Welcome To Scandinavia!
Welcome to the heart of Scandinavia, the picturesque capital of Norway—Oslo! Nestled with stunning fjords and lush greenery, this vibrant city invites you to immerse yourself in breathtaking natural beauty and iconic attractions; Oslo is a top-of-the-list place to visit!
I visited Oslo on a solo trip, not knowing what to expect because I had booked a spontaneous same-day flight. Despite being one of the most expensive countries to live in or visit, Oslo pleasantly surprised me.
Whether you visit Norway for the cultural or scenery bits, one thing is certain: Oslo will leave a lasting impression. In this blog, I’ll recommend the best five things to visit in Norway. With plenty to see and do, it was a tough list to make, but here it is!
NUMBER ONE
OSLO STREET FOOD COURT
Travelling gives you an excuse to try all types of foods, whether old-time favourites or a dish you won’t find anywhere else. We can all agree that knowing a great food spot is critical! This is why I’ve ranked Oslo Street Food Court the number one place to visit: it’s THAT delicious.
Where there is good food, there are good spirits. With good vibes and a great selection of snacks, main courses, desserts, and beverages, you can’t go wrong!
My first feast at the Oslo Street Food Court was at Tacos Al Pastor for some yummy Tacos
The Oslo Street Food Court was so yummy! My first meal was tacos because, hey, I was in Norway, but for me, it was still Tacos Tuesdays. I tried truffle pasta at the Viva La Pasta vendor for my second main. God damn! This vendor brought the best of Italy to Norway!
Tucking into round 2 at the Oslo Street Food Court. Viva La Pasta Truffle Pasta
The Oslo Street Food Court offers many other vendors’ foods, including Indian, Asian, Italian, Mexican, Japanese, and Greek. The desserts also looked good. I saw mainly crepes and waffles but was too stuffed to try them.
The overall experience here was a vibe as a solo traveller. I had a great time and made friends at the Oslo Street Food Court, which concluded in an epic bar crawl later on.
Also, this food court turns into a club called’ Klubb Torggata’ on the weekends from 11 p.m. Good food, good drinks, and a party? Your day can start and end here at the Oslo Street Food Court!
Address: Oslo Street Food, Torggata 16, 0181 Oslo, Norway. Gluten/vegetarian options are also available. Check out http://www.oslo-streetfood.no/ or Instagram @Oslo_streetfood
Moving on, next at number 2 is…
NUMBER TWO
THE OSLO VIGELAND SCULPTURE PARK & MUSEUM
The Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum is a stunning masterpiece that deserves your attention! Visualise your number one favourite sculptor or artist and your favourite piece of work from them. Now, visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park because you might just have a new favourite artist!
Gustav Vigeland designed and created the Vigeland Sculpture Park over 40 years ago. It is truly a work of art with over 200 granite, bronze, and wrought iron sculptures. No questions asked; this is a MUST-SEE.
Understanding the dedication and time invested in creating these pieces is truly awe-inspiring; the Vigeland Sculpture Park is simply a display of pure talent. Although there were many visitors, this trendy place doesn’t feel overcrowded. Plus, it’s outdoors, so it’s a great place to visit, especially on a nice summer day.
At Vigeland Sculpture Park and The Monolith in the distance
Throughout the park, numerous sculptures scatter, with the tallest one being ‘The Monolith,’ carved from a single large stone block. Featuring 121 human figures clinging and floating together, the sculpture showcases children at its peak, symbolizing the resurrection of life and spirituality.
More of Vigeland Sculptures and The Monolith
The park also has a museum that showcases Vigeland’s 3D art and temporary exhibitions. It is Vigeland’s former studio and residence, so it is a great place to visit. However, I didn’t check the opening and closing times of the Vigeland Sculpture Park beforehand, so I missed it when I went. You can check the opening times here. The park, however, is open 24/7.
Address: The Vigeland Sculpture Park is Nobels Gate 32, 0268 Oslo, Norway. Limited paid parking is available, and the park is wheelchair accessible. Near the park’s entrance are a few cafes, all with facilities.
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Next up, and really should be joint second, is this amazing place to visit.
NUMBER THREE
THE NOBEL PEACE CENTER IN OSLO
Filled with amazing inspiration and heartbreak, you’ll have an emotional rollercoaster inside the Nobel Peace Centre as you quickly get lost in the moment. Step inside, take it all in, and completely shut out from the world you know and into our reality.
This is a place of reflection on war, peace, and conflict resolution, with profound, educated, historic, and heroic moments captured. It is an epic experience to see all the good and evil in the world and how each has contributed to society. The Nobel Peace Center is impressive and showcases current affairs like the Ukraine war.
