Place's to visit in Oslo

A building that was awarded the 2008 prize for the best cultural building at the World Architectural festival, the Opera House is a stunning contemporary European building. It is shaped like a ship or a glacier and also seems to float on the Bjorvika inlet. You will have to climb the marble slopes for a unique view of the city. However, make sure you are able to bear the -5 degree temperature!

Located on the highest hill in Oslo, this park presents a scenic environment and a spectacular view of the city.

Apart from being a recreational park, this place provides other fun filled activities including playing ball, picnics, public barbeques and is a special attraction for kids.

Located south of the Toyen Park, the Botanical Garden in Oslo is a delightful public place for relaxation and evening solitude. The lush beauty will certainly wear away the day’s tiredness.

Located 10 minutes from the city centre, the Vigeland Sculpture Park serves both as a recreational area and hosts several sculptures by famous artist Gustav Vigeland. The park also includes two other museums and a cafeteria.

Located at Hausmanns Gate 16, this is a thriving architecture and design centre hosting regular exhibitions, children activities, conferences and complete with cafés and bookstalls.

This will be a highly exciting trip with wonders like the 1100 year old Viking ships (among the best preserved ships), Viking burial chambers, ancient skeletons and other artefacts.

A huge open building, The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History showcases the city between 1850s and 1980s. It is worth a visit.

Open to the public for a couple of hours every Sunday, the Emanuel Vigeland Museum is among Oslo’s best kept secrets. While this building was originally meant for Gustav Vigeland’s artworks, it was later converted into a mausoleum. There are no windows in this 800 sq metres. fresco and looming large is painted of the various stages of human life, from birth to death.

The Oslo Cathedral is used by the Norwegian Royal Family and the government. While it is an age old building, the Oslo Cathedral has recently gained a lot of attention after the 2011 terrorist attacks. In the aftermath of this incident, this square had been completely covered by roses, mourning messages, greetings and candles for more than a week and presently it serves as a platform for all the peace ceremonies.

Oslo was founded back in 1048 by the famous King Harald Hardrade. It was around the 1300’s that the city became the capital of the country and since has been destroyed and reconstructed several times. While nothing really remains of the medieval Oslo, you will get to see some abandoned ruins. Oslo is largely a farmer’s country but historical sites have been aptly conserved in parks and in the modern city periphery.

Located on the city’s main avenue, the Karl Johan’s Gate, the Royal Palace is a 19th century building built for the royal family. A vast architecture with 173 rooms, make this among the first historical monuments in your itinerary. The Royal Palace has a long history of wealth and devastation and today stands as the residence of the present Norwegian monarch.