15 Best Things to Do in Oslo, Norway

If you’re planning a trip to Norway, you’ll likely find yourself arriving into the country in its capital, Oslo. This stunning city is the primary jumping off point for exploring this stunning country. Let’s dive into the best things to do in Oslo, Norway to help you kick off your trip planning!

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How to Spend Your Time in Oslo: Best Things to Do

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Oslo is a thriving capital offering museums, a royal palace, amazing architecture, delicious food, and more! You’ll find there’s no shortage of activities in Oslo to keep you busy, but you will have trouble determining how to spend your limited time.

Here’s what to do in Oslo, Norway to optimize your time in the city, focusing on 15 of the best places and experiences to explore.

1. Climb the Norwegian National Ballet & Opera House

One of the best activities in Oslo is to visit the architectural masterpiece that is the Oslo Opera House. This 1,364 seat opera house is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. It was built out of Italian marble and white granite with a slanted roof you’re allowed to climb. At the top, you’re rewarded with beautiful views of Oslofjord, the main fjord in Oslo.

If you visit Oslo in winter, it’s a great challenge to climb to the top as it will likely be covered in ice and snow. However, it’s also a great place to watch people skiing down the roof.  What other city lets you ski down their opera house roof?! Don’t miss this unique opportunity!

2. Stroll Down Karl Johans Gata

If you thought Karl Johans Gata was a gate, you would be wrong, like me. Karl Johans Gata is the main pedestrian street in Oslo. It runs from Central Station up to the Royal Palace and is the best place to experience the thriving city center of Oslo.

Karl Johans is home to tons of shops, restaurants, and gypsies who want to “ask you a question”. Meander down this central street to admire the constant bustling of local life in Oslo, Norway.

3. Tour the Royal Palace

Being a European city, Oslo has also has a Royal Palace, a as you know if a city has a royal palace, you have to check it out. It’s pretty much part of the tourist rule book, swiftly followed by, “and see the changing of the guards”. Fortunately, you’ll be able to do both in Oslo.

The changing of the guards in Oslo happens at 1:30 pm daily and lasts about 40 minutes. In the summer, the Royal Palace is also open for tours – so check those two activities off your tourist bingo card! After all, it is one of the biggest Oslo attractions.

4. Admire Frogner Park’s Sculptures

One of the can’t miss activities in Oslo is visiting the famous Frogner Park, which is perhaps better known as Vigeland Sculpture Park or even Vigeland Museum. This park holds the claim to fame of being the largest sculpture park featuring a single artist, Gustav Vigeland in this case.

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is quite a feast for the eyes offering over 200 stone and bronze sculptures, mostly depicting humans in all kinds of positions.  It is one of the “must sees” of Oslo, and best of all, it’s free to visit!

5. Cruise the Oslofjord

Norway is famous for its fjords, and while Bergen is the fjord capital of Norway, Oslo has its own fjord worth visiting. Oslofjord is 100km long and one of the most scenic parts of Oslo offering colorful houses along the coastline.

In the summer in Oslo, you can go swimming, kayaking, and hiking around Oslofjord, while in the winter the fjord can become quite cold and even icy. No matter what time of year you visit Oslo, you should be able to cruise Oslofjord. In fact, a fjord cruise is the number one tour in Oslo!

It’s recommended to book your fjord tour in advance or you can try stopping by Pier 3 near City Hall to catch a boat once you’re there. If you’re lucky, they’ll have availability!

You can also choose from fjord cruises with evening buffets or opt for a lunch cruise if you’d prefer!

6. Meander through Aker Brygge Wharf

Most of Norway has real historic European charm, however the Aker Brygge Wharf area is a single peninsula overlooking the Oslo Harbor featuring giant modern buildings. In this popular district in Oslo, you’ll find endless restaurants and indoor shopping areas all connected by automatic opening doors.

