Things to see and do on your trip to Oslo?

To be honest, Oslo is not the most beautiful city in Norway, a country whose main attraction has always been its wilderness, fjords and forests. However, as the country’s capital, Oslo has a great story to tell as well as being a cultural reference point. In this post we tell you all about what to see in Oslo and much more, including where to eat and stay, the best way to get there and many other travel tips.

What are the best places to visit in Oslo, Norway?

One of the advantages of the city is that it’s not particularly large and you’ll find it easy to get around in a short time. We recommend taking a guided tour to learn more about its history and not miss any details. Tours can be on foot, by bike or tourist bus, and are available in several languages. You can also organise your own itinerary, so here’s a list of the must-see sights in Oslo.

1. Parks to see in Oslo

There are three main parks to see in Oslo: the Botanical Gardens, Vigeland Park, and the Ekebergparken sculpture park. Vigeland Park is probably the most impressive as it features more than 200 outdoor sculptures in bronze, granite and wrought iron. Admission is free and it is open daily from 10:00h to 18:00h.

The Ekebergparken sculpture park is built on the famous hill where Oslo was founded. There you will also find sculptures by famous artists such as Dalí and Botero. And if you have time, we also recommend you to visit the botanical garden, which has more than 7500 different species of plants and is a very pleasant place to disconnect from the hustle and bustle of the city.

2. Oslo’s opera house, a symbol of the city

The Oslo Opera House has become a symbol of the city with its modern architecture that contrasts with the rest of the buildings. From the observation deck the views of the Oslo Fjord and the city are breathtaking, and it’s also worth visiting the inside of the building to appreciate the architectural work.

3. Museums to see in Oslo

As the administrative and cultural capital of the country, it’s no surprise that Oslo has a large number of museums. Some of them are more traditional, such as the Viking Ship Museum and the Norwegian Folk Museum, while others are more famous, such as the National Gallery, the Munch Museum and the Museum of Contemporary Art.

The National Gallery is open daily from 10:00 am to 6:00 pm and admission is free. There you can see works by famous artists from the 19th century to the present day. The Museum of Contemporary Art is open every day except Mondays, and admission is free on Thursdays. It is also interesting to visit the Munch Museum, which, in addition to unpublished works, houses a large collection of the artist’s personal belongings.

4. The Royal Palace, a must-see in Oslo

The neoclassical Royal Palace, built in the 19th century, is one of the most interesting buildings to see in Oslo. To learn more about its history and visit the rooms inside you can book guided tours, which last about an hour and cost 140kr.

On your visit you can also stroll through the surrounding gardens, and don’t miss the changing of the guard, which takes place every day at 13:30.

Travel Tip: To organize your trip we recommend using Passporter totally free. You can be inspired by the experiences of other travelers, choose the places that interest you most, create the travel route with a geolocated map, upload all important documents such as reservations and invite your friends so that everyone can participate in the organization of the trip.

What to do around Oslo?

Around Oslo there are a variety of excursions that can be done in one or two days. Less than two hours away are Akershus, Østfold, Vestfold and Hedmark, which are charming towns and cities surrounded by nature. The best thing is that they are also very well connected to the capital.

1. The fortress of Akershus

A 45-minute drive from Oslo takes you to one of the country’s most visited sights. It’s a well-preserved medieval fortress built by the sea and is open to visitors every day free of charge. Inside, it houses the Resistance Museum (during World War II) and the Defence Museum, which tells the country’s military history from the time of the Vikings.

You can also visit the various rooms of the castle, such as the halls, the dungeons and the crypt. Something to highlight in the great contrast that presents its sober exterior with the luxury and grandeur of the rooms inside. It is definitely an obligatory stop on a trip to Oslo, Norway.

2. Fredrikstad

Fredrikstad is a beautiful medieval fortified town that still retains one of the best preserved fortresses in Europe. Inside the castle is a museum with a history of the town and there are also ghost-themed guided tours. Admission is 90 kr.

At the town itself you can also take the ferry to the Hvaler Islands, where you can enjoy a wide range of outdoor activities. Remember, though, that in winter there are very few daylight hours in Norway, so if you’re travelling during this time of year, make your plans with this in mind.

3. Verdens ende

Verdens ende, which means “end of a lot”, is one of the best viewpoints in Norway. Surrounded by a landscape of fjords and gentle hillsides, this place offers a wide variety of activities such as fishing, hiking along the coast or bathing in the fjord. You should also visit Åsgårdstrand, a beautiful house where the painter Edvard Munch used to spend his summers. In the area we also recommend a stop for lunch at one of the seaside restaurants.

What to see in Oslo in 1 day?

It’s difficult to see the whole city in one day because, as we’ve already seen, the museums alone could take you a week. However, with a bit of organisation you will be able to visit the main sights in Oslo. Here is our recommended itinerary.

