If you are planning a trip to the Oslo sights top 10 with travel tips for Norway, it is helpful to use tips from others to save time. Use the time you save, especially on a weekend trip, to make the most of the top sights. What are the must-sees? What is the best way to experience Oslo sights? Is this Norwegian city worth a visit? Definitely – and I am happy to show you my personal top 10 Oslo sights.
Facts and getting to Oslo
Facts I didn’t expect: from 1624 to 1924, Oslo was called “Christiania” – after the Danish King Christian IV. Norwegians pronounce “Oslo” more like “Uslu”. Oslo is also nicknamed Tigerstaden (Tiger City) – tiger sculptures at the train station are reminiscent of the poem by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson from 1870, in which Oslo was considered a rather dangerous city. However, this has changed to this day. I did not experience Oslo and the Oslo sights as dangerous – although the ski jump was dangerously high. 🙂
You usually travel to Oslo by plane or ship. By ship, you drop anchor at the fortress. By plane, you need a good transfer to the city – or to the main train station, Gardermoen.
Although the airport express train (Flytoget Airport Express Train) has been available for some time, it is not worthwhile for tourists (price approx. EUR 21.00 for a 19-minute journey). It makes more sense to trust the NSB (Norwegian State Railways) (price approx. EUR 11.00 for a 30-minute journey including internet). Here you can even help yourself to sweets and drinks from the vending machines on the train (for a fee, of course). This way you can experience Oslo directly among the locals if you ignore the tourists.
Oslo sights top 10
Of course, you can simply let yourself drift through the city. Through shopping streets, such as Karl Johans Gate, you will pass the beautiful Oslo Cathedral, where the royal couple and the crown prince and princess were married – if you continue along the street, you will reach the Royal Palace. But you can also head straight for the highlights, must-sees and sights, such as my top 10 Oslo sights top 10 travel tips.
Oslo Opera House – Top tip
In Oslo, the Opera House is my top 1 Oslo sights par excellence. Visually, it is a modern building that reflects the sun’s rays beautifully at sunset when viewed from the water. It was inspired by the Sydney Opera House, which is also located directly on the harbor and waterfront and has become the highlight of the city. The new opera house was opened in 2008, 5 months earlier than expected (with a construction period of just under 4 years).
Visually, the opera house is reminiscent of a floating iceberg – the interior of the large hall is based on the Semperoper in Dresden. The façade is made of white Italian Carrara marble, which had already turned slightly yellow before the opening. Personally, this didn’t bother me.
I would recommend climbing to the roof of the opera house at sunset and enjoying the sunset from up there with a view of the water. Since 2010, the roof has also offered a view of the steel and glass sculpture “Hun ligger / She lies”, which is based on the painting by Caspar David Friedrich and shows “The Arctic Ocean”. You can hardly experience a more beautiful sunset in Oslo, except perhaps from a ship. My personal top tip of the top 10 Oslo sights top 10.
Holmenkollen ski jump with museum
The oldest ski jump in the world is called “Holmenkollbakken” and has been located on the slope of Holmenkollen mountain since its opening in 1892. In addition to the ski jump, there is also a ski museum (admission 120 NOK approx. EUR 15.00) through which you can easily explore the ski jump tower with an elevator. From the 60 meter high ski jump tower on Holmenkollen mountain, you have a wonderful view of Oslo’s sights and the fjord.
The Winter Olympics were held on Holmenkollen in 1952. It is not unusual to hear the shots of the biathlon athletes training next door. In 2008, the ski jump was replaced by a new construction. World Championships are regularly held at Holmenkollen.
Even the route that the public transport T-Bane (the Oslo Tunnelbana) takes to get up the mountain is worth seeing. However, you still have to walk a good distance uphill from the train station, which can be a bit of a hassle in winter when the snow is frozen.
If you are interested in sports or just want a great view of the city, the Holmenkollbakken ski jump is the perfect attraction and is not on my top 10 list of Oslo sights for nothing.
