Oslo, the beautiful, nonchalant, and surprisingly overlooked capital of Norway is emerging as a serious threat to dethrone Copenhagen and Stockholm for the coveted title of ‘Capital of Scandinavia’. It is a city in an unparalleled location, with an intriguing past, exceptional museums, a vibrant harbor, and a waterfront area. All this makes it a rewarding city to explore. If you’re spending a weekend in Oslo or 2 days in Oslo, let us help you make the most of your trip, so you can experience some of the best things to do in Oslo.
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How many days do you need in Oslo?
If you’re looking for relaxation and a stress-free time, it’s worth spending three days in Oslo. If, however, your objective is mainly to see the must-see sights, then I would be inclined to spend at least 2 days in Oslo.
How to Get Around Oslo
Oslo is an ideal city for strolling, and fortunately, many attractions are within walking distance of one another.
The best way to get around Oslo is by using the city’s efficient and excellent public transportation system (buses, trams, local trains, metro, and ferries). Using public transport will help you make the most of your time in Oslo and is also handy if you’re visiting the city in the chillier months.
Public transport tickets can be purchased from kiosks (Narvesen, 7-Eleven, Deli De Luca, and Mix), ticket machines, or the Ruter app. You can also buy a ticket on board buses but it’s cheaper and more convenient to buy one in advance.
The Oslo public transport utilizes a zone system in which the price for a trip is calculated based on how many zones you pass through. However, all the attractions in our itinerary are in Zone 1.
Single tickets (39 NOK) are valid for 60 minutes and they allow you to transfer between modes of transport within their validity.
A day ticket (24 hours) is a good option if you make several journeys during your one day in Oslo. A day ticket for public transport in Oslo costs 117 NOK.
If you are using the Ruter app, remember to purchase your ticket before the start of your journey. Please make sure you have received the ticket on your phone before boarding public transport.
Make use of the very useful intermodal Journey Planner for getting around Oslo with public transport.
If you are in Oslo between April-November, a great way to get around is on a bicycle. Oslo is a bike-friendly city with great bike infrastructure. Renting a bike is quite easy and pretty cheap. You can find more information about bike rental here.
In case you’re interested in seeing the highlights of Oslo on bike, check out this excellent Oslo Bicycle Tour.
Avoid using taxis in Oslo unless it’s absolutely necessary as they are very pricey, and you will run a large tab.
Finally, renting a car isn’t practical in Oslo because parking is limited and prohibitively expensive. Plus, you can reach even the farthest attractions conveniently by public transit.
Is the Oslo Pass Worth It?
The Oslo Pass is an all-inclusive city card that gives you a complete sightseeing experience and grants you free entry and discounts to more than 30 of the top attractions and museums in Oslo.
The Oslo Pass also includes unlimited free travel on all the local public transport options (buses, trams, metro, trains, and boats) in the city. Another great reason to invest in the Oslo Pass is that it saves you the time and the hassle of purchasing tickets at each attraction/museum.
In my opinion, it’s definitely worth getting the Oslo Pass. Jacky and I squeezed in many fantastic museums and attractions that are free with the Oslo Pass and ensured we got our money’s worth.
Ultimately, whether the Oslo Pass is truly cost-effective will depend on the range of sightseeing activities you have planned and the time period involved.
Your 2 Days in Oslo Itinerary
This itinerary is perfect if you are spending 2 days in Oslo or on a weekend break. We have decided to give you a good mix of popular sights and off-beat corners.
If you are visiting in the winter, you’ll probably want to spend more time indoors in museums while during the summer the weather should be pleasant enough to explore the city’s recreational and urban spaces. Depending on your preferences you can put an emphasis on one part or another of this itinerary.
We understand that everyone travels at a different pace so feel free to choose the destinations according to your own pace. We’ve included a free map of the top sights in Oslo for your convenience.
