- Oslo holds the unique title of hosting the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony annually, while the other Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm.
- The city is one of the world's few capitals that allows residents and visitors to go alpine skiing or forest hiking within the city limits via public transport.
- Oslo has a municipal policy of carbon-neutral growth and is a global leader in electric vehicle adoption per capita.
- The city's 'Oslo Marka' consists of protected forest zones that surround the urban area, preventing suburban sprawl and ensuring permanent access to nature.
- Despite its northern latitude, the city experiences significant seasonal light variation, ranging from nearly 19 hours of daylight in June to about 6 hours in December.
About Oslo
Oslo serves as the economic and governmental hub of Norway, uniquely positioned between the deep Oslofjord and vast forested hills. The city architecture spans from the medieval fortifications of Akershus Fortress to the modern, accessible roofline of the Oslo Opera House. Cultural depth is showcased at Munch, which preserves the extensive artistic legacy of Edvard Munch. Visitors can easily navigate between expansive green spaces like The Vigeland Park and the maritime heritage found at the Fram Museum.
Highlights of Oslo
The places our editors single out — and why they're worth your time.
Venues
Walk on the slanted white marble roof to gain a panoramic view of the Oslofjord.
Parks
Explore the world's largest sculpture park created by a single artist, featuring over 200 granite and bronze works.
Museums
Step aboard the original polar exploration ship, the strongest wooden vessel ever built, housed inside the museum.
Historical places
Tour the stone ramparts of this 13th-century castle that has served as a royal residence and prison.
Museums
View one of the world's most comprehensive collections of Edvard Munch's paintings, including versions of 'The Scream'.
Historical places
Observe the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony in front of the official residence of the Norwegian monarch.
Museums
Browse Norway's largest collection of art, architecture, and design, featuring major works from the National Gallery.
Parks
Visit the 1814-founded gardens featuring a historic palm house and a vast collection of alpine flora.
Top things to do in Oslo
The 476 highest-rated places in Oslo, ranked by travellers.
1
Venues
The Oslo Opera House is a contemporary performing arts venue defined by its sloping, white Italian Carrara marble roof t...
2
Parks
The Vigeland Park is the world's largest sculpture park created by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland, containing over 200...
3
Parks
Frognerparken is Norway's most visited attraction, serving as a vast public green space housing the Vigeland Sculpture P...
4
Historical places
Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle and military fortification located on the Oslofjord waterfront. Construction bega...
5
Museums
The Fram Museum houses the Fram, the world's strongest wooden ship, which held the record for reaching the farthest nort...
6
Museums
MUNCH is a 13-story museum located in Oslo's Bjørvika district dedicated to the life and works of Edvard Munch. The muse...
7
Historical places
The Royal Palace in Oslo serves as the official residence of the Norwegian monarch and is a neoclassical landmark comple...
8
Museums
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, located on the Bygdøy peninsula, is one of the world's oldest open-air museums...
9
Museums
The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo houses the world's best-preserved 9th-century Viking ships, the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tun...
10
Museums
The National Museum of Norway is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries, consolidating the collections of the fo...
11
Parks
The Botanical Garden in Oslo is the oldest botanical garden in Norway, established in 1814 as part of the University of...
12
Museums
The Holmenkollen Ski Museum is the oldest museum in the world dedicated to skiing, housed directly beneath the iconic Ho...
13
Museums
The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology houses the national collections covering industrial history, energy, oil,...
14
Amusement parks
Tusenfryd is Norway's largest amusement park, located approximately 20 kilometers south of Oslo. The park is renowned fo...
15
Venues
The National Theatre in Oslo is one of Norway's most prominent performing arts institutions, housed in an ornate 1899 bu...
16
Temples
Oslo Cathedral is the main church for the Church of Norway's Oslo Diocese and a primary venue for state and royal events...
17
Museums
The Kon-Tiki Museum in Oslo houses the original balsa-wood raft Kon-Tiki used by Thor Heyerdahl during his 1947 expediti...
18
Museums
The Nobel Peace Center is located in the former Vestbanen railway station in Oslo, serving as the official museum for th...
19
Temples
Gol Stave Church is a medieval wooden structure originally constructed in the village of Gol in Hallingdal around 1200....
20
Museums
The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is housed in a three-part building designed by Renzo Piano, featuring a curved...
21
Museums
The Natural History Museum in Oslo is Norway's largest collection of natural objects, encompassing both the Botanical Ga...
22
Parks
Slottsparken is the expansive 54-acre public park surrounding the Royal Palace in Oslo, serving as the official residenc...
23
Venues
Folketeateret is a prominent theater and multi-purpose venue located in the historic Folketeaterbygningen building in do...
24
Venues
Oslo City Hall is the prominent administrative center of Oslo, recognized globally as the venue for the annual Nobel Pea...
25
Parks
Sofienberg Park serves as a central recreational hub for the Grünerløkka district of Oslo, located on the site of a form...
26
Zoos
Oslo Reptile Park is a specialized indoor facility located in central Oslo that houses approximately 100 animals across...
27
Museums
The Historical Museum in Oslo is part of the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo and houses the country...
28
Venues
Ullevaal Stadion serves as the official home ground for the Norway national football team and hosts the annual Norwegian...
29
Parks
Huk is a prominent public recreational area located at the southern tip of the Bygdøy peninsula in Oslo. The park featur...
30
Museums
The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum is located within the historic Akershus Fortress in Oslo and documents the country's m...
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Oslo on the map
Top attractions plotted across the city.
Plan your visit to Oslo
June through August offers the longest daylight hours and stable temperatures ideal for exploring the fjord and outdoor parks.
3-4 days to comfortably experience the major museums, the waterfront, and the surrounding natural landmarks.
The city features an integrated network of trams, metro lines (T-bane), buses, and ferries that connect the center to the surrounding islands.
Stay in Sentrum for proximity to major transit and the harbor, or Grünerløkka for a denser concentration of local cafes and independent boutiques.
Oslo is considered an expensive destination, particularly for dining out and alcohol, though many public parks and waterfront areas are free to access.
Frequently asked
Aventuro lists 476 curated attractions in and around Oslo, ranked by traveller ratings.
Oslo Opera House is the highest-rated place to visit in Oslo right now.
The largest category is museums, with 104 places to explore.
Travellers also explore Bergen, Drammen, Bryne.
Explore more of Norway
Other cities ranked by number of curated places.
