Ekebergparken Sculpture Park with sea view and the sculpture "Anatomy of an angel" by the artist Damien Hirst.

© Editos foto/Shutterstock

Ekebergparken

Top choice in Sofienberg, Grønland & Tøyen


Opened to much controversy in 2013, Ekebergparken cemented Oslo's reputation as a contemporary-art capital and, in particular, one devoted to sculpture. A vast forested public park overlooking the city and the Oslofjord is dotted with work from the collection of property developer and art collector Christian Ringnes, with artists represented including Louise Bourgeois, Marina Abramovíc, Jenny Holzer, Tony Oursler, Sarah Lucas, Tony Cragg and Jake and Dinos Chapman, and a few traditional works from Rodin, Maillol and Vigeland.

You'll need at least half a day to explore properly, and expect your visit to unfold more as a treasure hunt than a usual museum experience. While seeking out the various installations, make sure you visit the Ekeberg Stairs, a historic as well as breathtaking viewpoint, and the Munch Spot, the view that inspired The Scream (as well as a 2013 Abramovíc work). There are children's activities held in the Swiss-chalet-style Lund's House, where you'll also find a museum exploring the geological and natural world of the park, as well as an art and design shop.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Sofienberg, Grønland & Tøyen attractions

1. Kunsthall Oslo

0.7 MILES

This nonprofit art space presents a very interesting program of both international and Norwegian contemporary artists, including special commissions. It's…

2. Oslo Opera House

0.77 MILES

Centrepiece of Oslo's rapidly developing waterfront, the magnificent Opera House (2008), reminiscent of a glacier floating in the waters of the Oslofjord,…

3. nyMusikk

0.91 MILES

Part gallery, part office, part library and part performance space, nyMusikk hosts a program of sound-focused art shows, performances and festivals. Even…

4. 1857

0.98 MILES

Stian Eide Kluge and Steffen Håndlykken began this artist-run space in a former timberyard in 2010 and it's one of the city's most respected and enduring…

5. Museet for Samtidskunst

1.1 MILES

The highly regarded National Museum of Contemporary Art is keeper of the National Gallery's collections of post-WWII Scandinavian and international art…

6. Akershus Slott

1.16 MILES

In the 17th century Christian IV renovated Akershus Castle into a Renaissance palace, although the front remains decidedly medieval. In its dungeons you…

7. Akershus Festning

1.17 MILES

When Oslo was named capital of Norway in 1299, King Håkon V ordered the construction of Akershus, strategically located on the eastern side of the harbour…

8. Oslo Cathedral

1.18 MILES

The highlights of a visit to Oslo Cathedral, which dates from 1697, are the elaborate stained-glass windows by Emanuel Vigeland (brother of Gustav) and…