Oslo: Holmenkollen Ski Jump, Vigeland Park & City Sights Tour

4.52

(148 reviews)

What’s the experience like?

The first thing I noticed was the sharp clang of tram bells somewhere behind us as we rolled past the Oslo Opera House — all glass angles catching the morning light. Our guide, Erik, pointed out how the roof is open for anyone to climb. I watched two teenagers racing up there, jackets flapping. We wove through traffic along Karl Johans Gate, passing the Parliament building and City Hall (he said that’s where they hand out the Nobel Peace Prize — I didn’t know that). The air smelled faintly of coffee and wet stone; maybe it had rained earlier. Or maybe that’s just Oslo.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump looked way more dramatic than I’d pictured. Standing at its base, you can see all of Oslo laid out below — or at least you could if the clouds weren’t being so stubborn. Erik told us about ski jumpers flying 100 meters off this thing, which made my knees wobble just thinking about it. He grinned when I tried to pronounce “Holmenkollen” right (I definitely didn’t). We got some free time up there; I just stood quietly for a bit, watching a local jogger stretch against the railings like it was no big deal to have this view every day.

I didn’t expect Vigeland Sculpture Park to get under my skin, but it did. There’s something strange and raw about those granite figures — families tangled together, kids climbing over adults’ backs, people laughing or fighting or just existing. Erik explained how Gustav Vigeland sculpted hundreds of these over decades; he seemed genuinely proud of it. The rain started again while we walked among them, so everything felt a little slick and cold to touch. Still, I found myself lingering by one statue longer than I meant to — not sure why.