16 Must Do Things in Oslo
(2025 Guide)

Bell 27 May 2025

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Oslo, the city of beautiful architecture and design, has some sort of inherent “coolness” about it. From the picturesque islands of the Oslofjord to the artworks lining every street to the people themselves, Oslo is Norway’s vibrant capital and a must-visit destination.

When I visited Oslo, it was the midst of winter and while it was freezing cold, there was a kind of beauty to the fairylight lined streets and Christmas decorations around every corner. With as many layer as possible, we had the most beautiful 3 days in Norway’s capital (check out my itinerary here).

Whether you are also visiting in the winter months or looking to catch a little more warmth and sun in the summer, here is everything you need to see and do while in Oslo:

Table of Contents

How to get to Oslo?

If you are flying, you will most likely be arriving at Oslo Airport Gardermoen. Here is how to get to the city centre from the airport:

The cheapest way is the public train called Vy. It takes 23 minutes and comes 2-3 times per hour. Cost is NOK 129 ($13).
The Express train is called Flytoget and the journey takes 19-22 minutes. It costs 252 NOK ($25).
There is also a bus called Flybussen that takes 1hr 10min. It costs 259NOK ($25.50).

When I visited, I actually came by train from Stockholm and arrived in the city centre at Oslo Central Station, it took around 6 hours. Trains between these countries are fairly affordable, we went with the high-speed SJ train (check for tickets here). It costs around 400-700SEK ($40-70) per person.

Flixbus is also a good and affordable way to get between cities and even countries. For example, Stockholm to Oslo takes around 7.5 hrs and costs ~$30.

Where to stay in Oslo?

Oslo is a very expensive city in general and accommodation is no exception. However, it is still possible to find nice accommodation for any budget. I would also recommend checking AirBnB for some more budget options.

Best hostels in Oslo for backpackers:

Bunks at Rode – Really nice dorms and affordable for Oslo. Slightly outside the city centre but close to public transport.

HI Oslo Haraldsheim – HI Hostels can be found all over the world and are usually pretty decent. It is a little more outside the city but again well connected to transport.

Best hotels in Oslo:

$ Quality Hotel Hasle Linie– a nice hotel with affordable rooms, slightly outside of the centre.

$$ Saga Hotel Oslo, WorldHotels Crafted – Located close to the Royal palace, this hotel has gorgeous rooms and delicious breakfast.

$$$ Clarion Hotel Oslo – Right in the city centre you will find this oasis of luxury. With lots of amenities, lovely rooms and great breakfast, this hotel has everything one may need.

How to get around Oslo using public transport?

Oslo is a pretty walkable city with a lot of attractions right in the centre. When we went, we decided to put all the activities that needed public transport (ferries, the sculpture park, Holmenkollen) in one day and got the 24-hour pass.

That being said, Oslo has a fantastic and extensive public transport system that even includes most ferries. Ticket prices can be found here, a single ticket in Zone 1 is 44NOK ($4.30) and a 24-hour one 132 NOK ($13). Double check the zones you need for your trip!

I’d recommend getting the Ruter’s mobile app to buy your tickets, otherwise the visitor’s centre, Ruter’s Customer Service Centre and most Narvesen and 7-Eleven shops have them.

Top things to do in Oslo

Here are the 16 attractions you have to see while in Oslo:

1. Explore the Aker Brygge neighbourhood

Possibly my favourite neighbourhood in Oslo, Aker Brygge is located right by the harbour. It is known for its upscale restaurants and cafes, art sculptures that can be found around every corner and an interesting mix of historic and modern architecture.

2. Head to Akershus Fortress for 360 views over Oslo

Right in the centre, you will find a piece of Oslo’s history. Completed in the 1300s, the fortress is strategically located and hence provides scenic views of Oslo’s skyline and the Oslofjord.

Wandering the grounds is completely free and a beautiful break from the bustling city. There are QR codes all around the fortress that tell you more about its history too.

My favourite part were the stunning round-tinted glass windows with an almost petal-like pattern inside. The detail of each window was incredible and I’m pretty certain I spent half an hour just admiring them.

3. Grab a bite to eat at Vippa Market

Vippa is a well-known international food court in central Oslo where you can find lots of delicious meals at affordable prices (for Oslo anyway).

The market offers dishes for anyone and is located right by the water, making it a beautiful stop for lunch.

4. Marvel at Ekebergparken Sculpture Park

Located about 20 minutes by tram outside of Oslo, right in the forest, you will find Ekebergparken. The park features 45 classic and contemporary sculptures from world-class artists such as Salvador Dali and Matt Johnson.

Ekeberg Sculpture Park is free to visit and full of hiking trails that are dotted along the stunning artworks.

5. Go bargain-hunting in Oslo’s thrift shops

I highly recommend checking out some of Oslo’s thrift shops. UFF is the most well-known secondhand shop, featuring tons of brands, but there are many more dotted around Oslo. They often have really high-quality items at affordable prices, including winter essentials.

6. Visit the fascinating Vigeland Sculpture Park

Vigeland Sculpture Park is possibly one of Oslo’s most fascinating attractions – after all, it contains Gustav Vigeland’s lifework. It features more than 200 sculptures made of bronze, granite and cast iron. Best of all, it is completely free and open all year round

Vigeland spent his entire life fascinated with the human form and the different stages we go through, both physically and emotionally. The park heavily showcases this, from the fountain that is literally the circle of life to The Monolith which is meant to represent humanity’s spirituality and the idea of resurrection.

