Are you looking at travel to Norway? The chances are you will pass through the capital city of Oslo. But there are many cool things to do in Oslo that make it well worth a proper stop on your Norway itinerary.
Norway’s capital has grand architecture, an artsy undercurrent and easy access to pristine nature. There is history of Viking’s, lush green parks, art museums and sights to see. Plus, all kinds of new foods that warrant a spot on your edible bucket list!
Here are details about travel in Norway and the top things to do in Oslo.
- Travel to Norway
- About Oslo
- Best time to visit?
- Getting there
- Getting around
- How long do you need?
- Things to do in Oslo
- Food to try in Norway
- Where to stay
- More about travel in Europe
Travel to Norway
Norway is an incredible destination for travel. It is stunning – and so often voted as one of the most beautiful places on earth.
But the capital city Oslo, is a city that takes you by surprise. It’s off the beaten track, making it all the more exciting for adventurous souls like us.
About Oslo
Oslo is definitely worth visiting!
The capital city of Norway is famous for art. But there is much more to the Norwegian capital than art though, with Norway’s vast history showcased through some unique museums, and an archetypal fortress, which towers above the city’s port.
Plus, the incredible parks and beautiful green recreational spaces all around the city.
Our special visit to Oslo, Norway
We were very fortunate to meet up with our dear Norwegian friend, Grete while we were in Norway. Who although is from Oslo, we met while living in Rarotonga in the Cook Islands.
Albeit the Cook Islands is a long way from Oslo and Norway. But Grete has called Rarotonga home for 25 years!
It was extra special for us to visit Grete in Norway and explore all the cool things to do in Oslo together.
What is the best time of year to visit?
The best time to visit Oslo is typically from late spring to early autumn (May – September). It is especially lovely in the city during the summer months of June, July, and August.
This period offers the most pleasant weather for outdoor activities and sightseeing, with temperatures ranging from 16 – 22 degrees Celsius (61-72 degrees Fahrenheit).
We visited Oslo in July and had perfect sunshine and a beautiful temperature to explore.
Getting there
There are direct flights to Norway from many cities around the world. You also have the option of travelling by ship, train, bus, or car.
We took the vehicle ferry from Denmark to Norway. Then after travelling around in Norway we drove back from Oslo to Sweden and crossed the bridge from Sweden to Denmark.
- Read about getting the vehicle ferry from Denmark to Norway.
Getting around in Oslo
Oslo has a very walkable city centre. But like much of northern Europe, the city also has a very well-developed public transport system.
Many central areas in Oslo are traffic-free, which makes the compact city even more walkable. Or it largely doable by bicycle too.
There is a Metro (T-Bane) that connects the city centre with its suburbs and the surrounding area. We used the metro to get from the centre of the city out to Frogner Park.
Taxis and Bolt (like Uber) are options for taxi travel too. Plus, there are trams and buses for shorter distances within the inner city.
Currency and money in Oslo
Norway is a northern European country. But it’s not part of the European Union and therefore they don’t use the Euro.
Rather, Norway has its own currency – the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
There is no need to exchange any money for things to do in Oslo though, since it’s mostly cashless. Everywhere you go you can pay by contactless card or mobile payment apps.
How long do you need?
If you want to enjoy all the top things to do in Oslo, you need to spend 2 to 3 days in the city.
Two days gives you enough time to see the major sites, but we recommend planning for 3 days if you have more time. There are some fabulous parks out of the city or you could take a day trip to the beautiful fjords.
Things to do in Oslo, Norway
It’s not as crowded with tourists as other European cities, so you might need a little guidance. So now, in no particular order – because they are all amazing – here are 14 wonderful things to do in Oslo, Norway.
1. Oslo Waterfront
Havnepromenaden is the harbour promenade by the Bjørvika waterfront, just in front of the famous Oslo Opera House.
This is a great place to start exploring things to do in Oslo. Plus, it is a great place to see the crazy phenomena of people voluntarily jumping into the freezing fjord and climbing back up onto the floating pontoon into the wooden sauna huts!
2. Oslo Opera House
Move over Sydney Opera House – one of the most famous things to do in Oslo is to take in the views from walking ON THE OSLO OPERA HOUSE ROOF!
From the roof you can enjoy the panoramic views of the city and the fjord. The roof is designed to be an accessible public space, and visitors are encouraged to stroll along the sloping surface. How cool is that?!