This is a must-see place in Oslo, with interactive screens, audio, and video. The Nobel Peace Centre is the only one of its kind, so make it a priority!
Entrance to the Nobel Peace Building and an interactive and educational feature inside
Quick History Behind Nobel Peace
Alfred Nobel was a Swedish chemist, engineer, entrepreneur, and inventor. He is famous for his invention of dynamite, which made history!
Alfred Nobel, who died at 63 in 1895, left behind 94% of his assets, which were 31 million SEK (est. £2,501691). In his will, he said he wanted to award a prize to those who ‘during the preceding year, have conferred the greatest benefit to human mankind ‘.
Furthermore, he aimed to reward individuals who promoted peace in the world and made positive contributions to society, leading to what is now recognized as the ‘Nobel Peace Prize’.
The prizes are awarded in five fields: Physics, Chemistry, Physiology or Medicine, Literature, and Peace.
All Nobel prizes are awarded in Sweden except the Peace Prize, which was awarded in Oslo, Norway, where Alfred Nobel lived for some years and fell in love.
The building of Nobel Peace and prize winners
The first prize was awarded in 1901 and is now awarded yearly. Winners are known as ‘Laureates‘ and receive a gold medal, diploma and a monetary reward. As of 2023, the monetary prize is 11 million SEK (£843,772).
Address: The Nobel Peace Prize is at Brynjulf Bulls Plass 1, 0250 Oslo, Norway. Built as a train station in 1872, this is now the building of The Nobel Centre. It is wheelchair accessible and has toilets and a gift shop inside.
Moving on, the 4th place to visit is…
NUMBER FOUR
FRAM POLAR EXPLORATION MUSEUM
The FRAM Polar Exploration Museum is worthy of a visit. Filled with great polar history, the museum offers expeditions from vessels to explorers’ knowledge. Although I had minimal knowledge of polar history, with lots to read, watch, and interact with, I left the museum as nearly an expert! Haha.
Dedicated to early polar exploration, this FRAM Polar Museum offers a fascinating display of history to explore leisurely. The various detailed exhibits provide a lot of information.
Expect maps, pictures, containers, and interactive boards. You’ll also have the opportunity to board the FRAM ship and explore the decks and bunkrooms—visiting the FRAM Polar Museum is a great way to spend your afternoon.
FRAM Polar Museum ship, North Pole outfit and interactive screens
FRAM, which means ‘Forward’, is the polar ship itself. It launched in 1892, earning a reputation as the strongest ship ever built. Utilized for racing against others towards the South Pole, it ventured into the most remote and uncharted territory.
The FRAM Polar Museum is located near several other museums, including the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Viking Ship Museum, and the Norwegian Maritime Museum.
You can purchase a joint ticket pass at one of these mentioned museums or the FRAM Polar Museum, allowing you to explore all of them at a discounted rate. These joint tickets can only be purchased at the museum.
Address: The FRAM Polar Museum is at Bygdøynesveien 39, 0286 Oslo, Norway. Toilets and cafes are located on-site or nearby.
Last but by no means least, at number 5, I recommend this next place to visit…
NUMBER FIVE
THE NORWEIGAN NATIONAL OPERA & BALLET (OSLO OPERA HOUSE)
This famous architecture alone is a must-visit, as the design is a well-recognised signature of the Oslo Opera House. It is made of stone, wood and metal, and most artwork is integrated into the structure. Eight art projects involving 17 artists are featured in the structure. Sounds pretty cool already, ey?
The Oslo Opera House was designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snohetta, which has received several prestigious awards. It hosts three main events: opera, ballet, and concert, and it has three main stages. The main stage boasts 1369 seats, the second house has 400 seats, and the studio has 200 seats.
Outside the Oslo Opera House – walk to the roof for the best views
The white exterior of the diagonal, angled building has large-scale windows through which rehearsals and activities can be glimpsed. The Oslo Opera House is located by the harbour and is nice to hang around on a nice summer day.
I recommend walking up the roof of the Oslo Opera House and enjoying the phenomenal panoramic views of Oslo all year round. Sometimes concerts are performed on the rooftop, so look for cool events hosting this experience.
Unfortunately, my phone died, so I couldn’t take pictures of the awesome scenery. This is a perfect time to remind you to invest in a battery pack charger to prevent this from happening to you! It’s a bummer, for real!
Address: The Oslo Opera House is at Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, 0150 Oslo, Norway. The building is wheelchair accessible and has toilets located inside.
That’s A Wrap!
That’s a wrap. Norway is a great place to visit! I hope this article helps and inspires you to see Oslo on a solo trip; it’s very worthy of exploration!
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Looking for other locations to visit while in Norway? Check out’ Where to visit in Norway‘.
