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 for adrenaline-pumping bike rides on the roof of the Oslo Opera House or take advantage of more relaxing alternatives such as cruises and sightseeing bus tours.

It's ideal for those who enjoy cities with cool climates, as its summers are mild and its winters are ideal for skiing and saunaing. Oslo has a lot to offer its visitors and here are the ones you can't miss.

Oslo's Old Town is the ideal place to start your trip. Although many areas have been modernised, buildings from the Middle Ages and features of Viking architecture have been preserved here. The streets are lined with must-see attractions, most of which are affordable or free.

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 shops, 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 site of the ruins of the 12th century St Clement's Church.
• 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 old town, either with a guide or audio guide. They also explore more modern areas such as the Munch Museum or the Oslo Opera House.

Interesting details

• Price: if you go on your own, you won't have to pay, unless you decide to enter the monuments. If you book a guided tour, it can start at €35.
• Opening hours: You can visit the Old Town at any time, although I recommend an early start to avoid the crowds.
• How to get there: It's easy to get there on foot if you're staying in the centre, but there are several bus and train options from other parts of Oslo.

Norway's capital city connects medieval architecture with modern approaches, which is why you'll see wonders like the Oslo Opera House. You'll love its marble-covered façade, with a relief that emulates the icebergs that form in winter.

It's a pleasant surprise and you can defy vertigo at the top, as its roof is a stone platform, with undulations that turn the building upside down. 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 including ballet, classical music and opera in the main auditorium and other impressive halls. From La Traviata to a performance of Swan Lake, you're spoilt for choice. Open-air concerts are also popular, especially in summer.

Interesting details

• Price: admission is free for both the opera and the catwalk. To enjoy a ballet or opera performance, tickets must be obtained separately and in advance.
• Opening 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 the centre or by public transport.

Buying tickets for the sightseeing bus is a must if you're short on time or looking for a convenient way to see the city. You can choose between a 24-hour or 48-hour ticket so you can tailor the itinerary to suit your own pace. In any case, you can take the full 90-minute ride or make the most of the 25 free stops.

You will have an audio guide on board and you should know that the buses run every 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 Grünerløkka quarter.

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

Interesting details

• Price: You can book the non-stop sightseeing bus tour from €45 per person. The non-stop bus tour costs around €52.
• Timetable: daily 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, 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 trove that allows you to experience it first hand.

The journey begins on board an ancient Viking ship that takes you into the authentic Viking way of life. To make sure you don't miss a thing, you'll wear an augmented reality helmet- but beware! There may be an ambush waiting for you on the other side, so you'll have to battle dragons and there's no shortage of fun to be had.

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 theatre: 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.

Interesting details

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

If you're planning 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. The history of Norway and the secrets of the monarchy are evident in every corner.

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

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

Interesting details

• Price: You can visit from €19 per person. Alternatively, you can take a guided tour of the highlights of the city, stopping off to discover its history from €35.
• Opening hours: The palace is open to the public from June to August and the gardens from May to October. The changing of the guard takes place all year round.
• How to get there: depending on where you are, you can use the Oslo bus, metro or tram.

The Fjord hides some of Oslo's best scenery and, on board 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 fancy 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 colourful fishermen's houses that line the city, as well as nearby islands and other landmark buildings that overlook the city. Combine this with the bus ride and you can make stops at 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 with this service incorporated.

If you are an adventurer, if I were you, I would 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-metre long tunnel that leads to the Fjord. It's the perfect fusion of Oslo's cityscape and natural surroundings.

Interesting details

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

Norwegian cuisine 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 flavours in one place.

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

Enjoy craft beers in the Vulkan district or fine food in the Grünerløkka neighbourhood.

Interesting details

• Price: depending on what you choose to sample at the market you can spend between €15 and €30. Guided food experiences are also available that take you to Oslo's best selection of restaurants and street food from €71, but usually do not include the cost of meals.
• Market hours: Tuesday to Saturday 10:00 to 20:00, Sunday 10:00 to 18:00.
• How to get there: the market can be reached on metro lines 1 and 2, although the gastronomic tours are 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 for 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 can see recovered artefacts, photographs, treasures found and the original cabins.

Kon-Tiki Museum

Buying tickets for the Kon-Tiki Museum allows you to see the replica of the Kon-Tiki raft. On board this expedition, the Norwegian explorer Thor Heyerdahl managed to sail across the Pacific Ocean. He also 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 in Peru.

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

If you plan to cycle on your own, take advantage of the fact that there are over 100 bike rental stations scattered throughout the city. It's easy to get around because most of the roads are one-way, which makes for a more pleasant ride.

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

Interesting details

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

Oslo is an off-the-beaten-path city with some interesting hidden gems, such as the Nobel Peace Prize Centre. Here you can experience a tour through human rights and the work of world leaders such as Nelson Mandela.

By buying tickets to the Nobel Peace Centre you can learn all about the prizes 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.

Interesting details

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

• Currency: it's advisable to bring Norwegian kroner. Although the euro is widely accepted, some places may prefer the local currency. However, card payments are widely used.
• Weather: Temperatures are variable and it is advisable to always have a jumper handy, as even in summer temperatures can be low.
• Public transport: Local transport is efficient and you can get around by bus, train, metro or tram.