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The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet

Kirsten Flagstads plass 1, Oslo, Oslo

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Award-winning, iconic building that houses the Norwegian National Ballet, the Opera Orchestra and the Ballet School

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DAILY! Guided tour of the OSLO OPERA HOUSE. A 50-minute tour in English or Norwegian. 100 NOK for a ticket!

• 21 May, 2016

Have you been curious about the Oslo Opera House and how all its productions are made?

The Opera House offers 50-minute long guided tours, in either Norwegian or English, to showcase the magic and lifestyle before the curtain rises. One can visit the main stage, backstage, the scene painting room, rehearsal rooms and, if lucky, meet one of the performers. The tours also explain the history, design and architecture of the Opera House. During peak months, additional tours may be scheduled.

Guided tours in English:  Monday–Friday and Sunday at 1 PM. Saturday at 12 noon.

Guided tours in Norwegian:  Monday–Saturday at 12 noon. Sunday at 1 PM.

Tickets: 100 NOK (adults), 60 NOK (children). Buy your ticket.  

Photo Dina Johnsen

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The Opera House in Oslo

Christopher Hagelund - Visitnorway.com

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Oslo Opera House

The Opera House is the new landmark for Oslo.

The architectural masterpiece is located right at the harbour, with an angled, white exterior that appears to rise from the water. Architectural designed large-scale windows at street level provide the public with glimpses of rehearsals and workshop activities. The building's interior is mainly oak, and the main hall is shaped like a horseshoe, reminiscent of classical theatres of the past.

Get a magnificent view

The Oslo Opera House offers extraordinary panorama views from the roof of the building. Many visitors use the option to explore Oslo and the fjord from the roof.

The opera is designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta and has received several prestigious awards.

Throughout the season The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet offers a rich and varied programme from three stages: The Main House (1369 seats), Second House (400 seats) and the Studio (200 seats). The Opera roof and foyer are also used for concerts. 

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• Lattitude: 59.909414
• Longitude: 10.741394
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Why you need to visit the Oslo Opera House

Checking out the architectural gem of the Oslo Opera House from above and within.

Architecture is a subject that often comes up right away when people talk about Scandinavia. Along with Vikings, fjords, the Northern Lights and the winter chill, architectural innovation and design is probably the best-known attribute of Scandinavia for people from outside of the area.

(That, and IKEA. Sorry, Scandinavian friends. It is what it is…)

At any rate, one of the finest examples of Scandinavian architecture, one that demonstrates the clean lines, sleek angles, and breathtaking artistry that it has come to be known for is the Oslo Opera House.

Opera House Oslo, Norway has only been around since 2008, but nonetheless it has become one of the iconic attractions for visitors who are new to the Norwegian capital.

But it’s not just a box to check off on a tourist’s list of must-see places; the Opera House covers a sprawling half-million square feet (49,000 square meters).

IT boasts art installations, galleries, and interiors created in conjunction with artists — including the clever and functional perforated cladding designed by artist Olafur Eliasson that disguises the building’s supporting structures.

That’s not even to mention the 1,100 rooms and three performance spaces in total, including the wood-lined, horseshoe-shaped, 1,300-seat main auditorium that make up the beating heart of the Opera House.

Another great innovation that went into the design is glass fronting one side of a number of spaces dedicated to the backstage work needed to put on the various shows that are performed at the Oslo Opera House.

This clever design quirk in the Oslo Opera House architecture allows passersby a glimpse of the behind-the-scenes work that goes into putting up a ballet, opera or other performance.

Normally hidden places like the ballet rehearsal room, the scenic design shop, the costume shop, and the room where the scenery is painted—which are typically closed-off, windowless, dank and dismal spaces only seen by the artists themselves while they labour—are all pushed toward the outside of the building.

The design of the Opera House has brought these vital backstage components of the operas and concerts that are performed here into the light in an organic way, allowing the audience to feel as if they are a part of the show on an entirely new level.

But you don’t even have to go inside to appreciate the beauty and forethought that went into the Oslo Opera House architecture (though you absolutely should).