You can find the addresses of the attractions by clicking on the icons in the map. Below we have compiled a list of the best things to see (or eat) in Oslo over the course of two days:
Day 1 in Oslo
Day 1 of your ‘weekend in Oslo’ itinerary will cover the main sights in central Oslo as well as the lively waterfront area. Many of Oslo’s most important institutions and sights are situated in the western part of central Oslo, and most of them are within walking distance of each other.
1. Breakfast
Kick off your weekend in Oslo at Stockfleths which serves some really nice coffee and tea and has a nice selection of pastries and sandwiches.
On Sundays when many cafes are closed or open late, Espresso House, the largest coffee chain in the Nordics is a good bet. They have several locations in Oslo.
2. Oslo Opera House & Barcode Project
The Oslo Opera House is the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. It was inaugurated in 2008 on the waterfront in the Bjørvika area, and much of the building is positioned in or under the sea.
The building is famous for its striking sloping roof, which is covered in white marble and granite. I was really impressed by how this creates an illusion of an iceberg in the sun or a glacier emerging from the Oslofjord.
With 1,100 rooms, the Opera House has a total area of about 38,500 m2 and has three main performance spaces for opera, ballet, and concerts. Instead of entering the spatially refined foyer, climb the roof of the building, for a view of the city and a unique architectural experience.
It’s no surprise that during the summer, the roof is a popular spot for picnics and sunbathing.
The roof of the Opera House is a great location to get observe the ‘Barcode Project’. It is a section of the Bjørvika area on former dock and industrial land that consists of a row of new multi-purpose high-rise buildings.
The buildings have been the subject of raging public debate in Oslo because of their height and design and people have polarising opinions on them. In my opinion, the buildings are certainly a bellwether of creative modern architecture in Oslo and not gaudy monstrosities.
3. Oslo City Hall
The Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) is the seat of the city council and was inaugurated in 1950 to mark the city’s 900th anniversary. From the outside, Oslo’s City Hall doesn’t dazzle with its Functionalist architectural style and solid dark brown brick construction.
The City Hall’s courtyard is adorned with fantastic figures and symbols from Norwegian mythology. Don’t forget to admire the astronomical clock and the swan fountain.
What makes the City Hall one of the best places to see in Oslo are the magnificent murals and the art-packed corridors of its interior.
Fun Fact
The Nobel Peace Prize is handed out in Oslo City Hall on the 10th of December every year making it the sole Nobel Prize presented outside Alfred Nobel’s native country of Sweden. When the Nobel Foundation was founded, Norway and Sweden still formed a union.
Jacky and I were both completely in awe of the lovely artwork here that doubles as a storybook of Norwegian history and culture. One of the main highlights is the ceremonial main hall which features a humongous oil painting by the artist Henrik Sørensen.
We were also highly impressed with the Banqueting Hall and the sumptuously decorated Feast Gallery on the second floor.
The Oslo City Hall is open to visitors daily from 09:00-16:00. Best of all, entrance is free making it a great place to visit in Oslo if you’re on a budget.
4. Akershus Fortress
The mighty Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning) is one of the must-see attractions in Oslo. It has been standing guard over the city to fend off all attempts to invade the city from the sea for over 700 years.
King Haakon V initiated construction work in the late 13th century and the fortifications have undergone numerous improvements and reconstructions. Akershus Fortress consists of a castle, historic buildings, museums, and defense installations.
The fortress is a beautiful area to stroll around, especially on a sunny day, with many viewpoints to look over the city. For those interested in history, the Norwegian Resistance Museum lends fascinating insight into the fate of the Norwegians during the German occupation in World War II.
Fun Fact
The Akershus Fortress is ostensibly one of the most haunted places in Norway with high levels of ghost activity. Some of the staff working at Akershus claim that to have heard whispers in the dark corridors and have had strange forces shoving them in the back. People also tell of eldritch screeches of rattling chains in the night.
