The Fram Museum contains exhibitions of some of the most famous voyages of exploration. The centerpiece of the museum is the world´s strongest wooden ship, the polar ship Fram.
Norway: Oslo – Akershus Fortress
Dating from 1299, this medieval castle and royal residence developed into a fortress in 1592 and was rebuilt into a Renaissance castle between 1637 and 1648.
Akershus Castle today contains banquet halls, the Royal Mausoleum and the government’s reception rooms, and its small, historic church is the home of the royal sarcophagi. The building of Akershus Castle and Fortress commenced in the late 1290s under King Haakon V. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 14th century, had a strategic location at the very tip of the headland, and withstood several sieges throughout the ages, primarily by Swedish forces. Its immediate proximity to the sea was very important as naval power was vital in protecting the interests of Norwegian commerce, which was largely carried out by sea during the period.
The castle was modernised under King Christian IV (1588-1648) and converted into a Renaissance castle and royal residence. During the 17th and 18th centuries, the castle fell into disrepair and restoration work did not start until 1899.
Akershus Fortress is still a military area, but it is open daily to the public until 21.00. In addition to the castle, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum and the Norwegian Resistance Museum are located there. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence and Defence Staff Norway also share modern headquarters in the eastern part of Akershus Fortress.
Several members of Norwegian Royalty are buried in the Royal Mausoleum in the castle. They include King Sigurd I, King Haakon V, Queen Eufemia, King Haakon VII, Queen Maud, King Olav V and Crown Princess Märtha.
We’ve been around several palaces and castles in Scandinavia, but Akershus feels very different. It was an interesting place to wander around. As with many Renaissance castles, the rooms were small and cosy but beautifully decorated. The passages were narrow and because there were not that many visitors, it felt very atmospheric as we stepped through the corridors. Down in the basement of the castle are the dungeons. This part of the castle was made into four prison cells early in the 17th century. From the written sources we learn that one of the cells was known as the witch’s pit. The inner prison cell floor is sloped due to the angle of the corridor going underneath the cell. These cells were used up until the 1700s, after which the prisoners were moved to the main fortress prison.
The castle is still used for official receptions. The Romerike and Margrethe Halls are large rooms that had been set out for banquets. They are also reputedly haunted.
The final room we visited was the Hall of Olav V, which is presumed to be the main hall of the original Medieval castle. The present room is a result of the restoration during the 1900s, with interior elements controversially inspired by English and Norwegian originals from the 1300s. The most striking feature of this hall is the Rose Window a stained-glass window designed by Emanuel Vigeland (brother of sculptor, Gustav Vigeland). During the Nazi occupation of Norway, Norwegian resistance fighters blew up one of Hitler’s flagships, the Selma, in Oslo’s harbour. Unfortunately, the ship contained 400 tons of explosives, and the shockwave damaged several structures around the harbour and splintered the window. The window’s restoration is currently underway and is close to completion. In the hall are displays and a video that covers the restoration of the Rose Window.
Planning your visit to Akershus Fortress
Getting around Oslo
Thanks to Oslo’s excellent public transportation system Ruter, it is easy to travel around the city. Distances between attractions are often quite short, so you can explore a lot of the city by walking or biking.
Public transport
All public transport in Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are included in one ticketing system. That includes city and regional buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains and ferries. The ferries to Bygdøy are not included.
Tickets and zones
One of the easiest ways to get and manage tickets for public transport is using the mobile app Ruter. If you prefer having physical tickets in your pocket, you can purchase them at the Oslo Visitor Centre, at Ruter’s customer service centre, and in Narvesen and 7-Eleven shops.
Get an overview of the prices for tickets here.
Please note that if you want a physical version of weekly, monthly or annual tickets, you need a reusable plastic travel pass costing 50 NOK. All tickets are transferable.
Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are divided into several zones. All of Oslo, including the last stops of the subway system, is included in zone 1. If you want to go to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, you need a ticket for four zones. If you have a period ticket of the Oslo Pass, you can buy the remaining zones separately.
Ticket prices for public transportation in Oslo
See all ticket prices for public transport in Oslo and find out where you can buy tickets.
Oslo Pass
If you are planning to spend a few days in Oslo, using the public transport system and visiting several of the city’s attractions then the Oslo Pass could be a good option for you. We purchased the pass for our stay and it was great value for money and made our lives easier. Find out more about the Oslo Pass and what is included here.
