• Color Line - Norwegians have been explorers since ancient times. Vikings, traders, adventurers, athletes, students, and business professionals have journeyed across the globe seeking new experiences.

Many begin their journey right here. Since 1872, Color Line has been transporting passengers, goods, and vehicles worldwide, initially known as “Kristansands Damskibsselskap.” They first established a route between Kristiansand and Ferdrikshavn in Denmark. Today, their ferries connect Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany. The “Kiel” ferry is a cherished and popular route to Europe, with or without a car.

Explore the links below for more details and booking.

• Nobel Peace Center - What do Nelson Mandela, Barack Obama, and Malala Yousafzai share? They have all been awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, presented here in Oslo at the Town Hall.

In front of the transformed 1872 train station, you’ll find the Nobel Peace Center, representing the Nobel Peace Prize. They harness the laureates’ ideas, work, and causes to inspire actions that contribute to a more peaceful world.

Experience exhibitions, guided tours, events, educational programs, and digital content. The center shares laureates’ work, builds knowledge and skills, and serves as a meeting place for international engagement. It also hosts events and discussions on peace, human rights, and conflict resolution.

Visit the center, or find more information and book tickets through the links below.

• Tjuvholmen Neighbourhood - Welcome to Tjuvholmen, connected to Aker Brygge by two small bridges. Once an abandoned part of Oslo, it has been transformed into a modern and artistic urban area. Here, you’ll discover art galleries, a sculpture park, modern architecture, a five-star hotel, and numerous excellent restaurants and cafes. The Astrup Fearnley Museum, a modern art museum, is also located by the water’s edge.

Tjuvholmen is a beautiful gem today, but in the 17th century, it was quite different. The area was a refuge for the city’s outcasts, not pigeons and seagulls. The name Tjuvholmen comes from the time when thieves were brought to the islet for trial and execution.

It was common for stolen goods from robberies to be hidden here, which the police quickly discovered.

• Aker Brygge - Do you see the long quays bustling with people around the chic restaurants and apartment complexes? Welcome to Aker Brygge! In the past, there were no restaurants or apartments here, but it was just as crowded. People wore less fashionable clothes, and the aroma of food was replaced by diesel, burnt steel, and old coffee grounds.

Aker Brygge is built on the former shipyard, Aker’s mechanical workshop. Established in the mid-19th century, it became a central part of Norway’s industrial scene for over 140 years. The shipyard closed in 1982, and the old factory buildings were either demolished or converted into modern housing. The sounds that characterized the area for so long also disappeared.

• The Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies - In these beautiful surroundings lies the Holocaust Centre, which researches and communicates topics that starkly contrast with its environment. The center is a research, dissemination, and documentation hub focusing on the Holocaust, other genocides, anti-Semitism, racism, extremism, conspiracy theories, and minority conditions in modern society.

766 Norwegian Jews were killed or perished due to the Nazi extermination policy. The Holocaust exhibition provides insight into the fate of Norwegian Jews and Roma during World War II.

Through exhibitions and events, the center shares the stories of victims and survivors, reminding us of the importance of learning from the past. Visitors are encouraged to reflect and take action against intolerance and discrimination. The Holocaust Center is a vital monument to honor memory and promote human rights and dignity.

• Oslo City Shoppingcenter - Ready for an adventure? Step through the revolving doors of Oslo City, perhaps Norway’s most famous shopping center.

Five floors of brands, delightful fragrances, great deals, and a vibrant atmosphere in a safe environment await you.

The center is connected by a footbridge to the Hotel Oslo Plaza and the Byporten shopping center across the road, and further to the Oslo S traffic station.

Check out opening times and other practical information below.

• Astrup Fearnley Museet - “Art should not be confined. It must be shown and experienced. We must learn from it.” These words belong to Hans Rasmus Astrup, founder of the Astrup Fearnley museum, which today houses one of Europe’s most extensive collections of international contemporary art.

Astrup began collecting art in the 1960s, focusing on artistry rather than historical periods and styles.

At his passing in 2021, the Astrup Fearnley collection included over 1,500 works and continues to grow with new acquisitions. The exhibition offers insight into one of the Nordic countries’ most comprehensive collections of international contemporary art and showcases Hans Rasmus Astrup’s unique contribution to the Norwegian art community.

Visit, see, enjoy, and learn! More information and booking at the links below.