Despite its spectacular setting on a hill at the head of Oslofjorden, Akershus Castle was initially intended more as a royal residence than for defense purposes.
The castle was completely rebuilt in Renaissance style by the Danish king Christian IV in the early 17th century after a fire that burned down the whole city.
Having a strong affinity for castles, I enjoyed exploring the castle and its grand halls, mausoleum, and rooms. A particular highlight here is the tastefully decorated King Christian IV’s Hall.
The artwork on the walls features Danish and Swedish noblemen, and the artful tapestries are from local Norwegian artists from the 17th century. It serves as a waiting room when guests arrive for official dinners and functions.
Entrance to the fortress is free while access to the museums and the castle come at a price. The fortress is open daily from 06:00-21:00 (May-September) and 07:00-21:00 (October-April).
The entrance to the castle costs 100 NOK. The opening hours of Akershus Castle are May-September: 10:00-16:00 (Mon-Saturday), 12:00-16:00 (Sunday); October-April: 12:00-17:00 (Saturday-Sunday).
5. Lunch
One of the interesting facts about Oslo is that Pakistanis constitute the single largest ethnic minority in the city. Take advantage of this by dining in one of the city’s many Pakistani/Indian-themed restaurants.
Mehfel is one of the absolute best places in the downtown area and serves some mouth-watering chicken and lamb dishes.
6. Oslo Cathedral
Your next destination on this two-day itinerary of Oslo is the Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke). It is the principal church for the diocese of Oslo.
The church dates back to the late 17th century and has witnessed a series of reconstructions and renovations in Baroque and Neo-Gothic styles, one of which resulted in its striking bronze spire.
Among the embellishments inside the cathedral are stained-glass windows, a silver sculpture with a Last Supper motif, and a vast altarpiece with intricate woodwork.
The lavishly painted ceiling, depicting scenes from the Old and New Testaments, was created by local artist Hugo Lous Mohr between 1936 and 1950.
This work was rather controversial since the original ceiling paintings were destroyed. In my view, the ceiling is intriguing, if not conventionally beautiful. Overall, despite being modest by European standards, the Oslo Cathedral definitely warrants a visit.
Oslo Cathedral is open from 10:00-16:00 (Monday-Thursday & Saturday-Sunday) and 16:00-23:30 (Friday). The entrance to the cathedral is free.
Fun Fact
Oslo is the oldest of the three Scandinavian capitals being officially established in the mid-11th century. For over 300 years from 1624 to 1925 the city was known as Christiania and then Kristiania, before reverting to its original name of Oslo.
7. Karl Johans Gate
The impressive Karl Johans Gate (popularly known as just Karl Johan) is Norway’s most well-known and busiest thoroughfare. It runs for a little over 1 kilometer from the Central Station to the Royal Palace.
The street is flanked by grand Neoclassical buildings on both sides and is also home to the delightful Studenterlunden Park.
Many important public buildings and institutions are located here such as the National Theater, the Norwegian Parliament building, and the old campus of the University of Oslo (now home to the Faculty of Law).
The Norwegian Parliament building (Stortinget) is one of the most beautiful parliament buildings that I’ve seen and has a graceful yellow-brick Neo-Romanesque exterior.
Karl Johans Gate is home to a bevy of department stores, specialist shops, and places to eat. It has been a popular meeting place since the 19th century. The street is also the focal point for royal occasions and state visits and is especially full of life on 17th May, Norway’s National Day.
Jacky and I both really enjoyed our stroll on Karl Johans Gate and were pleasantly surprised by the vibrancy of the nightlife in and around the street.
Pro Tip
If you want to pick up some Norwegian souvenirs, you can check out the Norway Shop on Karl Johans Gate. The selection is decent, albeit expensive. For traditional handicraft items such as slippers and folk costumes, Husfliden has a wide array of products.
