Things to do in Oslo

The Opera House, fjord swims, saunas and a world-class food scene. Oslo deserves more time than most people give it.

Oslo's skyline with modern buildings along the waterfront, a blue sky and calm water reflecting the city

Oslo: a city that deserves more time than most give it

Oslo is a city many people underestimate. Most give it two days, discover it has far more to offer than expected, and wish they had planned more time. The Norwegian capital has become one of Northern Europe's most exciting cities, with an internationally acclaimed food scene, a rich cultural life and the Oslofjord on its doorstep.

Whether you come for a long weekend or a week, Oslo rewards those who take the time to explore it properly.

Harbour view with sailing boats and people relaxing on a pier on a clear day — Honnørbryggen by the City Hall
When the sun comes out, nobody stays indoors in Oslo. The harbour promenade is a natural meeting point for locals.

Best time to visit Oslo

Oslo is a city for all seasons, but most visitors enjoy it most from May to September. June and July bring long, light evenings, lively outdoor life along the fjord and temperatures warm enough for a swim. August is festival season, with Øya and Norwegian Wood. For more of the city to yourself, May and early September offer good weather and fewer tourists. Winter has its own charm: the sculptures of Vigeland Park take on a dramatic look under snow and frost, the forests of Nordmarka have ski trails right outside the city, and the museums are never more inviting than on a grey, cold day.

Two cross-country skiers in red outfits on a snowy slope with a view of the city and a lake — Cross-country skiing at Holmenkollen
In winter, Holmenkollen is one of Oslo's most popular places for cross-country skiing, with groomed trails and views over the whole city.

The Opera House and Bjørvika

In the middle of Bjørvika, the Opera House rises like an iceberg from the Oslofjord. Since it opened in 2008 it has become one of Norway's most photographed buildings, and for good reason. The roof is open to everyone and offers one of the city's best free experiences: a gentle walk with the fjord all around and the whole of Oslo at your feet.

The whole Bjørvika area around the Opera House has been transformed. The new Munch Museum, modern architecture and a lively waterfront make it one of the most interesting neighbourhoods to explore. The museum holds the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's work and is a must for art lovers.

The Oslo Opera House overlooking the Oslofjord and Bjørvika on a summer day — The Oslo Opera House
The Opera House in Bjørvika has become one of Oslo's most iconic landmarks, and its roof is open to everyone who wants to enjoy the view over the fjord.

Vigeland Park

Vigeland Park in Frogner is one of Oslo's most visited attractions, and it is easy to see why. The park contains more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in bronze, granite and wrought iron. At its centre stands the Monolith, a 14-metre column of 121 intertwined human figures reaching towards the sky.

The park is free and open around the clock all year. In summer it is full of people sunbathing and picnicking on the lawns, while in winter, covered in snow and frost, the sculptures take on a completely different, more dramatic character.

The Monolith in Vigeland Park

Vigeland Park is the world's largest sculpture park made by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. The Monolith, with its 121 intertwined human figures, is one of Oslo's most visited places.

Saunas and fjord swimming

Sauna culture has exploded in Oslo in recent years, and there is hardly a better way to experience the city than to warm up in a sauna and jump straight into the fjord. KOK Oslo, right next to the Opera House, is one of the most popular options thanks to its fantastic location, and Oslo Badstuforening runs several saunas along the fjord.

To take the spa experience further, The Well just outside Oslo and Farris Bad in Larvik are both known for their aufguss ceremonies, a sauna ritual where water is poured over hot stones and aromatic oils fill the room while a sauna master fans the heat around the guests. Both are among Norway's best spa destinations and easy to reach as a day trip from Oslo.

A woman jumping into the Oslofjord from the KOK Oslo sauna, with the Opera House in the background — Sauna and fjord swimming
KOK Oslo is one of the city's most popular saunas, with the Opera House as its nearest neighbour.

Holmenkollen

A trip to Holmenkollen is a must. Metro line 1 towards Frognerseteren takes you to the top in under half an hour, and from there the whole of Oslo opens up before you. The ski jump has hosted the World Ski Championships four times and the 1952 Winter Olympics, and at its foot you will find the world's oldest ski museum.

If you are brave, the zipline from the top of the jump is an experience out of the ordinary. For everyone else, the view alone is reason enough to go. Nearby, Scandic Holmenkollen Park is one of Oslo's most distinctive hotels, with its historic dragon-style building from 1894 and panoramic views over the fjord and the forest.

Holmenkollen above Oslo

Holmenkollen is one of Norway's most visited attractions, and the view of Oslo from the top is worth the trip alone.

The view from Ekeberg

To see Oslo at its most beautiful, head to Ekeberg as the sun goes down. The viewpoint by the Ekeberg Restaurant offers a panorama over the whole city that is hard to forget, as couples, families and friends gather to watch the lights come on below.

Ekeberg Park is also a sculpture park, with more than 40 works set in woodland with views of the fjord. It is free and open around the clock.

View of Oslo at night from the Ekeberg viewpoint — The view from Ekeberg
Ekeberg has one of the best views of Oslo.

Oslo food: from Michelin stars to street food

Oslo has become a food city talked about far beyond Norway. One of the people who has shaped its food scene is Jonathan Romano, the Michelin chef who almost became a waiter. But he is far from alone. From seafood restaurants and Michelin-starred dining to street food markets and cosy neighbourhood cafés, Oslo offers a culinary landscape that reflects the seasons and produce from sea and land.

