Oscarshall, Oslo (Norway): visitor information and tickets

Oscarshall is a small royal summer palace on the Bygdøy peninsula, about 5 km west of central Oslo. It is a rare chance to see a 19th-century royal interior without the scale, queues, or security theater of bigger palace complexes, and you can pair it with a quiet park walk by the fjord.

Last updated: 2026

Oscarshall facts for visitors: Quick overview and key details

• Best for: architecture and interiors, Norwegian national-romantic craft and art, a calm half-day on Bygdøy

• Time needed: 60 to 90 minutes for the palace; add 30 to 60 minutes for the park and café

• Where it is: Bygdøy peninsula (west Oslo), near Frognerkilen

• Ticketing model: paid entry for the palace; park and café do not require a ticket

• What sets it apart: compact rooms across ground and first floor with on-site guides, plus a park you can treat as a free add-on

Key facts

• Official name: Oscarshall (summer palace)

• Address: Oscarshallveien 15, Oslo

• Entrance: public entrance through the main gate

• Closest public transport: Bus 30 (stops: Bygdø Kongsgård or Norsk Folkemuseum), or Bygdøy ferry (stop: Dronningen)

• Opening pattern: seasonal, usually May to August. The Royal Court published 2025 dates (10 May to 31 August) and a typical Thu to Sun visitor schedule

• Ticket types: adult, student, child (6 to 17), family ticket, closed group bookings

• Price range (EUR): about €0 to €299 depending on ticket type (see Costs section for the ticket list and conversion basis)

• Free rules: the garden/park and café are free to enter during palace opening hours

• Bag and security: Not confirmed. Expect normal museum-style expectations and follow on-site instructions.

• Accessibility summary: ground-floor Salon and Dining Room are described as easily accessible; no elevator, so first floor is difficult for mobility-impaired visitors. Terrace is easy to reach; park has many stairs.

• Toilets and facilities: toilets, ticket office, and souvenir shop are in the old lodge; wheelchair-accessible toilet near the cloakroom. A seasonal café operates on the grounds.

• Official website: Royal Court (Visit Oscarshall)

If you are building a wider Oslo plan, align this with Oslo travel information so you do not waste time on transfers and season mismatches.

Tickets and how to book without wasting time

What you are buying: a ticket is for entry to the summer palace. You do not need a ticket for the park or the café.

Where to buy:

• Online: tickets are sold via Ticketmaster, typically from early March for the same year.

• On site: tickets may also be available for purchase at the premises during the season.

Plan around closures: the Royal Court notes that Oscarshall can be closed for private events on certain dates during the season, with closures announced on the official page and their Facebook updates. Treat online booking as your best way to avoid a wasted trip, especially if you are coming from outside Bygdøy.

Practical booking tip: If you are visiting Oslo for just a day, slot Oscarshall as a calm middle-of-day stop and use Oslo 1-Day Destination Guide for a route that avoids zig-zagging across the city.

Opening hours and best time to visit

Seasonality: Oscarshall is a summer-only attraction. The Royal Court states the season usually runs May to August, and published the 2025 season dates as 10 May to 31 August.

Visitor hours pattern (example): in 2025, opening hours were listed as Thursday to Sunday, 11:00 to 16:00. Not confirmed for 2026. Use the official page before you go, especially if you are visiting in early May or late August.

Best time of day:

• Go earlier in the day if you want calmer rooms and better photo light in the park.

• In peak summer, pair your indoor visit with a longer park walk to spread out the experience.

Trade-off: because Oscarshall can close for private events, it is less predictable than a standard museum. If you only have one Bygdøy afternoon, keep a backup such as the Bygdøy museums.

How to get there

Oscarshall sits on Bygdøy, about 5 km west of Oslo city center. The Royal Court lists two practical public transport approaches:

• Bus: Bus 30 to Bygdø Kongsgård or Norsk Folkemuseum. From either stop, you walk the last stretch to the main gate.

• Ferry: the Bygdøy ferry to Dronningen, then a walk to Oscarshall.

Driving note: there is no general parking at Oscarshall. Exceptions are made for cars with a disability permit, and the Royal Court notes limited disability spaces.

If you are staying central, a practical base near transit makes Bygdøy days easier. See hotel options like Amerikalinjen Hotel Oslo if you want to keep transfers simple.

What you actually do inside (route logic and highlights)

How the visit works: during visitor hours, you can explore rooms on the ground floor and first floor, with guides available on site to answer questions. This is not positioned as a timed, single guided tour format, so you can move at your own pace.

What to look for (high-yield highlights):

• Vestibylen (entry hall): described as having a near-sacral, chapel-like feel, with strong ultramarine blue walls and light through colored glass.

• Dining Room building: the dining room is in a separate building connected to the main building, with integrated paintings by Joachim Frich and Adolph Tidemand.

• Craft focus: Oscarshall is framed as a monument to Norwegian art and craftsmanship of the mid-1800s, so the details matter: carved panels, decorative woodwork effects, and room-to-room contrasts.

