10 Things to Do Off the Beaten Track in Oslo

In a residential area in the better part of Oslo's western district, Emanuel Vigeland's experience of life and death is presented in a museum. The museum has become a gloomy and dark, but at the same time intensely life-affirming, attraction.

The biggest attraction is the mausoleum, which with its incredible reverberation and dark interior has become an unorthodox but very popular concert venue. General opening hours are very limited, but private tours can be arranged by appointment. Bear in mind that this costs more than the usual fee during opening hours on Sundays.

Hovedøya is a lovely place to visit when it's summer in the city, and many people find their way here just to sunbathe, swim and barbecue. Or how about a cold beer at the sailing club? But there's plenty more to discover on Hovedøya, especially for the more curious and open-minded.

For almost 400 years, the island was owned by the Cistercian order, which had a large monastery here. You can still see the ruins of the monastery, and it is fun for both kids and adults to walk around them and imagine what life was like here in the Middle Ages.

The Intercultural Museum lies on Grønland, in the centre of the city's multicultural heart. In the old prison, the museum highlights the experience of being an immigrant, refugee and asylum seeker.

And the art displayed here is from artists you won't see in the more prestigious galleries and institutions we have in the country. You will no doubt leave the Intercultural Museum with a new and strengthened understanding of what it is to have multicultural background in Norway.

Ever since Megazone opened its doors in the 1990's, it has attracted thrill-seeking visitors with its futuristic activities and laser guns.

As well as the main attraction with indoor laser games, Megazone offers paintball both indoors and outdoors as well as escaperoom games, where you have to solve different puzzles in groups to get out of a locked room. This is the perfect activity for a group of friends, family, stag party or company team-building event, while also having fun in the centre of Oslo.

Once upon a time, the Ekeberg restaurant was seen as a weary pit stop for retired workers in the Old Town, but no more! Since its reopening in the early 2000s, the place has attracted anyone who loves good food, freshly brewed coffee and stunning views.

This restaurant seems to have built a bridge between the need for an exit point for people walking in Ekebergskrenten who want to stop for a coffee and something to eat, and the experience of fine dining high above the city.

A unique and inviting experience centre has emerged on the pier towards the Danish boat and Vippetangen. It's called SALT. This is a place that brings art, music and great food together in a way not seen anywhere else in the city. Nothing quite describes it - and you simply have to experience it for yourself.

There is something to do here from morning till night - with music and art delivered with impressive enthusiasm, as well as food and drink. And for something really refreshing, you can enjoy a sauna before cooling off in the harbour pool.

Climbing is a fun hobby that is challenging and fun for both young and old, and Vulkan climbing centre has climbs for all skill levels. You can also hire all the equipment you need at the centre.

This makes coming here easy - no need for prior knowledge or to bring heavy equipment with you. The opening hours are exceptionally long, so you can even come here first thing in the morning if you prefer to start early!

Sørenga is a popular place for the locals to take a dip when the summer days are at their hottest, and it attracts everyone from young families to pensioners to hip city dwellers. The Norwegian Tourist Association has an office just outside, where you can rent a myriad of different water vessels.

Explore the harbour pool - it's a great way to see the city! If you have the stamina, you can also take a trip over to some of the many cosy islands in the fjord.

Vippa is located in a former harbour warehouse, offering tasty experiences from a wide variety of cuisines. With a common dining area in the middle and outdoors, everyone can eat what they want.

Great dining is the main attraction here, but concerts and other cultural side dishes are also served here. If you plan to come on a weekend when the weather is good, be prepared to wait as it gets very full.

Deichman library is located in Bjørvika, Oslo's proudest landmark facing the fjord. What used to be a place marked by industry and main roads is now full of sparkling skyscrapers, reflecting just how far the country has come, fuelled by money from oil.

The main branch of Deichman Library was at Fredensborg until the building in Bjørvika was set up - adding another wonderful signal building to the city! There are many great places to sit down here with a good book, and with long opening hours you can read even the longest anthologies undisturbed!