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Oslo Travel Guide

Last Updated: August 17, 2023

The skyline of Oslo, Norway in a relaxing sunny day

Oslo makes for an excellent base to explore southern Norway as well as a fun weekend getaway destination. There are plenty of hiking and biking trails nearby, as well as ample opportunities to swim, fish, go boating, and ski.

While not the cheapest city in the world (it’s actually one of the most expensive), it’s nevertheless worth a visit to see the incredible fjords and take in the relaxed place of Scandinavian life. There are lots of free and cheap things to do as well, so you don’t have to break the bank.

I love my visits here and I’m confident you will too!

This travel guide to Oslo can help you plan your trip, save money, and make the most of your time in the city.

Table of Contents

  • Things to See and Do
  • Typical Costs
  • Suggested Budget
  • Money-Saving Tips
  • Where to Stay
  • How to Get Around
  • How to Stay Safe
  • Best Places to Book Your Trip
  • Related Blogs on Oslo

Top 5 Things to See and Do in Oslo

The iconic opera building on the shore of Oslo, Norway during a colorful sunset

1. Hang out at the Opera

Norway’s largest performing arts institution is home to the world’s first opera house rooftop. Opened in 2007, the building itself is composed of multiple flat levels that essentially act as small plazas, allowing visitors to walk on the roof and enjoy the view of the harbor and city. It’s a popular spot to watch the sunset when the weather is nice. Ticket prices for the opera and ballet vary for each production but expect to pay at least 200 NOK. If you don’t mind standing, there are some tickets available for 100 NOK. There are also occasional “balcony concerts” performed by students, which are free and a great way to enjoy music on a budget. Daily guided tours of the building are available in English. They last 50 minutes and cost 120 NOK.

2. Explore Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress is a medieval fortress originally commissioned in 1299 that later evolved into a Renaissance palace under Danish King Christian IV. In World War II, the Germans used the fort to execute dissidents. After the war, Nazi collaborators were executed here. Today, it’s a temporary office for the Prime Minister. There is a small museum inside that highlights the fort’s turbulent history. Admission is free.

3. Wander Vigeland Sculpture Park

Located in Frogner Park, is the world’s largest display of sculptures created by a single artist. Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) created over 200 bronze, iron, and granite statues that now stand in the open-air “gallery” (which covers a whopping 80 acres). The crying baby statue is the most famous. In the summer, there are often events held here as well. It’s open daily and free to visit.

4. Go swimming

Oslo has many outdoor areas that are ideal for swimming, from rivers to lakes to the Oslo fjord itself. The water here is clean and safe too. Tjuvholmen City Beach, Sørenga Seawater Pool, and Huk (Oslo’s popular beach for a younger crowd) are three places worth checking out if you’re looking to take a dip. You’ll usually see plenty of locals enjoying the water — even in the winter!

5. Explore Nordmarka Wilderness Area

Spanning over 430 acres and just 30 kilometers (19 miles) from Oslo’s city center, you can find everything from biking to swimming to skiing in the Nordmarka Wilderness Area. There are huts available for overnight stays too. For a challenging day hike, try the “Voksenkollen til Bjørnsjøen” trail. It’s around 25 kilometers (15 miles) and takes just over 8 hours to complete. For something shorter, try the moderate “Frognerseteren til Sognsvann” trail, which is around 11 kilometers (8 miles) and takes 3.5-4 hours.

Other Things to See and Do in Oslo

1. take a free walking tour.

One of the best ways to learn about a new destination is to take a free walking tour. You’ll get to see the main sights while having an expert local guide on hand to answer your questions. I always start my trips off with a free walking tour as they are the best way to get oriented and learn a little bit about the local history and culture. Free Tour Oslo offers an insightful 90-minute tour around the city. Just be sure to tip your guide at the end!

2. Visit the Blomqvist Auction House Gallery

Established in 1870, Blomqvist is one of the oldest and largest auction houses in Norway. Located in the city center, it is an excellent place to stop to see traditional Norwegian art and antiques such as glass, silver, china, furniture, carpets, and even jewelry. Sure, you may not want to fork out a fortune on art or antiques at their auctions but it’s a nice gallery to spend some time exploring. You can also visit their website to see what is available for auction as there is an ever-rotating list of art and antiques on offer.

3. Learn some Norwegian history at Norsk Folkemuseum

There are many museums throughout Oslo showcasing Norwegian history and Viking tales, but this is the most interesting. Home to over 150 buildings, this open-air museum lets you immerse yourself in the history of the country. The biggest attraction is the Gol Stave Church, which dates to 1200 CE. Other incredible sights to see are the 14th-century farmhouses and the 18th-century tenement buildings. This is a fun activity that blends entertainment and education, so it’s a great choice for anyone traveling with children. Admission is 140 NOK in winter and 180 NOK in summer.

4. Check out the Viking museum

The Viking Age was a period of time from around 800-1066 that saw a massive expansion of Scandinavian conquests and exploration (they traveled as far as Canada in the west and to modern-day Turkey in the east). This museum is home to the world’s best-preserved Viking ships, which date to the 9th century. It’s also home to the largest Viking burial ship in the world. There is an array of preserved boats and carts that date back to the Middle Ages as well. Admission is 179 NOK.

5. Visit Kampen Ecological Children’s Farm

Located in Eastern Oslo, “Kampen Barnebondegård” is an urban ecological farm that was set up for children to learn about vegetables, herbs, and animals (they have horses, pigs, sheep, goats, chickens, and more!). On weekends, there’s a small cafe available with homemade treats. It’s a great stop for a laid-back, kid-friendly afternoon that’s both fun and educational. Hours are limited outside of the summer so be sure to check their website and/or social media before you go.

6. Shop in Grünerløkka

Located slightly north of Oslo’s city center, Grünerløkka is ideal for an afternoon of perusing independent shops. You can expect to find artisanal handicrafts, clothing, pottery, and various other trinkets, in addition to record shops and second-hand bookstores. There are cafes, flea markets, and bakeries here too, making it ideal for a relaxing day of exploring the city on foot. There are also a few clubs here so at night the area livens up even more.

7. See the National Gallery

The National Gallery contains Edvard Munch’s famous painting “The Scream” (which was made in 1893 and has been stolen twice). The gallery is small, but there are a lot of artists on display. It has some Impressionist and Dutch works, as well as some pieces by Picasso and El Greco. It’s not the most expansive collection, but it is still worth a visit, especially if you’re a fan of more classical art styles (like me).

8. Stroll along Aker Brygge wharf

Perfect for an afternoon stroll and host to the largest concentration of restaurants in Oslo, Aker Brygge is located southeast of Oslo’s city center. Enjoy a wide array of foods ranging from French cuisine to traditional Nordic dishes, or a simple day of window shopping and architectural admiration. There are also lots of food trucks around here in the summer. The wharf has something for everyone and is a great place to spend a couple of hours window shopping, people-watching, and admiring the view of the fjord.

9. Wander through the Botanical Garden

The perfect place to relax after exploring the city, Oslo’s Botanical Garden has over 1,800 different plants. Largely set up as an Arboretum, the Botanical Garden also offers two greenhouses of exotic plants (which date to 1868 and 1876 respectively) and a “Scent Garden” designed specifically for the blind so they could enjoy a sensory experience. There are lots of benches so you can sit down with a book and relax, as well as works of art throughout the garden. Entry is free.

10. Join the Korketrekkeren Toboggan run

The toboggan run begins in Frognerseteren and is an exciting way to take part in a traditional Norwegian winter activity. The track is over 2,000 meters (6,500 feet) long and sleds are available for rent (including helmets) for 100-150 NOK per day. You can take as many rides down the track as you like as it’s free to ride. The ride itself takes almost 10 minutes and then it takes about 15 minutes to get back to the top. The track is only available when there is snow so the schedule varies, but it’s incredibly fun and popular with the locals!

11. Visit the Fram Museum

Located on the Bygdøy Peninsula, this museum is all about Norwegian polar exploration. Opened in 1936, the museum honors explorers like Roald Amundsen (who led the first expedition to the south pole in 1911) and Fridtjof Nansen (who crossed the Greenland interior on skis in 1888). You’ll learn about the expeditions and how the people (and their animals) survived the harsh conditions. The museum also has exhibits of the animals of the polar regions, such as penguins and polar bears, as well as a Northern Lights show to give you a sense of what the Aurora Borealis actually looks like. Admission 140 NOK for adults and 50 NOK for kids.

12. See the Kon Tiki Museum

Another museum about exploration, the Kon Tiki museum highlights the adventures of Thor Heyerdahl, the 20th-century explorer and anthropologist. In 1947, Thor sailed from Peru to the Polynesian islands on a balsa wood raft to prove that Polynesians migrated from South America, not Asia. (While he succeeded in his journey, his theory was ultimately proven incorrect). He also sailed from Morocco to Barbados on another traditional raft to prove that the Egyptians could have crossed the Atlantic. At the museum, you’ll get to see his two boats and learn about his voyages, discoveries, and challenges. Admission is 140 NOK.

13. Take a fjord cruise

Oslo travel costs.

The beautiful wilderness area just outside of Oslo, Norway during a sunny summer day

Hostel prices – Accommodation (much like everything in Norway) is not cheap. Hostels start around 390 NOK per night for a 6-8-person dorm. Private rooms cost around 800-900 NOK. Free Wi-Fi is standard and most hostels also have self-catering facilities. Free breakfast is rare, though it is offered by a couple of hostels in the city.

Additionally, most hostels in Norway charge a 50 NOK surcharge for linens, as is the custom in Scandinavia. You can bring your own, however, you cannot use a sleeping bag instead.

For those traveling with a tent, wild camping is legal (and free). Norway has ‘Freedom to Roam’ laws (called “Allemannsretten”) that allow anyone to camp anywhere for up to two nights as long as it’s not on cultivated land. You’ll need to make sure you are not camping near someone’s house, that you take all trash with you when you leave, and that you aren’t in a farmer’s field or garden. But other than that, you can pretty much pitch your tent anywhere!

If wild camping is not your thing, campgrounds are also common though many require a Camping Key Europe card. You can purchase it at your campsite for 210 NOK or online (for a discount). Most campsites have modern facilities, including toilets and showers. Expect a basic tent plot with space for two people to cost around 200 NOK per night.

Budget hotel prices – A three-star budget hotel (there are no two-star budget hotels in Oslo) starts around 600-800 NOK for a double room. Expect basic amenities like free Wi-Fi, coffee/tea makers, and a TV. Some hotels include a basic free breakfast too. For a hotel with a pool, expect to pay at least 1,200 NOK per night.

Private rooms on Airbnb start around 480 NOK per night while an entire house/apartment costs at least 800-1,000 NOK per night. Be sure to book early, otherwise, prices can double (or even triple).

Food – Food is expensive in Oslo — there are just no two ways about it. A lot of food has to be imported so anything that isn’t grown here is going to be pricey. Seafood is incredibly popular, with smoked salmon being one of the country’s staples. Cod is also super popular, as are prawns and crab (locals host “crab parties” when they are in season). Lamb is the most popular meat, and open-faced sandwiches are the go-to choice for both breakfast and lunch (usually composed of dark bread, cheese, and either meat, seafood, or vegetable topping).

Street food like hot dogs costs between 25-45 NOK and you can usually find “cheap” meals of traditional cuisine for just under 200 NOK at inexpensive casual restaurants. For a multi-course meal with table service, expect to pay double that.

Fast food (think McDonald’s) costs around 120 NOK for a combo meal while Chinese food starts at 150 NOK for a main dish. A basic large pizza starts at 110 NOK (140 NOK for one with more toppings).

Beer at the bar costs around 97 NOK though you can get it for less than half that price if you buy it at the store. Lattes/cappuccinos cost around 45 NOK while bottled water is 30 NOK.

Grocery shopping here is the cheapest way to get by on a budget. Expect a week’s worth of groceries to cost around 725 NOK. This includes basic staples like rice, pasta, vegetables, and some meat or fish.

Backpacking Oslo Suggested Budgets

On a backpacking budget of 600 NOK per day, you can stay in a hostel dorm, cook all your meals, take public transportation to get around, limit your drinking, and do free activities like swimming and hiking. If you plan on drinking, add 50-150 NOK per day to your budget.

On a mid-range budget of 1,500 NOK per day, you can stay in a private hostel room or Airbnb, eat out for some meals, take the occasional taxi to get around, enjoy a couple of drinks, and do paid activities like museum visits or opera performances.

On a “luxury” budget of 2,600 NOK or more per day, you can stay in a hotel, eat out for all your meals, drink more, rent a car to get around, and do more paid activities and guided tours. This is just the ground floor for luxury though. The sky is the limit!

You can use the chart below to get some idea of how much you need to budget daily, depending on your travel style. Keep in mind these are daily averages — some days you’ll spend more, some days you’ll spend less (you might spend less every day). We just want to give you a general idea of how to make your budget. Prices are in NOK.

Oslo Travel Guide: Money-Saving Tips

Oslo is an expensive city in an expensive country. It takes some work to save money. Even McDonald’s costs a lot of money. Saving money here takes a lot of work and vigilance but it can be done! Here are some tips to save money in the city:

  • Cook your own food – Food is very, very expensive in Norway so the best thing you can do is cook your own meals. Go grocery shopping and stick to buying local and seasonal food. it’s not fancy but it can save you a ton!
  • Eat cheap – If you do decide to eat out, your cheapest options are shawarma and pizza. They can be found all around the city.
  • Stay with a local – The best way to avoid expensive hostels is to not stay in them! Couchsurfing can connect you with local hosts who offer free accommodation (usually just on a couch). It’s not fancy, but you’ll get insider tips and a free place to stay — all while making a new friend!
  • Camp – Free public camping laws allow you to camp in the parks and public lands for free as long as you have your own tent. You can stay up to two nights in an area as long as you are quiet and respectful. Make sure to leave the area as you found it! If you plan on camping a lot, make sure to get the Camping Key Europe card. It offers discounts to most of Norway’s campgrounds.
  • Get the Oslo Pass – If you plan on visiting lots of museums and using public transportation, this pass is going to save you money. The 24-hour pass is 445 NOK while you can also get a 48-hour pass for 655 NOK and a 72-hour pass for 820 NOK.
  • Take advantage of Oslo’s free activities – Stick to free places like the Botanical Garden, Church ruins in Maridalen, Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, Akershus Fortress, Oslo Cathedral, Intercultural Museum, and Monastery Ruins at Hovedøya. If you’re into art, check out Kunsthall Oslo, Gallery LNM, Fineart Oslo, Gallery TM51, Gallery, and Semmingsen.
  • Stay sober – At around 100 NOK per drink (often more!), going out destroys your budget. While Norwegians love to go out and have a good time, if you are on a tight budget, skip the drinks. Better to save your money for sailing around the fjords.
  • Buy your drinks at the store – If you do plan on drinking, buy your drinks at the Vinmonopolet (the state-run chain of stores that sell alcohol). You’ll save 50% or more doing this!
  • Travel with friends – If you rent a car to get out of the city (which is the best way to see the surrounding areas), try to find people to join you to share costs. You can use the Couchsurfing app or just ask around in hostels to find people. This will help you save money on gas and rental prices — which can eat into your budget quickly!
  • Bring a reusable water bottle – The tap water here is super clean, so bring a reusable water bottle to save money and lower your plastic usage. LifeStraw makes a bottle with a built-in filter so you can always ensure your water is clean and safe.

Where to Stay in Oslo

Oslo only has a few hostels worth staying at. Here are my recommended places to stay:

  • Anker Hostel
  • Cochs Pensjonat

How to Get Around Oslo

People cycling and driving around downtown Oslo, Norway

You can buy your ticket onboard, however, it is more expensive that way. To save time and money, download the RuterBillett app. It’s the city’s app for public transportation.

Additionally, free public transportation is included with the Oslo Pass, which can save you money if you plan on seeing a lot of sights.

While you can get on most buses and trams without showing a ticket, ticket patrols are common and the fines are heavy. Don’t risk it — always purchase a ticket!

Oslo is the only city in the country with a metro system (known as the “T-Bane”). Tickets are 39 NOK and the passes above also work for the metro system. There are 5 lines and around 100 stops with service beginning between 5:30am-6am and ending between 12:30am-1am. It’s fast, reliable and an easy way to get across the city.

Taxi – Taxis are prohibitively expensive here. Rates start at 103 NOK and are 15 NOK per kilometer. Avoid them!

Ridesharing – Uber is available in Oslo (it’s the only city in the country where they operate). However, it’s comparable to the taxis here so there’s not much savings.

Bicycle – Cycling is a great way to get around the city as everything is compact and lots of locals cycle as well. You can find rentals for 69 NOK per day from Oslo City Bike. It’s the city’s bike-sharing program and there are over 250 stations around the city where you can get a bike. You just need to download the app to sign up and pay.

Car rental – Car rentals start at around 360 NOK per day for a multi-day rental. If you’re just staying in the city, you won’t need a vehicle, however, having one will let you explore the many parks and forests outside the city.

When to Go to Oslo

The ideal time to visit Oslo is from June to August when the weather is warm and the days are (really) long. The country is at its liveliest during this time and locals take advantage of the good weather at every opportunity. The parks are always full and there are always fun events happening around town. Temperatures hover around the 20s°C (60s and 70s°F) — not too hot, but warm enough to swim, hike, and lounge about.

The downside to visiting in the summer is that, since Norway has a very short summer, Oslo can get busy so be sure to book your accommodation in advance. That being said, “busy” in Oslo is a far cry from “busy” in cities like Paris or London.

The shoulder season makes for a good time to visit as well, with temperatures ranging from 4-10°C (40-50°F). May typically has decent weather with occasional rain, while September gives you cooler temperatures and changing leaves. You’ll beat the crowds and still be able to explore the city on foot without the weather getting in your way (too much).

Attractions begin to close around late September/early October, or at the very least reduce their hours. The days begin to get dark early in October and temperatures start dropping around this time too. However, prices also decrease, and you’re likely to find cheaper airfares and accommodations. Be sure to pack layers if you plan on visiting during this time of year as it can be quite cool — even during the day.

The winter is very cold and sees a lot of snow and darkness. In the depths of the winter, you only get a few hours of light each day, and temperatures plummet below freezing. The plus side of traveling during the off-season, however, is that you’ll be offered the cheapest accommodations, and fees for certain attractions are lower as well. You can also take advantage of all the winter sports, such as cross-country skiing and downhill skiing. This is also the prime time to see the northern lights.

How to Stay Safe in Oslo

Norway is one of the safest countries in the world. In fact, it ranks 17th on the list of the world’s safest countries! Oslo is no exception. However, it’s still good to keep an eye out for pickpockets, especially around the train stations and on public transportation. Be aware of your surroundings and keep your valuables secure and out of reach just to be safe.

Solo female travelers should generally feel safe here. However, the standard precautions apply (never leave your drink unattended at the bar, never walk home alone intoxicated, etc.) but it’s unlikely anything will occur. Check out one of the solo female travel blogs on the web for more specific information on safety.

The tap water in Oslo is safe and clean so you can safely trick the water. There is also no real risk of natural disasters or terrorism here either. If you go hiking, always bring water and sunscreen. Be sure to check the weather before you go as well.

If you rent a car, don’t leave any valuables in it overnight. While break-ins are rare, it never hurts to be safe!

If you experience an emergency, dial 112 for police, 110 for fire, and 113 for ambulance services.

The most important piece of advice I can offer is to purchase good travel insurance. Travel insurance protects you against illness, injury, theft, and cancellations. It’s comprehensive protection in case anything goes wrong. I never go on a trip without it as I’ve had to use it many times in the past. You can use the widget below to find the policy right for you:

Oslo Travel Guide: The Best Booking Resources

These are my favorite companies to use when I travel. They consistently have the best deals, offer world-class customer service and great value, and overall, are better than their competitors. They are the companies I use the most and are always the starting point in my search for travel deals.