• Sukkerbiten - Do you take sugar in your coffee? They can certainly provide it here! Welcome to Sukkerbiten, meaning sugar cube in Norwegian, an artificial island technically part of the Bjørvikautstikkeren. The name comes from the old administration building for Nyland’s workshop, which was a white, square building resembling a sugar cube.

Here, you’ll find the outdoor restaurant Sukkerbiten, where you can relax in comfortable sunbeds by the water’s edge, enjoying delightful music, a good atmosphere, and a relaxing vibe suitable for all ages.

Tempt yourself with a sauna and a refreshing dip. Along the harbor promenade, you can hire a sauna. Information, prices, and booking can be found on the links below.

• Oslo’s Harbour Promenade - The harbor promenade begins here, stretching from the Opera House to Sørenga, offering an unforgettable journey filled with wonderful experiences and impressions. First, you’ll encounter the monumental opera roof, then the idyllic Operastranda and the Munch Museum, before reaching Sukkerbiten with its saunas and outdoor seating. Finally, stroll across the fjord to the vibrant district and outcrop Sørenga with its popular sea bath.

Operastranda is particularly family-friendly, and don’t worry if you’ve forgotten your swimwear. The opera shop sells crab ropes, towels, and other beach essentials.

• Oslo Central Station - You are now at Jernbanetorget, midway between the start of Karl Johans gate and Oslo S, the bustling central railway station and transportation hub of Oslo! Oslo S stretches from the Østbanehallen building, up the stairs to Hovedhallen, and around the entire quarter, as large as a small town.

Trains have operated here since Norway’s first railway opened from Kristiania, today’s Oslo, to Eidsvoll in 1854.

Today, the station has expanded and connects to the entire railway network in Norway, as well as to Sweden, Denmark, and further south in Europe.

Oslo S is not just a station for trains and buses. Travelers and others can relax, sleep, get information, and explore a diverse range of stores offering fashion, electronics, dining, and more.

Head inside, follow the map, and check out the links for more information about destinations, tickets, and other details.

• Deichman Bjorvika - Do you enjoy reading? Carl Deichman, the man behind the building and library before you, certainly did. He lived in the 18th century and was an avid reader.

At Deichman Bjørvika, Oslo’s main library, you’ll find six floors of literature, reading and study spaces, stages, a cinema, and workshops for all ages.

In 1780, Deichman bequeathed his book collection to Christiania city, today’s Oslo, just months before his death. He wanted the city’s residents to have their first public library, and in 1785, the Deichmanske Bibliothek opened its doors.

Today, Deichman has 22 libraries across Oslo. The collection has grown to over a million books, films, CDs, and other materials.

Carl Deichman’s original collection remains intact and is well-preserved on the main library’s 5th floor.

• Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke) - Here, in the heart of the city by Stortorvet, a sacred space opens up. This is the Cathedral, welcoming the city and its diverse people.

The doors are open every day from Monday to Thursday during the day, and on Fridays in the evening. Visitors can light a candle and schedule a conversation.

The cathedral is a magnificent building, and even though it is over 300 years old, services and events such as concerts, seminars, lectures, and tours are held throughout the year.

Oslo Cathedral unites the city and the nation when they seek something greater than themselves. It serves the Royal House, the Storting, and the Government.

Check the links for more information and opening times.

• Fridtjof Nansens Plass - You are now standing in the open circular area, Fridtjof Nansens plass.

Fridtjof Nansen is one of Norway’s most versatile and internationally renowned figures. He was a pioneering naturalist, polar expedition leader, writer, artist, diplomat, and philanthropist. He received the Nobel Peace Prize in 1922 and is one of the country’s most decorated individuals.

To the east, you can see the stairs leading to the Town Hall entrance, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually. In the opposite direction, the road named after another famous Norwegian polar explorer, Roald Amundsen, stretches to Karl Johans gate, the Palace, and the Stortinget.

If you follow the side street to the right of the City Hall, you’ll reach Crown Princess Mârtha’s place before entering the National Museum and the Aker Brygge shopping and dining area.

• Scandinavian Star Memorial - The slightly compressed statue before you is the memorial to the tragic fire on the car ferry Scandinavian Star in 1990.

On the night of April 7, the ferry sailed from Oslo to Fredrikshavn in Denmark, but as it crossed the Skagerak, the fire alarm sounded at two in the morning. In the following hours, several fires broke out elsewhere on board, indicating arson. Scandinavian Star was towed to Lysekil in Sweden, where the fire was finally extinguished. 158 people lost their lives, and one person later died from injuries. Most of the victims were Norwegians.

