The City of Museums

If there is a city that can feature a museum at almost every corner, that is not Paris or Madrid but Oslo. Even though many of the city’s museums have merged over the last several decades, there are at least several dozens of museums that are worth your attention.

When it comes to museums, that’s not going just about galleries. You can find anything up to your taste. Are you a thrill-seeker? Well, the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums won’t leave you unaffected. Or you tend to prefer experimental and extraordinary art? Then the lifelong work of Emanuel Vigeland, the brother of the famous sculptor, will surely impress you. Just fancying world-class art? The National Gallery and Munch Museum welcome you. Or, perhaps, you are a curious mind who wants to get to know more about various things? Head to the Norwegian museum of science and technology and the Holmenkollen ski museum!

Sculptural Heritage

If there is a genuine place for admirers of sculptural art, it’s definitely Oslo. Three unbelievably beautiful and impressive sculpture parks are located in this city. The Vigeland Park, which is a part of a larger Frogner Park, is known worldwide and appears to be the lifelong work of Gustav Vigeland. Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park is also an admirable piece of art, and the park is located right near the Gallery of Contemporary Art. Besides, Tjuvholmen is considered to be the center of art and design within the Norwegian capital.

After all, don’t forget to spend a day exploring the recently opened Ekeberg park, which features the works of world-class artists. Exactly in this place, Edvard Munch created his famous masterpiece “The Scream.” But be ready to spend at least a half of a day here – the park is huge. After all, where else you could find such a treasure like these three parks with free entry?

The Home of Explorers

Norwegians are known as adventurers and explorers. In particular, you should pay a visit to the Fram museum with a known guide, who will narrate you the exciting stories about the adventures of Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen, who used the Fram vessel in order to reach the North and South Poles. This ship is housed in the museum, and you can freely access it! Considering that this ship was the first to reach the South Pole and the first to reach both Poles, it would be a pity not to see it.

Also, don’t forget about visiting the Kon-Tiki museum, located nearby. It narrates the story of Thor Heyerdahl, who, with his partners, crossed the Atlantic in a simple wooden boat. You can also drop in Holmenkollen, the world’s oldest ski museum, which contains really precious artefacts. The statue of Fridtjof Nansen stands in front of the museum (he also was a known skier), and you can get up to the top of ski jump and observe the city from the observation deck.

The City of Ibsen, Munch and Vigeland

Among the top 10 reasons to visit Oslo, one shouldn’t forget about Henrik Ibsen, Gustav Vigeland, and Edvard Munch. These, without exaggeration, legendary personalities have brought Oslo in the world’s spotlight. They lived and worked in this city, bringing it to prominence. Gustav Vigeland created the world-known park, while his brother Emanuel laid the foundation for the future (present-day) museum. Edvard Munch is known worldwide thanks to his work “The Scream,” which was written in the Ekeberg Park in Oslo. Ibsen lived in a house at Karl Johans Gate and even visited the official ceremony of the National Theater opening.

The Long-Standing Fortress

Among the top 10 reasons to visit Oslo the Akershus Fortress cannot be missed. This fortress has stood at the waterfront since the end of the 13^th century and tends to be a genuine symbol of the city. The one who controls the fortress controls Oslo. To say nothing that this fortress was located on that site long before the city of Christiania (the present-day Oslo) was rebuilt near it.

The First Ski Jump and Museum

Norway is truly a paradise for skiers. And that’s not only thanks to a number of ski jumps and top-notch locations for skiing (observe them here), but also thanks to the world’s first ski jump and ski museum. Just take a metro and head to Holmenkollen. After you explore everything in the museum, you can climb up to the observation deck and get a spectacular view of the city.

Scandinavian Center of Art and Design

Oslo can be truly called the Scandinavian center of art and design, whereas the city hosts an astonishing number of international exhibitions every year. This reason, among other top 10 reasons to visit Oslo, can be proven simply by observing the number of art galleries and studies that opened in the Norwegian capital during the last decade.

Amazing Architecture

Amazing architecture is another reason why you should come to this city. Who hasn’t heard of the Oslo Opera House or hasn’t seen the photo of Bjorvika, which is frequently displayed in many pictures of Oslo. Another building to pay attention to is the Statoil headquarters in Oslo. After all, stroll across Tjuvholmen and observe the stunning contemporary architecture.

Marvelous Fjord

Oslo is located next to the fjord of the same name, and a number of docks are located throughout the city. It’s up to you, however, whether to sit in a riverside restaurant and enjoy the views or take a boat and head to one of the neighboring islands.

Norwegian Cuisine

Even though the Norwegian cuisine is not so well-known as Spanish or French, it is still worth trying it out. Get ready for large amounts of fish and seafood to be consumed. You can, for example, grab a good deal of seafood and fish at Fiskeriet or drop in the special place Pjoltergeist. After all, there is a restaurant called Maaemo that features three Michelin stars, but tends to be rather pricey and the tables must be booked at least a few months in advance.

Top 10 Reasons to Visit Oslo: At the End…

These are just the top 10 reasons to visit Oslo, but this list can be truly countless. There is something genuinely magical in this city, which allows everyone to find something he/she likes. And this magic will keep you returning here again and again.