Oslo City Walk (2) Continued-Munch Museum

From Opera House, few minuets walk to the Munch Museum. There is a interesting giagantic sculpture outside the museum: the Mother, created by British artist Tracey Emin.  This striking bronze sculpture, unveiled in June 2022, stands nine meters tall and depicts a large, kneeling female figure.

The Munch Museum is a tribute to Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch. It opened in its current location in 2021 and offers a dynamic space to experience Munch’s extensive body of work, including The Scream, Madonna, The Dance of Life, and hundreds of other pieces that span his long and prolific career.

The museum houses over 26,000 pieces by Munch, from paintings and drawings to lithographs, prints, and personal belongings.   The Munch Museum has 13 floors with great view of Oslo and the fjord from the upper floors.

The Mother Sculpture

Photos of few Munch's Paintings

The Scream, 1895

View of Oslo/Opera House from top floor

Oslo City Walk (2)- Oslo Opera House

My first stop was the Oslo Opera House, about a 15-minute walk from my hotel. The Opera House was on the right side of the street, with the Oslo Main Library on the left. Located along the waterfront, the Oslo Opera House offers a stunning setting. I took a few photos, even capturing a friendly seagull that happened to be wandering around. From the Opera House, you can see the Munch Museum and a Ferris wheel in the background. I then began the essential walk up to the roof, pausing occasionally to take in the view of Oslo across the water. The Opera House features a large rooftop space, allowing you to explore without feeling crowded. Only at the very top is there a busier area, where visitors gather to enjoy the best views of the city across the river. Walking all over the Opera House roof was a unique experience—I took my time and thoroughly enjoyed it. After the Opera House, I visited the nearby Munch Museum. Following the museum visit, I headed toward Oslo City Hall, only to discover it was closed. I took a few photos there before continuing to City Hall Square along the waterfront. I walked along the shoreline, snapping photos as I went, passing by the Nobel Peace Center, the National Museum, the Astrup Fearnley Museum, and finally Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park, where many people were relaxing on the lawn, enjoying the sunshine with friends and family. Somehow, I found myself back across from the Opera House for a different perspective and took a few more pictures. From there, I passed the Main Library on my way to Oslo Central Station, where I took more photos. I then returned to the library and spent some time exploring inside.

Oslo Main Library

                                                               Oslo Opera House

Walking the Oslo Opera House Roof Top

Munch Museum viewed from the Opera House Roof top

Oslo Main Library viewed from the Opera House Roof Top

Oslo City Walk (1) Parliament Building and City Hall Square

Started from my hotel located in downtown I walked to nearby Norwegian Parliament Building, where a group was holding a protest in the small square in front of the Parliament and the Grand Hotel Oslo.

From there, I headed to City Hall Square, located right on the waterfront. It’s a spacious square with water fountains and a lovely garden.

Down at the waterfront is Norway Yacht Charter, where a few antique boats from Norway Yacht Charter were docked and snapped some photos.

Back at the square to the left side of the square. Up on a hill, there’s a statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt with a beautiful view overlooking the harbor, the Norway Yacht Charter boats, and the City Hall Square.

On the opposite side of the square is the Nobel Peace Center.

Walking back towards City Hall, I passed through another beautiful garden. I arrived at a smaller square named Fridtjof Nansens plass, just in front of the City Hall entrance. People were dining outside, and there were a few interesting art installations on display.

I continued my walk to the National Theatre and then strolled along the shopping street Karl Johans gate, where more people were dining outdoors. Afterwards, I headed back to the hotel.

Norwegian Parliament Building

Grand Hotel Oslo

City Hall Square

Norway Yacht Charter

Franklin D. Roosevelt Statue

View of Norway Yacht Charter and City Hall Square from Roosevelt Statue

Nobel Peace Center

Fridtjof Nansens Plass

National Theatre

Karl Johans Gate

Oslo- 1) Frognerparken/Vigelandsparken

Frognerparken, also known as Vigelandsparken, is a large public park renowned for its impressive collection of sculptures created by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. This park is part of the larger Frogner Park and covers around 45 hectares, making it one of the largest sculpture parks in the world dedicated to a single artist.

The park contains over 200 bronze, granite, and wrought iron sculptures, Vigeland's work in the park took place between 1924 and 1943, making it a lifetime project. Each sculpture reflects human emotions and experiences, capturing joy, love, anger, and family.

Some of the most iconic sculptures include The Monolith, a towering 14-meter column carved from a single block of granite and featuring 121 intertwined human figures symbolizing the cycle of life. 

Entrance to the park is free.

Oslo Impressions and Experiences

My first experience at Oslo Airport left a surprising impression of the city. Like most passengers, we needed transportation to get from the airport to downtown Oslo, where we were staying. Initially, I thought calling a taxi would be straightforward. However, just before exiting the terminal to the taxi area, I noticed a large screen—similar to those in McDonald's for ordering food—where you can book a taxi. You simply enter your destination address, and it displays a set price and the driver’s information.

After completing the booking, we stepped outside and waited briefly for our driver to arrive. He showed up quickly, and we got into the car. This experience was very different from the traditional taxi line; there was no waiting in line, and the price and driver’s details were clear from the start—much like an Uber ride.

My visit to Oslo was rather short—only two full days. I wish I had stayed longer because it was truly a beautiful city. I enjoyed its stunning landscapes, architectural design, rich history, openness, artistic and colorful streets, delicious food, and the warmth of the people. The wonderful weather (July) made me feel relaxed and peaceful. Unlike the bustling atmospheres I experienced in other cities like Helsinki or Dublin, Oslo felt open and harmoniously in tune with nature. While some areas were crowded, most of the places I visited were spacious, calm, and inviting.  

I couldn’t see all the attractions, but every place I visited left a lasting impression. They were unlike anything I’d seen elsewhere in the world.

Oslo Opera House, with its stunning and unique architectural design, impressed me the most. Walking on the roof was a one-of-a-kind experience.

Frogner Park was breathtakingly beautiful. I took countless photos of the landscape and sculptures, though I could only choose a few to display. The emotions conveyed through the sculptures were so vivid and real, capturing a range of human experiences and feelings.

I explored much of Oslo on foot, and the public transportation was also very convenient. "Ruter" is a mobile app lets you buy your ticket before you get on board. The ticket is valid on the Metro, buses, trams, ferries and trains in Oslo and Akershus. 

Here is a list of main attractions I visited during my visit: The Opera House; Frogner Park; City Hall Square; Oslo City Hall and Munch Museum.