10 Best Things to Do in Oslo

Akershus Fortress dates to the early 14th century, during the rule of Haakon V of Norway. At various points in history, it was used as a military outpost and a prison. Nevertheless, it’s a charming sight to behold, set on a headland overlooking Oslo Harbour on the southern waterside. In the summer, you can go on guided tours inside the fortress and explore its church, courtyards, armouries and royal halls. Other nearby historical sites include the Norway Resistance Museum and the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum.

Oslo's Royal Palace is a magnificent yellow, white and pale green building, and has been Oslo's finest residence since its completion in 1849. It has been home to both Swedish and Norwegian regents ever since, and ever since the dissolution of the union, this is where the royal family stand and wave to children's trains from the city's schools on Constitution Day.

Get here at the right time and you can join one of the many tours led by knowledgeable guides. You'll see more glitz and gold here than anywhere else in Norway!

You can learn about the great Nordic seafarers at the Viking Ship Museum on Oslo’s museum-filled Bygdøy peninsula. This museum is part of the Museum of Cultural History of the University of Oslo, which means you get to see the 2 museums for a single ticket (around 100 kr per person). Inside the ship museum, you’ll find some of the nation’s finest Viking treasures and well-preserved ships exhumed from famous sites such as Tønsberg and the Borre mound cemetery in Vestfold.

Firstly, gate means “street” in Norwegian. The main street in Oslo’s city centre is Karl Johans gate, which offers pleasant walks right out of the Oslo Sentralstasjon central station. A small square here lets you soak up Oslo’s city vibes for the first time. Eastward, you can walk along Karl Johans gate, passing cafés and restaurants, bars and nightclubs, and boutique stores and shopping centres. If you feel peckish, enjoy flavours from around the world with Indian, Vietnamese, and Chinese restaurants available – most offering great street views.

The area at the centre of the vast Frogner Park in Oslo features the Vigelandsanlegget, or Vigeland installation. It has an array of granite and bronze sculptures designed by the late Gustav Vigeland. You can walk the 100-metre bridge, which connects the main gate and the park’s fountain, while admiring the 58 sculptures and the towering monolith. Try spotting one of the most famous sculptures, the Sinnataggen or ‘Angry Boy’. Even the children’s playground has bronze statues depicting kids in playful poses.

A brief drive north of Oslo’s city hub leads you to Grünerløkka. It’s considered Oslo’s trendiest neighbourhood, with streets adorned with graffiti art and lined with some of the city’s most stylish bars and clubs, as well as hip fashion boutiques selling one-off designs and vintage fashion pieces. On many weekends, mini squares in Grünerløkka come to life with weekend markets where you can hunt for unique gifts while sampling local snacks. You can follow walking trails that lead you past parks where cool concerts are sometimes held.

You can enjoy pleasant strolls past farmstead log houses and historical buildings at this open-air museum in Bygdøy, around 15 minutes’ drive west of Downtown Oslo. Norsk Folkemuseum or Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, is among of the oldest of its kind. It has over 100 traditional houses preserved from various areas in Norway, some with live demos by staff in period clothing. Others feature a variety of exhibits with handicrafts, weapons, and children’s toys from the past on show.

If you visit Oslo’s Frogner Park between March and December, you’ll most likely be able to browse the Vestkanttorvet flea market. It is usually held in a tree-lined parking lot a few minutes’ stroll east from the park, on Saturdays. The flea market often features around 100 different stalls that sell everything from paintings and sculptures to china and Norwegian enamel jewellery items. Stands selling local snacks and drinks, including must-try Norwegian waffles with jam, add to the pleasant atmosphere.

This famous ski jump hill is around 30 minutes’ drive north from Downtown Oslo, and is home to one of the world’s oldest ski museums. The Holmenkollen Ski Museum holds a collection of exhibits that showcase centuries of skiing history, together with artefacts from various polar expeditions. The best part of the visit to Holmenkollen is getting up to its observation deck at the top of the jump tower. It offers great views of Oslo and the fjords, especially on clear days.

With its bold, contemporary design inspired by the sloping ski hills of Norway, the Oslo Opera House is a striking landmark overlooking the harbour. The opera house is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, though other orchestras and ballets often visit this remarkable setting. Even if you don’t watch a show, the snow-white slanting roof that seemingly flows down into the waterfront is irresistible, and you can walk along it and enjoy afternoon waterfront views. This roof even serves as a venue for concerts.