Oslo, Norway2-3 hoursMorning
Oslo Opera House
Snøhetta's waterfront opera with a walkable roof and fjord views.
Ideal: Ideal for architecture, city views, and modern Oslo atmosphere.
Designed by Snøhetta, the building opened in 2008 and its architectural idea can be summed up in one sentence: the roof slopes straight down to the water, turning the building into a public plaza. The exterior uses Italian Carrara marble and white granite; the surface is split into angled panels evoking where a glacier meets the sea. The foyer's wave-like wall is made of more than 15,000 separate oak panels. Walking on the roof is free and there is no time limit.
Why go?
- To see one of Oslo's modern architectural icons
- To climb the roof and take in fjord and city views
- Because it is a short but striking walk in the city centre
Travel tip
The building and fjord views are strongest in late-afternoon light — be sure to walk up onto the roof.