Chef Jonathan Romano in the kitchen of the seafood restaurant Aquarie in Oslo — Jonathan Romano

The seafood restaurant Aquarie by Akershus Fortress is one of the city's most talked-about places to eat, where Romano serves the best of the Oslofjord, with prawns and halibut among the signature dishes.

Mathallen food hall at Vulkan is well worth a visit, with specialist shops and eateries under one roof, and for many a bag of goodies from here is the best souvenir from Oslo. Nearby you will also find some of the city's cosiest restaurants and the best places for brunch with friends, from classic cafés in Grünerløkka to new openings in Bjørvika.

Two friends having lunch at a bar counter in Mathallen Oslo, with string lights and food stalls in the background — Mathallen Oslo
Mathallen brings together the best of Norwegian and international food culture under one roof.

Shopping in Oslo: from flea markets to design shops

Oslo has varied shopping to suit every budget and taste. Grünerløkka is the city's hippest neighbourhood for vintage and second-hand clothes, with good shops along Markveien and Thorvald Meyers gate, and the Birkelunden flea market draws hundreds of sellers.

For Norwegian design and luxury brands, Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are natural stops, while Karl Johans gate and Paleet have the well-known international chains. For everything under one roof, Oslo City and Byporten by Oslo Central Station are convenient options.

Interior of a clothing store with rails, shoppers, yellow walls and a polished concrete floor — Holzweiler, Oslo
Holzweiler is a Norwegian fashion house with roots in Oslo, known for its distinctive Scandinavian style and high quality.

Concerts and shows in Oslo

Oslo is by far Norway's biggest concert city, and many international artists only play here when they visit Norway. Oslo Spektrum, Oslo Concert Hall and Unity Arena attract audiences from across the country all year round.

In summer, music moves outdoors. Øya Festival brings some of the world's biggest artists to Tøyen Park every August, while Norwegian Wood brings rock and pop to Frogner Park. You rarely have to look far for a concert, a play or a cultural experience that suits you.

Audience at a concert in Oslo — Concerts and festivals in Oslo
Oslo has a rich music scene with concerts and festivals throughout the year.

Museums and culture: enough for several days

Oslo has an impressive range of museums, from world art to the Viking Age. The National Museum by Aker Brygge is the largest art museum in the Nordic region and takes you through Norwegian and international art history from the Middle Ages to today. In Bjørvika, Edvard Munch has his own museum, with more than 26,000 of his works, including several versions of The Scream.

A modern, angular building by a canal with kayakers and boats under a blue sky — The Munch Museum
The Munch Museum in Bjørvika is a landmark in itself, with its distinctive architecture and the world's largest collection of Edvard Munch's work.

A day on Bygdøy

Bygdøy is a peninsula west of the centre and home to some of Oslo's most fascinating museums, all within walking distance of each other.

At the Fram Museum you can go on board the polar ship Fram, which has sailed further north and south than any other wooden ship. Next door, the Kon-Tiki Museum tells the story of Thor Heyerdahl's legendary voyage across the Pacific on a balsa raft in 1947.

History lovers have good news to look forward to: the new Museum of the Viking Age on Bygdøy is due to open in 2027, bringing together the world's two best-preserved Viking ships, the Oseberg and Gokstad ships, under one roof.

In summer, Bygdøy is about more than museums. The beaches at Huk and Paradisbukta are just a few minutes' walk away, so you can break up the day with a swim in the fjord and a picnic on the grass.

A large abstract sculpture in a park with people gathered below and the water in the background — Large Arch at Huk
Henry Moore's Large Arch has stood at Hukodden since 1978 and has become a natural landmark by the beach on Bygdøy.

Island hopping in the Oslofjord

In summer, the fjord becomes a playground. By ferry from Aker Brygge you can reach Lindøya, Nakholmen or Hovedøya in under 20 minutes. The islands offer swimming, green spaces and peace and quiet just a stone's throw from the centre. Bring a picnic, find a spot on the grass, the beach or a sun-warmed rock, and let the afternoon slip by.

Two people sitting in the sun by the clock at Aker Brygge as a ferry passes — Ferry to the islands in the Oslofjord
Ferries leave Aker Brygge regularly for the islands in the Oslofjord throughout the summer.

Plan your trip to Oslo

Oslo has accommodation for every taste, from design hotels on Tjuvholmen to boutique hotels in historic buildings. The ten best hotels in Oslo will help you choose.

The Oslo Pass gives free entry to many museums and free public transport and is worth considering if you want to see a lot in a short time. The centre is very walkable, and the metro quickly takes you out to Holmenkollen.

Not sure where to start? The nine best things to do in Oslo gives you a great overview. Come with an open mind and plenty of time, and chances are you will leave wanting to come back.

Oslo: frequently asked questions

How many days do you need in Oslo?

Three days is enough to see the main sights and museums and eat well. With four or five days you can also go island hopping in the Oslofjord, hike or ski in Nordmarka and explore neighbourhoods such as Grünerløkka and Tøyen.

Is Oslo expensive to visit?

Oslo is one of Europe's more expensive cities, especially for eating out and alcohol. You can save money with the Oslo Pass, free sights such as the Opera House roof, Vigeland Park and Ekeberg Park, picnics and lunch at food halls.

How do you get from Oslo Airport to the city centre?

The Flytoget airport express train runs from Oslo Airport Gardermoen to Oslo Central Station in about 20 minutes, and regional trains take slightly longer. There are also airport buses and taxis.