Things to do in Solbergelva

Drammen Spiral

No. 2 of Best Things to Do in Norway

Munch

Munch is one of the must-visit attractions in Oslo. The museum houses a vast collection of Edvard Munch's paintings, sketches, letters, notes, photos, and other precious materials, offering you a comprehensive understanding of Munch's life. Interestingly, the reason Munch has been able to preserve and display so many of Munch's works and historical materials is that he was not a best-selling artist during his lifetime. As a result, many of his works remained unpublished until his death. Munch had a habit of keeping his works with him during his lifetime, and upon his death in 1944, he bequeathed all the works in his possession to the city of Oslo. The museum was established in 1963 and moved to its current seaside location in 2021. The museum houses three versions of "The Scream" — oil painting, sketch, and print — which are rotated for display due to the light sensitivity and fragility of the paper-based works, with at least one version usually on view. Masterpieces such as "Madonna," "The Sick Child," and "Puberty" are also part of the collection, and the combinations of works in different galleries are regularly changed, offering new arrangements with each visit. For large-scale works, don't miss the two-story gallery showcasing monumental pieces like "The Sun." The upper floors also feature floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the fjord and the opera house, perfect for a rest or photo opportunity.

Drammensbadet

Drammen park og Tuftepark

Union scene

Drammen Theater

No. 10 of Best Things to Do in Norway

The Vigeland Park

The Vigeland Park is located within Frogner Park in the west of Oslo. It is the result of nearly 20 years of dedicated work by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland: 192 bronze and granite sculptures, featuring over 650 figures in various poses, were all created by him alone. They are arranged around the theme of "life," covering birth, growth, love, and aging. Such a complete set of sculptures created independently by a single artist is rare in scale worldwide. The tour follows the central axis from east to west: first, cross the bridge, which is about 100 m long. Among the life-sized bronze figures on both sides of the bridge, the "Angry Boy" stomping his foot is a must-see for almost everyone to take a photo with. Next is the large circular fountain, where the bronze reliefs around the rim and the black-and-white granite inlaid ground are worth a close look. Further ahead, the "Monolith" on the high platform is carved from a single block of granite and stands 17.3 m tall. The column features 121 figures lifting each other up, climbing layer by layer toward the top. It took three stonemasons 14 years to complete. The circular steps below the column are surrounded by dozens of granite sculpture groups. At the end of the axis, the "Wheel of Life," featuring a ring of figures holding onto each other, concludes the tour, echoing the theme of the cycle of life throughout the park. The park itself has open green spaces, with lawns, woods, and ponds. Locals often come here to walk, picnic, and jog. If you want to learn more about the sculptor's life and the plaster casts of the "Monolith," you can also visit the museum adjacent to the park, which was converted from Vigeland's former home and studio.

Drammen ski center

No. 9 of Best Things to Do in Norway

Oslo City Hall

Oslo City Hall is situated by Pipervika bay, facing the Oslo Fjord. It is a red-brick building with twin towers and serves as the seat of the Oslo City Council and the city government. Designed by architects Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulsson, construction was halted during World War II, and it was later officially completed to commemorate the 900th anniversary of the founding of Oslo. Its two square brick towers, one taller than the other, are its signature feature. The carillon at the top of the east tower plays on the hour, with a repertoire ranging from classical to pop music. Rather than an office building, it is more like an open art gallery, with the furnishings in each hall and room created by various Norwegian artists over many years. In the Main Hall, massive murals by painters Henrik Sørensen and Alf Rolfsen cover the walls, depicting industries that Norwegians rely on for their livelihood, such as fishing, forestry, and manufacturing, while also recording the city's memories of the World War II occupation. The second floor features a room displaying Edvard Munch's painting "Life," as well as a ceremonial gallery decorated with tapestries and portraits of past royal family members. The colonnade facing the square is decorated with a series of colorful wood reliefs based on Norse mythology. The exterior details are also worth a close look: on the seaside, there is a statue of St. Hallvard, the patron saint of the city; on the west wall, there is an equestrian statue of Harald Hardrada; and above the main entrance is a large astronomical clock. Every year on December 10, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held in the Main Hall, attended by members of the Norwegian royal family. Standing in the square in front of Oslo City Hall to see the red-brick twin towers framed by the fjord and cruise ships, and then following the hourly chimes to explore the murals and furnishings in the various halls and rooms, you can learn about the history and life of Norway over the past century.

Ypsilon Bridge