Even beyond the open-sided tech areas of the building, the thoughtfulness and meticulous work that went into designing every tiny detail quickly becomes apparent.

The building itself is covered in white granite and marble from Carrara, Italy, and like the best of Scandinavian architecture, Oslo Opera House blends seamlessly into the surrounding area.

This seamless integration into the surrounding landscape combined with the deceptively simple lines of the compound’s structure all culminates in the Oslo Opera House overlooking the head of the Oslofjord on the water’s edge in the Bjørvika neighbourhood of central Oslo.

Indeed, at first glance, Opera House Oslo appears to be an organic part of the scenery, all sleek angles rising from the water, counterpoised with jutting blocks above.

And it is with the typical respect for nature and the natural surroundings of the area that we’ve come to expect from Scandinavian designers that Oslo Opera House architect, the firm Snøhetta has crafted this amazing work.

The result is that visitors say the Opera House appears to them as if it were a glacier slowly sliding into the sea; others see a ski slope angling sharply down to terminate at the water’s edge.

Still others find the juxtaposition of the angles and squares to be evocative of a massive ship docked in the harbour.

Up on a roof

But perhaps the best part of the design, the part of the Oslo Opera House architecture that visitors generally find to be the most striking is that the angles of the building slope all the way down to ground level.

This means you can literally stroll up onto the award-winning Oslo Opera House roof and enjoy an unbeatable view of the surrounding city and fjord below, even while a soprano is hitting the high notes in the middle of her big aria below your feet.

One of the most fascinating facts about the Opera House is that the roofing is decorated with some 36,000 luminous marble blocks forming a patchwork “carpet” that affords visitors a gorgeous view even when they are gazing down at their feet.

The walk to reach the highest point of the Oslo Opera House roof is a series of gently-sloping ramps, all laid out with interlocking blocks of white, light gray or pale salmon marble, and lined with generous, low walls that serve as resting points and places to just take a moment to take in all the surrounding beauty.

Any given day you can see dozens of tourists and locals alike hanging out on the benches or low walls built into the exterior structure of the Opera House, Oslo, taking in the surrounding scenery and enjoying the view.

But perhaps what is most striking about the Oslo Opera House is the contrasts built into the design of the structure. The white and gray marble rooftops a massive wall of glass with minimal framing that overlooks the fjord.

And at the centre of the structure, the low marble gives way to a white aluminum-clad central block tower housing the main stage.

Step inside

And once you enter the building the structural contrasts become even more striking. Centred in the main foyer, surrounded by the minimalist framing and white beams supporting the huge glass walls stands the wood-lined central auditorium.

The natural wood lends a warmth to the interiors of the Opera House, contrasting with the cool, clinical feel of the exterior and the glass walls.

Taking a peek into the main auditorium for one of the Oslo Opera House events is a treat that is not to be missed. The horseshoe-shaped room seats some 1,300 spectators, yet seeing a show there feels remarkably intimate due to the clever layout of the space.

On an Oslo Opera House guided tour, you guide will spend time to let you take in the amazing crystal chandelier that presides over the main auditorium, made up of some 5,800 hand-crafted crystals and lending a sense of classical Europe to the space.

Yet it is fully modern as well, with LED lighting cleverly placed behind the chandelier’s crystals that can evoke a sense of moonlight glowing over the space.

Another nod to modern life in the construction of the Opera House can be seen in the digital libretti built into the seat backs that allow opera-goers to follow along in Norwegian, English or another language, and saving quite a few trees in the process of getting rid of paper handouts.

Art for art’s sake

Another highlight of the interior of the Oslo Opera House tour—apart from actually seeing one of the numerous Norwegian and international operas, ballets and concerts that pass through every year—is the art installations, starting with the massive curtain itself, created by artist Pae White.

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She conceived the curtain to be reminiscent of crumpled aluminum foil, and created it by scanning a photo of actual foil then feeding that information into a computer-linked loom that wove the curtain out of wool, cotton and polyester.

The resulting 3-dimensional effect created by the 1,100-pound, 74-foot wide, 36-foot tall curtain is stunning and adds a new level of artistry to the main auditorium.

