3 Best Sights in Sentrum, Oslo

Dating from 1299, this stone medieval castle and royal residence was developed into a fortress armed with cannons by 1592. After that time, it withstood a number of sieges and then fell into decay. It was finally restored in 1899. Summer tours take you through its magnificent halls, the castle church, the royal mausoleum, reception rooms, and banquet halls. Explore Akershus Fortress and its resplendent green gardens on your own with the Fortress Trail Map, which you can pick up at the visitor center or download from the website.  The castle (or at least selected sections) may be closed to the public on short notice due to functions. Dates are always listed on the website.

Having reopened its doors in 2022, the newly constructed National Museum now stands as the largest art museum in the Nordic region. The eye-catching modern structure not far from the waterfront includes a rooftop hall longer than the Royal Palace and has views of Oslo City Hall, Akershus Fortress, and the Oslofjord. The Edvard Munch section holds such major paintings as The Dance of Life, one of two existing oil versions of The Scream, and several self-portraits. Classic landscapes by Hans Gude and Adolph Tidemand—including Bridal Voyage on the Hardangerfjord—share space with other works by major Norwegian artists. The museum also has works by Monet, Renoir, Van Gogh, and Gauguin, as well as contemporary works by 20th-century Nordic artists. Enjoy the landscaped garden seating areas and special events throughout the year.

The French coffee, homemade pastries, and ice cream are the big draws at Pascal, a trendy, Parisian-style patisserie inside an old-fashioned Norwegian konditori (café). It's also a place to see and be seen. There are three other locations in Oslo, but the store in Tollbugata 11 is the original.