This is the largest ship disaster in recent Norwegian history. The cause of the fire remains unresolved.

• Akershus Castle and Fortress (Akershus Slott og Festning) - Visiting Akershus Castle is like walking through Norwegian history from the 14th Century to the present day.

Originally built as a medieval fortress around 1300AD under King Håkon V’s reign, it was modernized and rebuilt into a renaissance castle by Danish/Norwegian King Christian IV in the 17th Century.

In the 19th Century, the castle fell into disrepair and was nearly demolished. Fortunately, it was saved and restored in the early 20th Century after Norway regained independence in 1905.

Today, the castle’s splendid halls host official functions of the Norwegian government.

When visiting, you’ll find remains of the original medieval castle, rooms used by Danish-Norwegian kings, gloomy dungeons, narrow hallways, and majestic halls.

• Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum - Follow the gravel road to the entrance and ticket purchase for one of the country’s most central institutions for occupation history, The Norway’s Home Front Museum. Founded in 1962, it is housed in a half-timbered house from the 17th-18th centuries.

The exhibition showcases various aspects of the resistance struggle and daily life in Norway during World War II. The story comes to life through peepholes, sound recordings, and film clips.

Find opening times and information in the links below.

• Akershus Castle and Fortress (Akershus Slott og Festning) - Welcome to Akershus fortress visitor center. Here, you’ll get a comprehensive overview of activities at Akershus Fortress, exhibitions, information, and a great starting point for exploring the fortress. They also offer guided tours about the fortress’s unique history.

• Akershus Castle and Fortress (Akershus Slott og Festning) - You’ve arrived at Akershus fortress, ready for 700 years of captivating history.

Originally built at the end of the 13th century as a medieval royal castle with a seat for the king’s representatives, inside you’ll find Akershus Castle, the Defense Museum, and Norway’s Home Front Museum (Norway’s Resistance Museum), the concert and theater stage Karpedammen, as well as cultural institutions and restaurants.

Throughout its 700-year history, the fortress has withstood several sieges but has never been captured by a hostile, foreign army. Today, it stands as a gem in Oslo city center, surrounded by green oak trees in summer.

In addition to being a popular tourist destination and recreation area, it remains a military fortress under Akershus’ command.

All entrance to the fortress area is free.

• Radhusplassen - You’ve arrived at Oslo Town Hall Square, between the City Hall and the piers extending into the fjord called Pipervika.

To the right of the City Hall and the piers, you see Akershus Fortress, majestically overlooking the city and down to the cruise harbor and fjord.

To the left of the City Hall, you’ll find the Nobel Peace Center in front of the National Museum. The commercial area Aker Brygge lies further left, and Tjuvholmen with the Astrup Fearnley museum completes the visual journey into the vibrant life dominating Pipervika today.

In the past, standing here meant risking being run over by furious cars. The main traffic route ran through Oslo from east to south and west. Aker Brygge was one of the most important shipyards in Norwegian history.

Fortunately, all of this is gone today, but there are still many dangers lurking underground.

• Oscarshall - This road leads to the summer palace of Oscarshall. Commissioned by King Oscar I and Queen Joséphine, it was completed in 1852. Today, it is state property and at the King’s disposal.

Many Norwegian contemporary artists received commissions during Oscarshall’s construction, and today it stands as a monument to Norwegian art and applied art from the 19th century. The palace, with its secondary buildings and surrounding park, is considered one of the finest examples of Neo-Gothic architecture in Norway and a significant embodiment of the National Romantic style popular in Norway during the period. In 1881, King Oscar II opened the palace to the public as a museum.

The palace is usually open to the public every summer. Check the links below for opening times and guided tours.

• Norsk Folkemuseum - The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, Norsk folkemuseum, showcases how people lived in Norway from 1500 to the present through its collections from across the country.

The 160 buildings in the Open-Air Museum represent different regions in Norway, various time periods, and differences between town and country, and social classes. The Gol Stave Church, dating from 1200, is one of five medieval buildings at the museum. Contemporary history is presented through exhibitions and documentation projects. Permanent indoor exhibitions include folk art, folk costumes, toys, and Sami culture. There are also various temporary exhibitions and audience programs throughout the year.

Manage your booking and read more in the links below.

• Barcode Oslo - Discover the 12 magnificent buildings rising towards the skyline behind the opera. Known as Bjørvika Barcode, they comprise twelve narrow high-rise buildings, varying in heights and widths, arranged like a barcode.

