Street art in Oslo

Where to find street art in Oslo (Norway)

Oslo's street art scene emerged in the 1980s when graffiti from New York spread into the city's hip-hop youth culture. A singular architectural quirk shaped the urban landscape: a housing crash in 1899 left large windowless gable walls between apartment buildings throughout the centre, providing ideal canvases for muralists. The Oslo Street Art Action Plan (2016-2020) later formalised the scene by funding legal commissions across several districts.

Grünerløkka, a former industrial neighbourhood along the Akerselva river, is the city's main street art hub, with colourful murals and lettering pieces concentrated in the Vulkan district. Tøyen, its multicultural neighbour, hosts more politically charged works, including a monumental mural of painter Edvard Munch by Steffen Kvernerland. The Grønland area extends the walking trail northward along the river.

Dolk, Martin Whatson and Pøbel are among the most internationally recognised Norwegian artists working in the genre. The Oslo Street Art Festival, held each June, brings local and international creators together for new commissions across the city. Guided tours of around two hours connect the key murals and hidden sculptures across Oslo's eastern districts.

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