Aker Brygge is a fashionable and lively seafront district with more than 60 stores, attractions, restaurants, bars and expensive apartments. For more than 100 years the area was the location of one of Norway’s largest shipyards. It was redeveloped following the shipyard’s closure in 1982. Today many of the retail premises are housed in old workshop halls. The area attracts more than 12 million visitors each year.

Aker Brygge has a mixture of men’s and women’s fashion boutiques, a jewelry shop and grocery stores. There are also hairdressing and cosmetics salons.

Walk along the promenade and watch street performers sing, tumble and do magic tricks. Stop at the marina to look at the boats moored there and take photographs of some of Aker Brygge’s monuments. These include The Eternal Peace Flame that stays alight no matter the weather.

Relax with a drink or meal on one of the floating restaurants and enjoy views across the harbor to the medieval fortress of Akershus. Browse the oil and watercolor paintings at the Fine Art gallery.

At various times during the year, the waterfront location hosts large-scale public events such as the Oslo Wine Festival and Midsummer celebrations. Visit the Aker Brygge website for up-to-date information.

Since many of the restaurants and bars stay open until late, Aker Brygge is a popular nightspot. It is situated on the Oslo Fjord, close to City Hall, and is convenient for all forms of public transportation, including train, tram, bus and boat. There is pay parking in the large parking garage under the wharf.

Aker Brygge is open daily except Sundays and major public holidays including Christmas Day, New Year’s Day and Constitution Day on May 17. Most restaurants keep separate hours and are open on Sundays and some public holidays. The wharf is currently undergoing a major refurbishment and modernization program that’s due to be completed in 2015. It remains open during this period, although you may find some places closed during your visit. There’s no fee to enter the wharf.