The Norwegian capital has a lot to offer, and travelers often struggle to choose what attractions to see, especially if they have a very limited time in the city. If you find yourself tired of popular attractions and wary of tourist traps, this article is here to help. Here we’ll list places in Oslo that are off-the-beaten-path, where you can see and experience things that most travelers overlook. So lets take a look at the genuine hidden gems of Oslo.
On your next visit to Oslo, don’t hesitate to stroll the 10-15 minutes from the city center and arrive at the beautiful Damstredet district and the nearby neighborhood of Telthusbakken.
Unlike the polished facade you get to see in the city center, these houses date back to the 18th century, and are charmingly crooked and wooden. This area was constructed when it was impoverished town that consisted of dire hovels. Today, Damstredet is a popular space for artists and is an amazing contrast to the formal city center. Wandering in this at times stunning, at times cozy neighborhood is one of the most off-the-beaten-path things you could do in the Norwegian capital!
If you are staying in Oslo for at least a couple of days, don’t miss a chance to catch a metro train to this special neighborhood. Holmekollen is an area of Oslo that is most famous for its large ski jumping hill, known as Holmenkollbakken. The ski jump was opened in 1892 for the first time and underwent a major renovation in 1928. This jump is believed to be the world’s oldest ski jump and, notably, it has been upgraded 19 times throughout its history. In 1952, Holmenkollen even hosted the Winter Olympic Games.
Today, it is worth visiting this place not only because of the ski jump, but because of the stunning view of the city from the Holmenkollen tower viewpoint! As you enter the complex, you will pass through the ski museum. A statue of Fridtjof Nansen, a famous Norwegian polymath and humanitarian who had a passion for skiing, stands near the entrance to the museum.
The Holmenkollen Ski Museum houses an impressive collection of artifacts dedicated to this sport. If you have an Oslo city pass, a metro ride and access to the entire Holmenkollen complex, including the tower viewpoint and ski museum, are included.
Gustav Vigeland Park is a sculpture park that is famous worldwide and attracts hundreds of thousands of travelers every year. However, this city has a couple of other, lesser-known sculpture parks – Ekeberg Sculpture Park is one of them.
Christian Ringnes, an avid art collector, established and financed the creation of this park. The sculpture park was opened to the public in 2013, and it has a total of 31 sculptures. Visitors can enjoy the works by Salvador Dalí, Gustav Vigeland, Auguste Renoir, Lynn Chadwick, and many other renowned artists at this fantastic outdoor art display.
Oslo, like many Norwegian cities, has ample opportunities for outdoor activities and recreation in nature. Nordmarka, a big forest region to the north of the city is easily accessible by metro or train from the city. It is a great area for outdoor activities both in winter and summer, especially if you are experienced in outdoor activities. It is also famous for being the home to a lot of Norwegian wildlife, including moose, foxes, beaver, and eagles among many others.
During the winter season, you can enjoy cross-country skiing across Nordmarka. Currently, this region has over 450 km of marked trails, some of which are even illuminated in the evening. And, obviously, this is the best place for cross-country skiing, a sport that can deservedly be called “national” in this country, in the vicinity of Oslo.
In summer, there are some good hiking trails marked with blue signs, so you can have an enjoyable walk or intensive hike in nature. Many of these routes are also perfect for cycling! On top of all that, this area has some lovely lakes, which are great for swimming.
Given that the area of Nordmarka is around 430 square km, you can drop in one of the cabins located in this region. They are open to the public, and you can just have a break, a meal, or even spend a night there.
Emanuel Vigeland, one younger brother of the famous sculptor Gustav Vigeland, constructed this museum back in 1926. Initially, he conceived this building to be a place for exhibiting his sculptures and paintings, but later decided to turn it into his tomb. The main attraction of this place is the famed dark room that is completely decorated with frescoes on all sides. If you want to have a moment of heavy silence and aprediation in the heart of an otherwise bustling city, we really advise checking it out.
While you won’t have to go too far from Sentrum to find this location, we really consider the Olso Public Library to be a hidden gem. With five towering floors full of book lofts, media listening stations, cozy rocking chairs, bean bags and scenic views of the city, we can’t recommend visiting the library enough. It has something to offer for most anyone. Be shure to check the event schedule to catch a free movie, interesting lecture, or free workshop!
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