The Vigeland Park, Oslo: A Local’s Guide

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One of my favourite things to do in Oslo is to simply grab a coffee and go for a walk in the Vigeland Park. This Sculpture Park is one of the top attractions on Oslo and a great place to spend a few hours, regardless of the time of year. Winter, Summer, Autumn and Spring – my suggestion is always the same: Let’s grab a coffee and go for a walk in Vigelandsparken!

There are plenty of fun things to do in Oslo, and this always makes the list.

Visiting the Vigeland Park, Oslo

The Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken) is a sculpture park in Oslo, and it is actual a small part of the much larger Frogner Park (Frognerparken). The park is located in the centre of Oslo, just a little west of the main shopping street, Karl Johan. All though I love walking along Akerselva I am slightly biased to Vigelandsparken as it was right at my doorstep when I lived in Oslo.

There are lots of things (and people) to see in the Vigeland Park, and you are always joined by plenty of dog walkers, mothers with their strollers, tourists taking pictures of the sculptures, couples picnicking on the grass and other wanderers like yourself.

As mentioned, I always bring visiting friends to the Vigeland Park when we are in Oslo, accompanied by coffee. You’ll find that both Starbucks and its Norwegian equivalent; Espresso House, are right around the corner of the park, so you’ll always have something warm to hold on to. In addition to this, Norwegians pride themselves on being proper coffee lovers, and you’ll find several coffee shops that aren’t affiliated with any chain in the Majorstua area as well.

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About the Vigeland Park

The Vigeland Park is the world’s largest sculpture park made by one artist, and if you haven’t guessed it yet, his name was (Gustav) Vigeland. It consists of over 200 sculptures in different styles and materials, and Vigeland himself also designed the layout of the park in addition to all the sculptures and statues!

The statues along the park are quite fun to look at, and you’ll definitely have a favourite by the time you leave. Sinnataggen (the statue of the little angry boy) is by far the most famous of them all, but my favourite is around the corner from it – portraying a man going mad and throwing away his four children. Somehow it always reminded me of my family, haha!

It is definitely a great way to spend a few hours, and I am sure the park will be mentioned in most guidebooks. From the highest point of the park, you get quite a lovely view of the surrounding area as well.

Vigelandsparken is a part of the much larger Frognerparken, one of the older public parks in Oslo. It is absolutely stunning in the Spring and Summer, and extremely charming in Autumn and Winter. The pathways look like something straight out of a Jane Austen novel, and the photo-op is definitely worth the visit.

How to get to the Vigeland Park / Vigelandsparken

The park is open all day and is completely free to visit and stroll around in. Getting to the Vigeland Park from anywhere in Oslo is easy, and won’t take very long as long as you’re somewhere central.

How to get to the Vigeland Park by metro/subway

You’ll find just a short walk from the Majorstua metro/subway stop. Once you exit the subway through the main exit/entrance (you’ll be facing the big crossroads called ‘Majorstuakrysset’), take a right, walk straight for about 5-10 minutes and you’re there! On the way you’ll pass a pretty statue of Sonja Henie, a Norwegian Olympic Champion and figure skater.

How to get to the Vigeland Park by tram or bus

Alternatively, the Vigeland Park has its own tram and bus stop, just outside the park entrance. Simply take bus no. 20 or tram no. 12 to the stop called Vigelandsparken.

You can find more information about the Vigeland Park on their official website.

Have you been to the Vigeland Park? What was your favourite sculpture?

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