Trade-off: because there is no elevator, the first floor can be a non-starter for some visitors. If stairs are a problem, treat the ground floor rooms and terrace view as the core visit.

How long to plan, and realistic itineraries

Quick visit (60 to 90 minutes):

• Palace interior at a steady pace

• Short terrace and park loop

Half-day Bygdøy plan (3 to 4 hours):

• Oscarshall interior

• Park walk down toward the water

• Coffee and a simple snack at the on-site café (seasonal)

Combine with central Oslo (5 to 7 hours total):

• Morning in central Oslo (for example MUNCH Museum, Oslo if you want a timed indoor anchor)

• Afternoon on Bygdøy at Oscarshall

Accessibility, families, and visitor constraints

Accessibility realities (from the Royal Court):

• Ground-floor Salon and Dining Room are described as easily accessible.

• No elevator in the main building, so the first floor is difficult for mobility-impaired visitors.

• Staff can assist on stairs; folding chairs are available.

• Terrace is easy to reach; the park is difficult due to many stairs.

Families:

• Child ticket categories are published, including free entry for ages 0 to 5.

• The park is a useful pressure valve if kids need space between rooms.

Constraint that changes the day: if you rely on a stroller for the park, expect stairs and plan to keep the outdoor portion short.

Rules, security, and what surprises visitors

• Mobile phones: the Royal Court asks visitors to turn off phones during the tour/visit inside, out of courtesy to guides and other guests.

• Food and drink: not allowed inside the palace.

• Photography: permitted inside the palace and in the surrounding park. Wedding photography is permitted during opening hours if it does not disturb other visitors, with a request to register on arrival.

Not confirmed: any bag size restrictions, cloakroom rules beyond the toilet and cloakroom location notes, or security screening. Confirm on the official page if you are arriving with large bags.

Costs and money on site

Official ticket prices (published by the Royal Court):

• Adult: 140 NOK (about €11.95)

• Student: 70 NOK (about €5.98)

• Child (6 to 17): 70 NOK (about €5.98)

• Child (0 to 5): Free (€0)

• Family ticket (2 adults + 5 children): 350 NOK (about €29.88)

• Closed groups up to 25 persons: 3500 NOK (about €298.82)

EUR conversions above use the ECB reference rate (1 EUR = 11.7155 NOK) dated 20 January 2026. Prices can change, so treat the EUR amounts as planning numbers and re-check NOK totals when you book.

On-site spending: the café offering varies by season, and a small souvenir selection is sold in the lodge.

Nearby landmarks and what to combine it with

Oscarshall is easiest when combined with other Bygdøy stops so you avoid repeated transfers. Practical pairings include:

• Norsk Folkemuseum (Bygdøy Open-Air Museum)

• Fram Museum

• Kon-Tiki Museum

• Norwegian Maritime Museum

If you prefer to pair one outdoor stop with a major open-air art walk in the city, Vigeland Sculpture Park Oslo facts can help you judge whether that second leg fits your pace.

Practical tips that actually change the day

• Treat Oscarshall as a seasonal stop and verify visitor days and closures before you go.

• Use Bus 30 or the Bygdøy ferry, then plan for a short walk to the main gate.

• If stairs are an issue, plan your visit around the ground floor rooms and terrace, not the first floor.

• Do the palace first, then the park. You will appreciate the outdoor space more after the interiors.

• Bring water, but expect to finish it before entering. Food and drink are not allowed inside.

• If you plan wedding or formal photography in the park, register on arrival and keep it low-impact during opening hours.

FAQ - Common questions people ask about Oscarshall tickets

Do I need a ticket for the park?No. The park and café can be visited without a ticket during the palace opening hours.

Where do you buy Oscarshall tickets?Tickets are sold via Ticketmaster (typically from early March for the same year), and may also be sold on site during the season.

Is Oscarshall open all year?No. It is a summer-only visit, usually May to August. Not confirmed for exact 2026 dates.

What are the opening hours?The Royal Court lists seasonal visitor hours and notes closures for private events. The 2025 pattern was Thu to Sun, 11:00 to 16:00. Not confirmed for 2026.

Is the visit guided or self-paced?The Royal Court describes open visitor hours where you can explore rooms on the ground and first floor, with guides available to answer questions.

How do I get to Oscarshall by public transport?Bus 30 to Bygdø Kongsgård or Norsk Folkemuseum, or the Bygdøy ferry to Dronningen, then walk to the main gate.

Is Oscarshall accessible for wheelchairs?Partly. Ground-floor rooms are described as easily accessible, but there is no elevator and the first floor is difficult for mobility-impaired visitors. The park has many stairs.

Can you take photos inside?Yes. Photography is permitted both inside the palace and in the surrounding park.

Is there parking on site?No general parking. Exceptions are made for vehicles with a disability permit.

Are there toilets and a café?Yes. Toilets are in the old lodge, with a wheelchair-accessible toilet near the cloakroom. A seasonal café operates on the grounds.