While in a pastlife, Aker Brygge was a shipyard, Akers Mekaniske Verksted, it has undergone complete renovation to become an attraction with a sea-front boardwalk. Throughout the year this boardwalk sees over 12 million visitors.

During the summer, it is bustling with activity, but even with snow on the ground, most of the restaurants offer outdoor seating areas, complete with heating lamps and blankets and furs to help keep their patrons warm! In fact, Aker Brygge’s restaurants offer over 2,500 outdoor seats to admire the harbor from!

It’s a great place to wine and dine yourself during your trip to Oslo. Just remember the prices will be high, like the rest of Norway.

While you’re exploring Aker Brygge, stop by the nearby Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park located near the Astrup Fearnley Museum. Both were designed by Renzo Piano, a world-renowned architect!

Read about the cost of Norway and more in: 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Norway.

7. Explore Akershus Fortress

Sitting on top of a hill overlooking the Oslofjord and harbor, the Akershus Fortress offers great views of the city. Built back in the 13th century, this fortress features the main gates, the cannons, and numerous towers, barracks, and more to explore. It easily ranks on the “Best of Oslo” list and should not be missed!

Also located on the grounds is the Museum of the Norwegian Resistance or Norges Hjemmefrontmuseum. This museum in Oslo covers the German occupation of Norway back in 1940 – 1945. Spend a morning or afternoon exploring both of these as they are top attractions in Oslo.

8. Stop by Oslo City Hall (Radhuset)

Perhaps my favorite place in Oslo is City Hall. It is breathtakingly beautiful and holds a ton of history.

Oslo City Hall is where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented annually. It also offers a gorgeous main room with patterned marble floors and colorful murals on all walls with a grand staircase to one side.

Upon going up the stairs, you are greeted by another series of rooms with colorful murals which represent Norwegian folklore, history, and sometimes modern day.

If you want to learn more about the Nobel Peace Prize, visit the Nobel Peace Center museum in Oslo. It is located in City Hall Square.

9. Check Out Oslo Cathedral

While not as ornate as many cathedrals in Europe, the Oslo Cathedral is worth a stop as you explore Oslo. Previously known as Our Savior’s Church, the Oslo Cathedral is the primary church for the Church of Norway Diocese of Oslo.

The church has been rebuilt and renovated many times, but the current church was first consecrated in 1697. Present day it is used by the Norwegian Government and Royal Family for public events

Make sure to go inside to check out the impressive altar featuring a Last Supper painting, admire the stained glass, and take note of the fabulous organ.

It’s a simple and quick stop on your Oslo tour, but it offers a very different perspective to Norwegian architecture.

10. Be Awed by the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Ski Jump

Located just outside of the Oslo city limits, you can visit the Holmenkollen, a massive ski jump. Originally built back in 1892, it has been expanded multiple times to grow from 20 meters to the 140 meters that it is today.

As a non-skier, I determined Norwegians must be insane to jump off of this thing! It’s very intense and yet fun to watch people ski it. You can take guided tours of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump and its Jump Tower Observation Deck.

Note that Holmenkollen is also a great place to find views over the city! Treat yourself to a snack or drink from the cafe and settle in to enjoy the views and watch the skiers.

11. Do a Norwegian Food Tour

While food is pricey in Norway, you’ll have to try the local food! One of the best ways to do this is to join a Oslo Street Food Culture Walking Tour. These tours offer you a crash course in street cuisine including many of the city’s hidden gems and special flavors.

You’ll be able to explore some of the most cultural parts of Norway by tasting authentic Oslo food and drinks while exploring one of Oslo’s most popular areas and the street art scene. Try Norwegian waffles, typical soft drinks in Norway, Norwegian hot dogs, and more!

Want to tour the food of Norway on your own? Stop by the first food hall in Oslo, Mathallen Food Hall. It offers 27 different eateries. Try one, or try them all! It’s the perfect place to taste some delicious Norwegian food.

If you have the craving for a drink, I recommend you also visit the basement pub, Smelteverket, to have a beer at Norway’s longest bar.