8. The Royal Palace
Oslo’s Royal Palace (Kungliga Slottet) sits at the western end of Karl Johans Gate. This 19th-century Neoclassical building serves as the primary residence of the Norwegian royal family.
In typical Nordic style, the Royal Palace is austere when compared to the more exuberant palaces of mainland Europe and stands relatively unguarded, sans walls or rails.
A fairly quotidian changing of the guard ceremony takes place daily at 13:30. What I really liked here was the surrounding park which is open to the public year-round.
The Royal Palace is open to the public from the end of June until mid-August. and can only be visited on a guided tour (at 12:00, 14:00, 14:20, and 16:00). A guided tour of the Royal Palace lasts approximately 1 hour and costs 135 NOK. However, it’s not worth taking the tour in my opinion.
9. National Museum
A visit to the National Museum is one of the best things to do in Oslo. The newly opened museum is housed in a cutting-edge, albeit brutalist-style structure with a stone exterior.
Oslo’s National Museum merges four of Norway’s major art and design institutions under one giant roof, creating the largest museum (13,000 square meters of exhibition space) in the Nordic countries.
The museum has more than 6,500 works on display, ranging from antiquity to contemporary acquisitions. Among other things, you will come across Chinese vases from the Ming Dynasty, ancient busts of Roman rulers, royal costumes, and graphic design.
However, the museum’s centerpiece is Norwegian and international paintings. Most visitors, like us, will probably flock here to see Edvard Munch’s The Scream, one of the most frequently depicted works of art in the world and a seminal piece of Expressionism.
This famous painting has been reproduced in countless posters around the world, and still inspires artists today all the while working its way into popular culture.
There are several other Munch paintings here beyond The Scream as well as Norwegian art from the 19th and 20th centuries. Jacky and I both particularly enjoyed the works of Johan Christian Dahl and Harald Sohlberg.
Don’t miss Sohlberg’s spectacular Winter Night in the Mountains, which was voted Norway’s national painting a few years ago.
Although not as extensive compared to some prominent national collections, European art is well represented by paintings from Van Dyck, Rubens, El Greco, Cézanne, Monet, and Matisse, among others.
The National Museum is open from 10:00-21:00 (Tuesday-Sunday). The entrance costs 180 NOK.
Though you could easily spend at least half a day at the National Museum, try and limit your visit to about 90-120 minutes in order to see the other must-see Oslo attractions.
10. Aker Brygge & Tjuvholmen
When spending a weekend in Oslo, a visit to the vibrant borough of Aker Brygge is one of the top things to do. Aker Brygge was formerly dominated by a big shipyard that closed in 1982, freeing up a potentially attractive area on Oslo’s harborfront.
Since then, Aker Brygge has transformed into Oslo’s most chic entertainment hub and features the biggest concentration of restaurants in the city. Many of the old shipyard warehouses have been restored and you can see a juxtaposition of old and new architecture here.
Aker Brygge is a delightful place to take a stroll along the promenade and soak up the atmosphere. On a hot summer day, it’s a pleasure to sit at the quayside, enjoy a chilled beer, and watch life go by on the waterfront.
Jacky and I really enjoyed our time chilling in Aker Brygge, especially taking in the panoramic view across the water.
The islet of Tjuvholmen (literally Thief’s Islet) lies adjacent to Aker Brygge. Like Aker Brygge, it has undergone massive redevelopment and is home to some exemplary examples of modern architecture and a swathe of high-end condos. You can find numerous fancy bars and restaurants here too.
A notable point of interest in Tjuvholmen is the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, one of Norway’s leading museums of contemporary art. If you’re visiting in the summer, there is a little man-made beach and some docks to jump off and go swimming.
11. Dinner
I mentioned earlier that there’s a bevy of great eateries in both Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, making either of them the ideal location for having dinner on your first day in Oslo. Døgnvill Burger serves an amazing array of succulent burgers.
Oslo is also a great place to try seafood and Lofoten Fiskerestaurant is one of the very best places in town to try favorites such as halibut, seabass, and baked salmon.
