Downtown Oslo: Self-Guided Highlights and History Audio Tour

Aker Brygge is a shopping center built on the remains of an old shipyard. It's a popular meeting spot to grab a bite to eat or a drink after work.

The Nobel Peace Center building used to be an old railway station, where trains from the western parts of Norway arrived. The building now serves as a museum about the Nobel Peace Prize and tells the story of the Peace Prize founder Alfred Nobel, as well as past winners.

The park that surrounds the Royal Palace was built during the 1840's. It has many majestic trees, well-kept lawns and beautiful ponds, some of them with fountains. The park is a popular recreational area for the citizens of Oslo, and even served as a base for hippies in the mid-1960's.

Paris has its Champs Elysees, New York has its Broadway, Oslo has Karl Johan Avenue – or just “Karl Johan”. The first part of the street was already established in the 1500s, but since 1852 it has been known as “Karl Johan” – named after the King.

In the old days the Østbanehallen was the central railway station for the northern routes in Norway. After a complete transformation, the Østbanehallen reopened in 2015 and features shops, restaurants, a hotel and the Oslo Visitor Center.