3 Best Sights in Oslo, Norway

One of the crown jewels of Scandinavian architecture, the Oslo Opera House is a stunning addition to the city's waterfront. When it first opened its doors, the gala ceremony attracted Denmark's royal family, the leaders of several countries, and a host of celebrities. Designed by the renowned Norwegian architect firm Snøhetta, the white marble and glass building slopes downward toward the water's edge, giving visitors spectacular views of the fjord, the surrounding mountains, and the city skyline. And it doesn't just look good: the acoustics inside the 1,364-seat auditorium are excellent, as are those in the two smaller performance spaces. The space is the permanent home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet and also hosts a full calendar of music, theater, and dance. The Oslo Biennale will be staging performances on the rooftop through 2023. The bistro restaurant, though typically Norwegian in pricey-ness, is gorgeous and offers seafood and wines you don't want to miss on this memorable visit.

In front of this Neoclassical theater, built in 1899, are statues of Norway's great playwrights Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, who also composed the national anthem. Most performances are in Norwegian. An English-language guided tour of the interior, which costs NKr 90, can be booked in advance, details how the great writers of years gone by created this space.