12. Experience the Natural Beauty of Oslo

Norway is a beautiful country and Oslo is no exception. From the famous Oslofjord that we touched on above to the stunning coast, you’ll want to get out and explore the natural beauty of Norway!

One of the best ways to do this is to take an Island Hopping Tour from Oslo. It enables you to get our and see the coastal scenery by exploring 3 of the areas most famous islands: Hovedøya (the “Main Island”), Lindøya, and Gressholmen.

You’ll find ruins from a 1,000 year old abbey to hidden beaches, seaside cliffs, small seaside summer villages, and more! It’s no doubt one of the best experiences in Oslo!

13. Try Brunost or Brown Cheese

A staple in Norwegian kitchens, is brown cheese, and you have to try it while in Norway. If you’re wondering why it’s called brown cheese, it’s made of whey, milk, and cream, and the Norwegian name for “whey cheese” is brown cheese. The more you know….

Anyway, brown cheese is often eaten as part of breakfast or even as a snack. It’s said to have similarities to dulce de leche based on the flavor and color, but try it for yourself to find out. You’ll either love it or hate it!

To taste it, simply slice a thin piece and place it on top of buttered toast or warm waffles. I personally can’t say that I enjoyed the flavor… and I love cheese!

14. Visit Oslo’s Many Museums

There are dozens of museums in Oslo, and there’s at least one that will interest you! Whether you’re looking to learn about Norway’s viking past, polar exploration, history, art, or more – there’s literally a museum for everyone!

As a bonus, many national museums in Oslo offer free admission days. Just ask around to find out if there is a free museum day while you’re there!

Here are some of the best things to do in Oslo when it comes to museums:

• Explore the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo which is dedicated to their Viking past. It features some of the best preserved viking ships in the world.

• Check out the Fram Museum, which is focused on Norwegian Polar Exploration including featuring 2 actual ships to explore!

• Stop by the Kon Tiki Museum to learn about Thor Heyerdahl’s life’s work, from his first trip to Fatu Hiva, to the voyages with the Kon–Tiki, the Ra, the Ra II, and beyond.

• Tour the Norsk Folkemuseum to learn how people lived in Norway from 1500 to the present. You’ll find over 160 historic buildings throughout this Open-Air Museum that show you how people live throughout the country. Don’t miss the Stave Church from Gol.

• Admire Astrup Fearnley Museet, one of Scandinavia’s most notable contemporary art museums in Oslo.

• Immerse yourself in art at the National Gallery. It features mostly traditional art, including some Picassos, Monets, and of course Norway’s very own Edvard Munch. This is also home to Munch’s famous “The Scream” painting.

• Continue your art education at The Museum of Contemporary Art, The Museum of Architecture, Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, and Munch Museum.

15. Enjoy the Botanical Gardens at the Natural History Museum

The Botanical Garden in Oslo is Norway’s oldest botanical garden. First established in 1814 by the University of Oslo, it continues to thrive today with over 5,500 plant types from around the world! These plants are divided into thematic gardens, including two greenhouses, and is free to visit.

The Botanical Garden is considered an important recreational area in Oslo and is actively used for education, outreach, and research. In fact, the Botanical Garden is considered one of many exhibitions at the Oslo Natural History Museum, which makes it easy to add this beautiful adventure to your time at the museum.

You’ll also want to take a look at the Geological Museum and Zoological Museum – additional exhibitions at the Natural History Museum. You’ll see a lot in a short period of time!

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How to Make the Most of Your Time in Oslo

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Trying to fit all of the top things to do in Oslo into one visit will be a challenge, so you’ll have to strategize to make the most of your time to efficiently explore the city. There are a few prime options to work with.

Use the Visit Oslo Pass to Save on the Price of Attractions

One of the best values for taking in the best experiences in Oslo is to purchase the Visit Oslo Pass. It is valid for admission to 30 attractions in Oslo, and also provides discounts to other attractions and tours, including unlimited use of public transportation. Select a 24, 36 or 72 hour pass.

