Vigeland Park & Bygdoy Museums
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Port
Oslo, Norway
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Activity Level
Moderate Activity
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Excursion Type
Information Not Currently Available
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Wheelchair Accessible
No
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Starting At (prices in USD)
$170
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Minimum Age
Information Not Currently Available
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Duration
Approximately 5 Hours
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Meals Included
Meals not included
Your tour starts with a panoramic drive through Oslo, past the National Theatre and the Royal Residence.
Attractive residential areas lead to Vigeland Park. This enormous open-space was laid out in the first half of the 20th century by Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Over a period of 30 years, he created his own world of human beings and animals from stone, iron and bronze. There are about 200 statue groups in all, which describe the course of human life from birth to death. The monolith - an almost 56-foot high granite block carved with 121 figures -- stands as the unequivocal centerpiece of this well-planned park.
From the viewing platform at the base of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, you take in incredible views of Oslo and the fjord.
On the Bygdøy Peninsula (once the King's private property), visit the Kon-Tiki Museum. This facility houses the original balsa raft used by Thor Heyerdahl and his five companions during their 1947 voyage from Peru to Polynesia, across 1,800 miles of ocean. The on-site Fram facility is dedicated to the polar expeditions of explorers Fridtjof Nansen, Roald Amundsen and Otto Sverdrup, with photographs, film, lighting effects, models and displays of historical artifacts. An Aurora borealis light room gives an impression of polar conditions. A highlight is the complete polar ship Fram, built in 1893 to withstand the pressure of pack-ice. This proud little ship sailed navigated both furthest north with Nansen and furthest south with Amundsen.
Leave Bygdøy and drive along the harbor with its numerous pleasure boats. As you approach the pier, you'll glimpse the charming Oscarshall Castle -- a summer residence built around 1850.
Please note: A tour of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump facility is not included, nor will you have time to tour it independently; it is a photo stop only.