Best Things To Do in Oslo

Oslo is one of the most beautiful cities in Europe for its fusion of Viking architecture and modern buildings. It is famous for its gastronomy, picturesque streets and plans around the Fjord. Get ready to ride a bike and challenge the adrenaline on the roof of the Oslo Opera House or take advantage of more relaxing alternatives such as cruises and sightseeing bus tours.

It is ideal for those who enjoy cities with cool climates, as its summers are mild and its winters are ideal for skiing and enjoying the sauna. Oslo has an endless number of proposals for its visitors and here are the ones you cannot miss.

The historic center of Oslo is the ideal place to start your trip. Although many areas have been modernized, here are preserved buildings from the Middle Ages and features of Viking architecture. Among its streets you will find the must-see attractions, most of them at affordable prices or with free admission.

Some of the places I wouldn't miss in your place are:

• Karl Johans Square: it connects to the main street and overflows with a vibrant atmosphere with the best stores, restaurants and street art proposals.
• Middelalderparken: it may look like just another park, but it is actually the focus of Oslo's medieval history and the place where the ruins of the 12th century St. Clement's Church are preserved.
• Akershus Fortress: an ancient medieval castle.

You can set the itinerary according to your preferences or book a guided tour of Oslo. These experiences usually include several points of interest in the historic center, either with a guide or audio guide. They also explore more modern areas such as the Munch Museum or the Oslo Opera House.

Details of interest

• Price: if you go on your own you will not have to pay, unless you decide to enter the monuments. If you book a guided tour, it can start at 35 €.
• Hours: you can visit the old town at any time, although I recommend starting early to avoid the crowds.
• How to get there: it is easy to get there on foot if you are staying in the center, but there are several bus and train options from other parts of Oslo.

The capital of Norway connects medieval architecture with modern proposals, so you can appreciate wonders like the Oslo Opera House. You will love its facade bathed in marble, with a relief that emulates the icebergs that form in the winter.

It is a pleasant surprise and you can defy vertigo at the top, as its roof is a stone platform, with undulations that turn the building around. From here you can enjoy unparalleled views of Oslo. The best part? It's completely free. You can also book an electric scooter ride to challenge the opera roof and have fun in other areas of Oslo.

It also attracts many tourists for its cultural performances that include ballet, classical music and opera in the main auditorium and other impressive halls. From La Traviata to a performance of Swan Lake, you are spoilt for choice. Open-air concerts are also popular, especially in summer.

Details of interest

• Price: admission is free for both the opera and the catwalk. To enjoy a ballet or opera show, you must get tickets separately and in advance.
• Hours: Monday to Saturday from 11:00 to 22:00, Sundays from 12:00 to 22:00.
• How to get there: it is located in the Bjørvika district and can be reached on foot from downtown or by public transport.

Buying tickets for the tourist bus is a must if you have little time to visit the capital or if you are looking for a comfortable option to get to know the city. You have the option of choosing between a 24 or 48 hour ticket so you can adapt the itinerary to your own pace. In any case, you can take the full 90-minute ride or take advantage of the 25 free stops.

On board you will have an audio guide and you should know that buses have a frequency of 30 minutes. You are probably wondering which stops are not to be missed, here are some of them:

• Oslo Opera House.
• Oslo City Hall.
• Oslo Cathedral.
• Norwegian Parliament.
• Royal Palace.
• The bohemian neighborhood Grünerløkka.

You can also book a non-stop bus tour that offers a walk of at least three hours through the highlights of the city.

Details of interest

• Price: you can book the sightseeing bus tour with free stops from 45 € per person. The bus tour without stops is around 52 €.
• Schedule: every day from 10:00 to 16:30.
• Duration: the whole tour lasts 90 minutes.

The Vikings were born between Norway, Sweden and Denmark, but their largest settlement in Oslo was during the Middle Ages. In fact, the Viking heritage is preserved in some alleys, museums and much of the old town. For many, The Planet Viking is the greatest exponent of this history and a treasure that allows you to experience it firsthand.

The journey begins aboard an ancient Viking ship that takes you to see the authentic lifestyle of the Vikings. To make sure you don't miss a thing, you'll wear augmented reality helmets- but beware! There may be an ambush waiting for you on the other side, so you will have to battle against dragons and there will be no shortage of fun.

Among the most popular attractions at the exhibition are:

• VR games: get into a Viking fight and defend your own Viking family to the end.
• 4D movie: travel back a thousand years to discover the most epic battles and Viking traditions.
• The hologram theater: meet the holograms of several Vikings of different social status to discover how they lived according to their role in society.
• The Viking window: discover how they built their ships, the mythology of Viking gods and other secrets of this ancient community.

Details of interest

• Price: from 23 € per person.
• Hours: daily from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: on foot from the center or by public transport from the rest of Oslo.

If you plan to spend the summer in Oslo you can't miss a visit to the Royal Palace. It is the residence of the royal family and is open to the public from June to August. In every corner is evident the history of Norway and the secrets of the monarchy.

When its doors open it is possible to see the Throne Room, where most of the important ceremonies take place. Although the spot that tourists usually fall in love with is the Hall of Birds, noted for its neoclassical decoration and antique paintings. In addition, you could spend hours admiring its gardens or delight in the Ballroom and the Royal Chapel.

But you don't have to wait for the hot months to visit, as the outside is imposing and there are tours through the streets of Oslo that explore its beauty and history. Alternatively, every day at 13:30 there is the Changing of the Guard, an imposing parade from Akershus Fortress to the palace.