  • Skyscanner – Skyscanner is my favorite flight search engine. They search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites tend to miss. They are hands down the number one place to start.
  • Hostelworld – This is the best hostel accommodation site out there with the largest inventory, best search interface, and widest availability.
  • Booking.com – The best all around booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. In all my tests, they’ve always had the cheapest rates out of all the booking websites.
  • HostelPass – This new card gives you up to 20% off hostels throughout Europe. It’s a great way to save money. They’re constantly adding new hostels too. I’ve always wanted something like this and glad it finallt exists.
  • Get Your Guide – Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions. They have tons of tour options available in cities all around the world, including everything from cooking classes, walking tours, street art lessons, and more!
  • The Man in Seat 61 – This website is the ultimate guide to train travel anywhere in the world. They have the most comprehensive information on routes, times, prices, and train conditions. If you are planning a long train journey or some epic train trip, consult this site.
  • Rome2Rio – This website allows you to see how to get from point A to point B the best and cheapest way possible. It will give you all the bus, train, plane, or boat routes that can get you there as well as how much they cost.
  • FlixBus – Flixbus has routes between 20 European countries with prices starting as low 5 EUR! Their buses include WiFi, electrical outlets, a free checked bag.
  • SafetyWing – Safety Wing offers convenient and affordable plans tailored to digital nomads and long-term travelers. They have cheap monthly plans, great customer service, and an easy-to-use claims process that makes it perfect for those on the road.
  • LifeStraw – My go-to company for reusable water bottles with built-in filters so you can ensure your drinking water is always clean and safe.
  • Unbound Merino – They make lightweight, durable, easy-to-clean travel clothing.
  • Top Travel Credit Cards – Points are the best way to cut down travel expenses. Here’s my favorite point earning credit cards so you can get free travel!

Oslo Travel Guide: Related Articles

Want more info? Check out all the articles I’ve written on backpacking/traveling Norway and continue planning your trip:

How to Spend 48 Hours in Oslo

How to Spend 48 Hours in Oslo

The 22 Best Things to Do in Oslo

The 22 Best Things to Do in Oslo

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bergen, Norway

The 14 Best Things to Do in Bergen, Norway

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Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Grace Hsu

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Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Oslo is one of the most beautiful cities in the world, but when should you visit to make the most of its climate and prices? Which destinations will liven up your Oslo holiday the most? Which tours deliver the best thrills? And which dishes represent Norwegian gastronomy best? We have the answers. Keep reading and book the perfect tour for your interests.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

If you’re planning an Oslo holiday, you’ll get the opportunity to tread the same paths Edvard Munch once did, but the city celebrates contemporary art equally well. You can find out what inspired the famous Norwegian-noir writers, Jo Nesbo and Anne Holt. 

Oslo was once the stomping grounds of Vikings, but it soon became one of the world’s most interesting art capitals. Its museums cover both Medieval times and contemporary eras. The capital is an innovative one, and you’ll see that spirit in everything from its entrepreneurial heritage to its extraordinary gastronomy and opera

Regardless of how, don’t forget to immerse yourself in its culinary scene, which has become so famous it’s turned Oslo into a culinary destination for the most passionate of foodies. After the sun goes down and your appetite is duly sated, its nightlife awakens in glistening Technicolor. This is the most multicultural of cities, and it welcomes you. 

  • See also:   7 Things To Do & See in Oslo, The Capital City of Norway

Getting Around in Oslo      

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

After you deplane at Gardermoen Airport, there are several ways for you to get to Oslo. You can try the car rental service, which you will find several different rental companies at the airport. Or, enjoy the fastest way to downtown by  Flytoget . Another public transportation is by Oslo Rail, which is also an environmentally friendly way to go for.

When getting to the city, make Grünerløkka as the first stop. This was once an industrial area, but it’s become Oslo’s trendiest arts spot. It’s home to several art schools, so it’s populated with a range of contemporary art galleries and bars. You’ll get to see global art talent and sample unusual tastes at the Mathallen food market. The riverside walkway is perfect in both summer and winter. 

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

The  Akerselva River runs through the center of Oslo, starting from Maridalen and carrying you past the Opera House, Frogner Park, and Grünerløkka. Once the sun sets, stop by at Torggata Botaniske, an unusual botanical bar that’s renowned for its plant-lined walls and impressive cocktail menu. This is the perfect place to try out botanical-laced cocktails and local wines. You’ll feel as though you’re inside a forest, and the ambiance is a global phenomenon.

What to Do - Oslo by Boat       

The  Oslofjord Sightseeing Boat Tour will carry you to most of Oslo’s most important destinations, from The Viking Ship to the Fram Museums. Hovedøya is a nature lover's paradise and is nestled along the rocky island of Langøyene, where you'll spot breeding waterbirds and pristine vegetation.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

The boat trip will take you to Oslo Opera House, which plays the starring role as an architectural centerpiece. It hosts contemporary opera such as The Magic Flute alongside jazz festivals and workshops. If it’s ballet or modern dance your favour, you’ll find it there, too. It hosts enough performances to keep you entertained throughout the week.

What to See - Oslo Sculpture and Architecture            

If you love sculpture and architecture, the Vigelandsparken presents the work of Norway’s famous Gustav Vigeland. There are a total of 212 sculptures in its exhibit, including his famous Sinnataggen. The emotive sculpture park was first planned in the Twenties, with its many artworks being connected by a riverside pathway with its own enormous fountain. It hosts a 20-meter obelisk, which is perhaps its most pronounced feature. Once you've strolled through the park, stop by the Munch Museum, which has a 28,000-strong collection of Munch’s works.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Oslo Cathedral is an impressive 17th-century church that was constructed in the late 1600s. It was restored in the fifties, and its baroque interior is well worth viewing on your Oslo holiday, particularly during one of its many concerts. No tour is complete without a trip to the Rådhuset, which hosts The Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony every year. And if you want to feel som royal vibe, the Royal Palace is open to visitors every Summer.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

What to Visit - Holmenkollen and Museums      

For people who want to have great views over Oslo and Oslofjord, Holmenkollen is definitely ideal and a must visit. Holmenkollen, the ski jump tower is Norway's most visited tourist attraction and one of the world's most famous sports arenas and the ski museum is the world's oldest museum specializing in skis. The ski museum, which opened in 1928 and exhibits over 4000 years of ski history. and its cross-country area has a breathtaking elevation of 325 meters. Taking the lift all the way up a magnificent view of Oslo and the Oslo Fjord. For those seeking a more adrenaline filled experience, there’s a zip line from the top of the hill all the way down to the tribune.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Bygdøy Peninsula is the place for you if you are going to get yourself filled by museums. It boasts a total of five museums . A tip to remember, Oslo Pass will cover all your museum and transport costs.

Kon-Tiki Museum

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

Viking Ship Museum

Norwegian Maritime Museum

Fram Museum 

The Kon-Tiki Museum has an 8000-book library and an adventurers’ museum, replete with the vessels and maps from the Kon-Tiki exhibition. You will learn about the explorer Thor Heyerdahl. He is famous for having crossed the Pacific Ocean in only a balsa wood raft in 1947. That raft, known as the Kon-Tiki, is on display in the museum. You'll also learn about Heyerdahl’s exploration of Easter Island, the Galapagos, and Fatu-Hiva, and how his work impacted geographical knowledge at the time.

The Viking Ship Museum exhibits archaeological finds from the surrounding regions of Oslo. This fascinating museum is dedicated to the history of Norwegian maritime adventure in the time of the Vikings. It is home to some of the best preserved Viking ships in the world. During your visit, you will discover the unique stories of three Viking ships.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

The Astrup Fearnley waterfront museum is a work of art in itself but is also home to an international and contemporary art exhibition. It is not located in Bygdøy Peninsula, it's gorgeously set against the Oslo Fjord and hosts one of the largest Norwegian modern art collections. It was constructed to blend in with the Oslofjord landscape. Its exhibits include works by Jeff Koons, Tom Sachs, and Richard Prince. Its contemporary artists include Ansel Kiefer and Sigmar Polke. The gallery is careful about the art it exhibits, so you won’t find many spurious or pretentious collections within its halls. It opens at 12 and closes at 17:00, so make sure you’re at the door at noon. You’ll need every minute you can spare.

  • Press here to find more tours to Holmenkollen and Vigeland Park

At a Glance - Akershus Fortress       

Akershus Fortress was constructed to protect the city, but it’s been modified to include a military installation. It’s worth a visit for its medieval history and sprawling grounds alone, but no history tour is complete without a guided trip and musical recital. The fortress was built by King Haakon the Fifth and became home of Princess Margaret of Denmark in 1363.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Not long afterward, it was turned into a cheerful renaissance home. In the 19th century, it was used as a prison known for its slave labour. It was ultimately restored and now includes a Norwegian Resistance Museum to celebrate the Norwegian fighters of the Forties. It remains one of the best spots for viewing Oslo Fjord, and it even hosts concerts and dinners at its own private restaurant.

Where to Stay       

The city has accommodation along the waterfront, in the city center, and nearby Vigeland Park. Oslo is a relatively small city, so any central hotel will support your transportation routes.

Aker Brygge: If water soothes you, these previously rundown dockyards have been upgraded, turning the area into one of Oslo’s trendiest. It’s a short distance from the city center and is close enough to the highway to support a cross-country tour. Aker Brygge has a number of galleries and canals, so take the opportunity for a sunset stroll.

Majorstuen: It is close to Vigeland Park, but as one of Oslo’s trendiest neighborhoods, it’s a little more expensive than other parts of the city. Even so, it has some affordable accommodations and is close to major public transport routes.

The Frogner District: It is one of the city’s best established, and it’s home to the upper crust of Norwegian society. It’s a quiet area near to the exquisite Frognerparken. Those on budget trips will find affordable shared accommodation in the Frogner District's many apartment blocks or through Airbnb listings.

Grünerløkka: It is Oslo’s most culturally disparate region. It attracted droves of immigrants in the eighties and has thus become an internationally relevant region with a decidedly bohemian flair. This is where some of the city’s trendiest restaurants and bars can be found. It’s a youthful area steeped in Millennial culture.

Akershus County: Consider a bed and breakfast or hotel along the Fjord on Asker road in this municipality. Each morning, you’ll be able to stroll to the public library and station.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Oslo’s hotels are well-priced. You won’t need to pay more than you would in any UK or US city. It has a thriving Airbnb market, but if you’re looking for a truly unique experience, The Thief and Clarion Collection Hotels are among the most original. The Solbakken and Hotel Continental are expensive but top-rated. Wi-fi, 24-hour front desk, free breakfasts, and paid public parking are typical of the best hotels in the city. All but one Oslo hotel are smoke-free.

Oslo Pass and Transport Ticket      

Oslo is a small city with a well-developed public transport system. It won’t take longer than half an hour to travel from its center to the city outskirts by bus or tram. Public transportation is usually on time. The Oslo Pass gives you unlimited free bus and tram travel as well as entrance into the city's museums and galleries. It can be used on the boats to Bygdøy, but not to Oslo Gardermoen Airport.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

A one-month Ruter transport ticket will cover your costs at a pocket-friendly price, but make sure you choose the one or all-zone option that suits your needs best. The city has the second most expensive taxi tariff in the world, so a monthly ticket will bring down your holiday costs significantly.

Visit Oslo on a Budget       

Oslo falls in the center of Europe’s beer index, and its hotel prices are generally affordable, with overheads that equal any world-class destination. It has several free tourist hot spots, and you can expect to pay about 250 NOK ($28) for a meal. The city’s coffee scene is raging right now, with prices that are comparable to Starbucks despite an impressive upgrade in quality. A Ruter monthly public transport ticket will set you back about 750 NOK ($85).

What to Pack for an Oslo Holiday       

Even if you’re travelling in summer, you’ll need a jacket and jersey. The weather is unpredictable, which makes for some challenging packing. Spring, autumn, and winter can be chilly and windy, so a lightweight windbreaker is a must. Wintry weather requires ski wear, scarves, and thermals. A heavy coat and walking shoes will keep you comfortable on long winter hikes. Oslo medications are expensive, so fill your prescription before you leave. European over the counter medications often require a script in Norway, so add your OTC medications to your luggage and pack a written doctor’s prescription for them.

Oslo Food and Drinks       

Oslo is passionate about fresh ingredients, and no wonder, given its many Michelin restaurants. Chefs grow their own ingredients, even for their garnishes, so you can expect a passionate approach to food. Here is the list of the most recommended restaurants and cafes in Oslo.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Maaemo is a place for you if you enjoy fine dining. Maaemo is the only three Michelin star restaurant in Norway. In addition to the seasonal Norwegian cuisine, Maaemo focuses on the harmony by highlighting raw and cooked ingredients along with the culture and history of Norway. Chef Esben Holmboe Bang created a menu entitled “A Journey through the Norwegian Landscape.” Isn’t a must try when visiting Oslo?

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Hos Thea is another restaurant that has numerous awards, which is located in a 100-year-old butcher shop in Skillebekk. The chef and owner Sergio make sure all the customers will taste the seasonal dishes, such as homemade crayfish ravioli and deer with blueberry sauce. How about having a glass of wine and enjoying this creative cuisine in an intimate place like Hos Thea?

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Klosteret Restaurant let you dining in the building that was built in 1899. Klosteret Restaurant insists on only use ingredients supplied by local farmers and artisans. Here, Norwegian and European fine dining is what you expect to have. Organic salmon with asparagus, trout roe & dill foam, and veal with sweetbread & cabbage. Try all of these in the candlelit space of exposed brick walls and arches.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Engebret Café is the local institution among gourmets. This is also the oldest restaurant in Oslo in a building from the early 1700s. Within the historic neighborhood of Kvadraturen, you will find “Engebret Cafe’”. This restaurant dates back to 1857 and provides guests the opportunity to experience traditional Norwegian cuisine. Dishes include reindeer carpaccio with grilled goat cheese and cured herring with potato salad. Even Edvard Grieg and Edvard Munch were one of the guests.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Kafe Celsius offers a cup of black coffee with a vanilla marinated strawberry dessert sound like something everyone wants to have on a cozy afternoon. Kafe Celsius, in addition to outstanding dessert and coffee, is located in Christiania Square, which is surrounded by some of the oldest buildings in town. This is a perfect place for you to sit down and enjoy a peaceful moment in Oslo and recharge for your next adventure.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Stockfleths let us go back to 1895 when the first Stockfleths opened. Almost 120 years old, Stockfleths has helped characterize the new Norwegian coffee culture as we know it today. Nowadays, the chain has been expanded to greater Oslo. You don’t need to go back in time to taste the amazing brew from Stockfleths. 

When to Plan Your Oslo Trip       

Norway’s climate is mild but unpredictable. It experiences snow along the coast, with chillier weather in its inland regions.

In summer, temperatures rise to an easy 18 degrees Celsius.

If you’re visiting for the region’s natural heritage, Oslo's landscape breaks into sparkling colour between May and June.

June and August bring  midnight sunshine ideal for cycling or hiking tours.

The two periods when the city attracts the fewest tourists is between September & October. So if you favour quiet roads and fewer clicking cameras, that's your best season

Skiing is at its best during March, and the snowy sport gives you a pocket-friendly way to enjoy the region.

If you're planning a hiking or  cycling holiday, summer is the best season for you.

Tourism season happens from May to August when the weather is chilly but sunny. This is the most expensive time to visit the city.

December is the rainy season, with as many as 28 days of precipitation, so if your visit falls on Christmas, book a car or travel by Uber.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

Oslo Holiday Travel Tips       

Oslo is a tourist-friendly destination with economical tours and free guides.

You’ll need a two-pin adapter for your gadgets. The city uses the Europlug Type C&F.

To bring some cash may be wise but not necessary. Cash will be around in most societies for many decades; however, some nations are already well on the road to going entirely cash free. One of these nations is Norway.

A wide-angle lens and polarizer will adapt your camera to Oslo’s sunny landscapes.

If you book your bus tickets before you land, you can usually secure tickets for half the price of last-minute offerings.

Oslo’s Uber services are far cheaper than taxis, so they’re the best way to get around. The service has share rides via the UberPool option for a truly pocket-friendly alternative.

Oslo’s recreational and museum areas are tightly packed together, and if you take a boat to Bygdoy from Pier 3, you’ll be able to cover several destinations at once.

One entry fee will give you access to Norway’s biggest art exhibit as well as a large collection of museums.

You can travel with Panorama tour which will carry you to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum. There are spectacular hiking trails in the area. You can do a little island-hopping at your destination on the local ferries.

Ultimate Guide to Oslo | City Guide You Need Before You Go

National Geographic calls Oslo “The Queen of Nordic Cool,” and no wonder. As one of the trendiest capitals in an already edgy country, it delivers a wealth of contemporary culture. It’s known as one of the most expensive capitals in the world, but with a little forethought, you can craft an affordable itinerary. To book a tour that's crafted to include the city's most glistening destinations, check availability by choosing a date now.

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Norway’s capital is a city of many faces. With roots back to medieval times, it is a place for history buffs who like ruins and fortresses. Literary types know it as the home of playwright Henrik Ibsen, and Nobel Prize–winner Knut Hamsun dedicated one of his best-known works to the city. Art, architecture, and shipbuilding history beckon visitors to the city’s many museums and parks. Oslo is surrounded by nature, and the city feels clean and safe. A growing café and bar scene offers a laid-back way to enjoy this Scandinavian capital city

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Oslo a city in the fjord

Photo By Damien Verrier/Shutterstock

When’s the best time to go to Oslo?

Summer is Oslo’s peak tourist season, with temperatures highest in July. Wintertime can be lovely if you like snow and a chill in the air—though it is very, very dark in December and January. Overall, May through September is probably the best time to go, unless you’ve packed all your warm clothes. And the summer nights are short and light—not the complete midnight sun of points farther north, but still very special.

How to get around Oslo

Oslo has several airports, each about an hour from the city. The closest and largest is Oslo Airport Gardermoen, and from there the express train takes approximately 20 minutes to Oslo Central Station and costs about US$30. Local trains and airport buses will also take you around Oslo and the outskirts.

Though not a highly populated city, Oslo covers a lot of ground. The city is walkable but also offers the standard transportation options (metro, tram, bus) as well as bike rentals—Oslo’s version of London’s Boris Bikes. You can use the same ticket on all public transit within the city, and a standard 24-hour ticket costs just under US$14. There are also taxis aplenty, but be warned—they are expensive.

Can’t miss things to do in Oslo

Be sure to visit Aker Brygge. This old industrial site is now home to shopping areas, restaurants, entertainment venues, and the Nobel Peace Center. And nearby sits the jewel in the crown—City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held every year amid Edvard Munch’s famous frescoes.

Food and drink to try in Oslo

Traditional cuisine is based on game and fish, with some peculiarly Norwegian dishes (think wind-dried cod and salty mutton) on offer for the adventurous. But nowadays you can find all that you would expect in any other large city (American diners, pizza parlors, sushi bars), as well as some small gems that are found only here. Do try the brunost (brown cheese). It’s not technically cheese, but tastes more like fudge. It’s something Norwegians love to put on their open-faced sandwiches, it can be found in all grocery shops, and it goes well with coffee. The country has seen an influx of microbreweries these last years, so if you like beer, Oslo is the place to be.

Culture in Oslo

Norwegians love nature and activities such as hiking, skiing, and sailing. The Nordmarka woods, at Oslo’s front door, are used year-round. The Oslo fjord is dotted with islands, making for cozy day trips in the summer via ferry or private boat. Oslo’s other attractions that retain a Norwegian feel include a medieval fortress, several theaters, urban coffee shops for people watching, and the world-famous opera and ballet house designed by the same Norwegian architects responsible for the library in Alexandria, Egypt.

The largest festivals are Norwegian Wood and Øya Music Festival, both held in the summer. The Oslo Open House festival happens in September, when government buildings, the Royal Palace, and gardens normally closed to the public throw open their doors to let visitors have a snoop. Oslo has a wine festival in February, the Holmenkollen FIS World Cup Nordic Ski Festival in March, and a medieval festival in the Old Town in May.

Local travel tips for Oslo

As in most of Europe, tipping is voluntary, and the locals differ in how much they tip, if they tip at all. Some say 10 percent, some say more, or less—it’s really up to you. Don’t feel like you have to tip, but waiters will probably be glad if you show appreciation of their service. There is no need to tip taxi drivers or hotel staff. If you are visiting Oslo before Christmas, be sure to make reservations for all your lunch and dinner outings, as eateries are fully booked the last weeks before Christmas. Also, remember that on Sundays most shops are closed.

Guide Editor

Alexandra Redisch

A Second Line romps through Jazz Fest

Oslo: the new capital of Scandi cool

By Rick Jordan

Oslo Norway coolest things to do | Expert travel guide

The heat in the sauna is stupefying. The air shimmers. My bones shimmer. My two companions tell me about a sauna boat up in Tromsø where you can stagger out and topple straight into the Arctic sea. I'm handed a can of beer: the metal nearly scalds my hand but the liquid inside is deliciously cool and I hold it in my mouth a while, swishing it around. Then we're up and outside, running on Oslo 's harbour, skin steaming in the air; there's a tangle of pale limbs, laughter, and naked bodies hit the sea only to splutter and climb out immediately. Shards of ice glaze the water like scales. If the sauna is an extreme form of hygge - or koselig in Norwegian - then this is more frrrrrryge . Behind us rise huge wooden A-frames, like the spines of Jenga-brick dinosaurs, and a spectral soundtrack of whale wail, Stranger Things eerie, emerges from hidden speakers. A few curious passers-by with shopping bags stop and stare, wondering what the hell is going on.