Hosting prominent national and international businesses, the area accommodates 10,000 daily workers, alongside 400 apartments and a daycare center.

Street-level offerings include diverse restaurants, shops, galleries, and services, enhancing the vibrant atmosphere. The Barcode concept emphasizes architectural distinction, openness to the fjord, and ample light. Each building, designed by different architectural firms, embodies unique characteristics, creating an extraordinary architectural experience. Barcode stands as a testament to modern architectural innovation and urban vibrancy.

• Munch - The building before you is the Munch museum, a tribute to Edward Munch’s life, work, and art.
  The magnificent building opened in 2021, offering 13 floors of experiences against the district’s new skyline, enhancing the area’s cultural diversity.

Edward Munch is best known for his iconic work “The Scream,” one of the most recognizable images in art history. Munch’s artwork explores deep emotions, life’s fragility, and human vulnerability, combining symbolism, impressionism, and early expressionism.

Throughout his career, Munch created other well-known works, such as “Madonna,” “Pikene på broen,” and “Livets dans.” These works often reflect on universal themes like love, death, jealousy, and existential anxiety. Munch’s ability to capture human emotions on canvas has secured him a place among art history’s most prominent artists.

• SALT Sauna - Welcome to SALT, a complete cultural village with six stages, catering facilities, and a sauna. SALT showcases the city’s creative environments, with a program including concerts, theatre, film, festivals, clubs, lectures, exhibitions, debates, and family events. Visitors can relax in the sauna, quench their thirst, and enjoy exciting food throughout all seasons.

The idea and name are based on old Norwegian traditions. They call themselves a nomadic art project with pyramid constructions called “hesje,” based on traditional construction methods along Norway’s coast. Norway has one of the world’s longest coastlines and an old coastal culture where people fished in harmony with nature. Fishermen set up fishing lines to dry fish in the wind. Dried fish not only provided nourishment but also became a significant export item, contributing to Norway’s development.

• The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet - Interested in a guided tour of The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet? Here’s your chance.

The Opera is an iconic example of modern architectural brilliance. Designed by Snøhetta architects, its sleek marble exterior resembles an iceberg floating in the fjord, inviting exploration.

When they opened in 2008, they revealed a unique concept where visitors can walk on its roof, offering panoramic city views.

Its interior reflects the purity of Scandinavian design, featuring wood, glass, and steel elements.

Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet companies, it hosts diverse performances, from classical operas to contemporary ballet. The opera house embodies Norway’s cultural prestige and architectural innovation.

Read more and book performances or guided tours through the links below.

• Norwegian Maritime Museum - Fancy a trip on a historic wooden schooner?

That’s possible at the Norwegian Maritime Museum, or NMM, a national museum responsible for collecting, researching, and teaching Norwegian maritime cultural heritage.

The museum offers a wide range of fascinating indoor and outdoor exhibits in a unique maritime environment.

Founded in 1914 as Norsk sjøfartsmuseum, the museum is both a cultural history museum and an archaeological administrative museum with important responsibilities for cultural heritage, above and underwater, in ten counties.

The museum actively participates in historic vessel preservation, and it’s possible to book trips on some of their museum vessels.

Read more and book through the links below.

• The Kon-Tiki Museum - Welcome to the Kon-Tiki museum, a tribute to explorer Thor Heyerdahl and his world-famous expeditions.

The Kon-Tiki Museum displays objects from Heyerdahl’s renowned expeditions, including the original Kon-Tiki raft and the papyrus boat Ra II.

In 1947, he crossed the Pacific Ocean on the balsawood raft Kon-Tiki. This was his first expedition captured on film, later winning an Academy Award for best documentary in 1951. He completed similar achievements with the reed boats Ra, Ra II, and Tigris, championing his deep commitment to the environment and world peace. He also led significant archaeological excavations on the Galapagos Islands, Easter Island, and in Túcume.

Book a visit or read more through the links below.

• Fram Museum - The Fram is the world’s most famous wooden polar vessel, symbolizing Norway’s significant role in the heroic age of exploration.

It was the first ship specially built in Norway for polar research, used on three important expeditions led by renowned explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen, including Amundsen’s South Pole expedition in 1910-12.

Fram is now displayed in the Fram Museum, where you can explore the boat and learn about the exciting stories of both the vessel and its crew.

Find more information and booking through the links below.

• Nasjonalmuseet (National Museum) - You are now standing outside the monumental National Museum, where you can experience older and modern art, contemporary art, architecture, and design all under one roof in new ways.

