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Photo: Photo © 2005 by Tomasz Sienicki [user: tsca, mail: tomasz.sienicki at gmail.com], CC BY 2.5 via Wikimedia Commons
A medieval castle and fortress built in 1299, located close to the city centre. There are several excellent viewpoints to the Oslofjord and surrounding areas. The stone walls create an exciting atmosphere, and you are free to roam around in tight passages and staircases. There are two museums here, both related to Norwegian military history (see museums below).
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle in the Norwegian capital Oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city. It is located on the banks of the Oslofjord. Since the Middle Ages the fortress has been the namesake and centre of the main fief and later main county of Akershus, which was originally one of Norway's four main regions and which included most of Eastern Norway. The fortress itself was located within the Akershus main county until 1919, and within the smaller Akershus sub-county until 1842.
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The resistance museum
Describes the resistance against the Nazi German occupation of Norway during World War II.
Forsvarsmuseet, The Defence Museum
Describes Norwegian military history and provides an insight into the development from the Middle Ages to the first years after World War II.
A unique collection of mini bottles. While the bottles are small, the museum exhibits 12,500 of them from a collection of 53,000, over an area of 1,500 m².
from the port next to the Oslo City Hall and Aker Brygge
A relaxing break from the busy city: There are many boats and ferries that can take you to the idyllic, small islands of the archipelago in the inner Oslofjord. Activities such as fishing, swimming, sunbathing, strolling and exploring ashore the islands. To the museums at the Bygdøy peninsula is a separate all year ferry . Throughout the year the Oslofjord can be crossed by ferry B10 to Nesodden. There is also a boat liner to the historic Oscarsborg Fortress off Drøbak at a slightly higher fare during the summer season. Bring food and drink for picnics on the islands before starting the boat trip.
Rådhuset
A monumental functionalist building in red brick. Opinions are divided if this is a pretty building, but it is certainly imposing. The austere facade has a surprising number of fine details. Open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. Other rooms are also decorated with a variety of art. There are also some displays of historical artefacts in the side rooms upstairs. This is where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented every year. Although there is no public lift, disadvantaged visitors only have to ask and they can use the staff lift. On one of the towers, there is a glockenspiel playing melodies at every hour, the huge instrument is about 20,000 kg and stands 66 m above ground. The building was opened in 1950 after 32 years of planning and construction.
Parliament
It has free guided tours in English and Norwegian lasting about 45 minutes, which assemble outside the back door of the Parliament (on Akersgata). There is a limit of 30 people per tour, so be there at least 10 minutes prior to the start of a tour.