The most beautiful parks and gardens Norway

A beautiful botanical garden belonging to the university's natural history museum and created in 1814. It is home to no less than 7,500 different species and is one of Oslo's favourite places to walk. Several different areas are dedicated to specific themes:

The Herb Garden: it houses medicinal and poisonous plants, spices and a section dedicated to kitchen herbs where you can find edible plants, seeds and berries.

The Systematic Garden: the main interest is to study the relationship between flowers and their evolution.

The Arboretum: here are grouped Scandinavian trees, tropical species and very rare ones such as the gingko and the tulip tree.

The Greenhouses: several 19th century glasshouses with different themes: the Amazon, Evolution, the Mediterranean, the Desert. As one can imagine, tropical plants are found here, including magnificent water lilies.

The Viking Garden: here we discover what the Vikings ate.

The Great-Granny's Garden: translated as "the garden of the great-granny", it is not surprising to find here very old species of flowers or even non-existent elsewhere. A true museum of flowers.

The Rock Garden: a design of rocks and waterfalls to present mountainous plants from different regions of the world.

The Aromatic Garden: designed for the visually impaired, the nose is used as a guide here thanks to the many plants and flowers very fragrant.

Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) was a Norwegian sculptor known for his immense contribution to Oslo's artistic life. He was the creator of Frogner Park, or Parc Vigeland, where many of his sculptures are displayed. He remains a unique sculptor, and an eminent symbol of Norwegian art on the international scene. Vigeland Park is one of the country's most visited attractions, welcoming almost a million visitors a year. In summer, it's not uncommon to see city dwellers sunbathing in their bathing suits on one of the many lawns, wireless headphones in their ears. Since 1924, Vigeland Park has been collecting and exhibiting the granite and wrought-iron works of the Norwegian artist whose name it bears. 214 of the 650 statues and drawings the artist created for the park are on display today, and they are among Oslo's strongest symbols. It is the world's largest sculpture park dedicated to a single artist. The park is considered Vigeland's life's work: in fact, he devoted almost 20 years of his life to its creation! It's a must-see place that reflects the Norwegian philosophy of giving nature pride of place. The park is the result of a dispute between Vigeland and the city of Oslo: Vigeland was evicted from his home in 1921, but relocated by the city to the building that is now the Vigeland Museum. In exchange for his new premises, home and studio, he promised to donate all his works to the City of Oslo. These massive sculptures come in all sizes, according to several main themes: death, daily life, men and women, children. It's also a very pleasant, clean place to stroll, whatever the season. Local residents go jogging here. Among the most famous statues are the Angry Boy(Sinnataggen) and the Monolith(Monolitten), which dominates the park at a height of 17 metres, and the imposing bronze fountain which, with its 20 statues, represents the circle of life, the Wheel of Life(Livshjulet). The first section to be opened to the public, in 1940, was the famous bridge: 100 metres long and 15 metres wide, with almost 60 statues on display. A fun walk for the whole family, to feel a little at home in the middle of the city! All year round.

This park was created around 1880 by General Wergeland. It is located behind the city and is very easy to reach on foot. It is very pleasant to walk around in the summer and enjoy a pastry in the café or in the heart of the park, where concerts are held on a covered stage. It is also the starting point for walks in the region. The restaurant, Cafe Generalen, offers the best burgers in town and is a great place to stop in the summer, especially when the weather is nice. Also cultural events.

Owned by the University of Tromsø, a garden to be discovered especially from spring and during summer has all varieties of Arctic flowers from all continents. For enthusiasts and lovers of plants and trees. A number of small birds also frequent this beautiful place. A nice café open in summer. Temporary exhibitions sometimes in the garden. A refreshing and very instructive walk for all.

Located on the island of Senja and surrounded by towering mountains rising from the sea, this valley is mostly covered by marshes and mountain birch. The pine trees, whose creeping and twisted forms cling to the cliffs of the coast, add to the wild character of the place. Much less known than the Lofoten Islands, Senja is still spared from the crowds. A little jewel rising from the waters. Little development. Area: 69 km².

The landscape is typical of the Great Norwegian North: pines and birches, mountains, marshes and lakes, important morainic deposits. Semi-domestic reindeer inhabit these wide open spaces, which are also home to Norway's four major carnivores: the lynx, the wolf and the brown bear. Access via the 87, then local road to Frihetsli, then forest track. Marked trails. Unguarded huts. Area: 770 km² protected since 1971.

Stabbursdalen is a valley on the western shore of Porsangerfjord. The pine trees lining the shoreline are very old, some as old as 500 years. The valley narrows inland to form a narrow gorge, before widening again into gentle hills where bare rock outcrops. The landscape, with its extensive moraine deposits, is reminiscent of the Ice Age. The Stabburselva River, which irrigates the park, is a good salmon river.

Area: 2,105 km². The park and the four adjacent protected areas extend from the Norwegian coast and the Melfjord in the west to the mountain range along the Swedish border, covered by the Svartisen glacier. The Svartisen Glacier is the largest glacier in northern Scandinavia, covering 370 km². The birch forests are home to a surprisingly rich flora for the latitude, and such rare species as the Arctic rhododendron grow on the limestone areas.

Located on the heights of the city, Ekeberg Park is a harmonious blend of nature, art and history. Only a few minutes from downtown, the park is vast and ideal for strolls. Venture into the park to discover the many sculptures scattered along the paths and take a detour to the place that inspired Le Cri, Edvard Munch's famous painting. Ekebergparken is also known for its breathtaking views of Oslo and its fjord. It's the perfect place to enjoy a sunset with hot chocolate in hand!