In the Tøyen neighbourhood, just east of the city centre, you will find two attractions side by side that together offer a complete break from urban sightseeing. The Botanisk hage, the Botanical Garden, is Oslo's green oasis, founded in 1814, the same year Norway got its constitution. It covers roughly 60,000 square metres and contains around 7,500 plant species from all over the world. There are themed sections for alpine plants, aromatic herbs, medicinal plants and a systematic garden arranged by plant families. The glasshouses contain tropical and subtropical collections. In summer the garden is a favourite lunch spot for locals from the surrounding neighbourhoods. Entry is free.
Right next to the garden is the Naturhistorisk Museum, the Natural History Museum, which consists of two buildings. The Geology Building houses fossils, minerals, and dinosaur skeletons. Its star exhibit is Ida, a complete Darwinius masillae fossil, an early primate that caused a worldwide media sensation when it was presented in 2009. There is also a strong focus on Norwegian geology and the processes that shaped the country's dramatic landscape. The Zoology Building contains dioramas of stuffed animals from around the world, arranged by habitat and region.
The two attractions share the same park and can easily be combined in a single visit. You reach them by taking any metro line to Tøyen and walking from there, or tram 17 to Lakkegata skole.
Right next to the garden is the Naturhistorisk Museum, the Natural History Museum, which consists of two buildings. The Geology Building houses fossils, minerals, and dinosaur skeletons. Its star exhibit is Ida, a complete Darwinius masillae fossil, an early primate that caused a worldwide media sensation when it was presented in 2009. There is also a strong focus on Norwegian geology and the processes that shaped the country's dramatic landscape. The Zoology Building contains dioramas of stuffed animals from around the world, arranged by habitat and region.
The two attractions share the same park and can easily be combined in a single visit. You reach them by taking any metro line to Tøyen and walking from there, or tram 17 to Lakkegata skole.