Oslo Photo Spots
Known for its Viking roots and high standard of living, Norway’s capital is a must on any trip through Scandinavia. Oslo brims with monumental photo locations, bold design, and world-class museums, all easily connected by excellent public transport — and everything sits just a stone’s throw from the Oslofjord’s serene natural landscapes. Helsinki and Stockholm may shine, but make no mistake: Oslo is the new, undisputed capital of Scandi cool. Let’s dive into the best places to take photos in Oslo! 😎🇳🇴
We easily connect people with trusted photographers for fun photo shoots and have captured over four million memories worldwide. The magic of Flytographer is both the experience and the photos. Explore the city with a fun, talented photographer and get wall-worthy photos to relive your trip, forever. Today, we asked our local photographers to share their top five places to take photos in Oslo.
TLDR
- Admire the figures telling every human story at Vigeland Sculpture Park.
- Soak in Nordic craftsmanship at the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
- Walk in the footsteps of Nobel Prize winners at Oslo City Hall.
- Get a glimpse of modern royal life at The Royal Palace.
- Marvel at the striking architecture of the Oslo Opera House.
Photo: Carina in Oslo for Flytographer. The Holmenkollbakken Ski Jump in Oslo.
1. Vigeland Sculpture Park
Start your Oslo photo adventure with a backdrop that feels both dramatic and deeply human. Named after Gustav Vigeland, the sculptor behind its 200 expressive figures, the Vigeland Sculpture Park is all about emotion cast in bronze and granite.
The main bridge features fifty-eight statues, including the famous Angry Boy, mid-tantrum and utterly relatable. 😭 Beyond it, you’ll find a vast bronze fountain surrounded by life-tree sculptures, and the Monolith Plateau, the park’s highest point, offering sweeping views over its lawns, ponds, and tree-lined paths.
Open all day and free to visit, Vigeland is one of the best places to take photos in Oslo and capture the city’s artistic soul in the open air. (And yes, every statue here is, indeed, naked. 🫣)
Photo: Carina in Oslo for Flytographer. The Vigeland Sculpture Park at sunset.
2. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Set on the green Bygdøy peninsula, this open-air museum feels like stepping into a living storybook. With its wooden houses, cobblestone lanes, and rustic barns, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is one of the most photogenic spots in Oslo.
Composed of over 160 historic buildings, from medieval farmhouses to 19th-century townhouses, all authentic, the museum highlights centuries of Norwegian life. The Gol Stave Church steals the show: a Viking-era masterpiece of tiered wooden roofs and intricate carvings that seems to rise straight from an ancient legend. 😲
📝 Notes for a Fly Shoot: Admission (adults 195 NOK, kids 0–17 free) applies to both client and photographer. Paths are charmingly authentic with gravel, cobblestone, and grass, so a good pair of shoes helps.
Fly Tip: Want a pocket of old-world charm right in central Oslo? Head to Damstredet and Telthusbakken, two cobbled streets lined with wooden houses from the 1700s and 1800s. Just remember that these are residential areas, so click away respectfully.
3. Oslo City Hall
Just a short walk from the lively Aker Brygge waterfront, Oslo City Hall commands attention with its twin red-brick towers. At first glance, it may seem austere, but look closer and every detail reveals a story. Several sculptures and an impressive astronomical clock adorn the facade, while one tower houses a carillon of 49 bells that chime melodic Norwegian tunes. 🔔 If you climb to the top, you can even see them up close.
Open daily from 9 to 4 and free to visit, the interior is even more captivating than the exterior. Vast murals and paintings by local artists unfold across the walls and ceilings, illustrating moments from Norway’s past. This is also where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year — the only Nobel ceremony held outside Sweden — and the place is home to a small museum honouring the prize’s remarkable legacy. 👏🏅
Photo: Carina in Oslo for Flytographer.The Oslo City Hall at golden hour.
4. The Royal Palace
There’s something quietly majestic about the Royal Palace in Oslo. Its restrained neoclassical style suits a modern monarchy, yet it still exudes a certain graceful grandeur. 👑 For a couple of months each year, you can actually tour its interior and explore the ceremonial rooms once reserved for royal guests.
Surrounding the palace are vast grounds where locals stroll and picnic on breezy summer days. They make for a great photo spot. 📸 From the hill above the park, you get sweeping views of the palace and Karl Johans Gate (Oslo’s main boulevard, not an actual gate!) below. During Christmas, this area hosts one of the best holiday markets in the region.
Fly Tip: For a deeper dive into history (and an extra dash of medieval charm), don’t miss Akershus Fortress, a proper medieval castle offering guided tours, garden walks, and some of the best water views in Oslo. 🏰
Photo: Flytographer in Oslo. The Aker Brygge neighbourhood in Oslo.
5. The Oslo Opera House
Last but not least in our list of the great places to take photos in Oslo is the Oslo Opera House. With its crisp white marble facade, the building rises from the water like an angular iceberg. At least, that’s how locals like to describe it. 🧊
The Opera’s sloping roofs are open to the public, inviting you to walk up and take in panoramic views of the cityscape and harbour. Inside, the play of light on sculpted oak walls and Olafur Eliasson’s diamond-patterned ceiling adds to the drama. There’s also a stylish cafe and gift shop to linger in between frames. ☕
Fly Tip: Just next door, the Bjørvika district showcases Oslo’s forward-looking architecture, including the so-called “Barcode” skyline and the MUNCH Museum, whose steel facade appears to bow politely toward the city, and where you’ll find three versions of The Scream. 😱 For one last artistic stop, head to Tjuvholmen to see the Astrup Fearnley Museum, designed by Renzo Piano, yup, the same architect behind Paris’ Centre Pompidou.
Exploring Places to Take Photos in Oslo
A great way to wrap up your photo day in Oslo is by heading to Grünerløkka, the city’s trendiest neighbourhood. This once-industrial district now hums with colourful street art, vintage boutiques, and riverside cafes perfect for people-watching. Late afternoon is the magic hour here, when the light glows golden along the Akerselva River. Perfect for, yes, a few final photos. 😉
Speaking of perfect shots, our local photographers in Oslo are ready to capture you in the best light and show you their favourite corners of their hometowns. 🏡