Details of interest

• Price: you can visit from 19 € per person. Or you can take advantage of a guided tour of the highlights of the city, to make a stop and discover its history from 35 €.
• Hours: the palace is open to the public from June to August and the gardens from May to October. While the changing of the guard takes place all year round.
• How to get there: depending on the area where you are, you can use the bus, subway or streetcar Oslo.

The Fjord hides the best landscapes of Oslo and, aboard a cruise, you can see different places in a short time. There are different options and the most popular are summer cruises and electric boats. Although if you feel like discovering the city by water and land, you could consider a combined experience and book a bus tour with a fjord cruise.

From the boat you can see the typical colorful fishermen's houses that line the city, as well as nearby islands and other iconic buildings that overlook. If you combine it with the bus ride , you can make stops and enter Vigeland Park.

You could even take advantage of a ski simulator in summer or a real ski slope in winter. In addition, a Norwegian tradition is to combine a visit to the Fjord with a sauna bath. In the city, in fact, it is possible to rent boats that have this service incorporated.

If you are an adventurer, if I were you, I would take the opportunity to book a kayak tour on the Akerselva River. It's a thrilling experience that connects to Lake Maridalsvannet. It even takes you through a 500-meter long tunnel that empties into the Fjord. It's the perfect fusion of Oslo's cityscape and natural surroundings.

Details of interest

• Price: cruises can be booked from 55 € per person, although there are more exclusive experiences and combined tours with a bus tour from 123 €. Kayak trips on the Akerselva River start at €98.
• Timetable: may vary depending on the season and the service chosen.

Norwegian gastronomy is known for its freshness and emphasis on local ingredients such as moose meat, cod, fermented trout and brown cheese. I would recommend starting at the famous Mathallen market, where you can experience a variety of flavors in one place.

But if you want to experience all of Oslo's culinary offerings, I suggest booking a gastronomic tour. During the experience you will be able to visit different restaurants and street stalls, as well as discover the secrets behind their recipes. I promise you that your palate will be delighted with typical dishes such as Rakfisk (fermented fish) and with milder proposals such as Kjøttkaker (Norwegian meatballs).

Take advantage of the craft beers in the Vulkan neighborhood or the most exquisite food in the Grünerløkka neighborhood.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on what you choose to taste at the market you can spend between 15 € and 30 €. There are also guided food experiences in Oslo that take you to the best selection of restaurants and street proposals from 71 €, but usually does not include the cost of meals.
• Market hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday from 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: the market can be reached by metro lines 1 and 2, although the gastronomic tours are done on foot.

Oslo is known for its museums and spaces that fuse entertainment with learning. It is home to around 50 museums that explore its history, Viking heritage and folkloric features. Here are the ones you can't miss:

Paradox Museum

Buying tickets to the Paradox Museum gives you access to an unforgettable experience with exhibits that explore human mysteries. From the Big Bang to the human brain, discover how the planets were created and the motivations of the human mind. You can defy gravity and walk upside down or explore rooms of optical illusions.

Fran Museum

Booking tickets for the Fran Museum takes you on a fictional journey to the North Pole. The Fran was a Norwegian ship that made some of the most dangerous sea voyages in history. In this museum you can immerse yourself in interactive exhibits that recreate the interior of the expedition, as well as the conditions the crew was subjected to.

You will be able to see recovered objects, photographs, found treasures and the original cabins.

Kon-Tiki Museum

Buying tickets to the Kon-Tiki Museum allows you to see the replica of the Kon-Tiki raft. Aboard this expedition, the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl managed to sail the Pacific Ocean. In addition, he reached different places and there is evidence including photographs and documents.

This explorer also used the Ra II raft to reach the Atlantic and it is possible to see it in this museum. Immerse yourself in a multicultural journey through the cultures of different islands or learn about the ruins of Tucume located in Peru.

A bike ride can be a relaxing way to take in the city. Oslo is famous for its parks, trails and the colorful houses that adorn the Aker Brygge harbor area. By bike you can explore the city at your own pace and take advantage of the cycle paths that allow you to organize different types of routes.

If you plan to do it on your own, take advantage of the fact that there are more than 100 bike rental stations scattered throughout the city. It is easy to get around because most of the roads are one-way, which makes the ride more enjoyable.

Although you can always hire a bike tour of Oslo that takes you to the best of the capital. These types of experiences offer itineraries that include historical gems, Viking locations and modern areas. You'll pedal while learning the history of Karl Johans Street, the city's most famous street.

Details of interest

• Price: The average daily bike rental price ranges from 10 to 20 € and a guided tour can cost around 45 € per person.
• Hours: Bike stations are open 24 hours a day, while tours are generally offered in the morning and afternoon.

Oslo is an out-of-the-ordinary city where interesting gems are hidden, such as the Nobel Peace Prize Center. Here you can experience a tour through human rights and the work of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela.

By purchasing tickets to the Nobel Peace Center you can learn all about the awards and understand what the nomination and final selection is like. You can see the medals up close, enjoy interactive exhibits and even buy books inspired by the laureates.

Details of interest

• Price: around 14 € per person.
• Hours: Tuesday to Sunday from 11:00 to 17:00, but hours may vary depending on the season.
• How to get there: you can use the train, streetcar or bus from Oslo.

• Currency: it is advisable to bring Norwegian kroner. Although the euro is accepted, it is likely that some places prefer the local currency. Although card payments are widely used.
• Weather: temperatures are variable and it is advisable to always have a sweater on hand, because even in summer there can be low temperatures.
• Public transportation: local transportation is efficient and you can get around by bus, train, subway or streetcar.