Introduction
When we think of Norway we usually think of beautiful hikes, steep fjords, and the magnificent beauty of the country’s landscape. This is why most of the time the beauty of its capital city is often overlooked. In reality, Oslo is a great city, with plenty of things to see and do. In this article, we bring you the perfect Oslo travel itinerary for those who are lazy enough or don’t have too much time to plan the trip.
Oslo’s history starts in 1048 and over time became one of the most important cities in medieval Scandinavia. It was largely destroyed by fire in 1624 but rebuilt in time for Norway’s centenary in 1814. Oslo has a rich cultural tradition with many museums, theatres, and other venues for performing arts.
Oslo is also one of the greenest capitals in Europe, with over fifty percent of its area is covered by forests, parks, and gardens. Vigelandsparken is one of the most popular parks in the city that many tourists, as well as locals, enjoy.
What to See and Do in Oslo?
As mentioned already there are plenty of things to do in Oslo. However, before we move on to the list of activities, there is one thing to know. Even though Norway is not in the EU, it is member of Schengen Agreement, which means that from 2023 you will need to apply for ETIAS Visa waiver to enter Norway, much like the EU. This is an important change that is often overlooked in different travel guides, but it is very important in planning the vacations.
Anyway, let’s get back to Oslo. In this perfect Oslo travel itinerary, we present some of the top-rated sightseeing and activities you can do in Oslo:
Oslo Royal Palace
The Oslo Royal Palace is the official residence of the King and Queen of Norway. It has been in use since 1849, but it was originally built in 1697 by the Danish-Norwegian king Christian V as a city palace.
The Oslo Royal Palace stands right next to the Norwegian Parliament Building. It is one of three palaces in Norway that are not located on the outskirts of major cities, and it is also one of two that are still used for their original purpose.
Nobel Peace Center
The Nobel Peace Center was established in 2005. It is a museum that explores the consequences of war and violence and aims to promote peace.
The Nobel Peace Center has a permanent exhibition on the history of Nobel Peace Prize laureates, their lives, struggles and achievements. The main exhibition features photographs by Nick Ut, one of the most famous photojournalists in history. The photo exhibition displays pictures from some of the most significant moments in modern history such as Vietnamese children running from a napalm attack to an Afghan girl who lost her family during the Soviet invasion.
The exhibitions are interactive with computer screens that provide information about each event or topic or allow visitors to explore different aspects of peace-making through short films or games such as “Invisible Reality”.
Munch Museum
Munch museum includes Munch’s entire collection of paintings and drawings, his prints, and some of his sculptures. It also has a large collection of works by other Scandinavian artists who were inspired by Munch. Originally the museum opened in 1963, but in 2021 the entire collection was moved to a new building. The museum has over 500 paintings, 4,000 drawings and prints and 3,000 books. It has served as a research center for many years. The museum also organizes exhibitions of both Norwegian and international artists.
Vigeland Park
Vigeland Park is a sculpture park that was designed by Gustav Vigeland and opened on August 15, 1943. The park provides a good example of Vigeland’s work as it is the most complete representation of his style.
The sculpture park contains 212 bronze and granite sculptures that are situated on an island in Frognerkilen bay. The sculptures are placed on the slopes and flat surfaces of the hillside and around the perimeter, with some sculptures reaching as high as 18 meters above ground level.
Conclusion
In this perfect Oslo travel itinerary, we have brought forward some of the very best destinations in the city. While it might still appear shallow, it is just the first impression. Oslo is a beautiful city with dozens of green places where you can enjoy your picnic or listen to the birds chirping. One thing to always remember is that Oslo is a very expensive city even by Scandinavian standards. So, make sure you don’t overspend on your first day there to make the most out of your vacation.
