OSLO Visit Ideas
Located on the edge of a fjord and surrounded by wooded hills, Norway's capital offers something for everyone: museums, parks, restaurants and activities, there's lots to see and do during your stay in Oslo. The Central Train Station is the most direct link from the OSL airport with a number of accommodation options within a short walk. To get a bit of fresh air and sense of the harbor, head to the iconic Oslo Opera House, famously built to offer access to everyone. You'll often find people relaxing on it's steps and you may even catch a rehearsal through the large windows.
Follow your senses to discover a variety of shops and restaurants. The Mathallen indoor food market is a great spot to find a warm meal and is a favorite hangout for locals. Norway is know for it's coffee consumption and a local cafe might be just what you need to stay awake. To get some greenery, the Royal Palace grounds offer relaxed walking paths close to the city center.
You have more than one afternoon to spend in Oslo? Many of the ferries are closed during the winter, but you can still discover Norway's maritime culture at the Viking Ship Museum - one of Oslo's most popular attractions. The Fram, Kon-Tiki and Norwegian Maritime museums are also just a short walk away. On your way back to town, take a stroll through the Vigeland sculpture garden in Frogner Park. Gustav Vigeland, Norway's most renown sculptor wanted his work to be timeless, so beware -- you won't find his subjects wearing any clothing. If you wish to use public transportation and visit several museums, you may consider purchasing the Oslo Pass, which includes public transportation and museum access.
If you want to dive into the culture and history of Oslo, a walking tour through the city is a great choice. There are many places to go and see. Maybe one of our recommendations suits your interests.
Oslo City Walk - Downtown
This rather short city walk takes you through Oslo’s downtown, where you can enjoy several highlights of the city. Start your walk at the Royal Palace of Oslo and learn about Norwegian history or enjoy the beautiful park around the palace. Your next stop is the magnificent building of the National Theater with the Ibsen statue in front of it. Continue your tour past Oslo University, en route to Stortinget - the Norwegian Parliament. Don’t miss the picturesque Domkirke before ending your trip at Oslo Central Station. The Domkirke Cathedral is open every day from 10 AM to 4 PM, except Fridays (open from 4 PM until Saturday morning 6 AM).
The walk is a short 2 km stroll and takes around 45 mins with no longer stops.
Oslo City Walk - Harbor Promenade
A walk along Oslo’s new harbor promenade is a great experience for any day. You will be able to experience the perfect mix between soothing nature, world-class architecture, culture and local food. Along the whole promenade, orange towers were put up to lead the way. They are decorated and also give you information about the attractions in the area.
You can start the tour on either side. Sørenga is a good place to begin with, as it rewards you with great views to the city and the fjord. Walk along the water and onto the pedestrian bridge leading towards the Opera to get an even better view of the city. You’ll get to a little island called “Sukkerbiten” (en: the sugar cube). Here you can check out Oslo Fjord Garden, also known as “The Dome”. Before you continue your tour to the Opera house, check out the Munch Museum. Edvard Munch is one of Norway's most famous painters, best known for "The Scream." We also recommend to check out the rooftop bar “Kranen” in the same building for a panoramic view over the city. Or you can grab a delicious coffee and handmade donuts at Talormade before you keep moving. Now you’re ready to take a closer look at the National Opera, Deichman Library and the high-rises known as Barcode. Take some time to explore these architectural gems and enjoy the view from the Opera roof. Your next stop is a pier called Langkaia with its nomadic art project SALT. This is the perfect area to dive into Norwegian culture and enjoy some music, art, and food. As you continue your walk along the promenade your tour will get a bit of a historic flair. You will see the Akershus Fortress and Castle, Oslo City Hall, the Nobel Peace Center, and the new National Museum. Next up is Tyjuvholmen, another rather new neighborhood of Oslo. If you’re interested in architecture, this is a great place to explore current trends and check out the art galleries at Astrup Fearnley Museet. If you still have some energy, you can continue your tour along the waterfront towards Kongen Marina, a beach club, bar & restaurant with a unique floating sauna. The perfect place to enjoy a nice dinner surrounded by pleasant colors and cheerful people.
From Sørenga to Astrup Fearnley Museet is about a 4 kilometer walk, so make sure you plan enough time for this and put on some comfortable shoes. Without stops this tour takes about 1 hour. Alternately, choose to split the tour and do it on multiple days or only go for a section of it. Either way, it’s worth checking it out any time of the year!
If you want to learn more about Norwegian history, culture, or art: here you can find a full list of Oslo’s Museums.
Several publications also recommend itineraries for spending time in Oslo:
Your hotel is also an excellent resource for recommendations during your visit. Enjoy!
Please additionally note that in Oslo, most shops are closed on Sundays. However, souvenir shops are usually open. Thursday is generally the day for evening shopping. Shops, especially shopping centres and souvenir shops have extended opening hours until 7 or 9 PM.