If you’ve got serious cojones, you can even pre-order the lutefisk (dried stockfish that has been soaked in lye and then poached in broth), a Norwegian delicacy. I’ve tried it and can guarantee that it’s definitely an acquired taste.
Day 2 in Oslo
Today’s itinerary covers the must-see attractions in Oslo outside the center, including some amazing museums, a famous ski jumping arena, a renowned sculpture park, and a slice of hipster Oslo. I recommend seeing at least two museums on the Bygdøy Peninsula that we’ve highlighted.
Afterward, if you’re still in the mood to see more great museums, you should visit our next recommendations. It would be a good idea to do so if you’re traveling with kids or exhibit a particular affinity for museums and history.
Otherwise, you should skip these two museums and go to the bohemian quarter of Grünerløkka.
1. Breakfast
Start your second day in Oslo by grabbing a delightfully fresh brew and pastries at the retro Fuglen Espresso Bar, one of the best cafes in Oslo.
2. Holmenkollen Ski Jump Arena & Ski Museum
The famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump Arena is one of Norway’s biggest tourist attractions. Competitions have been held here since 1892 and it has been remodeled over a dozen times and is recognized as one of the best ski jump facilities in the world.
Make sure to ascend the jump tower and marvel at the fortitude of ski jumpers when you gaze down the steep slope. It’s a bit terrifying if you have acrophobia.
If you’re there in the summer, a zip line permits dauntless visitors to travel from the top to the bottom of the jump tower for a fee. The outdoor viewing platform here offers breathtaking views over Oslo and the inner Oslofjord.
Later, you can also check out the ski simulator, which creates a realistic scenario of what skiers undergo during their runs.
Norway is regarded as the “spiritual home of skiing” and the town of Morgedal is considered to be the birthplace of the sport. Now, I’m as clueless about skiing as Sarah Palin defining the ‘Bush Doctrine’ and wanted to educate myself on the subject.
But Jacky, being the archetypal Austrian, skiing runs in her blood. Thus, we both wanted to visit the Ski Museum at the base of the ski jump.
The Holmenkollen Ski Museum is the oldest one in the world of its kind and showcases a wide range of interactive exhibits, including an ancient pictograph that chronicles the history of skiing.
The museum also displays various types of skis from different eras and regions of Norway and follows the evolution of each of the skiing disciplines. The exhibits are certainly very informative and offer a great insight into the history of skiing.
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump Arena & Museum is open daily throughout the year. Opening hours are 09:00-20:00 (June-August), 10:00 -17:00 (May and Sep), and 10:00-16:00 (October-April).
The entrance costs 160 NOK. Overall, a visit to Holmenkollen is one of the best things to see in Oslo, so don’t miss out on it!
Pro Tip
If arriving to Holmenkollen with public transport, remember to wear a comfortable pair of shoes as the arena is an uphill 15-minute walk from the nearest stop.
3. Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Make your way to the Bygdøy Peninsula where your first stop will be the fascinating Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum).
More than 150 buildings from all over Norway representing different architectural styles have been assembled in this massive open-air museum to provide a comprehensive glimpse into the social history of Norway.
With more than 200,000 exhibits, the museum captures every imaginable facet of Norwegian life, past and present. Household utensils, clothing, furniture, woven fabrics, and tapestries are on display, along with fine examples of Norwegian and woodcarving.
We had great fun watching traditionally dressed artisans demonstrate age-old crafts such as pottery, weaving, and the making of candles, which you can purchase in their workshops. An annual highlight is the Christmas market (Julemarkedet) in December.
Fun Fact
Every year since 1947, Oslo has presented London its Trafalgar Square Christmas tree in recognition of the UK’s support to Norway during World War II.
The highlights of the museum are the Old Town, which is a reproduction of an early 20th-century Norwegian town, an outstanding exhibit on Norway’s Sami population, and the majestic Gol Stave Church.