Oslo Norway coolest things to do | Expert travel guide

What's going on is that a nomadic arts project called SALT has pitched up on Oslo's waterfront and built itself an encampment. A Noah-sized wooden pyramid contains one of the world's biggest saunas, and there are small hut-tents on sledges, a form of neat hybrid technology that's actually a centuries-old Sami tradition. Those giant wooden A-frames are inspired by the wooden racks used in the north to hang out fish and dry them like socks.

Oslo Norway coolest things to do | Expert travel guide

Sitting on a deckchair at the top of the sauna pyramid, with more of those beers, I'm talking to SALT's Erland Mogård-Larsen and Inger Ommedal. A burly cruise ship swaggers by, just in from Copenhagen. 'That's the ugly one,' says Inger. 'We raise a glass to all the other boats as they go past, but not that one.' Erland's a one-time punk drummer who organised raves in the 1990s and then accidentally became involved in a cultural festival in the north of Norway . 'I'd had too many Cognacs one night and agreed to help run it, but the next morning I remembered nothing until I got the phone call,' he says, rubbing his head. 'But it reawakened my interest in my country's traditions, and its relationship with the ocean.'

Territoriet Wine Bar

His epiphany led to the first SALT festival, with those pyramids erected on an empty beach in Sandhornøy, a savagely beautiful island in the Arctic Circle. This wasn't a festival to turn up at rocking a pair of angel wings and sequins, but one that took at least a couple of flights, then a giddy voyage across a wild stretch of sea. When a storm huffed and puffed and blew his pyramids down, Erland thought his project was over but here they are, reborn in the embrace of Oslo, hosting a slow-burn series of happenings over the next two years before moving on to Greenland , the Faroe Islands and Scotland . There are talks about sustainability and seals, DJ nights and weekly sauna sessions with specially composed soundscapes, BBQs and salt-cod tacos. One hut has been kitted out to resemble a cabin dating from Erland's grandparent's generation, a fire in the grate, shelves filled with porcelain polar bears, family photographs and tasselled lamps. Erland nods up at the rowing boat slung upside down from the ceiling. 'It's been in my family for a century. I've fixed the bass speakers in there and if you're dancing underneath the sound will make your hair stand on end!'

Inside Brutus

Norwegians have a thing about cabins. They occupy a special part of the national psyche - a simple place to hole up in and face the elements, a reaction against urban decadence. Flick through Lars Mytting's Norwegian Wood , a surprise publishing hit in 2015, and you might start wondering about your own axemanship and whether you're a 'bark up' or 'bark down' kind of guy. Erland snorts when I mention the book; but Norway is a country fragranced by the scent of birch smoke, with a history trodden by raw-knuckled, thick-socked men who headed outdoors and just kept on going. Roald Amundsen. Thor Heyerdahl. My favourite bearded pin-up is Fridtjof Nansen, the Arctic explorer who stayed still - by purposely getting his boat stuck in ice and then drifting towards the pole (it didn't work, but he got a whole lot further north than anyone else). Oslo's stoicism can be symbolised by the enduring, bird-limed statues of Ibsen and Grieg, and the muscular redbrick town hall, with twin towers you want to wrap a scarf around when it's bitter.

Oslo Norway coolest things to do | Expert travel guide

So while many folk get out of Oslo whenever they can, strapping on skis or hiking boots to commune with the hill and forest gods, a new generation of creatives are staying put and nailing together their own cabins: personal, carefully crafted projects such as music studios and fashion labels and natural-wine bars. On a grander scale, too, cranes are gathering on the skyline like a mapmaker's compass. A new Munch gallery and national museum are rising on the harbourside, to open in 2020, joining the glacier-like opera house whose contours are pitched just right for Oslopolitans, who like to hike up and down the roof. There's also the Deichman library, one room of which will house the intriguing Future Library, a time-capsule project by Scottish artist Katie Paterson. It's a typically sustainable, far-sighted vision. A story is being written each year for a century (authors include David Mitchell and Margaret Atwood), to be unsealed and read in 2114 when a specially planted forest outside the capital will be lopped down and turned into paper for the books.

While other Scandi cities such as Stockholm and Copenhagen have become short-break destinations for their design, street culture and food, Oslo was always a little backwards in coming forward. It was the one in the corner, a little aloof after the surprise discovery of North Sea oil in 1968 made it one of the world's super-rich kids. But no longer. Norway's becoming more extrovert, having more fun. As I walk past Oslo town hall, its bells begin to chime. It takes me a few seconds to recognise the melody as the Kygo remix of Ed Sheeran's 'I See Fire'.

The opera house roof

Embark on a tour of Oslo's sixties flirtation with Japanese minimalist design, and there is but one stop: an all-day coffee shop and cocktail bar called Fuglen. It's run by three thirtysomething friends, who matched its teak cabinets and biri-straw wallpaper with flamenco-haired Woolworths portraits and mid-century Scandi finds - all of it for sale, alongside concoctions such as a toasted oarweed and dill Martini. The night I visit there's a mutton-chopped DJ in one corner spinning early Prince and some yacht rock, who turns out to be Todd Terje.

A seafood stall at the Mathallen food hall

If there's a soundtrack to this new Oslo, it's the dubby, Norwegian cosmic-disco that's been wibbling and wobbling in my headphones the past few years. The unlikely story of how this blissed-out Balearic sound took foothold in a country that was pretty much a cultural Galápagos, where skateboarding was banned for a decade, is told in a recently released documentary, Northern Disco Lights . Beanie-hatted veterans including Lindstrøm and Bjørn Torske recall how bedroom DJs from Tromsø and Bergen unspooled a fresh electronic sound into the capital. It was, and still is, a close-knit community of individuals making something fresh away from the cacophony of larger cities. But the musician who has really taken the sound global is Terje, cool enough to invite Bryan Ferry to guest on his album, and whose quite excellent track 'Inspector Norse' pings and shimmies like Pacman on roller skates. When I run into him at Fuglen, he has a pop-up store next door selling his own range of retro-Seventies underwear. Pants? 'Yeah, well, band T-shirts are so done these days, I wanted to do something different.'

'Restaurants here used to be super-boring. Uptight, French fine dining,' Andreas Viestad tells me, before admonishing me for only piling up half my plate with roast pork ('Ah, we have a vegetarian among us!'). The chef has a sly sense of humour and his St Lars bistro isn't for the squeamish: the patron saint is graced with a large painting depicting him being roasted naked over a grill. The unblinkered menu flags up pig's snout and ear, and horse-meat tartare alongside other small plates of scallops with sweetbread, and reindeer strewn with crispy black kale. (Oslo has a knack of challenging your notion of good taste. Elsewhere I'm offered - keep it quiet - minke-whale sashimi, and dried seal, black as liquorice, chewy like biltong. Well, what would an Arctic explorer have done?)

Guests at Territoriet

If Andreas helped untuck and ruffle his hometown's napkins, Danish-born Esben Holmboe Bang lobbed it in a whole new direction while placing Norway's terroir on the Nordic foodmap. His restaurant Maemmo has picked up three Michelin stars for putting ingredients such as fermented mountain trout and sea-buckthorn juice on the plate. 'Norway's coastline is incredibly long and the wild seafood is insane. There are langoustines as big as dogs,' he says. 'Mahogany clams that are 400 years old and taste of everything you thought the sea would taste like but never have.' He shrugs, 'Oslo was quite stagnant, and the unwritten Scandinavian law of jante - the idea that no one should stand out from the crowd - held things back a bit. But I think people are getting over that.'

Oslo Norway coolest things to do | Expert travel guide

I don't know about jante but places here don't exactly shout their whereabouts. This is a town of unintentional speakeasies, of disco bistros behind unassuming doors, knees on stools grazing counters, low-riding hip-hop and funky natural wines with labels that look like tattoos. Many fingers point me to Pjoltergeist, in a former Hell's Angels bar, which I walk past three times before seeing the handwritten sign. Here, the tasting menu is a succession of surprises: langoustine in vanilla sauce, confit of duck-leg dumplings, a skate wing that I'm instructed to eat - 'no cutlery for this one!' - with my fingers to appreciate the texture, ending with black coffee in a Moomin cup. The next evening, after a plate of poached eggs in mussel sauce at neighbourhood restaurant Smalhans, I take the tram to the recently opened Brutus bar, where burly men in black shorts, like a hipster Tweedledee and Tweedledum, bring over glasses of gooseberry-scented orange wine.

Record player at Fuglen

Brutus is in the shadow of the former police HQ in Tøyen, home to Jo Nesbø's grumpy fictional detective, the hard-drinking Harry Hole (fleshed out in cinemas this month by Michael Fassbender, in The Snowman ). If you really want to get to know a city, use its crime fiction as your compass - Nordic noir had mapped out Oslo's streets long before I came here. But it's a laughably safe place. I was able to amble down dark alleyways at night without once feeling the chill breath of a serial killer on my neck.

Outdoor drinking at SALT

Oslo isn't the prettiest town in Scandinavia, despite the ribbons of red-faced cottages strewn like bunting on its outskirts. Dockland is being reclaimed, working-class neighbourhoods recast. The Barcode district has grown by the railway tracks, an ensemble of monochrome towers in pixellated urban camouflage; the almost-island of Tjuvholmen has become a shiny-shiny pocket of walkways and bridges, leading to The Thief hotel and Renzo Piano's Astrup Fearnley gallery, which skims the water like a catamaran and draws in big-swinging art names. While the city's version of Greenwich Village has long been Grunerløkka, where hip childrenswear outfits sell Star Wars babygros, other areas such as Toyen and Grønland are catching up; West African food and wig stores next to artist-run spaces and indie studios such as the 1857 and VII, VIII galleries. Away from the city's big-money projects, a more audacious, less-polished scene has grown in the folds - there's a raw, downtown feel about some spaces, a little Eighties Lower East Side. In the Old Town on the eastern fringes I wonder around what looks, well, like a pretty cool place to have your tyres pumped, until I spy a line of tea lights leading to a flight of stairs. At the top is a break-out gallery called Island, curated by Christian Torp for a solo show by Sebastian Helling - large, gauzy abstracts disrupted by outbursts of random scribbling. 'Most people still prefer to strap their skis and walking boots on rather than go and see art,' Torp says drily, 'but there's a growing appetite. Norwegians tend to move in packs. First food and wine, then coffee. Contemporary art is next.'

The Barcode area

There are strange things in the woods outside Oslo. 'You think a squirrel rampaged through here?' says the main character in recent shlock-horror flick Trollhunter , surveying a flattened section of forest. Further east from Torp's gallery is Ekeburg Park, where I encounter a talking lamppost, an unruly mob of clownish skeletons and a pair of entwined figures pirouetting in the trees. All sculptures, by Louise Bourgeoise and the Chapman Brothers among others. An underground water tank has been turned into a hammam-like space by land artist James Turrell, to sit and contemplate the sky, with walkways of colour-changing light giving the unsettling feeling of being too close to a precipice.

Tripping down the hillside from Ekeburg like Billy-Goat Gruff, trip trip trip, thinking I'd seen all there was to see, I pause by a plain metal rectangle. It turns out to be a work by vampish performance artist Marina Abramovich, framing the view of the city that apparently inspired Munch to paint The Scream in 1893, with a sign encouraging you to stick your head in and do just that: let all that anguish out. But the crisp sweep of this inventive harbour town, islands in the blue like humpback whales, doesn't make me want to scream, but just exhale contentedly, as if I was hunkered down in a sauna and had taken a deep mouthful of Norwegian beer.

Where to eat in Oslo

Playityourself vinyl at Territoriet

Two of the city's most sought-after set menus are those at Pjoltergeist ( pjoltergeist.no ) and Maemmo ( maaemo.no ). The first is a sort of petri dish for Icelandic chef Atly Mar Yngvason, who flips Scandi ingredients with Asian spices; at the three-starred Maemmo, the 21-course menu include tiny cornets of caramelised yeast and smoked fish roe. Maemmo's co-founder opened Kolonialen ( kolonialenbislett.no ) recently near the Forties-era Bislett stadium, with sea-buckthorn curd among the hits. Nearby St Lars ( stlars.no ) is a velvet-clad, NYC-style bistro for a serious meaty feast. Oslo's waterfront scene is bouncing, with new arrivals including the curvaceous, Kebony-clad Ling Ling ( lingling.hakkasan.com ) - Hakkasan's little sister - for Norwegian king-crab dumplings and rooftop harbour views, and Vippa ( vippa.no ), an inside-outside food hall set in shipping containers for pizza and Syrian streetfood.

Fuglen bar

If there's a poster boy for Oslo's new foodscape it's Even Ramsvik, who with his beard, tattoo sleeve and many hats could easily pass for a member of hip Norwegian indie band Highasakite. Since closing his Michelin-starred restaurant Ylajali, he's been roaming the city with a team of kitchen gunslingers - a little like London's Young Turks crew. Head to the redbrick Mathallen food hall ( mathallenoslo.no ) and Ramsvik's Hitchhiker joint for streetfood-inspired bites and craft ales, and to neighbourhood restaurant Smalhans ( smalhans.no ) for small plates such as BBQ lamb with pumpkin or ramen. His most recent menu can be found at Sentralen ( sentralen.no ), an on-the-money new cultural hub in a former bank, where sharing plates include smoked beet, and beef tartare with rye crumbs (drop in early the next morning for a rave exercise class).

Where to drink in Oslo

Oslo's bars bulge at the seams on weekend nights - square up your shoulders and head to the hothouse Torggata Botaniske for herby cocktails such as the Braetur (with basil-infused gin), and Himkok ( himkok.no ), marked by a simple '27' on the door, where drinks include a tingling aquavit with yuzu sake and spruce syrup. Mid-century hepcat Fuglen ( fuglen.com ) stirs up Nordic-style tiki drinks using foraged leaves and flowers. Buying wine in an off-licence in Oslo is akin to sourcing bananas in wartime London, so no wonder the city's so fascinated by it. With 300 labels by the glass to dally with, Territoriet ( territoriet.no ) is the best place to while away a Sunday afternoon; for a lesson in funky natural wines head to Brutus ( barbrutus.no ), run by former Noma sommelier John Sonnichsen, or Bar Lardo (its naturalist website barlardo.no is great fun). This city takes coffee mighty seriously, none more so than champion barista Tim Wendelboe ( timwendelboe.no ), who has his own bean farm in Colombia: fuel up at his café before browsing the Grunerløkka district.

A bedroom at The Thief

Where to get an art-fix in Oslo

As the neon sign atop Oslo's National Academy of the Arts says, 'This Is It'. The city's art profile has grown and grown, with the Astrup Fearnley having drawn smaller galleries into its orbit such as Peder Lund and Branstrup, while tricky-to-find backstreet spaces such as STANDARD pack a serious punch. 'That place has really driven the scene by bringing in rising new artists, and establishing Norwegian artists globally,' says gallerist Christian Torp ( christiantorp.com ). 'Some of the best artist-run spaces are 1857, Schloss and NoPlace.' For photography, head to Shoot, a new gallery in Barcode. Torp's latest group show is Concrete Island, fittingly enough held in a disused concrete tower until the end of October.

Hitchhiker caf at Mathallen food hall

Where to stay in Oslo

The Thief hotel is set on the Tjuvholmen waterfront, with gold trim and touchy-feely textures, an underground tunnel leading to the spa, and heron's-eye views over the harbour and Astrup Fearnley Museum. The hotel has its own curator (spot works by Peter Blake and Jeff Koons), while the bar creates incredible film-inspired cocktails such as the Matrix (rum, sherry, pistachio syrup).

Address: The Thief, Landgangen 1, 0252 Oslo, Norway Telephone: +47 24 00 40 00 Website: thethief.com Price: Double rooms from about £295

For more on the SALT festival visit salted.no ; for further Oslo details see visitoslo.com . For reports on the city's food scene, see andershusa.com . Norwegian ( norwegian.com ) flies direct to Oslo from London.

tourist guide oslo

By Emma Love

tourist guide oslo

By Michelle Jana Chan

tourist guide oslo

By Jonathan Bastable

This feature first appeared in Condé Nast Traveller November 2017

Torggata Botaniske bar

Torggata Botaniske bar

Kolonialen restaurant in the Bislett district

Kolonialen restaurant in the Bislett district

A bedroom at The Thief

A bedroom at The Thief

Brutus bar

Mary Lussiana

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John O'Ceallaigh

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A traditional clapboard house in Grunerløkka

Inside Brutus bar

Inside Brutus bar

Fuglen bar

Details at Fuglen bar

Biristraw wallpaper at Fuglen

Biri-straw wallpaper at Fuglen

Photography at Kolonialen

Photography at Kolonialen

Homewares at Eske adjourning Kolonialen restaurant

Homewares at Eske, adjourning Kolonialen restaurant

Design for sale at Eske

Design for sale at Eske

The opera house

The opera house

Shoot photography gallery

Shoot photography gallery

The Horse Thief a Richard Prince lithograph at The Thief

The Horse Thief , a Richard Prince lithograph at The Thief

Street view on Tjuvholmen

Street view on Tjuvholmen

Vintage adverts at Fuglen

Vintage adverts at Fuglen

Head by Christopher Wool at the Astrup Fearnley

Head by Christopher Wool at the Astrup Fearnley

Artwork at Territoriet

Artwork at Territoriet

The Barcode area

The Barcode area

Books at Fuglen

Books at Fuglen

FAQ an artwork by Jan Freuchen at a show curated by Christian Torp

FAQ , an artwork by Jan Freuchen at a show curated by Christian Torp

Design details at Fuglen

Design details at Fuglen

A reeltoreel tape machine at Fuglen

A reel-to-reel tape machine at Fuglen

A fan at Kolonialen

A fan at Kolonialen

YME Universe fashion store

YME Universe fashion store

The opera house on the harbourside in Oslo

The opera house on the harbourside in Oslo

tourist guide oslo

Shelves at Fuglen

Cold dip after a sauna

Cold dip after a sauna

tourist guide oslo

tourist guide oslo

Oslo travel guide

Oslo tourism | oslo guide, you're going to love oslo.

Norway's capital city is industrious, elegant, and creative, with outdoor attractions, museums and galleries, and plenty of nightlife. It's small enough to see by foot and has a superb public transportation system.

tourist guide oslo

Oslo is great if you want to blend cultural activities with sports, shopping, or fine dining. You can feast on artworks by Norwegian painters like Edvard Munch, learn about one of the world's great writers at the Ibsen Museum, or catch a classical concert at the Oslo Konserthus.

Lovers of the outdoors can catch a tram to ski slopes at Holmenkollen or cycle in forests like Sognsvann. History fans can tour sites like the Royal Palace, while in the evening everyone can enjoy Grünerløkka where bars like Ryes and Schouskjelleren serve fabulous food and drink all night long.

Top 5 Reasons to Visit Oslo

1. it's a cultural hotspot.

Norway has a proud artistic tradition and Oslo has always been its epicenter. There are museums dedicated to heroes like Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, alongside huge cultural institutions like Norway's National Gallery.

2. The Chance to Ski Inside the City Limits

There are some great places to ski within a short tram ride of the city center including the 1.5 mile-long Korketrekkeren and the Oslo Vinterpark.

3. Wonderful Food and Drink

Spend an evening at beer halls like Dovrehallen eating meat and potato dishes or splurge at acclaimed eateries like Maaemo.

4. It's a Great Place to Shop for Designer and Vintage Fashion

Shopping is another great attraction of the Norwegian capital. In neighborhoods like Grünerløkka, you'll find upmarket men's boutiques like Dapper alongside women's boutiques like Mitt Lille Hjem and plenty of second-hand vintage stores as well.

5. The Beautiful Coastal Setting

Located in a natural harbor in southern Norway, Oslo is fringed by mountains and forests, and seems made for its setting. Don't miss the view from Holmenkollen (the main ski jump), which offers a gorgeous panorama of the city.

What to do in Oslo

1. sentrum: waterside wonders.

Oslo's greatest attractions are all within walking distance, on the cobbled streets of the charming city center. Near the contemporary Central Station, the 17th-century Oslo Cathedral stands out on a lively public square. Wander towards the water where the medieval Akershus Fortress introduces the saga of the Norwegian Resistance. Aker Brygge across the way is a haven for shopping and eating with beautiful views of the harbor, and, of course, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art.

2. Oslo Royal Palace: Regal Surroundings

At the end of Karl Johans Gate, actually a majestic shopping street, the Royal Palace stands, flanked by gorgeous gardens. The official home of the Norwegian monarchy, the palace itself is not open to the public, but just walking through the perfectly groomed landscape is a high-class treat. A changing of the guard also enthralls visitors on a daily basis. The gates are also abordered by both the National Theater and the National Gallery, creating a trifecta of fascinating sights.