Nobel Peace Center in Oslo
The Nobel Peace Center (Nobels Fredssenter) has been located in the former Western Railway Station (Vestbanestasjonen) on City Hall Square since 2005. Various exhibitions on the Nobel Peace Prize and its laureates can be found here in the old train halls.
However, the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo City Hall opposite. Since 1901, the prize has been awarded on December 10 (the anniversary of Alfred Nobel’s death) – the only Nobel Prize that is not awarded in Stockholm, Sweden. The winner is chosen by a five-member committee elected by the Norwegian parliament.
Admission is free and it is a nice and successful stop to warm up again, especially in winter. For me and for over 100,000 visitors since 2005, it is one of the top Oslo sights. A sight that no other city offers.
Oslo Royal Palace
The Royal Palace in Oslo has been home to the royal couple Harald V and Queen Sonja since 2001. Next to the state rooms is the study of King Harald V, as well as the offices of the staff and Crown Prince Haakon with Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
The current palace was originally opened in 1836 after a lengthy construction period, which was delayed by the approval of additional funds. The interior designer was guided by his travels to Germany and Denmark, so that the decoration of the ballroom was influenced by Karl Friedrich Schinkel’s concert hall in the Schauspielhaus in Berlin and the White Salon has a neo-Rococo interior.
The palace was extended and modernized in 1849. Gilded furniture for the state rooms was allowed to move in – this was made in Stockholm and Berlin. In 1905, the constitutional monarchy came to power in Norway and the palace was renovated again, including the installation of central heating and modern sanitary facilities. During the Second World War, the palace was used as German headquarters, as the royal family was in exile. The Royal Palace was renovated again in 1957 and 1991.
The palace is surrounded by 22 hectares of parkland. A Swiss-style wooden guardhouse has stood to the north of the palace since 1845. In 2014, as every year, there were guided tours (admission price: NOK 95 approx. EUR 12.00) of the Royal Palace in the summer from 21.06. to 17.08. One of the most historic and photogenic sights in Oslo and therefore on my top 10 travel tips list.
Oslofjord by sailing ship
Oslo can be reached by boat or ferry through the beautiful Oslofjord. Seeing the sights of Oslo from the water is a very special experience. Whether by sailboat or even by hop-on hop-off electric sightseeing sailboat (daily price NOK 185 approx. EUR 23.00). Here you can sail to the small offshore islands, as well as from the town hall past the Akershus fortress to the opera house.
Beautiful and special photo opportunities can be found here, especially at sunset. A great experience in the summer months, but an absolute highlight in winter with only three hours of sunlight. If you are worried about the cold on the ship, you have the option of warming up inside the small sailing ship or on deck with warm blankets. A little insider tip to add to the traditional Oslo sights top 10.
Frogner Park with Vigeland Sculpture Park
Frogner Park, which was opened to the public in 1904, is almost a visual extension of the castle park. It was part of the Frogner estate, where the country’s wealthy men lived at the time. In addition to the Oslo Bymuseum (City Museum), the Vigeland Sculpture Park or Vigeland Park can also be found here.
This is famous for its 212 granite sculptures and bronze sculptures by the sculptor Gustav Vigeland, which were created between 1907 and 1942. The entire park is a tourist magnet and is therefore one of the top Oslo sights for me.
Viking Ship Museum – Vikingskipshuset
Not only the Fram Museum (history of Norwegian polar research voyages), the Kon-Tiki Museum (raft museum), the Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian Folk Museum) and the Norwegian Maritime Museum (Norsk Maritimt Museum) are located on the Bygdøy peninsula – but also the Viking Ship Museum.
Since 1913, visitors have been able to browse through the museum in the footsteps of the Vikings (admission price NOK 60 approx. EUR 7.50). Vikings are simply part of Norway and Norway’s past and history and are therefore in my top 10 Oslo sights.
