by Bjørn Christian Tørrissen (cropped) / [CC BY-SA 3.0
A Dynamic Major Cultural Capital, With World-class Museums, Sculpture parks, and Striking Modern Architecture
Table of Contents
A. About Oslo
Nickname: The Tiger CitySurrounded by the delightful Oslo fjord and impressive mountains, the capital of Norway is a dynamic major cultural capital, with world-class museums, sculpture parks, and striking modern architecture.
And the local opera is not only a great art venue for classical music, but its architecture also stands for the image that Norwegians have of modern society: open to innovative ideas, influences, and possibilities.
The Good:
Oslo enjoys, first of all, a scenic location at the head of a delightful fjord.
Furthermore, the Norwegian capital is very safe and clean, and its inhabitants are friendly and helpful
Finally, the public transportation system is excellent.
The Not-So-Good:
Oslo is one of the most expensive cities in the world.
Furthermore, don't expect great weather. In winter it is generally really cold and dark.
B. Best Things to Do in Oslo in 2024 (Detailed List with Photos and Information)
In total, we count more than twenty sights in Oslo. The following sights and attractions contribute to a score of 6.20/10 in this highly important category:
# New National Museum 6
Opened in 2022 in a new building at Vestbanehallen at the center of Oslo, the new National Museum is the largest art museum in the Nordic region. The art collection of the museum includes Edvard Munch's best-known paintings.
The museum features a publicly accessible roof terrace with a spectacular view of Oslo.
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- Important Masterpieces: 3
- Highlight: The Scream, by Edvard Munch (1893), 91 cm × 73,5 cm (35.8 in × 28.9 in)
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This is our selection of the five best artworks of the New National Museum in Oslo:
1) The Scream, Edvard Munch (1893), 91 cm × 73,5 cm (35.8 in × 28.9 in)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
2) Madonna, Edvard Munch (1894–1895)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
3) The Girls on the Bridge, Edvard Munch (1901)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
4) Dance of Life, Edvard Munch (1901)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
5) Italian Woman, Axel Revold (1913)
by Wikimedia / Public Domain
Interesting Artworks: 6/10
Famous Artworks: 8/10
Art Display: 6/10
Building: 6/10
Size: 6/10
🧮 Overall: 6.4/10
Fine Arts Museum Opened: 2022
# Vigeland Sculpture Park 6
This spectacular sculpture park is located in Frogner Park and is home to more than two hundred sculptures in bronze and granite and cast iron by 20th-century sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
by Ignaz Wiradi / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Norwegian Museum of Cultural History 6
The highlight of this spectacular open-air museum with 158 traditional houses from all parts of Norway is the completely restored wooden Gol Stave Church from the 12th century.
Open-Air Museum Established: 1894 | Buildings: 150 | Visitors (2018): 312,000
by Richard Mortel / CC BY-SA 2.0
# The Viking Ship Museum 6
This great museum is home to three historic ninth-century vessels, among them the famous Oseberg Ship.
by Vassia Atanassova / CC BY-SA 3.0
# Opera House 5.5
This gem of modern architecture, with part of the building below sea level, has received several prestigious awards. From the roof of the opera, there is a wonderful panorama of the city.
Opera House | Modern Architecture
by Beata May / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Bygdøy peninsula 5.5
Home to five national museums and beautiful nature, this scenic peninsula is certainly one of the highlights of Oslo.
by Dalbera / CC BY-SA 2.0
# Munch Museum 5.5
Opened in 1963, this Museum features many of the most important works of Norway's greatest painter, Edvard Munch.
Most noteworthy, the 1910 version of Munch's "The Scream" is on exhibit in the museum. Since October 2021, the collection is presented in a brand-new modern museum by Oslo's waterfront.
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- Important Masterpieces: 3
- Highlight: The Scream (1910 Version), Edvard Munch (1910), 83 cm × 66 cm (36 in × 28.9 in)
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This is our selection of the three best artworks of the Munch Museum in Oslo:
1) The Scream (1910 Version), Edvard Munch (1910), 83 cm × 66 cm (36 in × 28.9 in) by Wikimedia / Public Domain 2) Madonna (Munch Museum Version), Edvard Munch (1894), 90 cm × 68 cm (35 in × 27 in) by Wikimedia / Public Domain 3) Melancholy, Edvard Munch (1893), 86 × 129 cm by Wikimedia / Public Domain 4) The Yellow Log, Edvard Munch (1912), 129.5 cm × 159.5 cm (50.9 in × 62.7 in) by Wikimedia / Public Domain 5) The Kiss, Edvard Munch (1897), 99 cm × 81 cm (38.9 in × 31.8 in) by Wikimedia / Public Domain
Art Museum Gallery Space: ca. 6,000 m2 | Artworks on Display: ca. 650 | Established: 1864
(Click on images to open in lightbox, recommended)
Interesting Artworks: 5/10 Famous Artworks: 7/10 Art Display: 6/10 Building: 6/10 Size: 3/10 🧮 Overall: 5.4/10
# Fram Museum 5.5
On the Bygdøy Peninsula, this museum's star attraction is the Fram, a wooden ship built specifically for research in the Arctic and Antarctic.
by Tore Storm Halvorsen / CC BY-SA 4.0
# Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower 5.5
Located underneath the famous ski jump, this museum presents more than 4,000 years of skiing history. In addition, the observation deck on top of the jump tower offers excellent panoramic views of Oslo.
by Michael Hanisch/ CC BY-SA 3.0
C. Other notable sights and attractions in Oslo
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- Aker Brygge (modern waterfront city district)5.5
- Kon-Tiki Museum 5.5
- Museum of Science & Technology 5.5
- Astrup Fearnley Contemporary Art Museum 5.5
- Sonja Henie Modern Art Centre (14.4 km from Oslo) 5.5
- Royal Palace (open to the public from late June until the middle of August) 5.5
- City Hall 5.5
- Norwegian Maritime Museum 5
- Karl-Johans Gate (shopping street) 5
- Natural History Museum 5
- Parliament of Norway 5
- Ibsen Museum 4.5
- Oslo City Museum 4.5
- Oslo Cathedral 4.5
D. Best Day Trips and Excursions from Oslo
E. Top 10 List of the Best Things to Do in Oslo 2023 (including close-by excursions)
To sum things up, these are the ten best sights we recommend to you when visiting Oslo for at least two entire days.