The Changing of the Guard in Oslo is a great thing for tourists to witness - and it's free! You can catch the Changing of the Guards at Oslo's Royal Palace, the residence of the King of Norway.

Make your way up Karl Johans Gate towards the Royal Palace and join other visitors waiting for this "royal" event taking place at 1:30 pm daily, no matter what the weather in Oslo is like. The entire Changing of the Guards takes about 40 minutes.

In the summer, mounted police officers and a Norwegian military band lead the guards through the streets of Oslo, starting at Akershus Fortress at 1:10 pm. The procession moves to Kirkegaten and from there to Karl Johans Gate and the Royal Palace, where the Changing of the Guard occurs at 1:30 pm as always.

The royal guards you see at the Changing of the Guards in Oslo are called the King's Guard. These men and women perform sentry duty, guarding the royal residence around the clock.

Insider Tip: On May 17 (Constitution Day in Norway), the Changing of the Guard becomes an elaborate city-wide event with marching bands accompanying the Royal Family in a procession.

At 1:30 pm, there is also a Changing of the Guard ceremony at Akershus Fortress outside Oslo, which is the residence of other important members of the royal family: The Crown Prince and Crown Princess.