Akershus festning - During my visit to Oslo, I simply could not miss Akershus Fortress, and this…read moreplace made a great impression on me. The historic fortress is exceptionally well preserved and offers stunning views of both the Oslofjord and the harbor. I really enjoyed the combination of rich Norwegian history and the peaceful atmosphere that can be found here. Walking along the ramparts, courtyards, and ancient buildings was a wonderful experience. The entire area is well maintained, clean, and perfect for exploring at a relaxed pace. It is a place where you can comfortably spend several hours while learning more about the history of Norway. Admission to the fortress grounds was free, with charges applying only for the museums. I also appreciated that the visitor center provided free drinking water and free soda from a dispenser. We were able to refill our bottles as well. The toilets located around the site were also free to use.

I actually just walked the outside of the castle. The grounds were gorgeous. There were various…read morefruit trees. Oranges and crab apples. The large crab apple tree planted in the center of the large lawn was so abundant that there were tons of over ripened ones that had fallen all over and littered the lawn. This caused a bunch of bees buzzing around them on the lawn. There are also a lot of tourists walking the outer grounds of the castle, stopping to pose next to the cannons. The views of the ocean and blue skies are noteworthy. It was worth the long walk from the hotel.

Kings and trees…read more Palace Park is a unique and cool park that is literally built around the royal place in Oslo. It was open to the public back in 1847 by King Oscar I, two years before the royal palace was completed. It's been open to the public year round ever since. The park is over 50 acres with the massive palace dominating the center of the park. Since the palace is on a hill it has some nice views of the surrounding area. The rest of the park has walking paths, statues and lots of trees and flowers. Most of the trees were planted back when the park was new and are huge and lovely. The park today is more open than it was in the past and has less trees and green areas, probably because there are far more people using the park today. The park is fascinating not only because of the cool statues, trees, greenery and royal guards, but because you can get right up to the royal palace. A very cool park to walk around, explore and get a glimpse of Norwegian royal history.

The Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway is surrounded by this beautiful park. Like most of Norway, it was…read morea lovely shade of green & plenty of trees! Would have been a very nice place to explore, if we had the time. Unfortunately we did not have the time, and the weather was also very rainy. Brian S. wrote a review that says it all. So, please refer to his review in order to learn more about this terrific park in Oslo.

This is a must see if your in Oslo! The museum takes about an hour to see. I would recommend…read moredownloading the free app which gives you some context as you walk around. Before you enter there is a small cafe and a free place to lock up your backpack (required). The ships are amazing! Fully restored and much of them are original. The stories behind the ships and the recovery are so interesting. After the Viking Ship Museum I would walk to the Fram Museum which is a short walk away.

The Viking Ship Museum is a must-do, if you're ever in Oslo. Ticket prices for adults are 100 NOK…read more($12 USD) and entry is free for children. However, I recommend purchasing the Oslo Pass, since it grants you free admission to all museums and public transportation. There are about 6 museums located in this area of Bygdøy. The Oseberg Viking Ship and the Gokstad Viking Ship are impressive. There is also a visual presentation of viking history every 15 minutes. The museum has many viking artifacts. It's small. You can probably see the whole thing in about one hour or so. The gift shop is also the cheapest of all the museum gift shops. 4 stars. Wonderful museum.

While we couldn't go inside the perimeter and roof walk were standalone worth the visit. A nice…read morewalk up the marble roof and near 360 Views of the city and local attractions. A nice activity to enjoy before main attractions open at 10AM.

If you're visiting Oslo for the first time, you'll likely visit the Oslo Opera House due to its…read moreunique design and rooftop access with views of the Norwegian capital. However, there's more to it than the rooftop. The inside is equally stunning. There's also an area where you can see the opera costumes

Hovedøya Island - In my opinion, Hovedøya is one of the most beautiful places around Oslo. I really…read moreenjoyed the combination of stunning nature, historical landmarks, and impressive fjord views. A walk through the forest leads to fascinating monastery ruins and historic cannons, which give the island a unique atmosphere. There are also several great places for swimming and relaxing by the water. The island is easily accessible by ferry and, despite being close to the city center, feels peaceful and relaxing. I spent several enjoyable hours here and would gladly return. Free toilets, free drinking water, and everything was clean. We made a short stop here during our stay in Oslo. The ferries are free if you have a multi-day public transport pass for Oslo.

We came to see the changing of the guard and take some photos. We were able to see the guards…read moreupclose and crowd control was maintained with out any barriers. This procession is much smaller than the changing of the guard in England, but respectable in it's own right. The gardens in the back of the palace were really nice and there are tours available that can be booked online, though we didn't partake.

I visited twice during my trip to Oslo, once early in the morning and again the day King Harald had…read morepassed, so I was able to see the outpour of people coming to pay their respects.

Shipwrecks and Spires…read more Oslo Harbor has been a very busy and popular place with mariners for a long time. Unfortunately it can also be a difficult place to navigate because of all the small islands, rocks and nasty reefs. Lots of shipwrecks have occurred in the harbor over the years and finally in 1890, after the wreck of the stream ship Norway, the city decided a lighthouse on Kavringen Reef would probably be a good idea. So in 1892 a very distinctive lighthouse was constructed that marked the treacherous reef. The lighthouse is 43 feet tall and has a wooden tower with a very unusual spire on top. It did it's job of warning ships well but slowly deteriorated over the decades. So in 2006 the wonderful little lighthouse was carefully and lovingly restored to it's original appearance. The unique and unusual lighthouse is still active today and is seen and known to the multitude of ships that pass through Oslo Harbor. The light is not open to the public but can be easily seen by boat.

Peter Jansen Wessel (Tordenskiold) Sculpture - A very beautiful and dignified statue dedicated to…read moreone of the important figures in Norwegian history. I appreciate both the quality of the details and its location in the city center. During my walk, I stopped here and was particularly interested in the historical significance of the person it commemorates. The statue feels majestic while blending naturally into its surroundings. History enthusiasts will certainly find this to be an interesting landmark that enriches any visit to Oslo.