Other art installations of the Opera House interior and exterior include film and video work by artists Bodil Furu and Trine Lise Nedreaas and many other rotating installations.

Artists were also involved in every step of the design of the marble and stone exterior, so it’s no accident that every last detail of the structure is so striking.

But perhaps the highlight of the visual art at the Oslo Opera House is the steel and glass structure out in the fjord in front of the building. Titled “She Lies” and created by artist Monica Bonvicini, the structure is permanently installed on a concrete pad in the water in front of the Oslo Opera House.

But by design the piece shifts and moves with the tides and wind, presenting different faces to the viewer. Bonvinci has stated that she designed the installation to offer viewers changing expressions of the light as it reflects off the water and glass surfaces.

All in all, any trip to the capital of Norway must include a visit to the Oslo Opera House, both inside and out!

Here are a few quick facts…

Where is the Oslo Opera House?

The Oslo Opera House is located Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, 0150 Oslo, in the Bjørvika neighbourhood in the centre of Oslo, at the head of the Oslofjord. Take a tram or bus to Oslo Central Station and the Oslo Opera House is just a short walk. There is also paid parking nearby.

What is the Oslo Opera House capacity?

The main auditorium has 1,364 seats, while the two smaller auditoriums hold 200 and 400 people respectively. The entire structure spans over 530,000 square feet and houses 1,100 rooms.

Who designed the Oslo Opera House?

The Oslo Opera House design was created by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta and chosen from over 350 entries. Construction began in 2003 and was completed in 2008 with a total budget of $760 million.

What kind of shows do they put on at the Oslo Opera House ?

Well, opera of course, as well as a lot of ballet and classical concerts ranging from small chamber quartets to symphonies. They also present innovative and more avant-garde concerts and dance performances.

How much are tickets to see a show at the Oslo Opera House?

Prices vary depending on the type of show you want to see and where you want to sit, but usually range from about 100 kr to 700 kr ($11 to $77).

Is there an Oslo Opera House guided tour?

Yes. There are guided tours offered daily in Norwegian, English and German which last about 50 minutes, and customized tours can be arranged as well. The cost for the regular tour is 120 kr ($13.40) for adults, and 70 kr ($7.80) for children.

You can also wander around and explore the public areas on your own during their regular opening hours.  

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All About Oslo Opera House in Norway

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Posted Oct 18, 2023 in Things to Do

Posted Oct 18, 2023

With a rich history of musical performances, from opera to ballet to concerts, Oslo Opera House is a cultural hub in the center of Norway's capital. The striking, waterfront architecture of Norway’s famous Oslo Opera House and the spectacular performances that take place in this music venue draw over a million visitors a year – wow!

Let’s explore more about Oslo Opera House, including where exactly it is, how much it costs to visit and what makes this Norwegian opera house so famous.

Why is the Oslo Opera House Famous?

Oslo Opera House has been the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet since its opening in 2008, featuring a variety of dance, music and opera performances held across the venue’s three auditoriums, as well as occasionally in the foyer and even on the roof!

As the workplace of more than 600 ballet and opera professionals, Oslo Opera House is a vibrant and bustling place, with rehearsals, performances and a range of public events taking place here every week. Many internationally-acclaimed artists from all over the world have performed at the incredible Oslo Opera House.

Important note: Oslo Opera House is not to be confused with Oslo Concert Hall , which is another live music venue in Oslo city center and home to Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra.

Can You Walk on the Opera House Rooftop in Oslo?

Yes, you can actually walk on the roof of Oslo Opera House! The main distinguishing feature of this Norwegian opera house is its flat roof, which visitors are encouraged to take a stroll on.

Designed to mimic the ‘right to roam’ principle, which states that everyone in Norway is free to roam the beautiful natural landscapes across the country, the roof of the Oslo Opera House extends this idea to the urban landscape of Oslo city center.

While you’re in Oslo , we highly recommend taking this unique opportunity to walk on the roof of such a culturally significant building in the city center. You can enjoy the incredible views of Oslo and the surrounding fjord and mountains from the top of this flat, marble-embellished roof – beautiful!

