Oslo

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Price guide: from £420 return from London.
Journey time (excluding transfers): 22h 48m

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Top 5 attractions in Oslo

A. Opera House

Rising out of the water like a giant iceburg, this stunning building with its distinctive shape seems to float in mid-air. It was awarded the prize for ‘best cultural building’ at the 2008 World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, and even has its own underwater sea defence to protect it should any ferries career off course. It’s close to Oslo S station, by the inlet Bjørvika.

Find out more at the Oslo Opera House website >

B. Vigeland Sculpture Park

Frogner Park is home to hundreds of sculptures by acclaimed Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland, along with a lovely café and a couple of museums – the City Museum of Oslo and the Vigeland Museum. Particularly impressive is the Monolith, a column of intertwined figures at the park’s highest point.

Find out more at the Vigeland Sculpture Park website >

C. Akershus Festning

This imposing medieval castle and fortress dates back to 1299, when King Håkon V ordered its construction to keep the fledging capital city safe from invasion. Explore the ancient stone walls and narrow passages, visit the two museums related to Norwegian military history, then clamber to the top for some stunning views of the Oslo Fjord and surrounding areas.

D. Munch Museum

On his death in 1944, Norway’s most influential artist Edvard Munch left his works to the city of Oslo. Most visitors are eager to see The Scream of course, but you’ll find roughly 1,100 paintings, 4,500 drawings and 18,000 prints alongside this fascinating Expressionist’s most famous work.

Find out more at the Munch Museum website >

E. Viking Ship Museum

This must-see Oslo museum is home to two of three world’s best-preserved Viking ships, excavated from the Oslo fjord and dating back to the 9th century. With its ornate carvings of dragons and serpents, the Oseberg is particularly impressive. The museum also houses a brilliant collection of more general artefacts on the Vikings.

Find out more at the Viking Ship Museum website >