Oslo, Norway

Oslo is a large city but very walkable. The main areas are Aker Brygge, Vigeland Park, Sentrum, and Sofienberg. There are other areas to explore but these are the main areas we ventured in. If you don’t feel like walking, then grab a scooter or electric bicycle, they are everywhere and you’re charged by the hour.

In Sofienberg we found the Botanical Garden, Victoriahuset. The park is quite large and also houses the Natural History Museum, amongst other buildings. After leaving the garden we headed to Territoriet Vin Bar for a glass of wine and music. Vinyl records are a big thing in Oslo.

After relaxing we headed south to see the Oslo Opera House. The unique design allows you to walk up ramps alongside the building to stand on the rooftop.

They say the best fish and chips in the city is at The Dubliners Folk Pub just to the west of the Opera House. I’m not sure if it’s the best, but we did eat there twice.

One of the best streets in Oslo is Karl Johans Gate. It is lined with shops, restaurants, bars, and pubs. There is no traffic so bikes and scooters are all you have to avoid. There are also street performers and artists all along the sidewalks.

Far to the east, we headed to The Vigeland Park. A large park with over 200 sculptures made of iron, bronze, and granite that took 40 years to make and was finished in 1949. After passing by the fountain we came to the Monolith, made of 121 figures floating upwards 46 feet. It is said to represent the resurrection.

Back towards Aker Brygge, we strolled along the waterway filled with shops and restaurants, both on and off boats. Eventually, we headed into the Akershus Fortress. Constructed in 1290-1300 it saw several sieges but was never conquered. It was handed over to the Germans in 1940 and liberated in 1945.

There are mounted training grounds, a castle, the Resistance Museum, and other sites to see. The castle self-guided tour is very educational and takes about 30 minutes.

Lastly is the city center which is flooded with shops, restaurants, and parks. In the summer the sun stays up till 10:00 or later which gave us plenty of time to walk around. Traffic is encouraged to avoid the center so walking was very pleasurable. The streets are separated by parks filled with flowers and then there is the promenade that heads towards the Royal Palace.

There is plenty to see and do in Oslo. A few days didn’t give us time to see it all.