You’ll also be able to spot the signatures of famous Norwegian artists, Kristian Blystad, Kalle Grude and Jorunn Sannes, on the surface of the roof.

Where is the Oslo Opera House?

Located in Oslo city center, Oslo Opera House can be found in the port district of Bjorvika. This area of Oslo is home to many contemporary buildings, including futuristic office and residential buildings, plus the famous Oslo Opera House, of course!

Right on the waterside, situated next to the popular Munch Museum , this Norway opera house can be easily reached from the center of Oslo by taking a leisurely stroll to the harbor.

Is Oslo Opera House Free to Visit?

If you’re wondering ‘is Oslo Opera House free to visit?’, you can visit certain areas of this famous Norwegian opera house for free, including the famous roof walk, but other areas require a guided Oslo Opera House tour to visit. These include the backstage area, the auditoriums and Main Stage, plus a look behind the scenes at the technology involved in staging performances at Oslo Opera House.

A general admission ticket for a guided tour of Oslo Opera House costs 130 Norwegian kroner (or around $11.80 USD), with discounts available for seniors and under 30s.

If you’d like to see a performance at Oslo Opera House, you can find tickets at a range of price points, depending on where you’d like to sit in the auditorium and which show you’d like to see.

Oslo Opera House Performances

At Oslo Opera House, you’ll find a range of ballet, opera and concert performances taking place. With a rich variety of classic musical genres to choose from, you can choose from watching a traditional performance of Swan Lake to rocking out at a rock or folk music concert. Check out the Oslo Opera House calendar to explore what’s on during your visit to Norway.

What Do You Wear to the Oslo Opera House?

If attending a performance at Oslo Opera House is at the top of your Norway vacation bucket list, you might be wondering what to wear to this famous music venue. While the Oslo Opera House doesn’t have a specific dress code for the audience at its performances, most visitors tend to wear smart casual attire.

It’s ultimately up to you what you’d like to wear to Oslo Opera House. We can recommend anything from a dress or suit, to a smart top and trousers or skirt, depending on how fancy you’d like to go. There’s also nothing wrong with wearing jeans and a sweater, if you prefer to stay more on the casual side. The most important thing is that you’re comfortable and ready to enjoy an amazing musical performance.

Walk on the Roof of Oslo Opera House!

Who wants to take a stroll on the roof of Oslo Opera House for themselves? You can do just that during your Norway vacation, while you soak in the wonderful views and enjoy the stunning architecture of this famous Norwegian cultural venue.

After Oslo, you might like to explore more of Norway’s incredible natural landscapes, from the majestic mountains to the flowing fjords and charming coastline.

There’s no better way to see Norway than by taking your home with you on the road in a campervan or SUV. Why not give yourself the ultimate flexibility and freedom to enjoy your vacation to the max by hiring a reliable and affordable campervan in Norway ? You’ll be ready to hit the road in no time! We look forward to welcoming you to our beautiful country soon.

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Oslo Opera House

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Oslo Opera House - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go (2024)

Scandinavia Standard

Scandinavian travel, design, culture, and what’s on for locals, travellers and scandiphiles. Based in Copenhagen and Stockholm.

Opera houses are a Scandinavian speciality. For good reason: connectedness with nature is something that exists across Scadinavian architecture , the essence of which doesn’t dwindle as the projects go up in scale. The world’s best opera houses bring in both physical and symbolic elements from the surrounding nature. The Sydney Opera House, designed by Danish architect Utzon , with its stunning roof in a wave formation, is a perfect complement to surf and nature of the Australian east coast.

Inside, the aim of an opera house is to create an interior that supports the human voice, the orchestra, the stage, the costumes, the sets, the lighting. From the outside, it’s a neat shell; an enormous canvas for an architect to create something beautiful, iconic, and has the power to transform a city.

Oslo has its own inspiring opera house, considered to be one of the most iconic modern buildings of Scandinavia. Some say that the Oslo Opera House ( Operahuset in Norwegian) resembles a glacier, slowly sliding into the lapping water of the fjord. Others say the building looks like a ski slope, or a ship. The interior theatre is shaped like a horseshoe for maximum viewing capability. There are art installations throughout the building, including the perforated wall panel that hides supports for the ceiling, designed by Icelandic-Danish artist Olafur Eliasson.

