In this article we’ll show you the best outdoor museums, sculpture parks and art installations that Oslo has to offer.
One of Europe’s largest open-air museums in Oslo
Norsk Folkemuseum (Norwegian folk museum) is one of Europe’s largest open-air museums. It is a cultural history museum on Bygdøy in Oslo.
This outdoor museum showcases the lives of people who lived in Norway from the 1500’s until today. You can explore buildings, houses, villas, churches, stables, objects and other things that dates back to the 16th century.
Some of the houses are also open for you to go inside and have a look.
The Norwegian Folk Museum takes care of a large collection of objects, pictures and archives from all over Norway. The exhibitions show folk art, folk costumes, church art and Sami culture.
Sometimes the museum arranges performances of Norwegian folk music and dance, with artists wearing traditional Norwegian folk costumes, also called “bunad“.
Buy tickets: norskfolkemuseum.no/en
How to get there: Take bus line number 30 towards Bygdøy from the bus stop called “Kvadraturen“, a 1 minute walk from K7 Hotel Oslo. Get off the bus at the stop called “Folkemuseet“. Get your bus ticket in advance by using the RuterBillett app.
A park in a park – over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland
The Vigeland sculpture park is perhaps the most visited park in Oslo. In a sense it is a park within a park. The sculpture park is in the middle of Frognerparken which surrounds it. The park showcases over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron made by the well-known sculptor, Gustav Vigeland (1869 – 1943).
In the end of the park on a plateau is the famous “Monolitten”, or “The monolith” in English. It’s a sculpture that is almost 17 meters tall and consists of a total of 121 figures.
One of the most famous sculptures by Vigeland is “Sinnataggen“, which depicts a small and angry boy. The scultpture was cast in bronze probably around the year 1928, and is part of the 58 sculptures you can see on the bridge crossing over to the fountain in the middle of the park.
If you want to see more of the works of Vigeland, you can also consider visiting the Vigeland Museum, which is located in close proximity to the Vigeland sculpture park.
Click here to see the location of the main entrance to Vigeland sculpture park on Google Maps. Entrance is free of charge, and the park is open to anyone.
Main entrance to the park: Click here to see it on Google Maps
Address to Vigeland Museum: Nobels gate 32, 0268 Oslo
How to get to the park: Take tram line number 12 towards Majorstuen, from the bus stop named “Øvre slottsgate“, a 3 minute walk from K7 Hotel Oslo. Get off at the tram stop called “Vigelandsparken“. Get your tram ticket in advance by using the RuterBillett app.
A sculpture park with an amazing view – Ekebergparken skulpturpark
Another sculpture park worth visiting is Ekebergparken skulpturpark, which features a collection of more than 25 sculptures and other outdoor installations (and more being added yearly). The park is situated on top of a steep hill and has several paths and trails between trees, and has beautiful views of the city and the Oslo fjord.
The art collection consists of classical sculptures from the 19th and early 20th century and sculptures and installations by contemporary artists.
The park has since it’s opening become an important part of Oslo’s public art scene. After the park opened, it was also featured in the Wall Street Journal where it was listed as on of the world’s five best sculpture parks.
There is no admission and the park is open every day all year around. Most of the paths and trails are also lit, so they are easily accessible by both night an day.
Address to Ekebergparken: Kongsveien 23, 0193 Oslo
How to get there: Take tram line number 13 towards Ljabru from the tram stop called “Øvre slottsgate“, which is a 3 minute walk from K7 Hotel Oslo. Get off at the stop called “Ekebergparken“. Get your tram ticket in advance by using the RuterBillett app.
A living museum – Botanisk hage
Botanisk hage (botanical garden) is part of the Natural history museum in Oslo, and is truly a must-see for anyone who enjoys plants and other living things. The museum has over 4,500 plant types from around the world, with thematic gardens and two greenhouses.
The botanical garden does many things, ranging from education to research, and it is open for anyone to visit. Some plants are grown in green houses, and others are grown the thematic gardens surrounding the area. Some plants that are also considered threatened are also kept in the garden. The botanical garden is seen as an important recreational area in Oslo.
In the garden you can explore all kinds of plants, herbs, trees and bushes. You can also have a look at plants and flowers specific to Scandinavia and Oslo.
There’s even a “Viking garden“, where you can take a look at plants, rocks and animal products which were commonly used by the Vikings.
Address: Sars’ gate 1, 0562 Oslo
How to get there: Take the bus line number 31 towards Tonsenhagen from the stop called “Kvadraturen“, which is a 1 minute walk from K7 Hotel Oslo. Get off at the bus stop called “Sars gate“. Get your bus ticket in advance by using the RuterBillett app.
Choose a central hotel or hostel in Oslo
We hope you have enjoyed our guide of the best outdoor museums in Oslo. If you are wondering where to stay while you’re visiting, then look no further.
Our hotel, K7 Hotel Oslo, is a hybrid hotel with both hostel dorms and regular hotel rooms and it’s super central. We like to say that we are a hotel for all kinds of people.
All of our guests have access to the lobby café, guest kitchen where you can prepare your own meals, and a paid self-service laundry room.
Are you ready to book a room or a bunk bed in one of our hostel dorms? Then click here to get started now.