The National Museum’s mission is to develop, conserve, research, make available, and promote public knowledge about Norway’s largest collection of art, architecture, and design.

The museum first opened in 1837. Since then, it has evolved in character, location, buildings, and contents, but in 2022, Norway finally gathered many of its greatest national treasures under one roof. And here you are now.

Go in, explore the exhibitions, or use the links below for more information and booking.

• The Royal Palace - Do you see the flag waving beautifully over the castle? If it’s red with the Norwegian lion emblem in the center, it means His Majesty The King is at home or somewhere in Norway. If the King is abroad, the flag of His Majesty The Crown Prince, acting as regent, is flown.

The Palace was inaugurated in 1849 after over 20 years of construction. There is ample space to explore, with 173 rooms used for the royal residence, state rooms, and working rooms for Royal Court staff.

Every Friday, the Council of State is held at the Royal Palace. During the meeting, the Prime Minister sits on the King’s right side, with the remaining ministers placed by rank around the King’s table.

If you seek an audience with His Majesty, you must wait in the Bird Room, a beautifully decorated room with 43 Norwegian birds on display.

• Christian IV Monument - The man towering on the pedestal above you is King Christian IV of Denmark and Norway, the longest reigning king in Norway. He ascended the throne at 11 and held it for 60 years.

Christian IV was born a prince at Frederiksborg Castle in 1577. He received a thorough education, mastering several languages and gaining knowledge in mathematics, history, and music. A guardian government ruled the countries until Christian IV was crowned on his 18th birthday.

After the city fire in 1624 in old Oslo, he founded a new city in the shelter of Akershus Fortress, named Christiania after him from August 1624, a name retained until 1925. Both Kongsberg and Kristiansand were named after him.

The King traveled extensively in Norway, accomplishing much, like establishing a customs system, a Norwegian army, and Kongsberg silver mines.

• Bjornstjerne Martinius Bjornson - “Yes, we love this country, as it rises forth”

This verse belongs to Norway’s national anthem, written by Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson.

He was Norway’s great national poet from the mid-19th century and has held a place as one of the “big four” alongside Kielland, Ibsen, and Lie. As a brilliant public speaker and active participant in public debate both in Norway and abroad, he was highly controversial and much loved.

Bjørnson was born in Tynset in 1832 but grew up in Nesset in Møre og Romsdal. He moved to Oslo to attend university but began working as a journalist instead.

His ability to communicate in writing quickly became evident, a gift he also had orally. Multiple theater reviews contributed to close ties around theater activity. For a while, he was the artistic director at Ole Bull’s theater in Bergen before returning to Oslo as both theater director and editor.

• Karl Johans gate - You are now looking up at King Carl III Johan, the shared king of Norway and Sweden. When Norway became independent in 1814, it was met with considerable dissatisfaction by the Swedes. They occupied parts of Norway, and the Danish-Norwegian king, Christian Frederik, eventually had to abdicate.

Norway entered a union with Sweden, and as part of the agreement, Norway retained large parts of its constitution and self-rule. The king would be the same as in Sweden, and thus Karl II became the second Norwegian king in 1814.

King Karl II died in 1818, succeeded by Carl III Johan, crowned in the Nidaros Cathedral the same year.

His real name was Jean Baptiste Bernadotte, a French private soldier who quickly rose through the ranks. After years of opposition to Napoleon Bonaparte, they reconciled in 1804, and Bernadotte was appointed to France’s highest officer title.

• Brannvakten - The tall tower before you was once a fire station in Oslo, built alongside the expansion of the adjoining building, the Bazaars, in the late 1850s.

The station was known as Fire Watch, initially with over 35 men. The tower was not used to keep a lookout for fires, as many believe, but to dry water hoses.

The much taller Cathedral tower behind the station was used for fire watch instead. The Fire Watch was the city’s main fire station until 1939.

The fire brigade never made it to the dramatic city fire in 1858 when the station was still under construction. As a result, 41 townhouses were consumed by flames. The fire likely hastened the station’s completion.

• Oslo Bazaars - This building has always been bustling with activity, exuding old history. The name, the Bazaars, comes from its original use as butcher’s stalls. It still has a certain aroma today, but not of fresh meat—rather, delightful food and drink scents from around the world.

The building was erected between 1840 and 1859, with over 50 butcher’s stalls. Oslo experienced rapid growth with a massive influx of people, and from 1850 to 1900, the city grew from 30,000 to 230,000 people.

A bazaar is a market, often with an overbuilding. The name originates from Persia about 5,000 years ago.