The best part? You can walk on the roof.

The Oslo Opera House was designed by the Oslo-based architectural firm Snøhetta, who won the architectural bid in 1999. They began construction in 2003, and opened their doors in 2008. It cost around €500 million to build, and is now home to The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the National Opera Theatre in Norway. As a modern 21st century building, it’s the opposite of the formal opera houses of the 19th century. All the functions that you normally see hidden inside are pushed to the outside, so people can see through the windows into the worlds of scenography, painting, costuming, and the ballet rehearsal rooms.

This white monolithic structure, dominated by white marble, glass and wood, has had a massive effect on Oslo. It has become their centres of arts and culture, while also creating a public space for people to meet. It’s a photographer’s dream of interplay between light and angles.

Follow us on this photographic tour of the Oslo Opera House.

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Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1 0150 Oslo

Opening Hours: Mon – Fri 10:00 am – 7:00 pm Sat 11:00 am – 6:00 pm Sun 12:00 – 6:00 pm

Need more to do in Oslo? Check out these tourist sights. If you’re looking for Norwegian fjord adventures, be sure to use our guide .

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Summer in Scandinavia: five eco-friendly ideas to holiday like a local

The essence of a Nordic summer is to lean into a slower pace of life and embrace nature, from staying in a Swedish summer house to gentle canoe tours in Finland

Oslo: summer in the city

With swimmable harbours in Stockholm, Oslo, Helsinki and across Denmark’s cities, not to mention plenty of ways to enjoy the sea, from kayaking to urban fishing, there’s often a seaside air to Nordic cities in summer, and especially in Oslo.

One of the best summer activities is to tour the Oslofjord and its archipelago by boat – pack a picnic and set sail in search of hidden swimming spots and colourful island houses. Brim Explorer is one of the best options: an eco-friendly boat company offering silent tours powered by an electric motor (tours from £44). You can also show your love for the water by joining Mad Goats in their fjord clean-up operations every Sunday; participation gives you access to one of their saunas for free and a free burger at the end.

There’s a growing art scene to discover around the harbour. The National Museum is showing an unmissable exhibition by Sápmi artist Britta Marakatt-Labba focused on the environmental struggle and climate issues seen from an indigenous perspective, until August. Afterwards, stroll around the harbour promenade past the opera house, and visit the Munch Museum . There is a new family-friendly beach, Operastranda, by the Opera House this year; it’s also great to swim at the Sørenga seawater pool . Stay at the eco-conscious Oslo Guldsmeden , a Nordic-Balinese hotel in the Vika district from £100 a night.

Explore Denmark ’s sunniest isle

Bornholm is officially the Danes’ favourite holiday spot (as voted for last year in the Danish Travel Awards). Reachable by bus and ferry or hydrofoil from Copenhagen, it’s known as the country’s sunshine island: Svaneke, a charming harbour town on the west coast, is the sunniest spot in the whole of Denmark.

There’s no need for a car: you can get around relatively easily by bike and bus to explore fishing villages and small towns such as Gudhjem, known for its national cooking competition , and sunny Svaneke, in search of the best ice-cream, smoked herring and locally brewed beer. Bornholm has an artist colony vibe reminiscent of parts of Cornwall and is well known for its ceramics. You can find small workshops and galleries dotted around its villages, and especially in the town of Nexø, where there is a ceramics school. Beaches are wide, sandy and beautiful – especially child-friendly, dune-backed Dueodde, which Lonely Planet recently listed as one of the 20 best beaches in Europe .

New this year, Eco Beach Camp offers glamping from about £150 a night (sleeping two to four) on the beach just steps from the island’s Michelin-starred Kadeau restaurant, known for its focus on hyper-local, sustainable food. Or rent a summer house through firms including Novasol and Dancenter where rates start from about £300 for a week’s stay. It’s expected that you’ll bring basics with you, including bed linen.

