Schmap Oslo Neighborhood Guide

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Oslo - Neighborhood Guide
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Oslo Home

With its population of around 500,000, Oslo is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, flanked by nature on almost all sides. The city's communication system is convenient, with buses, trams, an underground system, trains and ferries. It takes you all around town, into the wilderness or out to one of the islands of the inner Oslo fjord, all in less than 20 minutes.

The OsloCard is a discount card that is worth thinking about if you are staying for a few days and want to see all the sights; it will give you discounts on most things, including transport. You can buy the card at tourist information centres, the Central Station, Trafikanten, hotels, Narvesen-newsagents and certain post offices. You can buy the card for one, two or three days, and as single or family cards.

Oslo Central Station

The transport hub is in and around Oslo Central Station, Sentralstasjonen. Diagonally across the street you find the main Bus Terminal. The train station itself is served by local, intercity and international trains, as well as the Airport Train (Flytoget). Shopping centre Byporten is adjacent to the railway station. Across the street is another big shopping centre, Oslo City.

Kart Johans Gate

Walking west from the station, you are at the beginning of Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's partly pedestrian parade street. On your right as you walk up the sloping hill is Oslo Cathedral, dating from the late seventeenth century. It is open daily, free of charge. Further up Karl Johan, passing shops, restaurants and pubs on the way, you find the Parliament building, Stortinget, on the left hand side, with its original neo-Romanesque architecture. Across the street, the five-star Grand Hotel has greeted its guests in style for more than a century. Grand Café has been the favourite haunt of famous Norwegian artists, including playwright Henrik Ibsen. The little green spot of Studenterlunden on the other side has an open-air restaurant and a large pond, which becomes a very popular ice rink in the winter. At the end of it is the Neo-Classical National Theatre, built in 1899 and guarded by the statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. In addition to a magnificent Rococo theatre seating 800, Nationaltheateret has its own gallery with a unique portrait collection. Back on the other side of Karl Johan, you find the oldest part of the University of Oslo, built in 1852. Inside the main Assembly Hall, you can see three great works by painter Edvard Munch, Sun, Alma Mater and History.

Just a short walk up Universitetsgaten, the most extensive collection of art in Norway is on display at the National Gallery (with free admission). You can see work by famous Norwegian artists such as Edvard Munch, Christian Krohg and J.C. Dahl as well as international names like Picasso, El Greco, Matisse and Van Gogh. Around the corner is the University Museum, divided into a historical section, displaying Viking finds, runic stones and religious art, and an ethnological section with artefacts from all over the world, collected by Norwegian anthropologists. On St. Olavs gate there are two reasons to visit the Museum of the Applied Arts: the Norwegian and foreign applied arts, fashion and design items exhibited here, and the delightful, nineteenth-century museum coffee shop Café Solliløkka.

Karl Johans Gate runs all the way up to theRoyal Palace, built by the eponymous nineteenth-century king, Karl Johan, who ruled the union of Sweden and Norway. Strolling in Slottsparken, the royal gardens surrounding the palace, you can look at memorable statues, enjoy a picnic or take a nap in the shade of a tree.

From here, you should be able to see the twin towers of Rådhuset, the Town Hall, facing Oslo harbour. It was inaugurated in 1950, to coincide with Oslo's 900-year anniversary. The Town Hall is open every day except Sunday and frequently hosts various exhibitions. At the waterfront you can also find the main Tourist Office. Further along the pier, Aker Brygge beckons with its exclusive shops, restaurants, pubs and bars. Probably the most packed area of Oslo in the summer!

Back in the city, Akershus Fortress stands guard at the harbour. This was originally a residence for kings, but later (in 1592) was remodelled to become fortress armed with cannons. Today you can see the famous author Henrik Wergeland's office, the Castle church, the Royal Mausoleum and the Resistance Museum inside the fortress. The army still uses parts of the fortress, and you can see the daily changing of the guards here.