With the Oslo Pass, you can travel for free within zone 1 (Oslo) and zone 2. In addition to Ruter’s public transport network, also the ferries to Bygdøy are included in the Oslo Pass.
It comes as an app as well, so you can handily have it on your phone when using the transportation or visiting one of the tourist attractions.
Eating out for vegans in Oslo
While Oslo might not be the most vegan-friendly city in the world, there are still plenty of high-quality options to choose from.
- Oslo Raw – Address: Skovveien 16, 0257 Oslo, Norway osloraw.no
- Dirty Vegan at Barcode Street Food – Dronning Eufemias gate 14, 0191 Oslo, Norway https://www.dirtyvegan.no
- Nord Vegan – Kristian IVs gate 15B, 0164 Oslo, Norway 3 https://www.nordvegan.no/
- Cultivate – Helgesens gate 18a, 0553 Oslo, Norway – https://cultivatefood.no
- Torggata Botaniske – Torggata 17B, 0183 Oslo, Norway https://www.torggatabotaniske.no/
- Veggie da Luca – Thorvald Meyers gate 34, 0555 Oslo, Norway https://delideluca.no/
- Silk Road at Oslo Street Food – Torggata 16, 0181 Oslo, Norway – https://www.oslo-streetfood.no/silk-road
The best time to visit Oslo
Positioned in the southern part of Norway, Oslo experiences a Humid continental climate; no dry season, warm summer, according to the Köppen climate classification, symbol Dfb. The climate bears a strong influence of Gulf Stream, thus enjoying a warmer climate than other regions of similar latitude around the world.
For Oslo annually, monthly average temperatures range between -6.8°C (19.8°F) to 21.5°C (70.7°F), showing significant fluctuations as the season change. Moreover, rainfall is experienced all year round, with monthly averages ranging from 36mm (1.42″) to 90mm (3.54″). The city endures between 4 and 8 rainy days per month, with the maximum number of rainy days in August and November.
The best time to visit Oslo
For visitors, the best time to visit Oslo is usually between June and August. Temperatures during these months range from 15.1°C (59.2°F) to 21.5°C (70.7°F), which is quite pleasant for outdoor activities. The sea temperature is at its highest, around 17.3°C (63.1°F) in June and 17.9°C (64.2°F) in August. These months also provide the longest daylight hours, between 17.9 and 18.7 hours, providing ample opportunity to explore the city’s attractions.
The worst time to visit Oslo
The winter season, from December to February, is regarded as the least attractive time to visit Oslo due to the cold temperatures and short daylight hours. The average temperatures plummet to cold levels between -6.8°C (19.8°F) to -0.9°C (30.4°F), and daylight is restricted to between 6.1 and 9.2 hours. Additionally, the sea temperature is at its coldest, dipping to between 3°C (37.4°F) to 4.2°C (39.6°F), making it unsuitable for water-based activities.
Where to stay in Oslo
1. Mid Range: Hotell Bondeheimen
This central hotel is just 100 metres from the National Gallery and Oslo’s main shopping street, Karl Johans Gate. Free WiFi and a popular in-house restaurant is available. The Oslo Opera House is 1.3 km away.
Hotel Bondeheimen’s spacious rooms also include cable TV, a tea/coffee maker and ironing facilities.
Hotel Bondeheimen’s restaurant, Kaffistova, specialises in traditional Norwegian food such as potato dumplings and cod.
Tinghuset Tram Stop is just around the corner from Bondeheimen and is a 4-minute ride from Oslo Central Station.
2. Luxury – Hotel Continental
The elegant Hotel Continental is centrally located in Oslo, only 150 metres from Oslo’s main street, Karl Johan. It is the only 5-star hotel in Norway, and offers free in-room Internet access.
The individually decorated rooms at Continental Hotel include a cable TV, minibar and an in-room safe. Bathrooms include amenities and a separate shower and bath.
Leisure options include a free 24 hour gym and a lobby lounge featuring Edward Munch lithographs.
Guests can enjoy fine dining at Restaurant Eik Annen Etage. The historic Theatercaféen has been the Oslo’s most popular dining and meeting place for over 100 years.
3. Budget -Bunks at Rode
Situated in Oslo, Bunks at Rode has a shared lounge, terrace, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is around 4.1 km from Akershus Fortress, 6.9 km from Sognsvann Lake and 2.4 km from Oslo Bus Terminal. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.5 km from Oslo Central Station.
Certain rooms are fitted with a kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. The rooms have bed linen.
More to Explore