Norway’s Arctic hiking route

Culture and nature come together on Norway’s longest hiking route this summer. The 400-mile Nordlandsruta , which runs along the Norwegian-Swedish border, will be joining in the celebrations to mark the Arctic city of Bodø’s year in the spotlight as one of 2024’s European Capitals of Culture. There are a range of artist-led events in cabins along the trail, and activities include poetry and portrait workshops and a mobile perfumery making scents from the herbs that hikers pick along the route.

Evening entertainment includes campfire cooking, improv theatre and Sápmi lassoo throwing. It also plays into another key Nordic travel theme: friluftsliv , a love of the great outdoors. Norwegians love to hike and there is an extensive network of trails, with hiking cabins along them, across the country.

It’s a beautiful hike – whether you’re in the region for the celebrations or not – passing through the Arctic Circle, Laponian Area world heritage site , national parks and Sápmi cities. From meadows filled with wildflowers to snow-capped mountains, reindeer-herding plateaux and raging rivers, it has all the drama you’d expect of this northern landscape. There are 43 unstaffed huts on the route – you’ll need a key from Norwegian trekking organisation DNT to use them.

To walk the whole route would take around six weeks, but it’s broken down into eight smaller stages for those with less time. For ramblers with an eye on reindeer herding and Sápmi husbandry, the 57-mile stretch from Raudlia to Susendalen treks across two valleys and past the hat-shaped Hatten mountain while the 45-mile section from Bolna to Umbukta skirts the sacred Sápmi mountain of Auronasen, silver mines and a glacier. Weekend hikes along the trail are also possible from Narvik and Bodø.

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Finland’s peaceful waterways

If you like lakes, islands and trees, Finland is the place for you – it is the most forested country in Europe and has more bodies of water than any other country in the world . In the Kainuu region in the east of the country, it’s easy to get away from the crowds for pure immersion in Nordic nature.

Nature Travels offers self-guided canoe tours in the region where you can camp wild along the route, fish for your supper and go at your own pace. The pick of the bunch is a remote adventure on the Tar Route (from £154 per person, for three nights/four days, based on two people, including all equipment and transfers to start point), the historic route once used to transport tar to the Baltic Sea. Instead of tar, your cargo will be just yourselves, your tent and enough food for a four to eight-day tour of quiet waterways, short and easily bypassed rapids, and protected islands.

Along the route you might spot moose, foxes, owls or even eagles. Stop to fish for your dinner, cook it on an open fire and retire to a lean-to shelter or tent in the evening. Look out, too, for island saunas, dotted along the route, where you can ease the tension in your back and arms after a hard day’s paddle. Don’t forget to pack insect repellent: Finland’s forests are known for their pesky flies.

This route commonly starts from Kuhmo, accessed by train and bus from Helsinki, while Helsinki itself can be reached by ferry from Stockholm if you prefer not to fly.

Stay in a Swedish summer house

It’s traditional in this part of the world to spend at least part of the summer in a “summer house” (actually more of a simple cabin) in nature. The essence of summer house life is leaning into a slower pace of life: read a book under a tree, bake a cake, a gentle walk. It’s about living in harmony with nature, too, and embracing the joys it offers, including sea swimming, fishing, hiking and boating.

The Stockholm archipelago is one of the most accessible and popular summer house destinations. Access is via one of the many public ferries (one-way trips from the city pier cost up to £14 depending on the location). It’s as easy as taking a bus.

The region is protected by the Archipelago Foundation , which preserves public access to land and water in the area, and has a wide range of characterful accommodation spread all over the islands. They include a 19th-century former customs house on the remote and rocky island of Huvudskär, remade into a rustic youth hostel (room rates from £186 for a four-bed room), as well as summer cottages on the activity-packed southern island of Utö, where two-person cabins start at around £338 for a week in high season.

Summer cottages usually require you to bring bed linen. Depending on which island you choose, you might need to bring all your supplies for the week too. Peak season for Scandinavia is typically July – travel in August for slightly reduced rates.

Copenhagen-based Laura Hall writes the Modern Scandinavian newsletter

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