Back on shore, Akershusstranda leads uptown past the Astrup Fearnley Museum of modern art. Temporary exhibitions here show mainly post-war art, and part of the museum is permanent as well. More modern art is on show in the innovative Museet for Samtidskunst at Bankplassen. Stop by Christiania Torv, where the big statue of king Christian IV's glove in the centre of the square points out the spot where he decided to rebuild the city after the big fire in 1624.

Bygdøy

From the harbour you can also take a ferry to Bygdøy and Dronningen, where the five most popular museums of Oslo are located, the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum being the largest. It contains more than 150 old, original buildings from all of Norway, including a stave church. There is also a large collection of traditional costumes, furniture, silverware, jewellery and artefacts. Only a short stroll away, in the Viking Ship Museum, the three ritual ships in which Viking kings and queens were once buried take you back in time.

Three other museums are located at Bygdøynes. At the Kon-Tiki Museum, you can see the papyrus boats Ra I and Ra II, and the Kon-Tiki raft, which the well-known explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl made for his oceanic voyages, to prove his theories on the spreading of ancient civilisations. The Fram Museum is dedicated to Arctic explorers Roald Amundsen and Fritjof Nansen and their polar ship Fram. You might also want to take a look at the Norwegian Maritime Museum next door, recently extended.

Hovedøya

Below the fortress, Akershusstranda leads to Vippetangen quay, from where boats leave frequently for the islands of the inner Oslo fjord. The trip across takes 5-30 minutes, depending on which island you would like to visit. At Hovedøya you will find the ruins of a Cistercian monastery built by monks from Kirkstead, England, during the twelfth century.

Frogner Park

To the west of the city, Frogner Park, which contains the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum, is the most visited tourist attraction in Oslo. Do not miss this quite amazing collection of 212 larger-than-life granite and bronze sculptures, representing all stages of life.

Holmenkoller

You have not seen Oslo unless you have been to Holmenkollen, the arena for big international skiing events every winter. Finish your day enjoying the panoramic views of the modest city of Oslo and the Oslo fjord from the famous ski jump tower. If you dare not exit the tower on a pair of skis, take the elevator back down and try out the three-dimensional ski simulator to experience how the real athletes do it.

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Aker Brygge

Oslo
Norway

A former shipyard known as "Akers mek. Verksted," Aker Brygge is now a bustling hub of business and tourism. In 1982, the shipyard was renovated into modern Aker Brygge and has become increasingly popular with every passing year. With many shops, cafes, and restaurants, as well as theatres and fairgrounds, Aker Brygge appeals to both tourists and locals alike. The area has become a bit posh, but those willingly to stomach the high prices will not be disappointed by all that Aker Brygge has to offer.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Aker Brygge photo by Alexander Brennerste

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Aker Brygge photo by Björgólfur Hávarðsson

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Blindern

Oslo
Norway
The Greater Blindern area was developed in the 1960's to house the center campus of the University of Oslo. The administration, welfare, humanities, social sciences and natural sciences buildings are located within the Blindern area of campus. The central building of Blindern campus is the new university library, Goerg Sverdrup's house. About 32, students currently attend the University of Oslo.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Bygdøy

Oslo
Norway
From the harbour you can also take a ferry to Bygdøy and Dronningen, where the five most popular museums of Oslo are located, the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum being the largest. It contains more than 15 old, original buildings from all of Norway, including a stave church. Only a short stroll away, in the Viking Ship Museum, the three ritual ships in which Viking kings and queens were once buried take you back in time. At the Kon-Tiki Museum, you can see the papyrus boats Ra I and Ra II, and the Kon-Tiki raft, which the well-known explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl made for his oceanic voyages, to prove his theories on the spreading of ancient civilisations. The Fram Museum is dedicated to Arctic explorers Roald Amundsen and Fritjof Nansen and their polar ship Fram.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Christophe Bezin
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City Centre