The 13th-century church was brought over from the region of Gol and is adorned with paintings and carvings.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is open daily from 10:00-17:00 (May-September) and 11:00-16:00 (October-April). The entrance costs 140-180 NOK depending on what time of the year you visit.
In all, the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History is a living textbook of Norwegian culture that should not be missed.
4. Lunch
Lunch options are pretty scant on Bygdøy, so Cafe Arkadia, which is part of the Folkemuseum is a good option. Another decent alternative is Cafe Hjemme hos Svigers which is a little further down the street from the museum.
5. Viking Ship Museum
The Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset) features three of the world’s best-preserved Viking ships from the 9th century that are among Norway’s most beloved cultural treasures.
These funereal ships were discovered in the Oslofjord between 1867 and 1904 and have been painstakingly restored since then.
Unearthing the 1,000-year-old Viking ships from the burial mounds proved a difficult task and it was discovered that robbers had also plundered some of the grave furnishings. They are named after the locations where they were found.
The Oseberg is the most impressive ship and features elaborately decorated dragon and serpent carvings. It still retains around 90 percent of its original timbers.
The Gokstad is the largest ship amongst the trio and was capable of traveling at a pace of 12 knots. The Tune is the least well-preserved and was intentionally left that way to give visitors a perspective of shipbuilding in the Viking era.
Viking ships were extremely seaworthy and could travel long distances. The ships were used to transport the bodies of high-ranking chieftains on their last journey to the kingdom of the dead.
Other displays include sleds, beds, a horse cart, wood carving, tent components, buckets, and additional grave goods.
Though Jacky and I both liked the ships for their craftsmanship and significance, we felt that there is little else to see. The museum offers very little information on the Vikings themselves.
The Viking Ship Museum is open daily from 09:00 – 18:00 (May-Sep) and 10:00 – 16:00 (Oct-Apr). The entrance costs 120 NOK.
Important Notice
Unfortunately, the Viking Ship Museum is currently closed for a major refurbishment and expansion project and is slated to open in 2026. To compensate for this, you should definitely visit the excellent Fram Museum (the next attraction on our list which is also located on Bygdøy).
6. Fram Museum
The spectacular Fram Museum (Frammuseet) is a tribute to polar exploration, particularly the polar ship Fram. This magnificently restored polar ship has been further north or south in the world than any other sailing vessel.
The museum highlights expeditions made by explorers Fridtjof Nansen and Roald Amundsen to the Arctic and Antarctic and their valiant exploits are captured in the various displays. Expedition paraphernalia, paintings, and photographs of the polar explorers are on show.
The Fram Museum is definitely one of the must-see Oslo attractions, especially if you’re traveling with kids. What really makes this museum special is what it offers visitors in terms of interactiveness.
You can climb aboard the historic Fram Polar vessel and envisage what it must have been like to steer this indomitable schooner on a voyage with the polar explorers. Take time to explore the galley, sleeping quarters, engine room, and cargo hold.
I loved how the museum has a polar simulator where you can experience the cold and the dangers of polar expeditions more than a century ago. There is also a contraption that simulates pulling a sled which is quite fun.
The Fram Museum is open daily from 10:00-18:00 (June-August), 10:00-17:00 (May), and 11:00-17:00 (September-April). The entrance costs 140 NOK. Do go and check it out!
7. Kon-Tiki Museum
We come to our final recommendation on Bygdøy, the Kon-Tiki Museum (Kon-Tiki Museet). This small museum serves as a tribute to the legendary Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl.
In 1947, Heyerdahl and his five-man crew sailed across the Pacific from Peru to Polynesia in the fragile balsa wood raft, Kon-Tiki. The voyage proved that it would have been possible for South Americans to have reached Polynesia in ancient times.
