Oslo

Munch Museum

Features paintings by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch. Be aware that some of Edvard Munchs more famous pictures may actually be shown in the National Gallery, so don't complain that "The Scream" is not on display! Included in the Oslo Pass.

 

Somewhat outside the city center is a peninsula called Bygdøy. You can get there by bus number 30 or, in summer months Apr--Sep, by ferry departing from pier 3 at Aker Brygge outside the city hall. At Bygdøy, you will find two groups of museums within walking distance of each other:In the first group, around 800 metres inland:

 

Oslo has a huge amount of museums.If you are planning on seeing several of the expensive attractions in a short period of time, then the most cost effective way to do this is to buy an Oslo Pass (http://www.visitoslo.com/...). It includes unlimited entry to most of the museums and the Holmenkollen ski jump but not the Royal Palace, free travel on Oslo's quite expensive public transport NOK 270 for 24 hrs, and even limited discounts on some restaurants and other attractions. Students get a 20% discount on the Oslo pass. You could also buy a travel card allowing unlimited travel on public transport no student discount on this for NOK 75 24 hrs. You can buy 24, 48 or 72 hour Oslo passes or travel cards. They can be purchased at Tourist Information Offices in Oslo.

parks

Oslo is a very green city. Lots of parks are scattered around town.

Frogner Park

T-bane, tram 11-19, bus 22-25-45-46 to Majorstua, tram 12 or bus 20 to Vigelandsparken, with the Vigeland Sculpture Park is a large green area about 10 minutes by subway from the city center. In addition to being a nice green recreational area, it is also decorated with hundreds of sculptures by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere here, although the sculptures are a little depressing. If your children want to climb the statues, nobody will even bother to look twice at you. There is also a cafeteria, and two museums, the City Museum of Oslo and the Vigeland Museum. If you fancy an outdoor swim, Frognerbadet is situated next to the Frognerpark with 3 pools, several diving towers and a water slide.

Botanical Garden

tram 17 or bus 31 to Lakkegata skole or t-bane to Tøyen, walking distance 200 metres, (http://www.nhm.uio.no/hag...). Located just south of Tøyen park, the garden is a wonderful and relaxing area. Free entrance, opening hours 1 Apr-30 Sep: Sa-Su 10AM-8PM, M-F 7AM-8PM, 1 Oct-31 Mar: Sa-Su 10AM-5PM, M-F 7AM-5PM.

St.Hanshaugen

bus 37 to St.Hanshaugen is a delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund cemetery. The park has also given name to this popular neighborhood as well as to the larger administrative district borough that includes major parts of central Oslo.

Slottsparken

Palace Park surrounds the Royal Palace at the top of Karl Johan street. Oslo's most central park is a pleasant grass covered area with majestic old trees. Wide walkways crisscross the park.

Birkelunden and Olaf Ryes plass

Two cool parks in eastern Oslo, situated in the Grünerløkka, a so called Greenwich village look-alike area. On sundays, there is a second-hand market in Birkelunden.

Sofienbergparken

A lot of activities all day long and especially in the weekends; ballplay, pick-nick, public barbecue, specially nice area for children.

Visit Ekeberg, the steep, green hill east of centre. From the wide hairpin bend at road Valhallaveien there is a great view of the city. This point is assumed to be the background for 'Scream', Edvard Munch's famous picture.

Stensparken

is close to Bislett Stadium trams 17 and 18. This charming park has an old church and a café on the top and is your best bet if St. Hanshaugen is too crowdy only a few minutes walk away.

buildings and structures

Architecture in Oslo may at first seem dull. Unlike for instance its Swedish counterpart, Stockholm, downtown Oslo has only scattered monumental buildings where in particular the Parliament-Palace axis upper part of Karl Johan Street has a certain Parisian grandeur. The charm of Oslo can also be found in the affluent inner-city suburbs of for instance Frogner and Fagerborg as well as above St.Hanshaugen park. Northern Europe has a distinct wooden house tradition. Wooden houses are not allowed downtown, but these charming houses can be found in large numbers in villa suburbs such as Bygdøy and Holmenkollen, or former workers' areas such as Rodeløkka, Kampen, Vålerenga, Damstredet, Hellerud or Telthusbakken. Oslo also has many exciting building projects and a huge part of the city's waterfront will in a few years have changed.