Oslo
Norway
Walking west from the station, you are at the beginning of Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's partly pedestrian parade street. On your right as you walk up the sloping hill is Oslo Cathedral, dating from the late seventeenth century. Further up Karl Johan, passing shops, restaurants and pubs on the way, you find the Parliament building, Stortinget, on the left hand side, with its original neo-Romanesque architecture. Across the street, the five-star Grand Hotel has greeted its guests in style for more than a century. Grand Café has been the favourite haunt of famous Norwegian artists, including playwright Henrik Ibsen. The little green spot of Studenterlunden on the other side has an open-air restaurant and a large pond, which becomes a very popular ice rink in the winter.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Lia Sterkenburg
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Photo: Seajays

Frogner

Oslo
Norway
Incorporated as part of the city of Oslo in 1878, the borough of Frogner is full of history and culture. Named after Frogner Manor, a beautiful 18th century house which now houses the Oslo City Museum, Frogner plays host to a variety of museums and places of interest such as Frogner Park, Vigeland Sculpture Park, the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Maritime Museum, and the Kon-Tiki Museum. Known as a region of affluence in the past and the present, Frogner is also the site of the royal estate Bygdoy kongsgard and the little palace of Oscarshall.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Frogner Park

Oslo
Norway
To the west of the city, Frogner Park, which contains the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum, is the most visited tourist attraction in Oslo. Do not miss this quite amazing collection of 212 larger-than-life granite and bronze sculptures, representing all stages of life.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Christine McLellan
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Holmenkollen

Oslo
Norway
You have not seen Oslo unless you have been to Holmenkollen, the arena for big international skiing events every winter. Finish your day enjoying the panoramic views of the modest city of Oslo and the Oslo fjord from the famous ski jump tower. If you dare not exit the tower on a pair of skis, take the elevator back down and try out the three-dimensional ski simulator to experience how the real athletes do it.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Padraic Woods
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Hovedøya

Oslo
Norway
Below the fortress, Akershusstranda leads to Vippetangen quay, from where boats leave frequently for the islands of the inner Oslo fjord. The trip across takes 5-3 minutes, depending on which island you would like to visit. At Hovedøya you will find the ruins of a Cistercian monastery built by monks from Kirkstead, England, during the twelfth century.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Yvonne Haugen
Photo: Morten Oddvik
Photo: Fabrice Jacob

Oslo Central Station

Oslo
Norway
The transport hub is in and around Oslo Central Station, Sentralstasjonen. Diagonally across the street you find the main Bus Terminal. The train station itself is served by local, intercity and international trains, as well as the Airport Train (Flytoget). Shopping centre Byporten is adjacent to the railway station. Across the street is another big shopping centre, Oslo City.

Review © 2007, Wcities

Photo: Folkert Gorter
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Photo: Torbjørn Stirler
Photo: fjords

Torshov

Oslo
Norway
Torshov is an area that is now a part of the borough of Sagene. Literally translated, the name Sagene is the plural form of the English word "saw," meant to reflect the industrial era that ruled the region in the 19th and early 2th century. The oldest industrial bulding in all of Norway, Glads peppermill, is located within the borough. After the First World War, the area around Torshov and Sagene was planned to become a "city within a city," consisting of some 2, apartments. The effects of this project can still be seen today, especially in the famous Soria Monia building of 1928 that houses theatre, restaurants, and other cultural events and offerings.

Review © 2007, Wcities

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Other Schmapplets in this city related to "Oslo - Neighborhood Guide"
Oslo
Oslo - Historical Background
Oslo - Where to Stay
Oslo - Dining & Drinking
Oslo - Art & Entertainment
Other nearby cities:
Gothenburg (259 miles)
Stockholm (418 miles)
Copenhagen (482 miles)
Hamburg (709 miles)
Tampere (728 miles)
Helsinki (785 miles)
Berlin (842 miles)
Amsterdam (915 miles)
Newcastle upon Tyne (921 miles)
Edinburgh (933 miles)

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