Ekeberg Sculpture Park: Oslo's free 24/7 art forest

Over 40 sculptures by Dalí, Rodin, and Louise Bourgeois scattered through a wild forest overlooking the fjord. Stand where Edvard Munch painted The Scream's background, all with free 24-hour access.

Ever wanted to stand in the exact spot where Edvard Munch painted The Scream or walk into a room that removes your depth perception using only colored light? This 25-acre forested sculpture park sits on a hill overlooking the Oslofjord, funded by art collector Christian Ringnes and opened in 2013. Free admission, open 24 hours daily, year-round. Over 40 sculptures by famous artists (Salvador Dalí, Auguste Rodin, Louise Bourgeois, others) are scattered throughout the forest that's been a public recreation area since the 19th century.

The park distinguishes itself from Vigeland's manicured lawns through its wild, mysterious atmosphere where contemporary art interacts with landscape. Sculptures hide in trees, hang suspended in air, or build into the ground, rewarding exploration off main paths. The forest setting creates discovery rather than display.

The crown jewel hides underground: two James Turrell light installations in an old water reservoir. Ganzfeld: Double Vision is a mind-bending room filled with colored light that removes depth perception. Skyspace: The Color Beneath is a room with an aperture to the sky. These open normally only Sundays 11am-4pm for free drop-in visits.

James Turrell’s Ganzfeld and Skyspace are inside an old water reservoir and the park runs free guided entry to those installations on Sundays plus booked sunrise and sunset sessions to experience the changing colored light.

Highlights

The Scream Point marks where Edvard Munch painted his famous background, with a "Munch Spot" frame along Valhallveien where you recreate the pose with the harbor behind you.

The underground Ganzfeld room removes your depth perception using colored light in ways that break your brain. Skyspace's aperture to the sky changes perception of color and light. These are free but Sunday-only.

Visit at night to see light-element sculptures invisible during day. Pipilotti Rist's Nordic Pixel Forest and other illuminated works transform the park after dark.

Open in Google Maps

http://ekebergparken.com/

Best time to go

Sunday 11am-3pm year-round to access the James Turrell underground light installations. Otherwise, late afternoon or evening any day for sunset light on sculptures. Night visits (the park is open 24 hours) reveal illuminated light-element sculptures invisible during day.

Time needed

45–180 minutes

Getting there

Tram toward Ljabru to Ekebergparken stop, 10-15 minutes from city center.

What to do nearby

2.2km Insider pick

National Museum: Munch´s original "Scream" painting

The largest art museum in Norway exhibiting some of the most iconic Norwegian paintings, including the original Scream oil painting and famous national romantic paintings like The Bridal Procession on the Hardangerfjord that define Norway's national identity, all in one building.

2.3km

The National Theatre: Oslo´s 1899 neo-renaissance landmark

Watch classic Norwegian drama (such as Ibsen with English subtitles) in the 125-year-old gilded auditorium, or tour the Golden Hall and backstage areas where Norwegian cultural history has been performed for over a century.