The rapid population growth led to the expansion of this building, and more bazaars were established in other parts of the city, including at Youngstorget.

• Christian Krohg - The painter and author Christian Krohg overlooks Pipervika, the outlet to the Oslo fjord behind the City Hall. For half a century, he was a central figure in Norwegian art life. His art was influenced by his surroundings, whether in Oslo, Skagen, Germany, or Paris.

Krohg was born in Oslo in 1852 and studied law with drawing on the side. His interest and talent led him to Europe, where he continued studying art. Several of his paintings became widely known and are displayed in galleries in several countries.

As a painter, he excellently expressed naturalism, portraying people in their usual environment fantastically.

As an author, Krohg is especially known for his novel “Albertine” from 1886, a realistic portrayal of prostitution in Kristiania (now Oslo) in the 1880s. At that time, this was quite bold, and the book was confiscated, and Krohg was fined.

• Gunnar Sonsteby statue - Sønsteby was born in Rjukan in 1918 and was an active outdoorsman in his youth. When the war broke out in 1940, he worked as an audit assistant but immediately joined the volunteer forces and the emerging resistance.

Based in Sweden, he carried out several missions in Norway before being stationed in Oslo as a British intelligence agent, codenamed “No 24.”

Between 1944 and 1945, Gunnar Sønsteby led Kompani Linge’s action group in Oslo, the Oslo Gang, which carried out many daring and successful operations. Among his code names were “Kjakan” and “No. 24.” He led some of the most spectacular sabotage actions during World War II, targeting NS authorities and war-important targets such as railways, industry, and fuel storage. After the war, Gunnar Sønsteby ran his consultancy, in addition to being a loyal defense friend and champion for war veterans’ issues.

• Statue Of Henrik Wergeland - The statue towering over you now is none other than Henrik Wergeland himself, on a pedestal. He is considered by many as Norway’s foremost poet. His close ties to the constitution and love for the nation inspired his poetry.

Wergeland was born in Kristiansand in 1808, but at nine, he followed his father to Eidsvoll, who was one of the Eidsvoll Men who drafted the Norwegian Constitution.

He debuted as an article writer in Norwegian newspapers at just 13 years old, and the spark was born. He later moved to Oslo, where his publications were continuous. As a writer, Wergeland was known for his romantic approach and commitment to public education.

With his burning national heart, he became an advocate for the children’s parades at the constitution celebration.
“We are a Nation, we too, we Small, a cubit long:”

• Carl Joachim Hambro - The man before you was one of the most important politicians in Norwegian history. Carl Joachim Hambro served in the Parliament of Norway from 1919 to 1957 and was the President of the Parliament for much of his political career. Internationally, he served as a delegate in the United Nations General Assembly for 11 years following the organization’s establishment.

Hambro played a pivotal role in the April days of 1940 following the German invasion, organizing the evacuation of the Norwegian Parliament and government from the capital.

He was also behind the Elverum Authorization, granting the government the right to make decisions without processing them in the Parliament, as long as the war lasted.
Hambro was born in Bergen in 1885 and studied language and literature in Oslo. His studies led him into the newspaper business, and Hambro was known for his written and verbal expressions.

• Christian Frederiks Plass - You are now looking at the statue of King Christian Frederick.

“This monument is a lasting expression of our gratitude to the young Crown Prince who became our King, the first King in an independent Norway in over 400 years, and the first democratically elected King in Europe,” said Prime Minister Erna Solberg when she unveiled the statue in 2014. It was on the day 200 years after Norway got its constitution on May 17, 1814, at Eidsvoll.

Christian Frederick abdicated the same year he became king. Sweden did not accept Norway becoming an independent state and occupied parts of Norway. It ended with Norway entering a union with Sweden, where the constitution largely remained, but they shared the same king.

Christian Frederick moved back to Denmark and became Danish king a few years later.

The close ties between Denmark and Norway are thus historically rooted in several hundred years, which this statue also symbolizes.

• Eidsvolls Plass - Do you have something on your heart that you wish to share with others? Then you’ve come to the right place!

In front of the Parliament and the Lion Hill lies Eidsvolls Square. The square is one of the country’s most important arenas for freedom of speech and engagement, hosting over 300 political demonstrations annually.

It got its current name in 1864 due to its proximity to the Parliament building, then under construction. This connection between the National Assembly at Eidsvoll and the new Parliament was made clear. Today, the square reminds us of Eidsvoll when Norway’s constitution was written and adopted.