I’d recommend reading up on the monuments in the park prior to visiting, to truly understand the depth and meaning behind them. This one is an absolute must-visit

7. Explore the islands around Oslofjord via ferry

Ferry B1 will take you on a tour around the islands of Oslofjord for no more than the cost of a single public transport ticket (literally – you buy your ticket on the Ruter App for the best price).

From the ferry, you can spot the colourful fish boat houses that line the islands. Getting to the main Island Hovedøya takes just 10 minutes, but I recommend staying on the ferry to see all of the islands, which takes about 45 minutes. You can get off at any of them, but I would recommend Hovedøya – the ferry stops there again all the way at the end.

It’s a very low-cost and beautiful tour of Oslofjord that many tour companies charge much more for.

8. Walk around Hovedøya island

Once you have seen all the islands, the last stop before Oslo is Hovedøya Island. Here, you can go on a walk amongst the ruins of Hovedøya Abbey, a 12th-century Cistercian monastery built by English monks.

The island features several beautiful walkways around its perimeter, going past several historic buildings. You will also get beautiful views over Oslo and Oslofjord.

9. Admire Edvard Munch’s paintings in his home country

You can’t visit Oslo without visiting the Munch Museum, showcasing some of the highlights of Norwegian painter Edvard Munch. Entry costs 180 NOK ($18) and you will see and ever-changing collection of his works.

10. See the impressive collection of art at the National Museum

Funnily, if you are looking to see “The Scream” by Edvard Munch, you will need to head around the harbour to the National Museum. It holds Norway’s largest collections of art, architecture and design. Entry is 200 NOK (120 NOK if you are under 25). It’s a must-visit for any art lover and houses some really famous paintings.

11. Wander around the Royal Palace and gardens

The Royal Palace is an important building in Norway and speaks of years of history. In summer, you can go inside as part of a guided tour for 230 NOK ($23). When we went there in winter, we were able to catch the change of guards outside which was interesting (Every day at 1:30 pm).

My favourite part of the palace though are the gardens. They are extensive with many walking paths that make for a peaceful escape from the city.

12. Head up to Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Tower

Holmenkollen has been known for skiing, ski jumping and really any winter sport for many years, hosting the Winter Olympics in 1952. In 2011, an architectural competition was held to design a new ski jumping tower in time for the World Championships, making it truly worth visiting to marvel at the design and height.

To get there, simply take Metro 1 from the city cetre. I recommend getting off at Voksenlia, one stop after Holmenkollen. From there, it is a short walk to the top of the ski jump and museum, from which you can slowly make your way down back towards Holmenkollen station. It means you don’t have to do the walk up the hill and the views are stunning.

While there, I recommend visiting the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, the oldest of its kind in the world. Entrance costs 160NOK for adults and you will also be able to visit the top of the ski jump via elevator.

On your way down, a short detour to Holmenkollen Chapel is also more than worth it. We weren’t able to go inside when we visited, but the chapel is beautiful against the snowy backdrop.

13. Go for a walk in Frognerseteren forest

Once you have seen everything at Holmenkollen, head back to the station and take the same metro all the way to the end where you will find Frognerseteren forest.

Multiple picturesque walkways will take you through the Norwegian landscape with views of stunning lakes. I would recommend using Google Maps to orient yourself so as to not get lost, or download an offline map if you don’t have data!

14. Watch the Rose Castle glow in the sun

Right by Frognerseteren station, you will see the imposing Rose Castle jut into the sky. It is laid out in a spiral design (hence the Rose) and features around 300 artworks that tell the stories of war and the fight for freedom. Admission is 180 NOK, but you can also admire the beautiful golden installations from outside.

15. Cold dip after a sauna like the Norwegians

Urban Sauna is Oslo’s “hottest” trend and there are several places right by the Oslofjord that offer you the experience.

You can book private, floating saunas for a staggering 110€ or the shared experience for just 20€ (prices based on KOK Oslo Sauna).

In between your Sauna sessions, you get to take a cold dip in the Oslofjord, making this a truly unique experience.

16. See the interesting architecture of the Oslo Opera House

Oslo’s Opera House is one of the most fascinating buildings in the city, built as an extension of nature. Basically, the Norwegians love to hike so they thought: “Why not apply this to a building” and designed the Opera House which is designed to be walked on and experience unique views over Oslo. While here, you could also catch an Opera or Ballet!

How many days in Oslo is enough?

I would recommend 3 days in Oslo to see all the main sights and also be able to head outside the city for Holmenkollen and the sculpture parks.

View over Oslo harbour from Akershus Fortress - traveloffscript

3 Days in Oslo: Ultimate Winter Itinerary on a Budget

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1 December 2023

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3 Days in Oslo on a Budget: the Perfect Winter Itinerary Bell | 1 December 23 Oslo, the city of beautiful architecture …

Is Oslo a walkable city?

Yes, Oslo is a super walkable city that is designed for walking. You could also rent a bike and explore the city that way, which many locals do.

Is Oslo worth visiting?

I would highly recommend scheduling in some days to see Oslo when visiting Norway. It is a super unique city with so many things to do, especially for those who love architecture, art and nature.