This Kon-Tiki raft is the centerpiece of the museum and you get a first-hand account of how Heyerdahl and his men endured the voyage and dealt with problems through various texts, photos, and montages.
The museum’s other exhibits include the papyrus boat Ra II and many archaeological finds from Heyerdahl’s expeditions to places such as Easter Island and Peru. The Kon-Tiki Museum is quite small and worth a quick look if you have time.
The Kon-Tiki Museum is open daily from 10:00-18:00 (June-August), 10:00-17:00 (May), and 11:00-17:00 (September-April). The entrance costs 140 NOK.
8. Grünerløkka District
Grünerløkka is a former gritty working-class district that has undergone a massive facelift and renaissance in the last few decades. With its high immigrant population, cool street art, trendy bars, cafes, restaurants, and vintage shops, this edgy and urban district is perhaps the most interesting area of Oslo.
Here, the tourist hordes thin, the streets broaden and you can tap into a Norwegian living vibe that manages to be laid-back yet sophisticated. It’s no surprise that Grünerløkka is sometimes called ‘Soho of Oslo’.
On a Scandinavian scale, Grünerløkka can be compared to Södermalm in Stockholm and Vesterbro in Copenhagen. We liked it so much that we ended up going there twice.
You can easily spend a couple of hours strolling down the streets like Markveien and Thorvald Meyers gate, admiring the funky vintage and designer shops and galleries. If you love street art as much as we do, you won’t be disappointed as Grünerløkka boasts a thriving street art scene.
There are a couple of sleek espresso bars in Grünerløkka if you want to take a breather such as Tim Wendelboe, which has excellent brews.
If you would like to get an inside scoop on the area, you should strongly consider signing up for this top-notch Grünerløkka Walking Tour.
If you enjoy craft beer as much as I do, there are two great drinking dens here – Grünerløkka Brygghus and Schouskjelleren Microbrewery, that serve some awesome IPAs and porters.
Pro Tip
If you’re planning on purchasing hard liquor in Oslo, you’ll have to go to one of the Vinmonopolet stores. Norway has a monopolized market where only the state-run retail Vinmonopolet stores are permitted to sell hard liquor. Light beers and ciders below 4.7 percent alcohol can be purchased in supermarkets.
9. Vigeland Sculpture Park
The last stop of this 2-day itinerary is the renowned Vigeland Sculpture Park, which also happens to be a part of Oslo’s largest park, the Frogner Park.
The Vigeland Park is named after the prominent Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, and you can see more than 200 sculptures of his depicting humanity in all its forms along the central axis of the park.
The park is the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist and was mainly completed between 1939 and 1949.
The main attraction in the park is the soaring Monolith sitting on a stepped plinth. It is comprised of 121 human figures, contorting and clinging onto each other, symbolizing the struggle of life. 36 groups of granite figures depicting the cycles of life and relationships are present on the steps leading to the monolith.
There are several other eye-catching works in Vigeland Sculpture Park like the bizarre ‘Man Attacked by Babies’ and the highly popular ‘Angry Boy’. All I could think about looking at the sculpture is why the boy is so irate?
A stroll through the Vigeland Park is a delightful experience and the visual interplay between the sculptures and verdant lawns provides a breath of fresh air.
Pro Tip
While you are visiting Vigeland Sculpture Park, you could also pop into the Vigeland Museum to the south of the park (100 NOK or free with the Oslo Pass). Alternatively, you could also visit the Oslo City Museum, located at the southern end of the park. It’s free to visit on Saturdays or 100 NOK on all other days (free with the Oslo Pass).
The Vigeland Sculpture Park is open 24/7 and is free to visit.
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→ Got only one day in Oslo? Check out our 24-hour itinerary instead!
10. Traditional Norwegian Dinner
Cap of your weekend in Oslo by treating yourself to a wonderful dinner. Lorry is a pretty good restaurant where you can try reindeer and the Norwegian national dish of fårikål (pieces of mutton or lamb served with cabbage, whole black pepper, and potatoes).