3. Oslo Library – Deichman Bjørvika
From the Opera House you can also walk to the public library, Deichman Bjørvika.
This is an ultra-modern and uber stylish looking library.
Of course, there are multiple levels stocked high with books in Norwegian and other languages. There are even media workshops, gaming zones, lounges and a restaurant. Plus, from the top floor you have a great view of the Oslo fjord.
4. KOK Floating Sauna
KOK is a floating sauna with two sauna boats, docked directly across from the Oslo Opera House.
If you are brave enough to take a dip in the icy fjord – go for it! Otherwise, it does make for some pretty impressive (and brave) people-watching from the Oslo waterfront.
5. Oslo Tiger
The tiger in front of Oslo Central Station is one of Oslo’s most photographed ‘inhabitants’ – plus it is one of the first things that meet a visitor arriving at Oslo.
The city was referred to as Tigerstaden (the City of Tigers) by the author Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson around 1870. This was supposedly due to his perception of the city as a cold and dangerous place.
But today, the symbolic 4.5m bronze statue of a tiger is one of the iconic things to do in Oslo.
6. Spikersuppa Park
Spikersuppa is actually an ice-skating rink in the middle of Oslo city centre.
However, we visited Oslo in the midst of beautiful July which was bang in the middle of summer. Which is a time of year when the Spikersuppa ice skating rink doubles as a public park – perfect for a traditional Norwegian ice cream Softi!
7. Karl Johan Street
Karl Johans Gate is Oslo’s main thoroughfare. It is the main street in the city, named in honour of King Charles II John (also known as Charles XIV John in Sweden), who was the King of Norway and Sweden from 1818 to 1844.
It is a bustling part of city; kind of like what Times Square is to New York and Oxford Street is to London.
The street leads from the Central Station through the central shopping district and up to the Royal Palace.
8. Royal Palace – Things to do in Oslo
The royal residence at the top of Karl Johans Gate is home to HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja.
The Royal Palace is open to visitors during the summer season, usually beginning in late June and ending in the middle of August.
But did you know that the Royal Palace in Oslo also has a Changing of the Guard ceremony? We were in luck to time our visit perfectly to watch!
9. Princess Ingrid Alexander Sculpture Park
The Princess Ingrid Alexandra Sculpture Park is part of the Palace Park and contains sculptures by – and for – children. This was an unexpected highlight for us of the things to do in Oslo with kids!
The sculpture park was established between 2016 and 2019 as the result of a nationwide competition among 5th and 6th graders.
It is a beautiful park for a wander. It is free to enter, and the park has 12 unique sculptures to see and read about.
10. Untuned Bell
On the Oslo waterfront you can find the mysterious hanging Untuned Bell.
This 1.4-ton bell (from 1949) was removed from the bell tower of Oslo City Hall because it was no longer in tune with the other 48 bells.
Rather than having the bell retuned or recast, but wanting to give it more purpose, the foundry acquiesced to lending the bell to KORO Public Art Norway for an outdoor installation.
Now, the bell hangs in pride of place, un-tuned but unworried, for the world to see and enjoy.
- Tip: See if you can find the cord to pull and sound the Untuned Bell!
11. Akershus Fortress
Akershus Fortress or Akershus Castle is a medieval castle in the Norwegian capital Oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city.
It is another of the great free things to do in Oslo. The fortress area is accessible free of charge and offers beautiful views over the Oslo fjord and the trendy Aker Brygge harbour district.
The fortress has withstood many sieges and served as a prison for a period of time. It remains a military area today but is open to the public for daily tours in the summer months. The views are impressive of the harbour!
12. Frogner Park
Frogner Park is the biggest park in Oslo, and open for free to the public all year round.
It covers 45 hectares – so it is massive! But the park is most famous for the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
13. Vigeland Sculpture Park
Now don’t be shy – but on a visit to Frogner Park, one of the other famous things to do in Oslo is to visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park.
At this famous sculpture park in Oslo, you’ll see more than 200 sculptures by the artist Gustav Vigeland – of NAKED people!
The detail in all the sculptures is amazing. There are sculptures of people of all ages, shapes and sizes – from young babies to men and women and older people. The detail is incredible!
One of the most famous statues in the park is known as the ‘Angry Boy’. Though the entire park is worth exploring. It is lined with states, and because there are so many sculptures it makes it the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist!
14. Sognsvann
Sognsvann is a 3.3 km circumference lake just north of Oslo.
