Before there was Ciudad Real, there was ancient Alarcos. 8 km from the city, this Bronze Age excavation site also contains Iberian and medieval remains (a castle and Gothic chapel). The site was a fortified city in the 6th century, and after conquest in 1212, the citizens relocated down river to modern-day Ciudad Real.

The five historical museum buildings on Museum Island have been part of UNESCO World Heritage since 1999, and represent a collection that is unique in the world. Each museum building on the island was designed by famous architects of their time. Museum Island is home to collections in the Altes Museum (Old Museum), the Alte Nationalgalerie (Old National Gallery), the Bode Museum, and the Neues Museum (New Museum). The Pergamon Museum is closed for renovation until 2037 or 2043. The exhibitions cover prehistoric times, ancient history and 19th-century art.

Aker Brygge is a lively and very popular area situated right by the fjord. It has witnessed enormous development since the days when it used to be a shipyard up until the 80s. Now, visitors and locals come here for shopping, al fresco dining at one of the countless restaurants and bistros, or just to take a stroll along the waterfront. Tjuvholmen is an area located on a peninsula adjacent to Aker Brygge, between Pipervika and Filipstad. It has also undergone remarkable transformations throughout its history. Once a bustling dock, shipyard, and warehouse district, Tjuvholmen has evolved into a modern hub characterised by innovative architecture and bustling with stylish apartments and trendy restaurants. Tjuvholme also hosts many art galleries, a sculpture park, and a city beach. Here you'll also find the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, housed in a spectacular wooden building designed by Renzo Piano.