3. Frognerparken: Eden in Oslo

This 110-acre park is the largest in Oslo and the city's most popular public recreation zone, though it was once the grounds of a extravagant manor. The luxury has remained, however, and the impeccable landscaping continues to host families and friends' gatherings among rose gardens and well-kept fields. Go for a dip at the Frogner Baths, explore the remarkable Vigeland Sculpture Installation right in the middle of the park, or just laze the day away in one of its many delightful corners.

4. Operahuset: Climb the Iceberg

Oslo's Opera House is an architectural masterpiece and the pride and glory of the city. It is enormous yet minimal, and looks so feather-light it seems it could just slip away into the water. The interior is just as stunning, and it is home to the National Opera, Ballet, and Theater. Even without tickets, it is an unforgettable experience to walk up the shallow incline of the roof and look out over the bay.

5. Natural History Museum: From Living Plants to Primates

Norway's oldest museum of natural history is full of fascinating specimens. The institution has a comprehensive spectrum of exhibitions, displaying thousands of species in the Botanical Gardens, and offering an up-close look at wild creatures in the zoological galleries. The highlight of the famous geological halls is "Ida" - the oldest and most complete fossil of an early primate known today! The sprawled fingers and curved spine of this intriguing cousin are an unforgettable sight.

Sentrum

Activities & attractions in Oslo

tourist guide oslo

Other activities

tourist guide oslo

Where to Eat in Oslo

Food is one of the greatest attractions in Oslo. In the city center, Maaemo is one of the icons of the "New Nordic Cuisine" and has two Michelin stars, but booking early is advisable. Statholdergaarden blends an elegant setting with gourmet food, while just out of town Grefsenkollen has a homely, rustic feel as well as expert chefs. If your budget is creaking, there are also Thai, Indian, and pizza joints like Pizza da Mimmo that can fill you up with great food at a reasonable price. Expect pizzas and kebabs to cost around kr180, while three-course gourmet meals can cost upwards of kr600.

When to visit Oslo

If you want to focus on sightseeing, museums, and shopping, Oslo is at its best in the summer. While temperatures rarely top 80 degrees Fahrenheit, you can expect warm weather (and even head to beaches like Tjuvholmen as it gets really warm). However, winter is great too, especially if you love to ski. There's not really a bad time to visit.

weatherbase

How to Get to Oslo

Gardermoen (OSL) is Oslo's major international airport. As it's around 30 miles out of town, getting in can take a while, but there are plenty of options. Flytoget trains leave every 10 minutes, take 20 minutes, and cost kr200, but NSB trains are cheaper at kr90, even if they take a little longer. Buses cost kr150, while taxis will set you back about kr800.

Some travelers arrive in Oslo via the Swedish city of Gothenburg, which connects Oslo to mainland Europe. If you get in by train, you'll arrive at Oslo Central Station, which is on all of the city's train lines, and is within walking distance of city center hotels.

Driving to Oslo is another option for those on round-Europe trips. The best route to the city is via Sweden's E6 highway, which runs from Gothenburg and Copenhagen. If you rent a car from outlets like Hertz or Europcar, take the E16, then switch to the southbound E16 into town.

Oslo is Norway's major bus terminus and there are international services from Denmark, Finland, and Sweden as well. Most buses are provided by Swebus and Nettbuss, who run services into the Oslo Bussterminal, around 600 meters southeast of the center of town.

Airports near Oslo

Airlines serving oslo, where to stay in oslo.

Oslo has a wide range of accommodation options in every price bracket. If you want to stay in genuine luxury, try city center options like the Grand Hotel Oslo, which houses the world's Nobel Prize winners during the awards ceremony. Other great boutique hotels include the First Hotel Grims Grenka and the oddly named but comfortable The Thief hotel, while budget travelers can find dorms for low prices at Anker Hostel.

Popular Neighborhoods in Oslo

Central Oslo - the nerve center of the Norwegian nation, central Oslo includes historical attractions like Akershus Castle and the National Gallery, as well as many of the city's best hotels.

Grünerløkka - the city's shopping and nightlife nexus, Grünerløkka is a favorite place for younger visitors. Historically a working class area on the east bank of the Akerselva river, it's now a hive of clubs, restaurants, boutiques, and bars.

Eastern Oslo - Oslo's eastern neighborhoods are affluent, comfortable, and full of attractions, including the Munch Museum and the Botanisk Hage, Oslo's Botanical Garden, while kids will love Oslo Zoo as well. It's not great for nightlife or dining, but it's the ideal base for families during their visit.

Where to stay in popular areas of Oslo

Most booked hotels in oslo, how to get around oslo, public transportation.

Oslo has an excellent public transportation system, with its subway/Metro (the T-Bane), trams, buses, trains, and even ferries. Prices vary depending on how many zones you travel through and you buy tickets for specific zones. So a single ticket would be kr30 within a single zone, but more if you cross the zone boundaries. A good option is to buy day passes for kr90 or week passes for kr220.

Taxis in Norway are handy for getting home after a late night concert, but they can be expensive. There's a set rate of around kr15 per mile, which rises to kr18 after the first 15 miles (so most journeys in town will be covered by the lower rate).

If you want to explore the fjords to the north of Oslo or carry ski equipment around the city, renting a car is a good option. Rental outlets include Europcar, Sixt, and Hertz, and daily rates can be as low as kr230 per day. Just be sure to give trams plenty of room!

Best car rental deals in Oslo

Intermediate

5 Adults, 3 Bags

2 Adults, 2 Bags

The Cost of Living in Oslo

Shopping streets.

Oslo is Norway's fashion and design center, and it's also the country's retail hub, so if you're into fashion, jewelry or art, it's a great place to hunt for bargains. Bogstadveien is the major shopping street for chain stores. But shopping in Grünerløkka is more fun. Visit on Sunday to check out the antiques and crafts market and check out small stores on Markveien like Velouria Vintage or Galleri Markveien.

Groceries and Other

Vacationers can save plenty of money during their stay in Oslo by self-catering and shopping at supermarkets like Rema 1000, Bunnpris, and Kiwi. Expect prices to be around kr60 for a gallon of milk and kr10 for a pound of apples.

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43 Great Things to do in Oslo, Norway [A Local’s Guide]

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In this guide I share the best things to do in Oslo, whether you are visiting in Summer or Winter, sharing a local’s opinion on what to do when sightseeing in the Norwegian capital.

Whether you are visiting Oslo for the first time or you’re a frequent visitor, there are some attractions you just don’t want to miss during your trip. And then there are some things to do in Oslo you may not know about, but definitely shouldn’t miss either.

The capital city is the most-visited destination in Norway , and with good reason due to the many fun things to get up to there. The city is the main port of entry for most travellers arriving in Norway, before they head off to the fjords or up north to see the northern lights .

Having lived in Oslo myself for 2 years, and with loads of friends and family who still do, I visit the city often. In fact, even though I brag about being from the most beautiful place on earth (aka Aurland and the western fjords), I my mom and that entire side of my family are Oslo natives!

In my humble opinion this makes me the perfect person to write a guide to the city, so look no further if you are in need of some unique and fun activities in Oslo on your next visit!

The sights, activities and excursions below are all tried and tested by myself and my friends, and I update it frequently!

City rooftops in Oslo, Norway on a sunny day. The photo is taken from high above, so you can see the tops of many tall buildings, a large hill in the distance, and even a church.

Table of Contents

Quick Oslo Travel Guide

Where to stay : My absolute favorite hotel in Oslo is Amerikalinjen , but I also love the luxury of the Grand . Oslo is an expensive city, but there are some budget-friendly options such as CityBox and Comfort Xpress .

Where to eat : Oslo is home to a haven of great restaurants. Personal favorites include Villa Paradiso in the Grünerløkka neighbourhood, Kverneriet in Majorstua (where I used to live), Vippa (a local food court with outdoor seating along the waterfront) and Royal Gastropub (homey pub food in the King’s former waiting room in the train station).

Top activities and tours in Oslo :

  • Fjord Cruise on the Oslofjord ($58)
  • Oslo Highlights Bicycle Tour ($46)
  • City Tour by Bus including Museum Admission ($95)
  • Guided Island Hopping and Hikin g Tour ($49)
  • Culture and Street Food Tour ($77)

Packing for Oslo : Oslo is a city of contrasts. It gets very cold in the winter (my Norway winter packing guide has you covered), and can be nice and toasty in the summer. Therefore, what to pack for Oslo depends on the time of year you visit. Generally, keep layers in mind, and even on a warm summer day I recommend a light jacked in the evening (Norwegians love thin puffer jackets such as these ).

Airport transfers : Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is about a 50 minute drive from the city center. The most efficient way to get from the airport to the city is by train. The airport express train is called Flytoget, and they have an app where you can get your tickets using the airport wifi when you arrive. The train takes about 20 minutes. Of course, you can also book a private luxury transfer taking you straight to your hotel.

How long should you spend in Oslo?

First things first. How many days do you need in Oslo?

Most people spend just a day or two before heading off to see the fjords or heading back to the airport to visit northern Norway. If you only have a week in Norway in total, know that it is perfectly fine to see Oslo in one day (I have an itinerary for it here ).

My personal recommendation is that 2 days in Oslo is sufficient , but there are plenty of fun and unique things to do in Oslo for those who want to stay longer. As a general rule, however, I would only spend more than 2 days in Oslo if you have at least 10 days to explore Norway in total.

And even then, I’d not recommend more than 2 days. There is just so much to explore and see in Norway, and I find that’s one of the things people planning a trip to Norway just don’t know .

As mentioned, lots of people start their Norway trips in Oslo, before heading west towards the fjords (or up north to explore the Arctic). If you are one of them, I have written a detailed guide on travelling from Oslo to Flåm here!

43 Best Things To Do in Oslo – Tips from a Local!

I’ll get straight to it.

These are my absolute favourite Oslo attractions that I recommend for anyone wondering what to do in Oslo for their visit. I update it regularly, as I visit the Norwegian capital quite often (my brother and sister both live there, in addition to several of my close friends).

#1 Go for a walk along Akerselva

I’ve written about this green walk in the city before, and walking along Akerselva is one of my favourite things to do in the city. I always recommend it when people are limited on time and want to see Oslo in just a couple of hours.

Grab a coffee from Tim Wendelboe ( a local coffee magician with his own little espresso shop along the river ) and put on your best shoes. You’ll meet runners, dog walkers, businessmen on their breaks and more along Akerselva.

The river stretches through the city, and practically divides it in half.

You can spend hours strolling along it watching all the people. You’ll also catch some popular Oslo sights along the way too. 

A nice walk along Akerselva  is highly recommended, and there is even the option of downloading a self-guided walking tour to learn more about the sights along the river!

This is perfect for those that want to spend a lot of time outdoors during their trip, and you can spend anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours walking along the river.

A river and waterfall in the center of Oslo, with a dark brick building towering over the river on its left side, and bare trees on the right.

#2 Coffee from Tim Wendelboe

Since I mentioned Tim Wendelboe already, I couldn’t not give his espresso shop by the river a shoutout.

Find it in Grüners Gate 1 , just up a small hill from the river walk. If you are a coffee lover, you don’t want to miss grabbing a coffee to go from here.

They make their own blends and roast coffee beans from all over the world, and if you tell anyone in Oslo you enjoy your coffee, they’ll tell you to go here.

This is a tiny, hole-in-the-wall espresso bar, so don’t expect to find a seat (there are literally 2-3 tables inside, and they are usually taken). So just order your coffee to go and keep exploring!

A white hand holding a white takeaway cup of coffee with a green logo in the middle, in front of a grey, brick building with the same logo above the door.

#3 Visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum

The Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo is a private art museum with many exciting exhibitions. It was founded in 1993 and is considered one of the leading museums of modern art in the Nordics.

If you are a fan of the arts, a visit to this Oslo attraction is a must. The Astrup Fearnley Museum exhibitions is for many at the top of the list of what to see in Oslo, and the collection is one of Europe’s most comprehensive when it comes to international contemporary art.

Perhaps the most famous (and perhaps controversial) piece in the collection is the sculpture of Michael Jackson and his chimpanzee Bubbles.

Fun fact: guests at The Thief (the luxurious hotel right next door) get complimentary admission to the museum.

#4 Vigelandsparken (the Vigeland Sculpture park)

The Vigeland Park is a sculpture park and the most popular attraction in Oslo.

The collection of sculptures is actually the largest sculpture park in the world created by only one artist; Gustav Vigeland. If you can find the most popular sculpture; the Angry Boy (Norwegian; Sinnataggen), make sure to get a photo!

In the Vigeland Park / Vigelandsparken, you’ll meet tourists and locals alike, as everyone loves to drop by for a walk.

The park is free of charge, and particularly busy on Sundays.

You’ll also find groups meeting in the park to work out or start their runs here, so if you are hoping to get some exercise during your trip, this is the place to start!

Head this way to read my quick  guide to the Vigeland Park.

#5 Visit the Vigeland Museum

As mentioned, the Vigeland Sculpture park is one of the top things to do in Oslo.

But a lot of people don’t know that just around the corner from the entrance is the Vigeland Museum , where you can learn more about the life and creations of Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland.

The entrance fee to the museum is 100 kroner, and on selected days it includes a visit to Vigeland’s apartment.

He lived there from 1924 and until his death, and the apartment has been kept the same as it would have been when he lived there. Check the Museum website to see when a guided tour of the apartment is available.

#6 Art Galleries

Oslo actually has quite a busy art culture, with several art galleries worth visiting, in addition to the museums (such as Astrup Fearnley and the MUNCH Museum).

Don’t miss Fineart Oslo , a 2000-square meter space with paintings, drawings, graphic art and photographs from all over the country.

The Pushwagner Gallery is also a must, as Pushwagner (born Terje Brofos) is perhaps the most important contemporary artists in Norway.

#7 Stroll down Karl Johan’s Gate

Karl Johan’s Gate (for short, just Karl Johan ) is Oslo’s busiest pedestrian street, with plenty of things happening at all times.

You’ll find shops, restaurants, bars, and entertainment along the way, and the street leads from the central train station and all the way to the Norwegian Palace , passing the Oslo Cathedral , the Norwegian Parliament and National Theatre on the way.

Therefore, it is not only a street worth visiting in order to get shopping done or find a restaurant, but also a good way to orient yourself around the sights of Oslo.

#8 The Norwegian Palace

The Norwegian Palace is a must for when you visit Oslo, and so easy to check off your list. It was completed in 1849, and boasts 173 rooms!

This is where the royal family resides, and when the royal flag is up this means that the King is at home. I love walking around the palace trying to sneak a peek through the windows!

When deciding what to see in Oslo, most people make sure not to miss the Palace. As mentioned, it is located at the end of the main street Karl Johan, so it’s easy to drop by to see it when you are in the city center.

In the summer months you can join a guided tour of the palace. These tours sell out fast, so make sure to book in advance on their website .

The Norwegian Royal Palace in Oslo, seen from the front. This is a large, light yellow building, with 6 massive pillars above the main entrance in the middle.

#9 Holmenkollen Ski Arena and Museum

We love skiing in Norway, and ski jumping is by many considered one of our national sports.

Holmenkollen is one of the top Oslo attractions, and the building itself is impressive with or without snow. At Holmenkollen you’ll find the Holmenkollen Ski Museum , which is the world’s oldest museum dedicated to skiing, and the famous jump tower.

The museum opened in 1923, and covers 4000 years of skiing history – with over 2500 pairs of skis on display!

How to get there : Take the subway line 1 towards Frognerseteren, and get off at the subway stop called Holmenkollen. The travel time from the city center is around 25 minutes.

#10 Have lunch at the Grand Café

Not everyone knows the significance of this place, and you’ll find that it’s mostly locals who do. But when I’m asked about what to do in Oslo, this is one of the first places I recommend.

The Grand Café is located right on Karl Johan, across from the Norwegian parliament Stortinget. And it is well worth a visit (for lunch, dinner, or just a coffee or glass of wine).

The original Grand Café opened in 1874 in the basement of the Grand Hotel (where the likes of Obama and the Rolling Stones have stayed), and was a watering hole for the now famous ‘Kristiania Bohemes’.

The likes of Henrik Ibsen, Knut Hamsun and Gustav Vigeland (the sculptor) would all spend their days there.

So, when you are seated here, know that you are one of many, many important names and people who have done the same.

Don’t miss the large mural on the back wall, depicting some of the famous people who frequented this watering hole. When you get close to it, you’ll notice that their names are engraved on the frame of the painting, so you can see who’s who.

Tip : If you stay at the Grand Hotel whilst in Oslo, breakfast is served at the Grand Café!

Views of a park through a large hotel window with a french balcony.

#11 A Guided Walking or Bicycle Tour

There are some great tours on offer throughout Oslo, and joining one of them is a great way to get to know the city – especially for a first-time visitor.

Pick your tour based on your preferred mode of transport (hop-on hop-off bus tours are also available ) and start exploring!

I especially love going on walking tours when I’m in a new city, because you really get close and personal with everything going on.

The guides are usually local, or have lived there long enough to be considered a local, and so you get more up to date information than from any guidebook.

Of course, if you prefer moving at a slightly faster pace, there are also bicycle tours you can join!

Here are some of the top walking and bicycle tours in Oslo:

#12 Go to the Botanical Gardens

At the Botanical Gardens, you will be able to see and explore plants and beautiful flowers from all over the world.

This is one of the more popular Oslo attractions, particularly because they have a ‘scent garden’ filled with plants of different scents, and designed specifically with the blind in mind.

The Botanical Gardens in Oslo were founded in 1814, and are worth a visit if you want a more relaxing day of sightseeing.

From June to August they have free guided tours of the gardens in English (on a first-come, first-serve basis).

If you have read my guide to visiting Oslo on a budget , you’ll know that there are plenty of free things to do in the city.

#13 The Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

This used to be one of my favourite activities in Oslo when I was little, as the Science and Technology Museum has so many fun things and activities for all ages.

If you are visiting Norway with children, and you’re wondering what to do in Oslo that will be fun for the whole family, don’t miss this place.

You can explore how electricity works, try to solve challenging puzzles and games, and simply learn while having fun!

#14 The Viking Planet

If you are curious about the famous Norwegian Vikings , and want to learn more about this side of Norwegian history, don’t miss a visit to the Viking Planet in Oslo.

This modern experience uses 3D and other multimedia technology to take you on a deep dive into Viking history and the impact the Vikings had on Norwegian culture.

From cinematic experiences and the use of Virtual Reality (VR) to 3D Viking holograms, this is a truly unique way to learn!

I recommend booking your visit to the Viking Planet in advance in order to guarantee admission, especially in the summer months. You can do so here .

#15 A Scenic Tram Ride

Oslo has a great public transport system, consisting of underground subways, buses and trams.

The latter is by far one of the best ways to explore the city, and can provide you with spectacular views of Oslo. For an overview of the different ways to get around in Oslo, check out the route maps before you go.

My favourite route for sightseeing is Tram 19 . Get on at Majorstuen just west of the city center.

It’ll take you through Bogstadveien (the shopping street), past Slottsparken (the Palace Park) and Jernbanetorget (the central square by the train station), before climbing the hills up to Ekebergparken where you get amazing views.

A blue tram in the center of the image, driving on tracks down a busy main street of a city. This is Oslo's Storgata, and going on a tram ride is a great thing to do in Oslo.

#16 Go shopping in Bogstadveien

As mentioned, Bogstadveien is a shopping street in Oslo.

In fact, it is quite a nice shopping street, and located just behind the Palace.

The area is quite fancy, and you can easily spend an entire day people-watching along this street.

They have shops for any budget, from H&M to By Malene Birger. If you want to pick up some Norwegian fashion and Scandinavian brands, this is the place to go.

You’ll also find some great restaurants along Bogstadveien.

Related : Scandinavian backpacks you need for your trip!

#17 The National Museum

The brand new National Museum opened in 2022 and contains Norway’s largest public collection of paintings.

The museum spent years in the making, and opened its doors right in the city center by the Opera House and Nobel Peace Center, and within walking distance of Oslo’s Barcode neighbourhood (pictured below).

It is now the largest museum in the Nordics, and covers several floors of exhibitions (both permanent and temporary) – in fact, they have over 5000 pieces in their collections!

Art lovers will love visiting the National Museum – my only recommendation is to check their website before you visit to orientate yourself with their floor plans and exhibits. You don’t want to get lost and miss out on the pieces you most wanted to see.

#18 The Nobel Peace Center

Right next to the National Museum you will find the Nobel Peace Center. Not everyone know that the Nobel Peace Prize is handed out in Oslo every year, as opposed to the other Nobel prizes (handed out in Sweden).