It is another is Oslo’s beautiful parks and a popular recreation area with great places for picnics, swimming, fishing, walking and running, as well as cross-country skiing tracks, ice skating and winter sports.
Other things to do in Oslo, Norway
There are many – MANY – other cool things to do in Oslo if you have more time.
- Viking Ship Museum
- Edvard Munch’s Grace
- Norwegian Museum of Culture
- Forest of the Future Library
- Grass Roots Square
- Fram Museum
- Kon-Tiki Museum
- Gol Stave Church
- Korketrekkeren
- St. Hallvard’s Church and Monastery
- Holmenkollen Ski Jump
If you have more time, there are more things to see!
Norwegian food to try in Oslo
Norwegian cuisine is characterized by fresh, local ingredients and simple, hearty dishes. The style of food in Norway reflects the country’s harsh winters and reliance on the sea and land.
Which is great news for visitors! There is plenty to try.
Albeit most is distrinctly difficult to pronounce. But some of the key dishes to try including cured meats, reindeer, fish dishes and many preserved flavours.
By far, one of the most popular foods to try in Norway is reindeer meat. Of which you can try reindeer stew (Finnbiff) or reindeer roast (reinsdyrstek) and even reindeer hot dogs (reinsdyrpolse).
But there are many other traditional Norwegian foods to try in Oslo:
- Rakfisk – fermented trout
- Fenalår – cured leg of lamb
- Sursild – pickled herring
- Fiskekaker – fish cakes
- Fiskesuppe – fish soup
- Brunost – brown cheese
- Tørrfisk – dried fish
- Pølse I lompe – sausage in potato cake
- Pølse I Brød – hot dog
We had delicious hot dog (pølse i brod) at Studenterlunden. I highly recommend that along with a Softi!
Though I must tell you about Norwegian Brown Cheese…
There is no other way to describe it – but we have now tried it (and bought another packet to take with us!).
This is ‘Brunost’ – lit. ‘Brown Cheese’. This is the Norwegian name for the family of cheese-related cheese made with whey.
But DON’T THINK CHEESE!
It doesn’t actually taste like cheese. Even our cheese-fussy Oscar gave it the thumbs up. Because you know what? It technically isn’t even a cheese!
Where to stay in Oslo
If you are travelling to Norway, the chances are you will pass through Oslo. Not only are there many cool things to do in Oslo but there are an array of places to stay to suit all budgets.
Here is our pick of places to stay in Oslo:
- Amerikalinjen Hotel
This is a chic boutique hotel located in a historic office building from 1919. It is just a few steps from the Jernbanetorget Metro station and a short walk from the Oslo Opera House.
- K7 Hotel Oslo
Conveniently located, this hotel has a spacious communal lounge area and options to stay in the Norwegian capital at hostel prices.
- Comfort Hotel Express Youngstorget
This is an automated check-in hotel but it’s right by the Rockefeller Music Hall, which is in easy walking distance of all the top key things to do in Oslo.
- First Hotel Millennium
A traditional hotel in walking distance to Oslo Central Station including a Norwegian buffet breakfast.
Read more about travel in Europe
- 10 Things To Do In Pristina, Kosovo.
- 20 Things To Do In Bucharest, Romania.
- Border Crossing: Romania to Moldova.
- Border Crossing: Kosovo to North Macedonia.
- 20 Things To Do In Podgorica, Montenegro.
- 14 Things To Do In Belgrade, Serbia.
- Border Crossing: Serbia to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
- Border Crossing: Bosnia to Montenegro.
- 10 Things To Do In Chisinau, Moldova.
More useful links for your travels in Europe and beyond
These are the companies we use and can recommend for planning and booking travel.
- Booking.com – The best all-around accommodation booking site that constantly provides the cheapest and lowest rates. They have the widest selection of budget accommodation. It is easy to filter and sort into price and availability with all the extras you are looking for personally.
- 12GoAsia – Book trains anywhere online.
- Skyscanner– This is by far our favourite flight search engine. They are able to search small websites and budget airlines that larger search sites often miss. We book all our flights through Skyscanner.
- GetYourGuide– Get Your Guide is a huge online marketplace for tours and excursions offered all around the world. Everything from walking tours, to street-food tours, cooking classes, desert safari’s and more!
- SafetyWing – A global travel insurance that covers people from all over the world while outside their home country. You can buy it short or longterm; and even if you are out of the country.
- World Nomads – Make sure you have insurance before embarking on travel to Norway and things to do in Oslo!