On the square, you’ll find busts and statues related to political, constitutional, and artistic significance for Norway. The strategic politician C.J. Hambro, the poet Henrik Wergeland, and King Christian Frederick have all been unveiled at Eidsvolls Square.

• The City Fountain - You are now in Spikersuppa, right in the heart of Oslo, and in the city’s most visited area throughout the year. There’s always something happening here! In the summer, enjoy the recessed pools and beautiful fountains with surrounding sculptures. In the winter, the pools transform into Norway’s most popular ice rink, and a traditional Christmas market is held annually.

Spikersuppa’s history dates back to 1956 when Christiania Spikerverk gifted Oslo Municipality a makeover for the entire area. Part of the gift was a pond, quickly named “Spikersuppa” in the local vernacular. The real name is Hjortedammen, after Arne Vigeland’s sculpture of two deer in the middle of “Hjortøya.”

In Norway, we say “we can’t boil soup on a nail,” a metaphor meaning to make a fuss out of almost nothing, like food. So Spikersuppa has nothing to do with this expression. By the way, you don’t need money here, as this Spikersuppa can be experienced for free all year round.

• National Theatre - Indeed, that’s one of the most memorable moments in Norwegian history. King Olav V’s decision to take the tram was a powerful gesture that spoke volumes about his sense of duty and solidarity with his people during a difficult time. It resonated with Norwegians then and continues to do so now.

The king was known for his approachability and for being very close to the Norwegian people, often referred to as the “People’s King.” This event solidified that image, showing that he was not above facing the same hardships as his subjects.

The moment was captured in a photograph, showing King Olav standing in the tram, ticket in hand. That image has since become a symbol of the king’s humility and the democratic nature of Norwegian society.

So yes, even in times of crisis, there can be moments of unity and common understanding that bring us closer together, and this was certainly one of them.

• The Ibsen Museum - You are now standing outside the apartment of Henrik and Suzannah Ibsen, now a museum.
  The world-renowned playwright lived here for the last 11 years of his life until his death in 1906. Alongside William Shakespeare, Ibsen is the most performed playwright in the world.

The apartment has been restored to Ibsen’s time, with the poet’s own furniture and inventory. The museum also features exhibitions about the internationally known playwright’s life and poetry.

Every day, Ibsen donned his hat and walked to the Grand Café, past the Parliament. With his characteristic white beard, he was a well-known and popular figure in the city streets, with his own regular table at the venerable café. Here, he perused newspapers in conversation with the city’s elite, often enjoying a beer and a dram.
In the sidewalks along the route, 69 quotes from his plays, speeches, or letters are now embedded.

• Grand Hotel - You may have already noticed it, words and letters embedded in street level everywhere.

So, you are standing on one of the quotes from one of the world’s most famous authors, Henrik Ibsen. His plays and dramas are read, performed, and filmed worldwide.

You can find them embedded in the sidewalks from the Ibsen Museum on Henrik Ibsen’s Street and past the Parliament on Karl Johans Street, the same route he walked daily from his apartment to the Grand Café. If you look around, you’ll find a total of 69 quotes consisting of 4,011 sandblasted steel letters.

You can learn more about Henrik Ibsen by his statue outside the National Theater, not far from here. If you follow the quotes, you’ll also come to the Ibsen Museum, where his home has been restored to the way it was when he and his wife Suzannah lived there, complete with the poet’s own furniture, original colors, and décor.

• Henrik Ibsen - Few authors have left a mark on literature as the man before you has. Henrik Ibsen’s dramatizations have been published, performed, and filmed worldwide. He is considered the founder of modern, realistic drama. Ibsen was a technical virtuoso of drama, one of the most skilled at using dramatic devices.

He was born in Skien in 1828 in a wealthy home, but he quickly faced life’s realities when his father went bankrupt. He started working and studying simultaneously in the evenings. Eventually, he came to Bergen and was allowed to assist as a co-author at Det Norske Theater.

Not long after, he debuted with his first piece in 1953, and then things went from strength to strength.

He continued his writing in Oslo a few years later but had a short stay abroad of 27 years, including in Italy, before returning to Oslo again.

• Kronprinsesse Marthas Plass - “…if there is anyone who doubts the democratic will to win, let him look to Norway.”

These words belonged to then American president Franklin D. Roosevelt during World War II. Crown Princess Märtha’s persistent efforts for a free Norway left a clear impression on the American president. The Norwegian freedom struggle also became a motivator on the other side of the Atlantic.