The center is dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize, its history, winners and impact through the years. They use modern exhibitions to dive into topics on peace and war, with the aim to inspire visitors to “work towards a more peaceful world”.

This is especially a good place to bring children. I remember it had a big impact on me when I visited when I was little. I left with a sense of being able to change the world.

#19 Catch a Concert or a Festival

You may be surprised to hear that Oslo actually has a thriving music scene! Telenor Arena, Oslo Spektrum and Valle Hovin are the larger arenas in the city, where you can catch the bigger tours.

There are also several smaller venues, such as Sentrum Scene and Rockefeller, where you can catch more intimate concerts, and even acoustic shows as well.

Festivals worth noting in Oslo are By:larm (September) and Øyafestivalen (August).

#20 See a Musical or Play

There are plenty of great musicals going on in the city, just make sure you know whether it’s in English or Norwegian first!

Folketeateret always has a musical or play on stage, and have in the past showed the likes of Les Miserables and Mary Poppins for example.

At Nationaltheateret (the National Theatre), right by the Parliament and Palace, you can catch classics such as A Doll’s House or Hedda Gabler (both written by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen).

#21 The Big Tiger (photo-op)

Outside the Oslo Central Station, you will find a large statue of a tiger.

Don’t ask me why, but Oslo’s nickname amongst Norwegians is actually Tigerstaden – ‘the tiger city’.

Whether the nickname or the statue came first, I don’t know.

Taking a photo with the tiger has become a tourist staple, however, so make sure you drop by and strike a pose.

#22 The Viking Ship Museum / The Museum of the Viking Age (CLOSED UNTIL 2026)

If you are interested in Oslo attractions revolving around the history of the Norwegian Vikings, this should be at the top of your list of things to do in Oslo.

A visit to the Viking Ship Museum  is not to be missed, and is in my opinion one of the most unusual things to do in Oslo, Norway! Here you will find restored Viking ships and loads of interesting history to explore.

Please note that the Viking Ship Museum is closed for refurbishment until 2026 . I will update this post when it opens.

At the moment, the best place to view Viking age artefacts in Oslo is the Historical Museum.

#23 The Historical Museum

As mentioned, the Norwegian Historical Museum is now the place to go to learn more about Norway’s Viking History through artefacts and exhibitions.

They are home to the largest cultural and historical collections in the country, with exhibitions focusing on the Viking Age, the Arctic, and more.

Fun fact : this is where you can view the oldest skull ever found in Norway.

#24 A stroll along Aker Brygge (perhaps with dinner after)

Oslo is located by the Oslo fjord, and there are plenty of areas close to the water where you will find stunning views and the opportunity to go for a nice walk.

Aker Brygge is a short walk from Karl Johan (the main shopping street), and boasts plenty of restaurants along the fjord. Here you can enjoy everything from a proper steak to Spanish tapas. You’ll really find something for everyone.

If you are visiting Oslo in the summer, make sure to arrive early to scout out a restaurant, or to book your table in advance. It can get very busy on Aker Brygge, especially on the weekends.

#25 Explore the Grünerløkka neighbourhood

There are several neighbourhoods in Oslo, and they all have their distinct style and reputation.

Grünerløkka is considered the hipster area of Oslo, and you’ll find it a little east of the city centre. In the evenings you will find that the neighbourhood comes alive with many restaurants, bustling bars and an exciting nightlife.

A stroll through Grünerløkka in the daytime will let you go vintage shopping, explore cute boutiques and unique coffee shops. In the nighttime, the restaurants are busy and the bars full of life.

If you have extra time when visiting Oslo, I highly recommend spending some time in this part of the city.

Pair it with a visit to the Botanical Gardens or National History Museum (both located nearby).

#26 Visit the food markets at Mathallen

Mathallen is a ‘food hall’ inspired by the European indoor food markets. Here you will find stalls, cafes and restaurants, and many food-related activities throughout the year.

Make sure to visit their website before your trip to see if there are any special events or offers going on!

From tapas to desserts, they’ve got a large selection of great foods and dishes to try.

A brown, brick building with the sign "Mathallen Oslo" above the door.

#27 Go Ice Skating in Spikersuppa (Winter Activity)

‘Spikersuppa’ means ‘the nail soup’ (as in construction nails, not the ones on your fingers), which is a fun nickname given to this small body of water and fountain in the centre of Oslo.

You will find it along the Karl Johan Street, and in the winter it freezes over and is turned into a free ice rink!

You can rent ice skates in the small hut next to it, at a pretty decent price (150 kroner at the time of writing).

It is especially beautiful during the winter when the Christmas lights are on and the “Jul i Vinterland” Christmas market is on.

#28 Jul i Vinterland Christmas Market (Winter Activity)

From November to December, the area around Spikersuppa (in Karl Johans Gate, between the Parliament and Nationaltheateret) comes alive with stalls and twinkling lights.

Jul i Vinterland directly translates to “Christmas in Winterland”, and is a market/Christmas festival that draws vendors from all over the country.

If you are visiting Oslo in the Winter, don’t miss this – it is the epitome of cozy (or “hygge”, as we say in Norway)!

#29 The Oslo Opera House

The Oslo Opera House is more than just a cultural performance hall, it is one of the best things to do in Oslo during your visit.

It is the first Opera House in Norway, and opened in 2008. In addition to being the place to go for classical concerts, ballet and (of course) opera, the structure itself is quite impressive.

The fun design of the Opera House attracts many visitors, and having a walk around the roof is a great Oslo activity for a sunny day. Grab a coffee to go and enjoy the views of the harbour!

The Oslo Opera House at sunset, with a quiet fjord in front of it, and a orange sky in the background.

#30 Tusenfryd Amusement Park

If you are looking for thrills, head to Tusenfryd!

This amusement park just outside of Oslo is actually Norway’s largest amusement park. From big, terrifying rollercoasters and thrill rides to ferris wheels and fun houses – you’ll be able to spend a full day here without being bored.

You’ll find buses running from the Oslo Bus Station to the park, making it really easy to visit! Bus route 505 runs straight to the park (stop: Tusenfryd).

#31 The Norwegian Folk Museum

The Norwegian Folk Museum is a great activity in Oslo! This open-air museum has 160 historic buildings, showing you how Norwegians have been living for hundreds of years.

You will find indoor exhibits as well, including one displaying the evolution of the Norwegian Bunad (our national costume) throug the years, amongst other exciting displays.

#32 Explore Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress overlooks the harbour of Oslo and is a castle and fortress dating back to the 1300s. It has been a prison, the seat of the royal family, and currently holds barracks belonging to the Norwegian army.

In short, Akershus is one of the most important buildings in Norwegian history, so if you are unsure of where to start and what to see in Oslo first: this is it.

You are also just a short walk from Aker Brygge, so it’s the perfect thing to do in Oslo before dinner and a stroll on the roof of the Opera House!

There are daily tours taking you around the grounds of Akershus , and they also have a visitor centre where you can get all the information you need.

Akershus Fortress also contains two museums (the Resistance Museum and the Armed Forces Museum).

#33 The Norway Resistance Museum

Inside Akershus Fortress you will find the Hjemmefrontmuseet (the Resistance Museum), dedicated to the resistance movement during World War II.

Norway was under German occupation for the majority of the war (from 1940 to 1945 to be exact), and this museum shows how the military and the country as a whole showed small and big signs of resistance against the Nazis.

The museum opened in 1970, and contains photographs, artefacts and documents from this part of Norwegian history.

#34 The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum

As mentioned, there are two museums found inside the Akershus Fortress grounds.

The Forsvarsmuseum (Armed Forces Museum) opened in this exact spot in 1860, and shows the development of the Norwegian military from the 1400s and until modern times.

Expect to see weapons and uniforms, as well as other artefacts depicting the history of Norway’s armed forces through history.

#35 Damstredet (the prettiest street in Oslo)

Damstredet is one of the most beautiful streets in Oslo, due to the lovely wooden houses along it.

This is definitely one of the more unknown suggestions on my list, but a must if you are looking for some proper Oslo sightseeing!

Basically, this area is just really pretty and makes for a great photo spot. All the houses in Damstredet date back to the 1800s, and I promise you that you’ll enjoy a stroll along this street.

#36 MUNCH (The Munch Museum)

Edvard Munch is perhaps the most famous artist to come out of Norway.

His most well-known painting is The Scream (in Norwegian; Skrik), but other notable works of art include Madonna and The Girls on the Bridge (Pikene på Broen).

The Munch museum, simply named MUNCH , is a modern, 13-storey building in Oslo’s Barcode district. The most famous pieces are found on the 4th floor (in the exhibition called Endless Munch/Munch Uendelig), and Kranen Bar on the 13th floor is one of the best bars in Oslo for the views alone.

#37 Ibsen Museum & Teater

Another famous Norwegian artist is Henrik Ibsen, said to be one of the world’s best playwrights, next to William Shakespeare.

His works include Hedda Gabler (1890) and A Doll’s House (1979), and are still being put on by theatres all over the world.

At the Ibsen Museum you can learn more about Ibsen, through exhibitions including artefacts and items belonging to the artist himself.

Henrik Ibsen’s apartment is a part of the museum, furnished with original furniture.

#38 Stortinget (The Norwegian Parliament)

Just along Karl Johan’s gate you will find the Norwegian Parliament, housed in a building named after the political body itself: Stortinget.

The building opened in 1866, and is one of many important buildings raised in Oslo in the 1800s (such as the Royal Palace, the University and National Theatre).

On their website you can get a digital tour of the interior, and in the summer months there are daily (physical) tours.

#39 Rådhuset (City Hall)

Oslo City Hall (Norwegian: Rådhuset) is a large, brick building in the city center – that is clearly visible from Aker Brygge and the waterfront of the city (as seen in the photo below).

Rådhuset opened in 1950, and is open to the public. However, to experience the most fun thing about it you don’t have to enter!

Every hour from 7 in the morning to midnight, the city hall clock tower (the largest chimes in Norway) play a variety of songs. These change with the season and years, but you will usually hear Morning Mood at 7am (written by famous Norwegian musician Edvard Grieg).

Throughout the years the clocks have played everything from the Downton Abbey and Top Gun themes, to Heal the World by Michael Jackson.

During the winter of 2023 they actually played the theme from The Office daily at 9am!

Check the current “set list” here .

#40 Oslo Street Food Tour

What better way to enjoy a city than to eat your way through it?

If you join one of these Oslo Street Food tours , you’ll not only be taken on a walking tour around Oslo, but you will also get the change to sample some local dishes and delicacies.

From traditional Norwegian hot dogs and waffles, to meats and drinks – this is the perfect activity for foodies, and will also allow you to explore a more alternative side to Oslo.

#41 The Fram Museum

The Fram (meaning “forward”) Museum is dedicated to polar exploration and the expeditions of explorers Roald Amundsen, Fridtjof Nansen and Otto Sverdrup.

These Norwegians led expeditions all over the polar areas, such as to the South Pole and Greenland.

Roald Amundsen, for example, lead the first ever expedition to reach the South Pole, and Fridtjof Nansen lead the first ever (successful) crossing of Greenland.

The main attraction here is the polar expedition ship Fram, which the museum is named after.

You can learn more book your entrance ticket to the museum here !

#42 The Kon-Tiki Museum

Speaking of Fram, this is another famous Norwegian ship that has a museum named after it.

The Kon-Tiki belonged to Thor Heyerdahl, who was a Norwegian explorer and archaeologist. His expeditions took him across the ocean to the Galapagos Islands and even Easter Island, and he was overall a very impressive man.

Fun fact : He won an Oscar for his documentary about crossing the Pacific onboard the Kon-Tiki.

The Kon-Tiki Museum is located right by the Fram Museum on Bygdøy, so it makes sense to visit the two museums in the same day.

You can book your Kon-Tiki tickets in advance here !

#43 Oslo Fjord Cruise

It isn’t Norway without a fjord cruise, right?

Whilst it can be argued whether the Oslofjord is a proper fjord or not, there is nothing like heading out on the water.

There are several fjord cruises available from Oslo, usually lasting about 2-3 hours. They will take you on a roundtrip journey through the fjord, and bring you back to the city docks by the end.

With several to choose from, I thought I would share three of my favourite fjord cruises in Oslo here.

This 3-hour evening cruise takes you out on the fjord onboard a beautiful wooden boat in the evening , and includes a small seafood bar consisting of shrimp snacks (a Norwegian favourite in the summer).

If you want a slightly shorter tour , this daytime boat tour on the Oslofjord lasts 2 hours, and is available both in the morning and afternoon, so you can plan around the rest of your activities for the day.

Finally, there is the sightseeing boat to Bygdøy . This is the perfect mode of transportation for those who want to head out to the Bygdøy museums (Fram, Kon-Tiki and the Museum of the Viking Age). You can disembark at Bygdøy after the 1-hour 45-minute cruise through the fjord, and return to Oslo by bus (Route 30).

A calm fjord with a dock in the foreground. There are blue skies above the dark blue water, and a ship in the far away distance.

Your Questions About Oslo – Answered! [FAQ]

I get a lot of emails and DMs with questions about Oslo and visiting Norway (I always say: start by reading my Norway trip planning guide here ).

So, below I have tried to gather some of the most frequently asked questions I get about Oslo and things to do there, in the hopes that it is helpful to you!

Of course, if you have a question that isn’t covered here, please leave a comment below!

I won’t say Oslo is a must-visit destination in Norway (go to the fjords or up north instead), but it is worth spending a day or two there if you are flying to the Norwegian capital anyway.

In my opinion, yes. 1-2 days is sufficient to see the main sights of Oslo.

The top sights in Oslo are the Vigeland Sculpture park, the Oslo Opera House and Akershus Fortress.

Assuming you mean the western fjords of Norway, you can reach them by train, bus, car or even by taking a plane to Bergen. Read my full guide on this here.

Looking for more things to do in Oslo?

There you have some of my favourite Oslo activities and things to do during a visit. There are plenty of unique ways to explore Oslo, whether you are on a budget or looking to splurge a little.

Oslo is a great city to visit, both in the winter and the summer, and I hope you enjoy the Norwegian capital! You can find some more information about visiting Oslo and Norway here on Fjords and Beaches, and also on the Visit Oslo website .

Visiting Bergen as well? Don’t miss my guide to the best things to do there!

Below are a bunch more things and activities in Oslo for your trip. As always, I recommend booking activities and tickets in advance, as Oslo (and the whole country really) gets busy in the summer.

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I have not yet visited Oslo. when I visit this city I will follow your advice 🤗

That’s great to hear! I know you’ll love it 🙂

[…] 30+ fun things to do in Oslo […]

[…] to pull something useful out of this post. You’ll be happy to hear that there are loads of things to do in Oslo if you are trying to avoid breaking the […]

Aker Brygge is a short walk from Karl Johan (the main shopping street), and boasts plenty of restaurants along the fjord.

[…] A few KM out of the centre of the city is the huge open air Vigeland Sculpture park at Frogner Park. The incredible and eye opening work was created by Gustav Vigeland between 1924 and 1943 and is a permanent exhibition of his most famous works. The provocative Art Deco sculptures, bridges and other installations study the human form in all its oddities in what makes for a strange but impressive installation across the park. The park itself is home to the historic Frogner Manor for which is was originally created in 1750 as a baroque garden and is one of the top things to do in Oslo.  […]

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If you ask me what you should do in Oslo during your visit to the Norwegian capital, these are the things that should be on your list! Enjoy 30+ great things to do in Oslo, from a local. #VisitNorway #Norway #Oslo #VisitOslo #CityGuide

PlanetWare.com

17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Oslo

Written by Bryan Dearsley and Lura Seavey Updated Dec 25, 2023 We may earn a commission from affiliate links ( )

Oslo, the beautiful capital city of Norway, is one of the world's largest capitals in terms of area. But interestingly, only 20 percent of this land mass has been developed. The remainder consists of parks, protected forests, hills, and hundreds of lakes. Parks and open spaces are an integral part of Oslo's cityscape and are easily accessible from almost anywhere in the city.

The city center is a joy to explore on foot thanks to the numerous pathways and trails connecting its public spaces. It also has many pedestrian-friendly areas, including the city's main street, Karl Johans gate . Stretching from Oslo Central Station near the waterfront all the way up to the Royal Palace , this wide avenue passes many of Oslo's tourist attractions, including the palace, the National Theatre , the old university buildings, and Oslo Cathedral .

Regularly ranked as one of the best cities in the world in which to live, Oslo boasts a rich cultural scene and numerous fun things to do, and is famous for its theater, museums, and galleries. To learn more about these and other places to visit in Norway's capital, be sure to read through our list of the top attractions and things to do in Oslo.

See also: Where to Stay in Oslo

1. Explore Vigeland Sculpture Park

2. see the museums in akershus fortress, 3. norsk folkemuseum (folk museum of norway), 4. get ready for the "new" national museum, 5. visit the munch museum, 6. tour the royal palace, 7. historical museum at the museum of cultural history, 8. explore oslofjord by boat, 9. the fram museum, 10. norwegian maritime museum, 11. kon-tiki museum, 12. holmenkollen ski jump and museum, 13. oslo cathedral, 14. city hall (rådhuset), 15. aker brygge, 16. natural history museum & botanical gardens, 17. oslo opera house and annual music festivals, where to stay in oslo for sightseeing, tips and tours: how to make the most of your visit to oslo, map of attractions & things to do in oslo.

Vigeland Sculpture Park

The iconic Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsanlegget), which sits inside Oslo's famous Frogner Park (Frognerparken), is one of Norway's most famous tourist attractions. Open year-round, this unique sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland's lifework and contains 650 of his dynamic sculptures in bronze, granite, and wrought iron.

The majority of the sculptures are in five themed groups along a 853-meter-long axis. The oldest is the fountain group, depicting the cycle of human life, beyond which can be seen the 16-meter-high Monolith, comprising 121 intertwined human bodies.

Tourists will want to spend time exploring the rest of Frogner Park, where there are ample green spaces for picnics, recreational facilities, an enormous rose garden, and the nation's largest playground. Here, you can also find the Oslo City Museum (Oslo Bymuseum), as well as the Vigeland Museum (Vigelandmuseet), which is just outside the park.

Address: Nobels gate 32, N-0268 Oslo

Official site: https://vigeland.museum.no/en

Akershus Fortress

Rising above the Oslofjord , on the promontory of Akernes , sits the majestic Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) built by Håkon V at the end of the 13th century. You can easily spend the best part of a day sightseeing here.

Take your time to wander the grounds and ramparts with their wonderful harbor views before exploring the quaint chapel with its tomb of Håkon VII (1872-1957) and the remains of the original medieval castle. Also located in the grounds is the Museum of the Norwegian Resistance , also known as the Norwegian Home Front Museum ( Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum ). Be prepared to spend a few hours here learning about the German occupation of 1940-45.

If you've any energy left, head over to the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum (Forsvarsmuseet) in Oslo's old Arsenal. This fascinating museum features numerous displays of weapons and exhibits illustrating the history of the Norwegian forces and the defense of Norway over the centuries.

Address: Akershus Festning, 0015 Oslo

Historic Farmhouse at Norsk Folkemuseum

Located in Olslo's Bygdøy area, the Norsk Folkemuseum is an excellent open-air museum that offers a range of permanent exhibits covering 500 years of Norwegian folk culture. The museum's buildings are divided into several areas that highlight various time periods and settings. One of the largest areas is the rural "Countryside" area, which features typical farmhouses from different points in history, including re-creations of goahti , a traditional Sami structure.

The museum also has an "Old Town," largely comprised of historic buildings that were relocated from Christiania, an early 17 th -century settlement. The museum also offers daily programs for all ages, including hands-on folk craft activities, and costumed interpreters can be found throughout the property carrying on with daily life in a bubble of history. While here, be sure to sample the lefse , a traditional cinnamon sugar bakery treat.

Address: Museumsveien 10, Bygdøy, 0287 Oslo, Norway

Official site: www.norskfolkemuseum.no/en

The National Museum

Slated to open in June 2022, Oslo's new National Museum will consist of collections from the National Gallery and the National Museum - Architecture , as well as additional collections of contemporary art and design. The largest such museum in Scandinavia, it will house the country's biggest art collection, featuring the works of Norwegian artists from the 19th century through the present, including J. C. Dahl and several works by Edvard Munch, including his most famous work, The Scream .

The new National Museum will eventually also house collections from the currently closed Museum of Contemporary Art and the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, and will become the home for the National Gallery collections. Tourists should be aware that various exhibits may not be open during the move, so check the museum website prior to planning a trip.

Address: Universitetsgata 13, Oslo

Official site: www.nasjonalmuseet.no/en/

Munch Museum

Dedicated to the life and work of Norway's greatest painter, Edvard Munch (1863-1944), the Munch Museum (Munch-museet) contains a vast collection of paintings, graphic art, drawings, watercolors, and sculptures from the great artist's life.

