One of most happening cities in Scandinavia, this thriving capital of Norway is renowned for many things: breathtaking fjords, rich forests, an arsenal of architectural wonders as well as fascinating museums and galleries. Enjoying a pristine location at the head of the exquisite Oslofjord, Oslo boasts charming natural scenery that stretches as far as the eye can see, while a myriad trendy restaurants and bars ooze urban hip vibes.
Probably the hottest city in Norway, Oslo, the oldest capital in Scandinavia, features all kinds of attractions to woo the tourists. Those into architecture can find a dizzying array of remarkable buildings and monuments including the famous more than 700-year-old Akershus Castle. Also known as a cultural hub of the region, Oslo unveils many interesting museums of various themes while inspired artists can find a number of art galleries and art centers scattered throughout the city.
Dotted with plenty of cafés, bars and restaurants, Oslo is also ‘the place’ to see and to be seen. A wide selection of eateries, shops and swanky boutiques are located at the lovely waterfront area of Aker Brygge. With electrifying nightlife, thanks to liberal drinking laws, Oslo is also an ideal place to party and dance the night away.
Highlights
Aker Brygge: once a shipbuilding yard, now the fabulously revamped Aker Brygge is a hip area where sleek, glass and steel buildings and a great number of trendy eateries, bars and cafés are located.
Akershus Castle: a former fortress and a royal residence built by King Haakon V in 1300, this exquisite castle is known as one of the oldest historical heritages in the city. Guided tours in English are conducted daily.
Edvard Munch Museum: is a famous gallery with an impressive collection of art works dedicated by Edvard Munch, Scandinavia’s artistic brainchild. Here you can observe his masterpieces including 1,100 paintings, 18,000 prints and 4,500 drawings.
Henie Onstad Art Centre: features 20th century artworks from world-renowned artists such as Munch, Picasso and Matisse. Concerts, films, plays and other exhibits are also on show here.
Kon-Tiki Museum: houses the famous balsa raft called Kon-Tiki, which was sailed by the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl. The museum also displays other exhibits from Heyerdahl’s many adventures.
National Gallery: reveals a remarkable collection of Norwegian art and several masterpieces from renowned artists such as Matisse and Cezanne.
Norwegian Folk Museum: is where you can observe more than 140 original buildings from all over the country, including fascinating, rural buildings from medieval times.
Viking Ship Museum: woos visitors with three awesome Viking burial vessels and a number of ships and artifacts. The amazing 9th century Oseberg, a beautifully ornamented dragon ship, is probably the museum’s highlight.