Oslo is a beautiful city with many spots to take great photos. I spent a week in Norway’s capital and scouted the eleven best places to take a great picture. In a city like Oslo, you’re almost guaranteed to get a stunning photograph, surrounded by mountains and fjords, with a mix of modern and classically colourful architecture.
This post is your guide for the eleven BEST photo spots in Oslo, Norway.
Narrowing down my list to eleven locations was difficult. Oslo is a gorgeous city that is not only walkable but has an excellent public transportation system. And it’s less than a twenty-minute train ride from the airport to the downtown station (Oslo S).
Given Oslo’s northern attitude, you’ll have the best weather and light in the summer. And shorter days with a mixed bag of precipitation in the winter, from snow to rain to glorious sun. Even though most of my week in Norway’s capital was grey and gloomy, I was utterly entranced by Oslo’s interesting architecture and history.
Before I started scouting out my favourite photo locations, I did a few walking tours to familiarize myself with the city.
I am a huge fan of Foodie Walking Tours and do one in almost every new city I visit. The Norwegian Food Tour & Hidden Gems of Oslo did not disappoint. We walked a lot and tried a ton of amazing and unique Norwegian foods. Did you know that there was such a thing as brown cheese?
The Guided Walking Tour in Central Oslo was a great value and took me to all of Oslo’s major sites. And I learned so much about the city’s history and culture.
And if you are looking for an awesome place to stay in central Oslo, I love, love, loved the Bob W Sentralen. It is just a few minutes walk from the Central Train Station, with cozy rooms and a ton of thoughtful touches, like breakfast vouchers to nearby cafes and access to local gyms.
Some of Oslo’s best photo spots are great photographs day or night. Others are better at a specific time of day. Have tried my best to organize the list from morning to night.
Oslo Cathedral
Centrally located near the top of Karl Johan Gate, the Oslo Cathedral is where Norway’s royal family celebrates weddings and holds funerals. While smaller than you might expect for the country’s national church, it’s very photogenic.
With a bronze steeple and pale yellow bricks, it looks terrific when photographed with the statue of King Christian IV of Norway and Denmark gazing up at the church from the plaza across the street.
At nighttime, stand a short distance away and use the line of the street to lead your eye up to the illuminated clock and the church’s dramatic steeple.
The view down Karl Johan Gate to the Royal Palace
If you could only walk down one street in Oslo to see as much of the city as possible, pick Karl Johan Gate. Part pedestrian street, it connects Oslo’s central train station all the way down to the Royal Palace.
One of Oslo’s best photo spots is near the Parliament Building, gazing down towards Norway’s yellow Royal Palace, which has a golden glow in the morning sunlight.
Many of Oslo’s tourist attractions line this street, including the Grand Hotel, the Parliament, the National Theatre, the Royal Palace and Norway’s favourite chocolate shop, Freia.
Stortinget
The Stortinget on Karl Johan Gate is Norway’s Parliament Building. Its pale yellow bricked facade has its circular assembly building in the centre that is hugged by a rectangular wing on either side.
Two lion statues flank either side of the ramp leading up to the entrance, which is a perfect photo spot in Oslo for either the Stortinget or the Grand Hotel, which is located across the street.
My pictures of the Stortinget looked great during the day, but my favourite shot was at night when both the Stortinget and one of its lions were under the glow of the spotlights.
Olso’s City Hall
Much to my disappointment, Oslo’s city hall was under restoration when I visited. All of the scaffolding almost kept me away, but I was so happy that I went inside.
Not only is it free to visit, but you can wander through multiple chambers beautifully decorated by Norwegian artists. Marriages and press conferences are held in the Munch room, named after Norway’s famous artist who painted The Scream.
The Eastern Gallery was my favourite interior photo spot in Oslo, with its walls all covered by a gorgeous mural. You can also visit the central hall, where every year, on December 10th, the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.
Damstredet
Less than a twenty-minute walk from Oslo’s central train station, Damstredt is a charming street that hints at what an older Oslo must have looked like.
Would recommend you visit mid-day for the best light. While I did return at night, I preferred my daytime pictures of the colourful old houses that line this street.
The surrounding area has some cute homes as well as a few restaurants in old Oslo-style buildings, but Damstret Street was the highlight.
Telthusbakken
Telthusbakken is another colourful street, a 10-minute walk from Damstret. Walk up the hill past fifteen or so cute cottage-like houses while they are bathed in the morning sunlight.
There is a community garden on one side, and up at the top of the hill is Old Aker Church.
Restorations prevented me from visiting inside Old Aker Church, but would suggest a visit when it reopens. This medieval church was built in 1080 and is Oslo’s oldest building.
Colourful Streets
As soon as you enter the more residential area of Oslo, you’ll start seeing more and more colourful buildings. Many are three or four-story apartment buildings painted in a rainbow of colours.
I couldn’t choose a favourite photo spot amongst all of Oslo’s colourful streets. But maybe you’ll find yours by strolling around on a sunny day, taking pictures of any colour combination that suits your fancy.
I loved the Grünerløkka neighbourhood for its colourful homes, cute cafes, restaurants, and lovely local shops.
Opera House
Oslo’s world-famous performance centre was designed to resemble an iceberg. And you can walk up and down its slanted roofs to get spectacular views of the surrounding area.
The best time to photograph is when the afternoon sun is shining onto the front of the Opera House. Stand on the promenade across the water that is lined with floating saunas.
You can also visit the lobby for free and see the oak-lined outside of the auditorium with its ramps sweeping upward.
Barcode Project
The Barcode Project refers to a line of architecturally unique buildings on Dronning Eufemias Gate in the Opera Quarter.
The afternoon sun highlights their quirky design. They are only a short walk from the Oprea House, the Munch Museum and the Deichman Library.
They are all office or residential buildings, so the area has numerous restaurants, cafes and shops.
Akrobaten Bru
Akrobaten Bru is a pedestrian bridge that crosses over the train tracks heading into the central station.
It is a great photo spot in Oslo when the sun is setting. Catch some of its golden light between two of the Barcode Project buildings, with the top of the bridge’s metal bars running through the picture.
Akershus Fortress
Visit Akershus Fortress at any time of day because it offers several great photo spots and views of Oslo. This image was taken from Stranden, a waterfront promenade lined with restaurants, ice cream shops and ferry boat docks.
Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle that was once the home to the royal family and was built in the 1290s.
The fortress is still a military area, with His Majesty the King’s Guard watching over it. It’s free to wander around outside and take in the views. There are also a few small museums that you can pay to visit inside.
Oslo is a city worth visiting for a day or two to take great photographs and visit unique museums like the Munch, where you can see not one but three versions of the Scream. Also, check out my post Phenomenal Photo Locations in the Lofoten Islands.