Containing almost 28,000 works of art in addition to personal effects and tools - even his private library - the museum also puts on special exhibits devoted to particular aspects of Munch's work through film screenings, concerts, guided tours, and lectures.

Please note: The Munch Museum is relocating to a new facility near the city's opera house. While the move is expected to be complete by the end of 2021, be sure to check first for information on their official website, below.

Address: Tøyengata 53, 0578 Oslo

Official site: http://munchmuseet.no/en

Royal Palace

Located high up on the northwest end of Karl Johansgate , the Norwegian Royal Palace (Slottet) was built in 1825 and dominates the cityscape. The impressive 173-room building is open to the public for guided tours during the summer only, with English-language guides available four times daily.

Tours include the Cabinet Parlour and Cloakroom, the White Parlour, Mirror Hall, Great Hall, Banquet Hall, and other significant rooms in the palace. Visitors are also free to wander the grounds and gardens or watch the regular changing of the guard year-round. Just to the south of the palace sits the Norwegian Nobel Institute (Det Norske Nobelinstitutt) where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented.

Address: Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo

Official site: http://www.kongehuset.no/seksjon.html?tid=28697

The Museum of Cultural History

The Museum of Cultural History (Kulturhistorisk museum) oversees the city's Historical Museum , which explores various aspects of human history. It houses the largest assembly of Egyptian artifacts in Norway, including mummies and funerary objects.

The museum's Medieval Gallery is also extensive, exhibiting an impressive collection of daily items, as well as several examples of church art and religious artifacts. There is also a large exhibit dedicated to the history of gold coinage, including examples of coins from the past 2,600 years.

Other areas of the museum focus on looking at people, exploring the lives of indigenous peoples, as well as a thought-provoking exhibit about humanity's ability to overcome threats and challenges beyond its control. The museum also hosts a variety of temporary exhibits and continues to add to its Viking Age Exhibition , which contains rare items, like a preserved Viking helmet.

Address: Frederiks gate 2, 0164 Oslo

Official site: www.khm.uio.no/english

View of the Opera House from the water on Oslofjord

Olsofjord connects the city of Oslo to the North Sea , providing over 750 square miles of protected waterway to enjoy. There are a wide range of cruise options, from fully guided tourist boats with full amenities to more rustic options featuring sailboats.

If you are short on time but still want a chance to see the city's landmarks from the water, consider booking a dinner cruise; some float passively in the Inner Olsofjord around the Bygdøy Peninsula , while others set sail to explore the many islands beyond. Most of these can be found at or near the piers by City Hall .

More adventurous travelers can rent a kayak or canoe and explore the water on their own or hop aboard a less formal "cruise" by riding one of the many ferries that regularly connect to various surrounding towns.

Fram Museum

Named after the first Norwegian ship built specifically for polar research, the Fram Museum ( Frammuseet ) is a must for anyone with an interest in Arctic exploration. The museum's star attraction is the Fram , an icon due to its many successful polar voyages, as well as Gjøa , the first ship to navigate the Northwest Passage .

Visitors can board the Fram and explore its engine room, crew cabins, and other areas which have been preserved and restored to accurately depict life aboard the ship.

Exhibits throughout the museum include information on the voyage, as well as items of interest, including navigational instruments and the ship doctor's medical equipment. Other exhibitions explore topics including the life of Fram Captain Fridtjof Nansen, as well as the efforts and accomplishments of the pioneers who paved the way for him.

Address: Bygdøynesveien 39, 0286 Oslo

Official site: http://frammuseum.no

Norwegian Maritime Museum

The Norwegian Maritime Museum (Norsk Maritimt Museum) features exhibits geared for all ages, which encourage visitors to step back in time to imagine the lives of seafaring Norwegians over the past thousand years. This includes an expansive section dedicated to Vikings, as well as exhibits dedicated to maritime life during later centuries when pirates roamed the sea.

Kids will love the fully interactive Queen of Congo exhibit, where they can board the ship, play with instruments, and even play supper time in the galley. With its fascinating exhibitions about fishing, shipbuilding, and marine archeology, as well as an impressive collection of models and paintings, a visit here is time well spent.

Address: Bygdøynesveien 37, Oslo

Official site: https://marmuseum.no/en

Kon-Tiki Museum

Set in an adjoining building to the Fram Museum stands t he Kon-Tiki Museum (Kon-Tiki Museet), with its displays dedicated to Thor Heyerdahl. This Norwegian sailor, explorer, and adventurer captured the hearts and minds of the world when, in 1947, he sailed from Peru to Eastern Polynesia on a raft made entirely of balsa wood to demonstrate how he believed the Pacific region was settled.

Opened in its present location in 1957, this fascinating attraction offers plenty of details both about Heyerdahl and his famous ship. In addition to seeing the famous Kon-Tiki up close, other vessels used by the legendary Norwegian are also on display, including the 14-meter-long Ra II, made of papyrus and in which he sailed across the Atlantic Ocean in 1970.

English language guided tours are available, and be sure to catch a viewing of the Academy Award-winning documentary that propelled Heyerdahl to fame.

Address: Bygdøynesveien 36, 0286 Oslo

Official site: www.kon-tiki.no

Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum

Located at the base of Holmenkollen Ski Jump (Holmenkollbakken), the Ski Museum is the oldest of its kind in the world, open since 1923. Here, ski enthusiasts will find exhibits and artifacts chronicling nearly 4,000 years of ski history and exploring various related topics, including weather and polar exploration.

The oldest ski on display here dates back to AD 600, and there are several other examples, including skis from the 8th, 10th, and 12th centuries. Other skis in the collection represent a wide variety of terrain and uses, from mountain skis to fast skis, and even the longest skis.

The museum also has a Hall of Fame dedicated to great Norwegian skiers, interactive exhibits about modern skiing and snowboarding, and information about Fridtjof Nansen's polar explorations on the ship Fram. Guided tours include the Ski Jump and its Jump Tower Observation Deck, which has excellent views over the city.

Address: Kongeveien 5, 0787 Oslo

Official site: www.skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen

Oslo Cathedral

Although consecrated in 1697, Oslo Cathedral (Oslo domkirke) has been rebuilt and renovated numerous times. Its tower was rebuilt in 1850, while its interior was renovated soon after the end of WWII.

Notable features include the main doorway with its decorated bronze doors, as well as the ceiling paintings by H. L. Mohr, the Baroque pulpit and altar (1699), and the stained glass by Emanuel Vigeland. Afterwards, be sure to visit the Oslo Bazaar along the old church walls. Dating back to 1841, these fascinating halls are now occupied by galleries, cafés and antique dealers.

Address: Karl Johansgt. 11, 0154 Oslo

City Hall (Rådhuset)

Oslo's enormous City Hall (Rådhuset) is undoubtedly one of the city's great landmarks. This imposing square building, built of concrete faced with brick, was designed by Arnstein Arneberg and Magnus Poulson and has two towers, one of them adorned with a huge clock face. One of the towers houses the 38 bells that can be heard chiming throughout the harbor area.

As well as its fascinating facade with its sculptures and reliefs, the interior is also worth a visit. Here, you'll see a rich fresco created by Henrik Sørensen, Per Krohg, Edvard Munch, and other famous Norwegian artists.

Address: Rådhuset, 0037 Oslo

Official site: www.oslo.kommune.no/oslo-city-hall/

Clock tower on a dock at Aker Brygge

Built around an abandoned shipyard, Oslo's Aker Brygge area is the heart and soul of the city. Bustling and vibrant day and night, its stunning architecture - that magnificent blend of new and old that perfectly compliments Norway's stunning natural beauty - is everywhere on display, and everywhere breathtaking.

It's estimated that 12 million visitors find their way to Aker Brygge every year, drawn by its sea-front boardwalk, fine shopping, great restaurants, and cozy year-round patio bars with their snug rugs and fireplaces.

While visiting, be sure to pop into the newly opened Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art . The museum consists of two buildings: one for its own collection of works by such greats as Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst, and Jeff Koons, the other for rotating exhibitions.

Address: Bryggegata 9, 0120 Oslo

Botanical gardens in Oslo

Oslo's Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisk museum) - consisting of the Geological Museum , the Zoological Museum , and Botanical Gardens - is Norway's largest natural history collection. The Geological Museum includes minerals, precious metals and meteorites, plus an impressive collection of dinosaur skeletons, while in the Zoological Museum you'll find dioramas of Norwegian fauna. Best of all, however, is the exquisite Botanical Garden.

Founded in 1814, the garden features 7,500 different plant species from Norway and other parts of the world, 1,500 of them located in the beautiful Rock Garden with its waterfalls.

Address: Sars gate 1, 0562 Oslo

Official site: www.nhm.uio.no/english/

Oslo Opera House

Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet , as well as the National Opera Theatre , the 1,364-seat Oslo Opera House (Operahuset) seems to almost want to slip into the city's harbor, an effect exaggerated by its angled exterior surfaces. Clad in Italian marble and white granite, the Opera House is the largest cultural building constructed in Norway since Trondheim's Nidaros Cathedral in the 14th century.

In addition to its many performances, visitors can also participate in a variety of interesting public programs and behind-the-scenes tours, as well as enjoy the views from a stroll on the building's roof.

If you are visiting Oslo during August, be sure to spend some time enjoying the month-long Festival of Chamber Music , which includes dozens of chamber music concerts drawing internationally acclaimed musicians from around the globe. Performances take place in the spectacular Akershus Fortress , with the stunning Oslofjord as a backdrop.

Taking place in the same month and in the same location, the Oslo Jazz Festival is another huge draw for musicians and fans alike. Oslo also hosts the Ultima Contemporary Music Festival in mid-October, which features a competition for new orchestral works.

Address: Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, 0150 Oslo

If you're visiting Oslo for the first time, the best place to stay is in Central Oslo, preferably close to Karl Johans gate, the city's main street. Here, you'll find attractions such as the Royal Palace, National Theatre, and Oslo Cathedral, as well as an impressive array of museums and galleries. Most of the city's top attractions are within walking distance of each other. Below are some highly rated hotels in this central location:

Luxury Hotels:

  • Minutes on foot from some of Oslo's top museums and galleries, central station, and the Royal Palace, the eco-conscious Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo sports bold, contemporary decor, and the good-value rates include a breakfast.
  • Within walking distance of Aker Brygge, the National Gallery, and Royal Palace, the family-run Hotel Continental Oslo is adorned with distinctive works of art and elegant furnishings. Each room is unique.
  • The pet-friendly Clarion Collection Hotel Bastion is also in a handy location, near Central Station and the opera house. Rates include an organic breakfast and a light buffet dinner.

Mid-Range Hotels:

  • In the heart of the city, near central station and the National Gallery, Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret sits at the top-end of the mid-range hotels, with its cozy, contemporary rooms and a free breakfast.
  • The earthy, textural decor is a standout feature of the eco-friendly Oslo Guldsmeden , 100 meters from the Royal Palace, near Aker Brygge. Rates include breakfast made with produce from local farms.
  • On a quiet side street in the city center, Thon Hotel Munch has crisp white rooms with bold splashes of color and an organic buffet breakfast.

Budget Hotels:

  • Central Oslo has few budget options, but the Cochs Pension is one of these. Set in a great location near the Royal Palace, rooms come with fridges, and some have kitchenettes.
  • Smarthotel Oslo is another central option. The rooms are small, but the hotel lies just around the corner from Oslo's main shopping street .
  • About 20-minutes away from the city center by tram, Oslo Hostel Haraldsheim is also budget friendly. Rates include breakfast and parking.

Hopping around Town:

  • The City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is the perfect way to visit Oslo's top tourist attractions and includes an on-board commentary by a knowledgeable guide. This 24-hour pass allows access to 18 major sights, including the National Theater , Vigeland Sculpture Park , the Viking Ship Museum , and Oslo Cruise Ship Terminal , ensuring that you are able to get the most out of your trip.

All-Access Pass:

  • Especially handy for those who want to visit multiple tourist attractions, the Visit Oslo Pass is a fantastic way to ensure you don't go over budget with admission fees and transportation costs. The pass is valid for admission to a staggering 36 attractions, and entitles the bearer to significant discounts at additional attractions. It also includes sightseeing tours and restaurants, and grants unlimited use of public transportation within zone 2, including tram, boat, bus, and trains. Those who opt for the 72-hour pass will also get a complimentary pass for the Hop-On Hop-Off Tour .

The Best of Oslo in One Day:

  • Tourists with limited time in Oslo will appreciate the Oslo Combo Tour with a Grand City Tour and Oslo Fjord Cruise . This seven-hour experience includes photo-op stops at Vigeland Park and the Holmenkollen Ski Jump , as well as visits to several top museums, including the ship museums at Bygdøy Peninsula . To finish a perfect day, passengers will transfer to a boat and enjoy the last two hours on the water of Oslo Fjord while learning more about the area from the knowledgeable guide.

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Norway's Biggest Fjords: Located on the western coast of Norway, Sognefjord is the country's largest fjord, stretching for 204 kilometers. Sognefjord is a three-hour drive from Bergen, a picturesque city with plenty of attractions and activities for tourists . Just south of here is the Hardangerfjord area , home to Norway's second-largest fjord. This was Norway's first international sightseeing destination, enjoyed by Victorian travelers as early as 1875.

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Exploring Sweden: Although it is a six-hour train ride to Stockholm, those staying in Oslo for an extended time may want to plan a day exploring all the highlights of this city , which is often called the Venice of the North. Sweden is also home to many fascinating sites, including Kansen , the world's oldest open-air museum.

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Norwegian Islands: If you are feeling adventurous and have the time, consider visiting the Lofoten Islands , which have an amazingly mild climate despite being inside the Arctic Circle. The country's northernmost city is Tromsø , a major port city, which is visited by tourists hoping to see the aurora borealis , or northern lights, because if its location in the Arctic Circle.

Oslo Map - Tourist Attractions

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Norway Travel Guide

Oslo   Travel Guide

tourist guide oslo

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tourist guide oslo

Why Go To Oslo

From the refurbished waterfront of Aker Brygge to the snowy hilltops of Holmenkollen, Oslo seems to offer the traveler everything they could ever want: hip cafes and nightlife, a verdant landscape (Oslo is one of the most forested cities in the world) and a culture steeped in arts and history. Where could this town go wrong?

It's expensive. The city consistently ranks among the world's most overpriced. So how do you get around the cost barrier? Consider making a weekend stopover from elsewhere in Europe (hotel rates are cheaper on Fridays) and enjoy Norway's capital while it's still a city on the rise.

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  • # 1 in Best Places to Visit in July 2024

Best of Oslo

Best hotels in oslo.

  • # 2 in Hotel Continental Oslo
  • # 3 in Amerikalinjen
  • # 4 in THE THIEF

Best Things to Do in Oslo

  • # 1 in Oslo Fjord
  • # 2 in Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken)
  • # 3 in Karl Johans gate

tourist guide oslo

Popular Tours

Guided Oslo Fjord Cruise by Silent Electric Catamaran

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from $ 57.48

Oslo Combo Tour: Grand City Tour and Oslo Fjord Cruise

Oslo Combo Tour: Grand City Tour and Oslo Fjord Cruise

(320 reviews)

from $ 136.40

Oslo To Sognefjord Private Full Day Roundtrip Including Flam Railway

Oslo To Sognefjord Private Full Day Roundtrip Including Flam Railway

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from $ 990.78

Oslo Travel Tips

Best months to visit.

The best time to visit Oslo is from May to August when the temperatures rise and there are surprisingly affordable room rates available, though these options often fill up fast. Daytime temps generally hover in the 60s and 70s, but evenings can get chilly at times, so remember to bring a coat. Like Stockholm  and Reykjavik , Oslo can experience nearly 24 hours of daylight in the summer, with the famous midnight sun usually appearing in June or July. On the flip side, there are winter days of near total darkness. This is matched with frigid weather and temperatures diving into the 20s.

Weather in Oslo

Data sourced from the National Climatic Data Center

What You Need to Know

Norwegians are courteous Manners are everything in this refined city. You should particularly remember to be on time no matter where you're going; punctuality is highly expected in Norwegian culture.

Aquavit is the local spirit of choice  Unlike other varieties, Norwegian aquavit is made from potatoes and aged in sherry oak casks. You'll find it served at restaurants and bars year-round, but it's especially popular to drink with traditional fare during Christmas.

It's a city of neighborhoods  Though you'll be tempted to stick to the city center, save time for visits to surrounding neighborhoods like Grünerløkka and Majorstuen if you want to enjoy some of Oslo's best shops, eateries and nightlife venues.

How to Save Money in Oslo

Don't plan a summer visit  For more affordable airfare and room rates, arrive between October and April, Oslo's coldest months. If you're set on enjoying some warmer weather, try visiting in May or September, the beginning or end of the city's peak season.

Don't forget your Oslo Pass This timed card, which costs 210 to 745 kroner ($25 to $89) per person, covers travel on all public transit (excluding airport routes), admission to 30 attractions and discounts at multiple restaurants. You can buy your pass at select hotels and museums or online here . Preordered passes can be picked up at the Oslo Visitor Centre after presenting a valid voucher.

Don't take the taxi from the airport Taxis in Oslo are notoriously expensive, so hop on the Flytoget train instead. A one-way adult ticket costs 190 kroner (less than $23), while round-trip fares for adults cost 380 kroner (about $45.50) each.

Culture & Customs

Oslo's Viking roots, iconic structures, rich art scene and abundant music festivals make this Norwegian city a haven for history buffs, architecture enthusiasts, art aficionados and music lovers. To learn more about Oslo's history, head to the Viking Ship Museum, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History and the Royal Palace . For a glimpse at some of the area's most iconic buildings, stop by the medieval Akershus Fortress or the contemporary Oslo Opera House (opera fans should also plan to take in a performance here). Other genres are celebrated at events like Granittrock and the Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival, both of which take place every September. If art is your passion, check out the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design , where one of two painted versions of Edvard Munch's "The Scream" is on display. The other (plus a pastel version) can be found at the Munch Museum.

The official language in Norway is Norwegian, but many Norwegians – especially those living in Oslo – also speak English. Still, locals appreciate when tourists attempt to speak Norwegian. Key words and phrases to use include "hallo" (hello), "tusen takk" (thank you), "Snakker du engelsk?" (Do you speak English?) and " ha det bra" (goodbye).

As is the case in other Scandinavian countries such as Denmark and Sweden, the euro is not the official currency in Norway like it is in the majority of European Union countries. Instead, Norwegians use the Norwegian krone. One Norwegian krone equals about $0.12, but you'll want to check the latest exchange rate before you visit. International currencies are rarely accepted in Norway, and some shops and markets don't take foreign credit cards as a form of payment, so plan accordingly.

Tipping is uncommon in most European cities, including Oslo. However, locals occasionally tip bartenders and restaurant waitstaff when they've received exceptional service. There is no expected rate, but generally, patrons who want to tip will leave five to 15 percent of their bill.

What to Eat

Although Norway's dining scene isn't as highly regarded as those found in other European countries like France and Italy, its abundance of fresh ingredients – including lamb, reindeer and other meats, plus seafood, such as cod and salmon – make for tasty dishes. Norway's breads and pastries are also worth trying. One of the country's most popular dishes is  smørrebrød  (buttered rye bread topped with either local cold cuts or fish). Other popular items include  fårikål  (a stew made with lamb and cabbage), r økt laks  (smoked salmon) and  kjøttkaker  (beef meatballs served with cranberry sauce and mushy peas or creamed cabbage). Those with a sweet tooth should try lefse  (a rolled flatbread covered in butter, sugar and cinnamon that's commonly enjoyed with coffee), and for adventurous foodies, Norway offers smalahove  (sheep's head) and lutefisk  (lye-cured cod).

Sentrum's bayside area of Aker Brygge is Oslo's go-to spot for excellent drinking and dining venues, which include an assortment of upscale restaurants and cafes serving local fare. However, everything from food trucks and markets to Michelin-starred restaurants are available throughout the city. To taste some of Oslo's best Norwegian dishes, locals and visitors alike recommend visiting Maaemo and Statholdergaarden , which have both earned Michelin stars.

For more affordable fare, consider sitting down for a meal at one of Oslo's ethnic restaurants. American, Japanese, Indian and Italian are just some of the cuisines available here. Traveler-approved ethnic eateries include San Francisco Bread Bowl , Campo de' Fiori and TUNCO .

No visit to Oslo would be complete without trying aquavit (or  akevitt  in Norwegian). Generally consumed during holidays, Norway's national drink is a potato-based liquor aged in sherry oak casks and flavored with herbs and spices like caraway and dill. Most restaurants and bars sell the beverage, which anyone age 18 or older can drink.