Get Directly to the Tourist Sights with the Hop-On Hop-Off Bus

Choose a 24-hour bus pass that allows you to hop on and off the tourist bus making it easy to get around and see the best of Oslo. It also includes on-board commentary so you can learn more about the city while you ride.

Bonus: If you buy the 72-hour Visit Oslo Pass, you will get a Hop-On Hop-Off ticket included!

Take a Guided Tour around Oslo

Limited on time or don’t want to wander the city alone? There are a whole slew of tours available to make the most of your time in Oslo. Choose from private Oslo tours with a local guide, bike tours, guided walking tours, panoramic sightseeing tours, and even island hopping tours!

Here are some of the best tours available.

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Where to Stay Overnight in Oslo

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There are three key parts of Oslo: Sentrum, Eastside, and Westside. Each one hosts some of the above top activities in Oslo, but the Sentrum area is the best part of town to stay in as a tourist. It is home to the historical center of Oslo, is walkable to the train station and to the Eastside and Westside, and is remarkably safe.

Here are some awesome recommendations for Oslo hotels as you explore the city:

• Luxury Hotels: Hotel Continental, Hotel Bristol, or Amerikalinjen
• Mid-Range Hotels: Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, or Camillas Hus 
• Budget Hotels: Citybox Oslo, Hotell Bondeheimen, or Park Inn by Radisson
• Hostels: Anker Hostel or Saga Hotel Oslo Central

Learn more about Where to Stay in Oslo, Norway: The Best Hotels & Areas.

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FAQs about Visiting Oslo, Norway

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We’ve taken a look at the best things to do in Oslo, how to get around Oslo, and even where to stay in Oslo, but there are still a lot of lingering questions. Here are some of the most common.

How many days do you need in Oslo?

If you’re a museum lover, you could easily spend a week in Oslo. Otherwise, a solid 3 days should suffice to take in the top attractions in Oslo. Then, I recommend headed out to the fjords, mountains, and West coast of Norway.

Not convinced you need to head east?
Check out the 21 Best Things to Do in Bergen, Norway

Is Oslo worth visiting?

Yes, Oslo is worth visiting. It is a unique and beautiful city offering amazing architecture, culture, scenery and more. Make sure to spend at least a couple of days checking out some of the best Oslo attractions before setting off to explore more of Norway and beyond.

What is Oslo famous for?

Known by locals as “The Tiger City”, Oslo is best known for its Viking and nautical history. It’s also home to lots of museums, awesome seafood, and of course the Nobel Peace Prize.

Is Oslo expensive?

Oslo is 100% expensive. You’ll find a cup of coffee can cost $5 or more, a beer can cost $10+, and your typical meal will likely run $25+. Don’t let that dissuade you from visiting though. There are plenty of ways to help budget your trip.

Learn how to save more while traveling with these 44 Money Saving Tips!

Can you see the Northern Lights in Oslo?

Typically, you cannot see the Northern lights from Oslo. If they are high on your Norwegian bucket list, you will want to head to the far north of Norway in Tromso to increase your odds of seeing this natural wonder.

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Continue Planning Your Trip to Norway

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Now that you know what to do in Oslo, it’s time to continue your planning! Norway is one of the most unique places to explore in Europe, offering remote fishing villages to epic hikes, dramatic fjords, and more.

Read on to learn more about Norway to make your trip amazing.

• Where to Stay in Oslo, Norway: The Best Hotels & Areas
• 10 Things You Need to Know Before Visiting Norway
• Do It Yourself “Norway in a Nutshell” Tour
• 11 Things to Know Before Visiting Bergen, Norway
• Where to Stay in Bergen, Norway: Best Areas and Hotels
• How to Spend Two Days in Bergen, Norway: The Perfect Two Day Itinerary
• 21 Best Things to Do in Bergen, Norway
• 8 Amazing Places to Stay in Tromso: Hotels for Your Bucket List

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