Home to the most expensive real estate in the entire country, as well as a Michelin star, Frogner has earned its reputation as the epicenter for Oslo’s affluent West End. Just a short walk, or tram ride away from the most central parts of Oslo, this borough stretches from the royal palace, up through the magnificent Frogner Park. Take a walk in the park, have a great dining experience or admire 19th century buildings on sale for millions of Norwegian kroner.
A gigantic green lung covering almost 500,000 square meters in the middle of the city, the Frogner Park is a great place for a relaxing stroll, or tranquil picnic. If you want to see more than greenery however, visitors have free access to the Vigeland installation – the largest sculpture park in the world created by Gustav Vigeland. With over 200 bronze and granite sculptures depicting the human condition adorning walkways, and the eye-catching Monolith towering on the top plateau, the Frogner Park is a spectacular attraction in both the summer and winter seasons.
Should you find yourself in Oslo at a different time of year entirely, during the winter season, the Frogner Stadium Ice Rink is a suitable place to spend a few wintry hours. Primarily used for football during the summer, the field is artificially frozen and used as an ice skating rink. It’s been the scene of several speed skating world records throughout the years. Hire some skates and enjoy a cold day on the ice, before popping into one of the many coffee shops in the area for a hot drink.
While Frogner itself is home to a few museums, some of the real heavy weights in the museum category are located on Bygdøy, a small peninsula bordering on the Frogner district. Take a turn south and enjoy exhibits in the Viking Ship Museum, displaying some of the world’s best preserved Viking ships, The Kon-Tiki Museum and the Fram Museum, recounting the travels of some of Norway’s most famous explorers. In addition to those selections, there’s also the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History among others. See archaeological finds from Viking gravesites, read about the strongest ship ever built, or walk among authentic 16th century cityscapes.
One of three Michelin-awarded restaurants in Oslo finds its home in the Frogner district. Visit Restaurant Fauna for some of the best food the Scandinavian kitchen has to offer in a refined and sophisticated setting. With star-studded reviews, and prices that are none too bad, the restaurant is a spectacular setting for a formal or informal meal. An elegant, modern and creative five course menu, showcasing high quality produce, is sure to leave a lasting impression, and a memorable experience of one of Oslo’s top kitchens. Fauna | Courtesy Restaurant Fauna
Located on the busy Bygdøy allé, Frogner Church can be a tranquil stop on your way through the district. Designed by architect Ivar Næss, constructed in 1907, the church offers peace and quiet, as well as an artfully decorated interior to its visitors. Richly adorned, with paintings by Per Vigeland, nephew of the famed sculptor Gustav Vigeland, and with spectacular stained glass windows, the church is decidedly worth a portion of your time, whether you are there for a concert, or just happen to pass by.
A fourth year English Literature student at the University of Edinburgh, Linn is currently struggling through her dissertation, while figuring out what to do with the rest of her life. Originally from Norway, she is passionately interested in anything to do with travel, languages, literature, popular culture, and the arts, and the very best she can to incorporate as many of these elements into her everyday life. Linn has two cats, whom she misses dearly while away from home.
