Hello - we are leaving soon to make our way to Norway. We have walking tours scheduled for Oslo and Bergen each to begin our stays but we have not made any more reservations. We will be in Oslo May 13-15 and Bergen May 19-21. In Oslo our wish is to visit the Fram museum and possibly the Folkemuseum (although I have read it isn’t fully open until June), the National museum and perhaps the Munch museum and definitely Vigeland Park.
In Bergen: Bryggen, Floibanen funicular, Kode art museum and aquarium. I am most curious about visiting Troldhaugen - unfortunately missing the summer piano concert.
Thanks for any advice for visiting these sites.
Posted by
14 posts
We visited most places you mentioned in June 2023 and didn't make any reservations. I think May is better for crowds, at least for Oslo.
For Oslo, we took ferry, bus and light rail to visit all of them. No time to go in Munch but there's Scream in National Museum, and walking outside the opera house at night is fun. Thr city hall tour is good, this one needs booking. National Museum was newly reopen at that time, I wish I have at least four hours to spare there.
Trolhaugen is a little far from Bergen and closes early, not sure if you have time. Bergen was crowded but didn't have to book anything.
Posted by
Chicago, IL, USA
569 posts
We were in Norway May 2023. I don't think that you need any reservations the sites you mention. But a few things that were highlights for us in both cities. In Oslo the views from the city library (across the street from the Munch museum and the National Museum has a great app for your phone with various versions for "if you have 30 minutes" or "if you have one hour" what to see. In Bergen the walking tour offered through the Bryggen museum (and the museum itself) https://bymuseet.no/event/bryggen-guiding-a-walk-with-a-historical-expert/?lang=en and a little preserved secret WW2 radio room (it is in the old Bryggen area on the 2nd or 3rd floor and was very hard to find but so worth it if that is your thing). Here is some background https://military-history.fandom.com/wiki/Theta_(SIS_radio_group) and https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Theta_Museum. Also I would have mentioned in Bergen their international music and arts festival which we enjoyed but it looks like you leave the day it starts this year. https://www.fib.no/en/about-the-festival/this-is-the-bergen-international-festival
Posted by
Chicagoland
552 posts
Norma,
We visited many of places you list in late May, early June 2023 without reservations.
I would recommend making dinner reservations.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
34 posts
Thanks everyone!
Posted by
Schwerin
3878 posts
Are you aware that May 17 is Norway's constitution day? You seem to be interested in culture, so celebrating the full day in Oslo or Bergen (link to article) is very much recommended.
Posted by
OP
Ohio
34 posts
Yes I know about the holiday - on that day we’ll be traveling by ferry to Balestrade from Flåm. Sorry we will miss festivities in Bergen.
Posted by
Ontario, Canada
4672 posts
You may want to look at an Oslo Pass for your days there. I found it good value for transport and all the museum entries. Now it includes the VY train from airport to town.
There are numerous Muncsh pieces in rhe National Gallery and though I was staying 3 blocks away, I didn't go to the Muncsh Museum. I am not a fan and the National had enough to satisfy my interest.
There is a lot to still see at the Folks museum evening not completely accessible. I took the ferry to Bygdoy saw the museums near the dock and walked to the Folksmuseum. A bit Hilly but a nice local walk. If you get the Pass, the the city bus loops frequently at the explorer museums and can drop you at the folksmuseum as well.