I really enjoy devouring mutton and this dish didn’t disappoint. Otherwise, another alternative is Mamma Pizza, a fantastic Italian joint.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Accommodation in and around central Oslo provides convenient access to most of the main attractions. There are plenty of good options here for all budgets. Of course, just like in the rest of the Nordics hotel prices in Oslo are pretty high.
Hostel: Anker Hostel, a good no-frills option in Grünerløkka, 10 minutes from Oslo Central Station
Budget: Citybox Oslo, a nice budget hotel, only a 2-minute walk from Oslo Central Station
Mid-range: Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, chic pick within 2 minutes of Karl Johans Gate, only a 10-minute walk from Oslo Central Station
Splurge: The Thief, sumptuous top-choice in Tjuvjolmen, and a 5-minute walk from Aker Brygge
Now, what do you think? How would you spend a weekend in Oslo? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!
Hello there, fellow globetrotters! I’m Mihir, a passionate travel blogger with an insatiable wanderlust. My journey across the world is fueled by curiosity and a hunger for unique experiences. As a travel writer, photographer, and adventurer, I’ve explored more than 35 countries, aiming to provide readers with a distinctive glimpse of our diverse world. Join me as I blend captivating storytelling with stunning visuals, guiding you through hidden gems and cultural treasures. Besides traveling, my other loves are my beloved cats, architecture, art, craft beer, classic movies, history, and Australian Rules Football (Go Dons!).
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Hello,
I am going to visit Oslo in December right during the Christmas holidays. thank you for all these details, very helpful
Thank you Roxana! Have a great time in Oslo!
Just finished your 48-hour itinerary and it was spot on. Since the Viking Ship Museum is closed for renovation we added the Munch Museum instead. Thanks for putting this together. Very helpful.
Hi Kimberly, thank you for your helpful feedback! Glad you found the information useful. Cheers 🙂
Thanks for the helpful information although I have to disagree with you that the Royal Palace is not worth touring. My husband and I just returned from Oslo and the tour of the palace was definitely one of the highlights. It does require advance planning as the English speaking tours fill up quite quickly. We purchased our tickets online a month ahead of time.
Hi Mihir, great post! I was wondering, where was the picture of the cobbled street in the cover photo under the title taken? I’ve been here a couple of years, but there’s still a lot I need to discover 🙂
Hi Mark, thank you for your comment! The cover photo was taken on one of the small streets within the Akershus Fortress Complex. The small street is called “Festningsgaten” and is located at Michael von Sundts Plass, just walk through the iron gates. Hope that helps. Cheers 🙂
Hi Mihir,
I am an Aussie-Indian too and we are on our way to Oslo and i found this while searching on google. This is an informative post, and will surely help us to plan our 3 days in oslo. Thanks Mate, keep those travel posts coming.
Hi Sri,
Cheers for your kind words mate! Glad you found the post useful. We’ve got a lot of travel posts lined up, so be sure to check them out. Hope you have a great time in Oslo.
Just came across your post while searching for a weekend trip suggestion. Although I am not a fan of Scandinavian cities, after reading your article I am now planning to do this trip this weekend.
cheers.
Hi Prateek, chuffed that our article has inspired you to travel to Oslo. Hope you have a great time 🙂
Cheers!
Your pin attracted my curiosity and lead me to this great article! As a travel writer I have created a similar post a few months ago and could not agree more with the places you recommend! The only thing I would add in order to experience the Opera House to the fullest is to attend a show at night, such amazing accoustics! Looking forward to more of you posts as we seem to share the same interests 🙂 Best regards, Marcella
Hi Marcella, thanks for your comment! Always great to hear from a fellow travel writer who shares similar interests. Unfortunately, we were short on time to see a performance at the Opera House. I’ve heard the acoustics are top-notch, will have to make time for a show next time. All the best 🙂
Mihir