Oslo is considered one of the safest capital cities in Europe. Although some European countries are dealing with growing terrorist threats, Norway rarely suffers from terrorist attacks. However, as the country's status as a tourist destination has grown, so have the incidents of petty theft, especially in Oslo. Keep an eye out for pickpockets in areas around  top attractions , hotel lobbies and transportation hubs. To learn more about how to stay safe while visiting Norway, check out the U.S. State Department's website .

Getting Around Oslo

The best way to get around Oslo is on the trams or buses, as they're widely available and conveniently connect passengers to points throughout the city. When you arrive at Oslo Airport (OSL), you can take a train, bus, taxi or rental car into the city center. The T-bane metro system is also available downtown, though its network is limited compared to the trams and buses. Meanwhile, walking and biking are viable (and affordable) options for shorter treks on warmer days.

Entry & Exit Requirements

To visit Norway, you'll need a passport that's valid for at least six months beyond your departure date. Proof of sufficient funds and a return airline ticket must also be presented upon arrival. A visa is not required for Americans who stay less than 90 days. For more information on entry and exit requirements, visit the U.S. State Department's website .  

Everything from colorful homes to historical buildings to modern skyscrapers can be seen nestled within Oslo's lush landscape.

Explore More of Oslo

Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken)

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Travelling King

The Ultimate Travel Guide to Oslo

City Hall or Radhus in Oslo, Norway. Oslo City Hall is a municipal building, houses the Oslo city council.

Oslo is a coastal metropolis in the southeast of Norway. As the country’s capital, it’s the cultural heart of Norway and one of the most visited parts of Scandinavia.

With the opportunities and attractions of a big city and the intimacy of a small town, Oslo is an inviting destination for both Norwegians and foreign tourists.

Perhaps you’re planning on booking a trip, or maybe you’re simply wondering, what is Oslo famous for? This Oslo travel guide will answer all of your questions and provide you with a few tips and recommendations to inspire you to visit.

This ultimate travel guide to Oslo will show you all the most beautiful places in Oslo, what to expect when visiting, where to stay in Oslo and things to do in Oslo which will help you in planning a trip to Oslo.

Plan your trip?

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Table of Contents

How to get to Oslo

The nearest international airport to Oslo is 45 kilometres northeast in Gardermoen (OSL). With over 150 international connections, it’s the 19th busiest airport in Europe.

Flytoget is a high-speed train line that connects the airport to Oslo’s city centre, with a few stops along the 20-minute journey. You can purchase your ticket online, via the app, or at ticket vending machines at the airport.

There’s also an airport shuttle bus, Flybussen, which has over 100 stops and might take you closer to your accommodation. If you catch the bus, remember to book in advance for the cheapest fare.

If you’re coming to Oslo from neighbouring Denmark or Sweden, you can also catch a bus or a train. There are regularly departing services from Copenhagen, Stockholm and Gothenburg. These options will typically take between four and seven hours, depending on your city of departure.

Oslo Gardermoen International Airport. The Oslo Gardermoen airport has biggest passenger flow in Norway.

What to expect in Oslo

The official language spoken in Oslo is Norwegian, though almost everyone can speak English. While Norway is a part of the European Union and the Schengen area, the country uses its own currency called krone.

However, since credit and debit cards are so widely accepted, you likely won’t have to pay for much with cash.

It’s uncommon for Norwegians to leave tips, as wages are among the highest in the world. Most nationalities are able to visit Norway for up to 90 days without a visa, so you won’t have to worry about that either!

How to get around Oslo

The public transport network in Oslo is very well run, and you’ll find numerous ways to get around the city.

If you plan on predominantly using public transport, pick up an Oslo Pass . This pass grants travellers free rides on all buses, trams, trains, boats and ferries in zones one and two, excluding the airport train.

Passes are valid for 24 hours, 48 hours or 72 hours, with discounts given to children and seniors. Order the pass online, or pick one up from the tourist information office at Oslo Central Station.

Not only does the Oslo Pass cover public transport, but you’ll also receive free entry into over 30 Oslo tourist attractions and museums.

Platform and train view on Oslo central station. Oslo Central Station (Sentralstasjon) is main railway station in Oslo.. Oslo,Norway

The best time to visit Oslo

Temperatures in Oslo are the most pleasant during May, June, July, August and September. If you want to explore the city comfortably, any of these months are ideal times to visit.

The peak of summer sees almost 20 hours of sunlight, yet the highest average temperatures are only around 20 to 22°C. Numerous fun events are held during the summertime too, such as the annual Øya and Pikniki i Parken music festivals.

While you might only think of Oslo as a cold place, Norwegians actually love the sun! The residents head to their summer cabins during July, and fly out to warmer European destinations during the colder months.

Temperatures during November, December, January and February rarely go above zero degrees, so unless you’re visiting Oslo specifically for skiing and snowboarding, you’re better off going somewhere else during the winter too.

OSLO, NORWAY - Oslo Harbour and Radhuset building, Oslo City Hall. Promenade along the seafront Old Port Oslo. View of the shore of Oslofjord, Norway

Things to do in Oslo

Discover the city’s museums.

Oslo is known for its many diverse museums that cater to every interest. Yet, with over 50 of them, it’s highly unlikely you’ll be visiting every one. Here are a few of our top museum suggestions.

Viking Ship Museum

The unique Viking Ship Museum is an opportunity to see some of the best preserved Viking ships in the world. The museum showcases the famous Oseberg ship, one of the finest surviving artifacts from the Viking era, as well as many other relevant archaeological findings.

As part of the Museum of Cultural History at the University of Oslo, there’s an interactive storytelling aspect that’ll provide you with some interesting facts.

OSLO, NORWAY -Beautiful preservation of Osebergskipet as presented in the viking museum at Bygdoy, shot from slightly above angle.

Kon-Tiki Museum

Another one for lovers of sea expeditions, the Kon-Tiki Museum on the Bygdøy peninsula displays vessels and maps from the 1947 Kon-Tiki journey.

Led by Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl, the balsa wood Kon-Tiki raft set sail from Peru to Polynesia to prove that ancient civilisations had the ability to make long sea voyages and contact other cultures.

It’s a fascinating place to learn about Heyerdahl’s adventures and beliefs about the world. You can also catch a screening of the Oscar-winning Kon-Tiki documentary shown every day at midday.

OSLO, NORWAY - It's copy of the raft Ton-Tiki on which Thor Heyerdahl made a transpacific crossing.

Natural History Museum

The Natural History Museum begun as the University of Oslo’s botanical gardens. Today, the complex contains a few different sections that are now merged into one.

The Zoological Museum showcases Norwegian and international wildlife displays, while the Geological Museum contains fossils, minerals, and the Stones and Bones exhibition.

The Botanical Garden now holds over 35,000 plants from 7,500 different species. Well-researched and developed reconstructions in the Tree of Life exhibition will take you back to show you how life on Earth evolved.

A number of events and guided tours are run in English, so be sure to check the schedule ahead of your visit.

OSLO, NORWAY - Old wooden houses. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History or Norsk Folkemuseum. Landmark of Oslo, Norway capital

Nobel Peace Centre

Another unique museum to visit is a showcase of the works of Nobel Peace Prize laureates. Since opening in 2005, the Nobel Peace Centre showcases interactive multimedia exhibitions, guided tours, conferences and more.

Located at the site of the former Oslo West Railway Station opposite the Oslo City Hall, the modern building was designed and conceptualised by British architect David Adjaye.

OSLO NORWAY - Panorama of Nobel Peace Center in Oslo. The Nobel Peace Center was opened in 2005 by His Majesty King Harald V of Norway.

National Museum

Fans of either classic or contemporary art won’t want to miss the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design.

You’ve likely seen a version of the popular expressionist painting The Scream , but did you know the artist, Edvard Munch, was Norwegian? The National Museum has one of the best collections of Munch’s earliest works, as well as postmodern art installations.

Oslo, Norway - View of Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art in Tjuvholmen Arts District. Astrup Fearnley Museum area surroundings with swimming beach.

Relax by the wharf

Visiting Aker Brygge is one of the most iconic things to do in Oslo. The open-air pier area has everything from upscale eateries with outdoor seating to more casual street foods to be eaten on the steps of the wharf.

Be sure to have some of your meals here overlooking the water, or at the very least, stop by to take a peaceful moment to yourself.

OSLO, NORWAY - : Modern scandinavian architecture at renovated Aker Brygge neighbourhood, part of the Fjord City urban renewal project in Oslo

Wander the main street

Karl Johans Gate is a hub for shops, cafes, bars and art galleries. As the main street in Oslo’s historical centre, you can also spot many of the city’s oldest and most beautiful buildings.

You’ll unknowingly find yourself by this lively street, as it connects to Oslo Central Station, the Royal Palace, Palace Park, and the National Theatre.

If you want to do some shopping, there are numerous malls and department stores around, including EGER, Arkaden Shopping, and Paleet.

Those with a sweet tooth should also stop by Freiabutikken, a boutique selling delicious goodies from Norway’s most popular chocolate brand. If you need to rest and people watch for a bit, the main (and surrounding) streets are lined with elegant coffee shops.

OSLO, NORWAY - Street cafe at the Karl Johans Gate, the main pedestrian street in Oslo, Norway. Oslo is the capital of Norway.

Take a trip to Holmenkollbakken

The famous ski jumping hill, Holmenkollbakken, is only a half hour train journey from the centre of Oslo.

With a spectator capacity of 70,000, it’s home to an annual Nordic ski festival and hosted the 1952 Winter Olympics. Take the funicular up to the top of the hill during sunset, as the views across Oslo are simply breathtaking.

OSLO, NORWAY - Holmenkollen ( Holmenkollbakken ) ski jump in Oslo.

See inside the Royal Palace

During the summer, the Royal Palace is open to the public. Built in the mid 19th century at the end of Karl Johans Gate, the palace is the official residence for Harald V, the current King of Norway. With 173 rooms, there’s a lot to see inside!

Fortunately, guided tours in English run four times a day . You’ll get to see some of the most magnificent rooms, including the Council Chamber, the Cabinet Parlour, and the Banqueting Hall.

Royal Palace in Oslo, Norway. Royal Palace is the official residence of the present Norwegian monarch.

Take a stroll through the park

The largest and most impressive park in Oslo is Frogner Park in the West End. Originally a baroque garden by Frogner Manor in the mid-1700s, it became a public park in 1896.

Within the park is the Vigeland area, home to the world’s largest permanent sculpture installation by an individual artist.

Gustav Vigeland carved the 212 granite and bronze sculptures between 1924 and 1943, including an intricate 14-metre-tall monolith. Make sure you stop by the Frogner Pond, one of the most peaceful spots in the park.

Oslo, Norway - Unidentified people visit Frogner park with artworks of Gustav Vigeland in Oslo, Norway.

What to eat in Oslo

Norwegians typically prepare and consume traditional dishes during holidays and celebrations. From day to day, you’re likely to find the locals cooking up a barbecue at the park or enjoying a range of international cuisines.

You’ll find burger joints, kebab shops and Italian restaurants everywhere in the city, but did you really come to Norway to eat the same food as back home?

It’s possible to taste authentic Norwegian food in Oslo if you know where to go. To try some local dishes for affordable prices, dine out at Kaffistova in the downtown area or Restaurant Schrøder in the St Hanshaugen district.

Seafood is a must eat in Oslo, so head to Vulkanfisk, Lofoten Fiskerestaurant or Solsiden Restaurant for some seasonal fish. Order some grilled cod (torsk in Norwegian) or try traditional seafood dishes like ratfisk, lutefisk or fiskesuppe.

If you’re in Oslo during the summertime, don’t forget to try some cloudberries, a fruit which only grows in Arctic Norway.

Smoothies of cloudberries, a banana and a blueberry on a lilac napkin and blueberries and cloudberries in the background

Where to stay in Oslo

Oslo can be quite an expensive city for tourists to visit. If you want to keep costs down, there are some affordable, great value accommodation options out there including Airbnb.

Central City Apartments offers low-cost studios and apartments that can fit up to six travellers. The building is a two-minute walk from the Tøyen metro station, which is then a four-minute ride to downtown Oslo.

While the rooms are modest in size, you’ll have everything you need during your stay, including a kitchenette to prepare your own breakfast.

Citybox is a modern, minimalist and stylish hotel that keeps costs low. Less than 300 metres from Oslo Central and a five-minute walk to the Oslo Opera House, it’s the ideal base for exploring the city.

There are single rooms for solo travellers, doubles for couples, twin rooms for friends, and doubles with bunk beds for families. Guests can check themselves in and out, and there’s a charming cafe downstairs that offers 10% off.

OSLO, NORWAY - Modern hotels from glass and concrete. New artificial islands named Holmen.

Tours to do in Oslo

To see the tranquil waters surrounding Oslo, take a cruise of the Oslo Fjord . Sit back and relax for two hours while watching the beautiful scenery pass by.

Commentary in English will provide you with interesting information about the area, and there’s a bar available on board. With cruises departing both in the morning and afternoon, you’ll won’t have trouble fitting this into your sightseeing schedule.

If the weather is right, you can choose to skip the cruise and kayak around the fjords instead. A kayaking tour around the Bygdøy peninsula doesn’t require any previous skills, as your guide will train you before you get in the water. If you wish to see Oslo from an unusual perspective, this is the tour to go on.

Another great way to explore Oslo is by bike . You can join a small group bike tour to see the city’s best tourist attractions in three hours, including a stop at Akershus Fortress.

A particularly scenic tour is the river bike tour along the Akerselva River, where you’ll discover the local food markets and receive insider recommendations from your guide.

Bygdoy aerial panoramic view. Bygdoy peninsula situated on western side of Oslo city, Norway. Bygdoy is the home of five national museums as well as a royal estate.

Day trips from Oslo

Take a two-hour train trip north of Oslo to visit the quaint town of Lillehammer. Although typically a ski resort town, it’s a charming place to visit no matter the season.

Between June and September, put on your hiking shoes and walk the Peer Gynt trail, taking in the stunning mountain scenery.

Another idyllic way to embrace the natural beauty of the area is canoeing and kayaking along the various lakes and rivers. If you’d like to meet new people while enjoying the outdoors, all activities have guided tour options.

If you find yourself in Lillehammer when it’s snowing, you’ll be spoilt for choice when it comes to winter activities. Ice sledding, snowshoeing, sleigh riding and ice fishing are only a few of the many fun things to do.

Reconstructed wooden Garmo Stave Church (Garmo Stavkyrkje) in Maihaugen Folks museum, Lillehammer, Oppland, Norway, one of the most visited stave churches in Norway

Recommend budget tours in Oslo

  • Self-Guided Norway Tour: Oslo to Bergen
  • Oslo Combo Tour: Grand City Tour and Oslo Fjord Cruise
  • Visit Oslo Pass
  • Small-Group Oslo Bike Tour: City Highlights
  • Self-Guided Norway roundtrip: Oslo to Oslo
  • Kon-Tiki Museum Entrance Ticket
  • Private Tour to Sognefjord, Gudvangen and the Flåmsbana railway
  • The Viking Ship Museum and Historical Museum Admission Ticket
  • 3-Hour Norwegian Evening Cruise Aboard a Wooden Sailing Boat on the Oslo Fjord

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The Ultimate Travel Guide to Oslo

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Sam, a globally seasoned traveler with a footprint across four continents and over 49 countries, is a recognized authority in travel planning. Her passion for exploration has positioned her as a leading voice in the travel community.

Travelling King offering readers insider tips and expert knowledge. Today, it's a go-to resource for thousands, providing tailor-made itineraries, tour and hotel guides, ensuring travelers enjoy seamless, memorable trips.

Sam's engaging perspective on global exploration keeps her at the forefront of travel enthusiasm. While she cherishes her adventures, returning to Adelaide and her beloved dog Odin remains a special joy.

Sam's expertise includes: - Luxury Travel: Providing insights into upscale travel experiences. - Fast Travel: Offering strategies for maximizing visits to multiple destinations in limited time. - Hotels and Destination Guides: Crafting comprehensive guides for accommodations and attractions.

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Oslo Guidebureau provides tailormade tours for global travelers. With more than 20 years´ experience we are happy to help with tour suggestions – either on foot or with transportation on land or at sea. We are your experts on insider tips in Oslo. ‍ Let us bring you and your group closer to Oslo, and make it an unforgettable experience! We employ more than 250 officially certified Oslo Guides, altogether fluent in more than 25 different languages. Please feel free to contact us for more information and offers. Oslo Guidebureau works only with certified guides. Currently 20 selected guides are going through a thorough sustainability training, deepening their knowledge on how Oslo is dealing with the green transition, both within the municipality and among the private partners. They look at the different dimensions of sustainability; People, Planet, Prosperity and the Partnerships that brings it all together.  Their newest offering will be to explore Oslo on city walks with sustainability in mind, showcasing good examples of action taken on new buildings, in the harbor and along the streets.  The tours will also talk about E-mobility, recycling, roof gardens, waste handling and city farmers producing food in the city center.

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Oslo’s efforts have been recognized and rewarded by the European Commission. Oslo was officially The European Green Capital of 2019. Explore a city filled with sustainable neighborhoods, car-free streets, and eco-friendly gourmet restaurants with our Walking Tours. The Oslo City Walks are run on a regular basis. Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday you can explore our growing city with an authorized Oslo Guide (except May 17th, Dec 24th and 25th). Choose between “In the heart of Oslo” on Saturdays at 2 pm, “Historic River Walk” on Sundays at 2 pm or “The city of contrasts” on Mondays at 5 pm. All tours start at Ø – Oslo Visitor Center at Oslo Central Station. During the summer season we also offer guided tours of the famous Vigeland Park, every Wednesday at 6 pm.

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Accommodation

No argument, Oslo is one of Europe’s most amenable capitals, a vibrant, self-confident city with a relaxed and easy-going air, its handsome centre set between the rippling waters of the Oslofjord and the green, forested hills of the interior. Yet Oslo’s confidence is new-found: for much of its history, the city was something of a poor relation to the other Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm and Copenhagen especially, and it remained dourly provincial until well into the 1950s. Since then, however, Oslo has transformed itself, forging ahead to become an enterprising and cosmopolitan commercial hub with a population of about half a million. Oslo is also the only major metropolis in a country brimming with small towns and villages – its nearest rival, Bergen, is less than half its size. This gives the city a powerful voice in the political, cultural and economic life of the nation and it’s pulled in all of Norway’s big companies, as a rash of concrete and glass tower blocks testifies.

Drinking and nightlife

Frognerparken, henie-onstad kunstsenter, modern art in norway, music festivals, oslo with children, norsk teknisk museum, barnekunstmuseet.

Fortunately, these monoliths rarely interrupt the stately Neoclassical lines of the late nineteenth-century city centre , Oslo’s most appealing district, a humming, good-natured place whose breezy streets and squares combine these appealing remnants of the city’s early days with a clutch of good museums – in particular the Nasjonalgalleriet (National Gallery) and the Hjemmefrontmuseum (Resistance Museum) – plus dozens of lively bars, cafés and restaurants.

The city’s showpiece museums – most memorably the remarkable Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ships Museum) – are on the Bygdøy peninsula , which is readily reached by ferry from the jetty behind the Rådhus (City Hall). East Oslo is the least prepossessing part of town, a gritty sprawl housing the poorest of the city’s inhabitants, though the recently revived district of Grünerløkka is now home to a slew of fashionable bars and clubs. The main sight on the east side of town is the Munch-museet (Munch Museum), which boasts a superb collection of the artist’s work, though plans are afoot to move the museum to the harbourfront. Northwest Oslo is far more prosperous, with big old houses lining the avenues immediately to the west of the Slottsparken. Beyond is the Frognerparken , a chunk of parkland where the wondrous open-air sculptures of Gustav Vigeland are displayed in the Vigelandsparken . Further west still, beyond the city limits in suburban Høvikodden, the Henie-Onstad Kunstsenter displays more prestigious modern art, enhanced by the museum’s splendid setting on a headland overlooking the Oslofjord.

The city’s enormous reach becomes apparent to the north of the centre in the Nordmarka . This massive forested wilderness, stretching far inland, is patterned by hiking trails and cross-country ski routes. Two T-bane (Tunnelbanen) lines provide ready access, weaving their way up into the rocky hills that herald the region. The more westerly T-bane rolls past Holmenkollen , a ski resort where the skijump makes a crooked finger on Oslo’s skyline, before terminating at Frognerseteren . Here the station is still within the municipal boundaries, but the surrounding forested hills and lakes feel anything but urban. The more easterly T-bane offers less wilderness, but it does end up close to Sognsvannet , a pretty little lake set amid the woods and an ideal place for an easy stroll and/or a picnic.