Crown Princess Märtha was born as a Norwegian-Swedish princess in Stockholm in 1901. She was the daughter of Prince Carl of Sweden and Princess Ingeborg of Denmark. Her full name was Märtha Sofia Lovisa Dagmar Thyra.

She met Crown Prince Olav during the Olympic Games in Amsterdam, where Olav won his famous sailing gold. They married that year and moved into Skaugum in Asker, where they had three children.

She never became queen, but Oslo’s bishop, Johannes Smemo, summed up her position as follows: “She has long held the queen’s seat in our minds, and she will never lose that.”

• Dronning Maud-statuen - Right here, Queen Maud would stroll around alone or with her family. I wonder what she thought as she walked around these beautiful gardens and surroundings?

Queen Maud was born in London in 1869. She was an English princess, daughter of the later King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Great Britain. Her full name was Maud Charlotte Mary Victoria.

She married then Prince Carl of Denmark at Buckingham Palace in 1897 and was offered the Norwegian throne in 1905 after the dissolution of the union from Sweden.
Prince Carl then took the name Haakon VII, and the following year was signed as king in Nidaros Cathedral together with Queen Maud.

The queen was seen as a somewhat quiet and reserved person in public contexts, but in private, she was known as a caring, smiling, and warm person. She enjoyed the outdoors, often on horseback or walking with her dogs. Queen Maud was famous for her excellent taste in clothes and beautiful dresses.

• King Olav V statue - You are now standing in front of the sculpture of King Olav V, who was the King of Norway from 1957 to 1991. He was a very popular king and always had an amusing story to share. The King always stood by the people, and when the oil crisis paralyzed Norway, he left his limousine in the garage and took the tram like any ordinary person.

He was the son of King Haakon VII and Queen Maud and was baptized Alexander Edward Christian Frederik and was the Prince of Denmark.

When his father was crowned king after the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905, the Prince was only two years old and took the name Crown Prince Olav.

The Crown Prince was then the first Norwegian heir to the throne to grow up in Norway since the Middle Ages. He developed an early interest in sports and was an active sailor for over 70 years.

The highlight of his sports career was when he won an Olympic gold in Amsterdam in 1928.

• Haakon Vii - King Haakon VII was Norway’s first king in 600 years, following the country’s independence from Denmark in 1814 and the dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905. He was born on August 3, 1872, just outside Copenhagen. His original name was Prince Carl, and he was the second eldest son of then King Frederik and Queen Louise of Denmark.

In 1905, the Danish prince Carl was offered the Norwegian crown and took the name Haakon VII after a referendum. At the time, he was married to Queen Maud, the daughter of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra of Great Britain. When they arrived in Oslo in 1905, they were met with jubilant crowds and the ringing of church bells throughout the city.

The royal couple was officially crowned in the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim on June 22, 1906, after a longer coronation journey through Norway.

• The Norwegian Parliament - In 1856, it was decided by 59 votes to 47 that the parliament building should be erected according to the drawings of the Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet.

The new parliament building opened in the spring of 1866 and was to be a symbol of independence and freedom.

In Norway’s art history from 1981, we can read among other things that:

“Langlet merged a multitude of different elements into an untraditional, new piece of architecture, where functional considerations played a decisive role… The Lombardic-Romanesque style that Langlet used was new and revolutionary.

This was also because the building as a whole had no known model. The Parliament was to be the central building of the new Norwegian state and be a symbol of independence and freedom from the past and traditions.”

If you would like to feel close to the power, there is usually a free summer tour of the parliament building, from mid-June to the end of August.

• Complete Audioguide on your mobile phone over Oslo
• 58 Points of interest and stories included
• Access link provided after purchase

• Public transportation (bus, subway, cable car, etc.)
• Entrance fees

Discover Oslo in a whole new way with a self-guided audio tour, perfect for travelers who enjoy exploring independently while still hearing the stories that make the city vibrant.

Featuring 58 meticulously selected points of interest, this tour includes Oslo’s most famous landmarks as well as lesser-known historical treasures. Experience cultural highlights, architectural marvels, and intriguing local tales, all through engaging audio narration that plays automatically as you near each site.

With the Guide To Go app, you can access a comprehensive overview of the city’s historical and cultural attractions directly on your mobile device. Stroll through Oslo at your leisure, and as you enter the red circle around each point on the interactive map, the relevant audio will begin. There’s no need to press any buttons — just walk, observe, and enjoy the narration.

For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.