You can’t really explore the city with just one day in Oslo. Even though it rained in between, I tried to make the best of it.
The main street, Karl Johan Gate, is the real centre of the city. It leads from the main station to the Royal Palace. Not far from the main station was the Thon Hotel where I stayed. This was deliberately planned so that the way to the main station could be reached on foot the next day.
First I walked along Karl Johan Gate to the castle. On the way, one sees many sculptures and also many pigeons and seagulls.
The first destination was the Royal Palace with its beautiful park. The weather gods were kind and allowed me a break from the rain from time to time. On various signs you can read something about the history of the park. Most of the signs are in Norwegian and English. One thing stuck in my mind. The park was finished two years earlier than the royal palace and was already open to the public, which was unique in Europe for the 18th century.
Before I went on to the Vigelandanlage, it started raining again. I discovered a cosy little café with lots of delicious cakes, so I went in.
By the time I had finished my coffee and cake, it had stopped raining again and so I went to Vigeland Park. I think that the park with its hundreds of sculptures and reliefs by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigilant is certainly one of the most visited sights in Oslo.
The break in the rain lasted a little longer and so on the way back to the hotel we went to the famous opera house.
In the evening, my stomach, which was desperate for something to eat, started to make itself heard. Egon (a restaurant chain in Norway) was located between the main station and my hotel. The food was delicious, even though the ordering process was a bit new for me. But you can get by in Norway with English.