Oslo curves round the innermost shore of the Oslofjord , whose tapered waters extend for some 100km from the Skagerrak, the choppy channel separating Norway and Sweden from Denmark. As Norwegian fjords go, the Oslofjord is not particularly beautiful – the rocky shores are generally low and unprepossessing – but scores of pretty little islets diversify the seascape. Many of these forested bumps accommodate summer chalets, but several have been protected from development and one of them – Hovedøya – makes for a lovely excursion. By comparison, the towns that trail along the shores of the Oslofjord are of little immediate appeal, being for the most part workaday industrial settlements. The few exceptions include, on the eastern shore, Fredrikstad , Norway’s only surviving fortified town, and on the western shore, the Viking burial mounds of Borre and the holiday resort of Tønsberg .

Top image © krylkar/Shutterstock

Oslo has the range of hotels you would expect of a capital city, though surprisingly few of them are independents – most are chain hotels with Thon and Rica the two big players. The city also has a light smattering of B&Bs and guesthouses plus a trio of youth hostels .

Downtown Oslo boasts a vibrant bar scene , boisterous but generally good-natured and at its most frenetic at summer weekends, when the city is crowded with visitors from all over Norway. There‘s an infinitely groovy string of bars out of the centre too, in the Grünerløkka district. With the city’s bars staying open till the wee hours, Oslo’s nightclubs struggle to make themselves heard – indeed there’s often little distinction between the two – though there is still a reasonably good and varied scene. Live music is not Oslo’s forte, and Norway’s domestic rock and pop is far from inspiring, but jazz fans are well served, with a couple of first-rate venues in the city centre.

At the top end of the market, Oslo possesses several dozen fine restaurants , the most distinctive of which feature Norwegian cuisine and ingredients, especially fresh North Atlantic fish, but also more exotic dishes of elk, caribou and salted-and-dried cod – for centuries Norway’s staple food. There is a reasonable selection of less expensive, non-Scandinavian restaurants too – everything from Italian to Vietnamese. More affordable – and more casual – are the city’s cafés and café-bars . These run the gamut from homely places offering traditional Norwegian stand-bys to student haunts and ultra-trendy joints. Nearly all serve inexpensive lunches, and many offer excellent, competitively priced evening meals as well, though some cafés close at around 5 or 6pm as do the city’s many coffee houses , where coffee is, as you might expect, the main deal alongside maybe a light snack. Finally, those carefully counting the kroner will find it easy to buy bread, fruit, snacks and sandwiches from stalls, supermarkets and kiosks across the city centre, while fast-food joints offering hamburgers and warme pølser (hot dogs) are legion. Smoking is forbidden inside every Norwegian bar, café and restaurant – hence the smoky huddles outside.

The green expanse of Frognerparken (Frogner Park), to the northwest of the city centre, incorporates one of Oslo’s most celebrated and popular cultural targets, the open-air Vigelandsparken . This, along with the nearby museum , commemorates a modern Norwegian sculptor of world renown, Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943), displaying a good proportion of his work, including over two hundred figures in bronze, granite and cast iron. These were all presented to the city in return for favours received by way of a studio and apartment during the years 1921–30. The park is also home to Frogner Manor, which now houses the Oslo Bymuseet .

The Vigelandsparken

A country boy, raised on a farm just outside Mandal, on the south coast, Gustav Vigeland began his career as a woodcarver but later, when studying in Paris, he fell under the influence of Rodin, and switched to stone, iron and bronze. He started work on the Vigelandsparken in 1924, and was still working on it when he died almost twenty years later. It’s a literally fantastic concoction, medieval in spirit and complexity, and it was here that Vigeland had the chance to let his imagination run riot. Indeed, when the place was unveiled, many city folk were simply overwhelmed – and no wonder. From the monumental wrought-iron gates on Kirkeveien, the central path takes you to the footbridge over the river and a world of frowning, fighting and posturing bronze figures – the local favourite is Sinnataggen (The Angry Child), who has been rubbed smooth by a thousand hands. Beyond, the central fountain is an enormous bowl representing the burden of life, supported by straining, sinewy bronze Goliaths; a cascade of water tumbles down into a pool flanked by figures engaged in play or talk, or simply resting or standing.

Yet it is the 20m-high obelisk up on the stepped embankment just beyond the central fountain that really takes the breath away. It’s a deeply humanistic work , a writhing mass of sculpture that depicts the cycle of life as Vigeland saw it: a vision of humanity playing, fighting, teaching, loving, eating and sleeping – and clambering on and over each other to reach the top. The granite sculptures grouped around the obelisk are exquisite too, especially the toddlers, little pot-bellied figures who tumble over muscled adults, providing the perfect foil to the real children who crawl all over them, giggling and screaming.

Emanuel Vigeland

Gustav Vigeland enthusiasts may be interested in the work of the great man’s younger and lesser-known brother, Emanuel Vigeland (1875–1948), a respected artist in his own right. His stained-glass windows can be seen in Oslo’s Domkirke, while the Emanuel Vigeland Museum (Sun only noon–4pm; 40kr;

emanuelvigeland.museum.no ), 10km or so northwest of the city centre at Grimelundsveien 8 (T-bane #1 to Slemdal and a 10min walk), has a collection of his frescoes, sculptures, paintings and drawings.

Overlooking the Oslofjord, some 15km west of the city centre in Høvikodden, the Henie-Onstad Kunstsenter (Henie-Onstad Art Centre) is one of Norway’s most prestigious modern art centres. There’s no false modesty here – it’s all about art as an expression of wealth – and the low-slung, modernistic building is a glossy affair located on a handsomely landscaped, wooded headland. The gallery was founded in the 1960s by ice-skater-cum-movie-star Sonja Henie (1910–69) and her third husband, the shipowner-cum-art-collector Niels Onstad. Henie won three Olympic gold medals (1928, 1932 and 1936) and went on to appear in a string of lightweight Hollywood musicals. Many of her accumulated cups and medals are displayed in a room of their own, and they once prompted a critic to remark: “Sonja, you’ll never go broke. All you have to do is hock your trophies.” Despite her successes, Henie was not universally admired – far from it, not least because of her links with the Nazi elite both before and during World War II.

The wealthy couple accumulated an extensive collection of twentieth-century painting and sculpture . Matisse, Miró and Picasso, postwar French abstract painters, Expressionists and modern Norwegians all feature, but these now compete for gallery space with temporary exhibitions of contemporary art, making it impossible to predict what part of the permanent collection will be on display at any one time. After the museum, be sure to spend a little time wandering the surrounding Skulpturparken (Sculpture Park), where you’ll see work by the likes of Henry Moore and Arnold Haukeland; plans of the park are available at reception.

Norway has a well-organized, high-profile body of professional artists whose long-established commitment to encouraging artistic activity throughout the country has brought them respect, as well as state subsidies. In the 1960s, abstract and conceptual artists ruled the roost, but at the end of the 1970s there was a renewed interest in older art styles, particularly Expressionism, Surrealism and Cubism, plus a new emphasis on technique and materials. To a large degree these opposing impulses fused, or at least overlapped, but by the late 1980s several definable movements had emerged. One of the more popular trends was for artists to use beautiful colours to portray disquieting visions, a dissonance favoured by the likes of Knut Rose (1936–2002) and Bjørn Carlsen (b.1945), whose ghoulish Searching in a Dead Zebra has been highly influential. Other artists, the most distinguished of whom is Tore Hansen (b.1949), have developed a naive style. Their paintings, apparently clumsily drawn without thought for composition, are frequently reminiscent of Norwegian folk art, and constitute a highly personal response often drawn from the artist’s subconscious experiences.

Both of these trends embody a sincerity of expression that defines the bulk of contemporary Norwegian art. Whereas the prevailing mood in international art circles encourages detached irony, Norway’s artists characteristically adhere to the view that their role is to interpret, or at least express, the poignant and personal for their audience. An important exception is Bjørn Ransve (b.1944), who creates sophisticated paintings in constantly changing styles, but always focused on the relationship between art and reality. Another exception is the small group of artists, such as Bjørn Sigurd Tufta (b.1956) and Sverre Wylier (b.1953), who have returned to non-figurative Modernism to create works that explore the possibilities of the material, while the content plays no decisive role.

An interest in materials has sparked a variety of experiments, particularly among the country’s artists, whose installations incorporate everyday utensils, natural objects and pictorial art. These installations have developed their own momentum, pushing back the traditional limits of the visual arts in their use of many different media including photography, video, textiles and furniture. Leading an opposing faction is the painter Odd Nerdrum (b.1944), who has long spearheaded the figurative rebellion against the Modernists, though some artists straddle the divide, such as Astrid Løvaas (b.1957) and Kirsten Wagle (b.1956), who work together to produce flower motifs in textiles. The most prominent Norwegian sculptor today is Bergen’s own Bård Breivik (b.1948), who explores the dialogue between nature and humankind. With similarly ambitious intent are the much-lauded installations of Jørgen Craig Lello (b.1978) and the Swede Tobias Arnell (b.1978), who claim to “utilize logically broken trains of thought, false statements and fictional scenarios in their examination of how the world is interpreted and understood”. Good luck to them, then.

From rappers to rock, big-name bands and artists often include Oslo on their tours with many of them appearing at Oslo Spektrum. The most prestigious annual event is Norwegian Wood ( w norwegianwood.no ), a five-day, open-air rock festival held in June in the outdoor amphitheatre at Frogner Park, a ten-minute ride from the city centre on tram #12. Previous years have attracted the likes of Iggy Pop, Patti Smith, Ringo Starr, The Kinks and Van Morrison, and the festival continues to pull in major international artists, supported by a variety of Norwegian acts. The arena holds around six thousand people, but tickets (around 580kr/day) sell out well in advance.

Oslo also hosts the rather more adventurous Øyafestivalen ( w oyafestivalen.com ), a four-day event held in August that showcases a wide range of artists, mostly Scandinavian but with a string of imports too – Pulp and Kanye West for instance. A club night traditionally kicks the whole thing off in style. The festival takes place in venues across the city with major performances in the open air in Middelalderparken, a large slab of greenery, off Bispegata, a ten-minute walk east from Oslo S – or take tram #18 or #19 from Jernbanetorget. Finally, in early or mid-August, Oslo’s week-long Jazz Festival ( w oslojazz.no ) attracts internationally renowned artists as well as showcasing local talent, who perform at a variety of venues, both inside and out.

Tickets for all three festivals are available from Billettservice ( t 815 33 133, w billettservice.no ).

There’s no shortage of things to do with young (pre-teen) children in Oslo, beginning with the enchanting, open-air Vigelandsparken and, if the weather is good, the beaches of the Oslofjord islands. In wintertime, ice-skating, tobogganing and horse-drawn sleigh rides (see Oslo with children) are also almost bound to appeal.

Few children will want to be dragged round Oslo’s main museums, except perhaps for the Frammuseet , but there are a couple of museums geared up for youngsters (see Norsk Teknisk Museum). Another bit of good news is that discounts for children are commonplace. Almost all sites and attractions let babies and toddlers in free, and charge half of the adult tariff for children between 4 and 16 years of age. It’s the same on public transport, and hotels are usually very obliging too, adding camp beds of some description to their rooms with the minimum of fuss and expense.

The most popular museum with children is the Norsk Teknisk Museum , at Kjelsåsveien 143 (Technology Museum; late June to late Aug daily 10am–6pm; late Aug to late June Tues–Fri 9am–4pm, Sat & Sun 11am–6pm; 90kr, children 50kr; w tekniskmuseum.no ). Out to the north of the city, this is an interactive museum par excellence , equipped with working models and a galaxy of things to push and touch, as well as a café and picnic area. To get there from the city centre, take bus #54 from the Aker Brygge to Kjelsås station alongside the museum.

Rather more creative is the Barnekunstmuseet at Lille Frøens vei 4 (Children’s Art Museum; mid-Jan to late June Tues–Thurs 9.30am–2pm, Sun 11am–4pm; late June to mid-Aug Tues–Thurs & Sun 11am–4pm; mid-Sept to early Dec Tues–Thurs 9.30am–2pm, Sun 11am–4pm; closed mid-Aug to mid-Sept; 60kr, children 40kr; w barnekunst.no ). This has an international collection of children’s art – drawings, paintings, sculpture and handicrafts – along with a children’s workshop where painting, music and dancing are frequent activities; call ahead for details on t 22 46 85 73 or check out the website. To reach the museum take the T-bane to Frøen station.

Surrounded by forest and fjord, Oslo is very much an outdoor city, offering a wide range of sports and outdoor pursuits. In summer, locals take to the hills to hike the network of trails that lattice the forests and lakes of the Nordmarka, where many also try their hand at a little freshwater fishing , while others head out to the offshore islets of the Oslofjord to sunbathe and swim . In winter, the cross-country ski routes of the Nordmarka are especially popular, as is downhill skiing. Indeed skiing is such an integral part of winter life here that the T-bane carriages all have ski racks. Every winter, from November to March, a floodlit skating rink , Narvisen, is created in front of the Stortinget, beside Karl Johans gate. Admission is free and you can rent skates on the spot at reasonable rates. The tourist office also has the details of all sorts of other winter fun in the Nordmarka – from tobogganing and horse-drawn sleigh rides to guided winter walks .

Discover more places in Norway

  • Central Oslo
  • The Nordmarka
  • The Bygdøy peninsula
  • The islands of the inner Oslofjord
  • The Oslofjord

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  3. 10 TOP Things to Do in Oslo (2020 Activity Guide)

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  4. Oslo Attractions Map

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  5. Ultimate Guide to Oslo

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  6. 12 Top Tourist Attractions in Oslo, Norway

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  1. Things to do in Oslo

  2. Oslo, Norway

  3. TOP 10 Places to visit in Norway

  4. Oslo City Discovery: A Scenic Bus Tour Through Norway's Capital 4K HDR

  5. Top 10 Reasons to Visit Oslo: From Vikings to Modern Marvels

  6. XP Guide

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  1. Oslo, Norway

    Visit Oslo is your guide to a city break in Oslo, the vibrant and green capital of Norway. Explore the city's attractions, activities, and culture, or enjoy the nature and scenery around. Whether you are looking for horseback riding, airport transfer, natural history museum, or restaurants and bars, you will find something for everyone in Oslo.

  2. Oslo Guide 2024

    The free Oslo Guide brochure is available in 5 languages and available at Oslo Visitor Centre and hotels in Oslo, and online. ... The tourist information's call centre +47 23 10 62 00 Mon-Fri 10am-12pm; 12:45pm-15.00pm closed 12.00pm-12.45pm More about Oslo Visitor Centre.

  3. Oslo Travel Guide (Updated 2024)

    Oslo Travel Guide. The picturesque, cosmopolitan city of Oslo is the capital of Norway. Located in the southeast corner of the country, this coastal city is bursting with greenery and outdoor activities, cool museums, lots of art, amazing seafood, and more. Oslo makes for an excellent base to explore southern Norway as well as a fun weekend ...

  4. Oslo

    The complete guide to Oslo. Go for a stroll in lively neighbourhoods and explore everything from innovative architecture and world-class museums to hip bars and heavenly eateries. Explore the city.

  5. Oslo travel

    Oslo Opera House Guided Tours. Opera House & Bjørvika. In Norwegian, English or German, these tours take you into some of the building's 1100 rooms. The guide will explain the symbolism of the building, and…

  6. Ultimate Guide to Oslo

    Norway's climate is mild but unpredictable. It experiences snow along the coast, with chillier weather in its inland regions. In summer, temperatures rise to an easy 18 degrees Celsius. If you're visiting for the region's natural heritage, Oslo's landscape breaks into sparkling colour between May and June.

  7. Your city guide to Oslo

    The capital of Oslo is one of Europe's fastest-growing cities. International media is constantly writing about Oslo's innovative architecture, museums, and neighbourhoods, as well as everything that moves on the food, fashion, art, and music scenes. Over the last few years, several new quarters have been established in the city centre, with ...

  8. Oslo Travel Guide

    Local trains and airport buses will also take you around Oslo and the outskirts. Though not a highly populated city, Oslo covers a lot of ground. The city is walkable but also offers the standard transportation options (metro, tram, bus) as well as bike rentals—Oslo's version of London's Boris Bikes. You can use the same ticket on all ...

  9. Oslo, Norway: coolest things to do

    Oslo: the new capital of Scandi cool. Norway's capital has come out of the cold to join the ranks of cool Scandi cities creating a buzz with their exciting design, culture and food scenes. By Rick Jordan. 22 November 2017. The heat in the sauna is stupefying. The air shimmers. My bones shimmer. My two companions tell me about a sauna boat up in ...

  10. 18 Best Things to Do in Oslo

    This does not affect the quality or independence of our editorial content. Ranking of the top 18 things to do in Oslo. Travelers favorites include #1 Oslo Fjord, #2 Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken ...

  11. Oslo Travel Guide

    Get information on Oslo Travel Guide - Expert Picks for your Vacation hotels, restaurants, entertainment, shopping, sightseeing, and activities. Read the Fodor's reviews, or post your own.

  12. Oslo Travel Guide

    1. Sentrum: Waterside Wonders. Oslo's greatest attractions are all within walking distance, on the cobbled streets of the charming city center. Near the contemporary Central Station, the 17th-century Oslo Cathedral stands out on a lively public square. Wander towards the water where the medieval Akershus Fortress introduces the saga of the ...

  13. Oslo, Norway

    Official travel guide for Oslo with updated info on hotels and accommodation, map, tourist information, congress, attractions, activities and concerts.

  14. The locals' guide to Oslo: top insider tips

    Hindsbo's tips for cultural experiences in Oslo. Culture by the Oslofjord: Many of Oslo's most exciting cultural attractions can be found along the harbour promenade, a five-kilometre stretch that runs from Filipstad to Sørenga. A few highlights to explore are the MUNCH, the modern art museum Astrup Fearnley, Oslo City Hall, Oslo Opera ...

  15. 43 Great Things to do in Oslo, Norway [A Local's Guide]

    Quick Oslo Travel Guide. Where to stay: My absolute favorite hotel in Oslo is Amerikalinjen, but I also love the luxury of the Grand.Oslo is an expensive city, but there are some budget-friendly options such as CityBox and Comfort Xpress.. Where to eat: Oslo is home to a haven of great restaurants.Personal favorites include Villa Paradiso in the Grünerløkka neighbourhood, Kverneriet in ...

  16. 17 Top-Rated Attractions & Places to Visit in Oslo

    The City Sightseeing Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Tour is the perfect way to visit Oslo's top tourist attractions and includes an on-board commentary by a knowledgeable guide. This 24-hour pass allows access to 18 major sights, including the National Theater , Vigeland Sculpture Park , the Viking Ship Museum , and Oslo Cruise Ship Terminal , ensuring ...

  17. Oslo Travel Guide

    Don't forget your Oslo Pass This timed card, which costs 210 to 745 kroner ($25 to $89) per person, covers travel on all public transit (excluding airport routes), admission to 30 attractions and ...

  18. Oslo's 10 top attractions

    Oslo's most visited tourist attractions - info about the most popular ... Practical information Map Oslo Guide. About VisitOSLO About VisitOSLO Contact us About the website ... Saturday 10am-3pm Sunday closed. The tourist information's call centre +47 23 10 62 00 Mon-Fri 10am-12pm; 12:45pm-15.00pm closed 12.00pm-12.45pm More about Oslo ...

  19. The Ultimate Travel Guide to Oslo

    The best time to visit Oslo. Temperatures in Oslo are the most pleasant during May, June, July, August and September. If you want to explore the city comfortably, any of these months are ideal times to visit. The peak of summer sees almost 20 hours of sunlight, yet the highest average temperatures are only around 20 to 22°C.

  20. Oslo

    The Oslo City Walks are run on a regular basis. Every Saturday, Sunday, and Monday you can explore our growing city with an authorized Oslo Guide (except May 17th, Dec 24th and 25th). Choose between "In the heart of Oslo" on Saturdays at 2 pm, "Historic River Walk" on Sundays at 2 pm or "The city of contrasts" on Mondays at 5 pm.

  21. Oslo Visitor Centre

    Oslo's tourist information centre is open 365 days a year! You'll find us outside the central station. Info on opening hours, services. ... We have free city maps, bicycle maps, the Oslo Guide, and brochures for activities, attractions and sightseeing tours. Postcards and gifts We sell Oslo postcards, and beautiful handmade gifts from the ...

  22. Oslo and the Oslofjord Travel Guide

    No argument, Oslo is one of Europe's most amenable capitals, a vibrant, self-confident city with a relaxed and easy-going air, its handsome centre set between the rippling waters of the Oslofjord and the green, forested hills of the interior. Yet Oslo's confidence is new-found: for much of its history, the city was something of a poor relation to the other Scandinavian capitals, Stockholm ...