Things to do in Oslo

Situated in the heart of the city center is Akershus Fortress, Oslo’s medieval castle. Dating back to the 14th century, this impressive fortress has endured its fair share of sieges and has a story or two to tell. Thanks to King Christian IV (1588-1648), the castle was transformed into a splendid Renaissance royal residence.

More than one million visitors per year visit Oslo’s Sculpture Park (Vigelandsparken), and with good reason. Both the layout and landscape of the park, and the 200 granite, cast iron and bronze sculptures inside, are the work of Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. He was an artist with a story to tell, and Vigelandsparken is the embodiment of that narrative.

Norway's variety of museums range from mainstream to beyond description. In addition to art and history museums, take a look at the Norwegian Museum of Magic (Norsk Tryllemuseum) where you can uncover the secrets of magic, and learn from Norway's best practitioners. And what´s a trip to Norway without saying hello to the Vikings? The Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset) displays ships, tools, and finds from Viking tombs.

Does your Norway adventure look green in your dreams? You should have plenty of opportunities to get in touch with nature while you’re in Oslo. The fabulously diverse Botanical Gardens (Botanisk hage) features thousands of plant species, a Scent Garden made especially for the visually or mentally impaired, and the Palm and Victoria Houses, which display plants from all over the world.