2 Best Sights in Oslo, Norway

This boxy brick building is best known today for the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize, which takes place here every December 10. Inside, many museum-quality masterpieces grace the walls. After viewing the frescoes in the Main Hall, walk upstairs to the Banquet Hall to see the royal portraits. In June and July, free 45-minute guided tours are available and meet in the main hall. To visit the City Hall Gallery, enter harborside. Special exhibits are hung throughout the year. On festive occasions, the Central Hall is illuminated from outside by 60 large spotlights.

Norway's parliament building is a classic dating from 1866. The only way for the public to see it is on an informative one-hour guided tour (in English or Norwegian) every Saturday throughout the year; tours are generally twice daily but are run more often in summer. They can't be booked in advance and are on a first-come, first-served basis. Meet at the Akersgata entrance. The park benches of Eidsvolls plass, in front of the Parliament, are a popular meeting and gathering place.