To start with, it’s best to book a guided tour that will take you through the main streets and show you the most famous buildings such as the opera house, or the town hall. The Royal Palace is also a must-see, and as for museums, although it depends on your taste, the best are the National Gallery and the Museum of Contemporary Art, where you can’t miss Munch’s Scream. It is also highly recommended to visit the Ekebergparken sculpture park and Vigeland, where they organise activities for children.

Best restaurants in Oslo, Norway

There is a wide variety of restaurants in Oslo where you can eat well, but it’s hard to eat cheaply. That’s why we’ve put together this list with a few suggestions. However, bear in mind that Norwegian cuisine is not particularly varied, so it’s more common to eat in international restaurants than traditional ones.

• Kaffebrenneriet:is one of the city’s best cafés where you can have breakfast or a mid-afternoon snack, as well as a sandwich or pasta dish for less than €5
• Bagel & Juice: It’s a simple place where you can eat bagels with different fillings for €3. It’s one of the cheapest options.
• Illegal Burger: At this burger joint you’ll get some of the best burgers in town for around €10. The quality is reflected in the fact that the burger joint is always frequented by locals.
• Kebabs: Kebabs or falafel are another affordable, high-quality option. The international influence in some neighbourhoods has led to top quality restaurants such as King Falafel or Gazakjøkken.

Where to stay in Oslo?

In Oslo there are several areas to stay in depending on what you are looking for. The parliament quarter, for example, is the most luxurious and therefore the most expensive area. On the other hand, Oslo’s opera district is one of the best options as it’s central but not too expensive. If you move away from the city centre you will find more affordable accommodation, such as in the neighbourhood of Ankerbrua. Here are some suggestions for good accommodation in the city.

• Anker Appartment Oslo: is a simple, clean apartment complex 15 minutes from the centre. All have kitchen and bathroom facilities and varying capacities. Prices start at €25 per night.
• Oslo Hostel Ronningen is a modern and well-kept hostel with rooms for sharing or families. They have a cafeteria and common areas such as a kitchen.
• Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel: one of Oslo’s most luxurious hotels. Rooms are modern and include a swimming pool, spa, fitness room and restaurant. Prices start at €300 per night.
• Hotel Montebello: it’s a simple hotel, well-connected to the centre, and has very affordable prices compared to the rest of the city. The price per night is around €130.

How to get to Oslo, Norway?

Oslo is home to the country’s main airport, Oslo Gardermoen Airport, so it’s easy to travel from the main Spanish cities. Once at the airport there are several options for getting to the city centre, which is 50km away.

• NSB train: This is the cheapest option. The journey takes 20 minutes and the train, with destination Oslo Central Station, can be taken from any of the terminals. However, there’s no space for luggage and it’s very crowded at rush hour.
• Flytoget train Flytoget: is another faster train than the previous one as it doesn’t make any intermediate stops, but goes directly to the central station. The ticket costs €20.
•  Bus: The bus costs about €18 and takes about 1h as it makes several stops. The good thing is that it can take you closer to your accommodation. These are the lines that leave from the airport: FB1, FB2, FB3 and FB11.
• Taxi: This is the most comfortable way, but also the most expensive. The journey takes almost 40 minutes and the price is €75.
• Hiring a car: is another feasible option, but count on having somewhere to park at your accommodation. And if you’re not leaving the city, it’s not worth it.

Travel tips for your trip to Oslo

• The best time to go to Oslo is from May to September, as temperatures are warmer.
• Tap water is safe to drink throughout the country.
• Alcohol can only be bought in specialised “Vinmonopolet” shops with very limited opening hours.
• If you’re travelling by private car, be aware that there are many toll roads. Be sure to check before you set off on your journey.
• The official currency of Oslo is the Norwegian krone.
• We recommend that you exchange money before you set off on your trip, as it will be cheaper.
• As European citizens, we don’t need a visa to enter the country either, just an ID card or passport is enough.
• Be covered for medical emergencies: travel insured.

How to plan your trip to Oslo?

Sign up or download the Passporter App and discover all its possibilities.

• Get inspired by the experiences of other travellers.
• Create your own itinerary and add suggestions from the app to it.
• Add the stops you’re most interested in, as well as the restaurants and bars where you want to eat (you can use the points of interest listed in this post as a reference).
• Organise your itinerary by route days according to their location on the map (you can take inspiration from the routes we presented in the post)
• Check out the travel budget that the app calculates for you based on your travel stops, restaurants, and leisure activities.
• Make any modifications you need to make, and you’re all set for your trip.
• Share your experience. Upload photos of places you visited on your trip to the app and recommend other travellers what to see in Oslo, Norway.

Frequently asked questions when travelling to Oslo, Norway