds Plass. As you walk through the neighborhood along the tram line, you’ll find gems dotted with pretty clothes shops, bookstores, and cafes. There are even lines created by fashion school students and collaborations that are only available at H&M.
The Frogner is especially rich in vintage shops, which poke their heads out of the Niels Juels gate and the surrounding streets on the way to tram stop 12. After you’ve explored the shops on the side streets, turn into Niels Juels gate and take tram 12 to end your day’s exploration.If you have a little more time, it’s worth venturing further into Bygdøy allé to explore the nooks and crannies.
Every Saturday daytime, especially the first Saturdays of March and September, is the best time to see the Frogner neighborhood at its best. On these “big sales days,” you’ll see sale signs in every shop and people huddling together to pick out the clothes on the racks.
