JC. Princen Norway Travel Guide | Oslo is a city in an unsurpassed location, with amazing history, outstanding galleries and museums, and an active waterfront and harbour region.
Arriving
Oslo airport is located approximately 35 kilometers (22 miles) from the city center. There are excellent train and bus services that connect the airport with the city.
Moving on
The train ride from Oslo to Bergen takes 6-7 hours. The flight is 1 hour.
Day 1 in Oslo
Morning
Start your day by walking through Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s bustling main street, populated with a throng of tourists during the summer. Stop to take in the magnificent building of the Universitetet and take a quick trip to the Nasjonal Galleriet, which houses a massive collection of Norwegian artwork, including some of the best paintings by Edvard Munch. Push through towards the Royal Palace (Det Kongelige Slottet), which is a sprawling 19th century structure that is accessible with a guide. Take a stroll through the park surrounding the palace before heading to the Ibsenmuseet, which was the recently restored residence of the playwright and political activist Henrik Ibsen.
Afternoon
Enjoy a relaxing time at the waterfront, watching the ferry boats shuffle in and out, and strolling through the mainboard walk that runs alongside the AkerBrygge sprawling shopping and entertainment complex the city’s primary shipyard. Make sure you visit the Nobel Peace Center, which honors equally the Nobel Peace prize itself and the recipients of the award. You should also plan an excursion to Radhuset (City Hall), which is a landmark brick building at the harbour’s back. You can take a free guided tour of Radhuset and take in the magnificent murals.
Day 2 in Oslo
Morning
Explore the headland that is hilly and overlooks Oslo harbor, where the main attraction is Akershus Festning, a historic medieval castle, that is also home to the Royal Mausoleum. After that, make sure you go to the Norges Hjemmefront museum, which is dedicated to the Norwegians who fought in the Resistance in the fight against German occupation during World War II. Continue towards the Museet of Samtidskunst which is where you can take in Oslo’s largest collection of modern art, and then head to Oslo’s Opera House, a striking illustration of contemporary design.
Afternoon
Get on the passenger ferry to the lush Bygdoy peninsula, which is the home of no less than 5 of Oslo’s most popular museums. People who love museums will want to visit all of them, but the preferred one for the top spot is the Norsk Folke museum, a vast complex that includes an outdoor area that includes over 150 wooden structures that were brought in from across southern Norway. Don’t overlook the indoor area that is dedicated to costumes and traditional dress from rural Norway. Finish the day with a visit to the world-famous Vikingskipshuset, where three magnificent Viking longboats are displayed.
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Featured image: wikimedia