Akershus Fortress
If you walk along the waterfront from the City Hall to the Opera House, you will walk around Akershus Fortress. It has shaped the cityscape of Oslo since 1290. The fortress is currently popular as a leisure and green area, and the rooms of the castle are popular for representation purposes due to the magnificent interior furnishings. The mausoleum contains the tombs of the kings of modern times. Two military museums (Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum Resistance Museum and Forsvarsmuseet Defense Museum) have also found their place here. Thus popular on the Oslo sights top 10 list.
Even the high rock on which the castle stands is a little daunting. Back then, it was the perfect place for Norwegian kings and for defense. Nevertheless, the fortress has been besieged several times in history – most recently during the Second World War when it came under German occupation. The fortress was also used as a prison.
The fortress park, the outbuildings and the castle (entrance fee NOK 70 approx. EUR 9.00) can be visited. Together with the oldest part of Oslo, “Gamlebyen”, these are two sights from the Middle Ages. If you are interested in history and old buildings, these are the most important sights from my top 10 list of Oslo sights.
Oslo City Hall
When I first saw Oslo City Hall, I was quickly reminded of the charm of Düsseldorf Central Station. Brown, chunky and two high towers. You have to go into the intricacies of Oslo City Hall to recognize its beauty. The building was officially inaugurated in 1950. However, the first offices had already been occupied since 1939.
The city hall in Oslo consists of the city parliament with its ceremonial rooms and two 66-meter-high towers with offices. In addition to the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, around 400 events are held here every year. Weddings no longer take place here – since 1994, weddings have been held in the modern Tinghus. There is an astronomical clock at the north entrance. The Rauthaus Oslo – a building that should not be missed as a top sight in any Oslo photo book.
Munch Museum
The Munch Museum, where works by Edvard Munch have been exhibited, has been in Oslo since 1963. The famous painter bequeathed these to the city of Oslo in 1940. There are 1100 paintings, 4700 drawings and 6 sculptures in the museum.
The most famous painting “The Scream” is subject to high security measures, as it has been stolen several times – most recently in 2004. It is said that the mask in the horror film “Scream” was based on the painting – also used as a model in the series “Doctor Who” and an emoji smiley on the iPhone – interesting.
If you would like to see more classical works, I can also recommend the National Museum in Oslo (from which “The Scream” was stolen in 1994). If you like looking at modern art, I can recommend the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. Especially in bad weather or early darkness in winter, museums are important sights.
If you plan to visit as many of the Oslo sights top 10 travel tips as possible, I can recommend the Oslo Pass. This already offers free entry to over 30 museums and attractions, many discounts, as well as free use of public transport or free parking in public places. The price for a 24-hour pass is NOK 290, approx. EUR 36.00.
Conclusion – Oslo sights top 10
Norway is generally considered to be expensive, and this is also confirmed in Oslo. For us as tourists, this is most noticeable when it comes to meals. Instead of the EUR 15 at a German Vapiano restaurant, you pay more than twice as much at Vapiano in Norway. For the locals, the prices are quite normal. Alcohol is almost unaffordable for most people in the north. If you want to make a positive impression, bring “alcoholic chocolates” as gifts 🙂 and you will immediately become good friends with the Norwegians…
However, the locals are very open and friendly. You are often greeted with a friendly “Hey” – so it’s easy to be friendly too. Young Norwegians in particular speak very good English, but you are always addressed in Norwegian first – I like that. In contrast to the many dark-haired people in Stockholm, I noticed a lot of blonde women and men in Oslo.
Which hotel should I book in Oslo? Of course, there is a large selection of hotels as a starting point for sightseeing in Oslo. From luxury hotels and good hotels to good bed and breakfast hotels and hostels. I chose the Radisson Blu Hotel at the central station and had a fantastic view of the city all the way to Holmenkollen. A very good location with a great view in Oslo!
I hope my list of my Oslo sights top 10 was helpful as inspiration or travel preparation. My personal travel tips are based on my experiences in Oslo and could hopefully help you as a travel guide to have an unforgettable time in Oslo. Let me know how you liked Oslo and if you have any other insider tips for my next Oslo trip. Have a great time in Oslo! Alternatively, I have prepared my Stockholm Top 10 sights for you…
