Contents
1. About Oslo
2. Things to do
– Oslo Cathedral
– Check out the Nobel Peace Center
– The amazing Opera House
– Try a floating sauna with views of the Opera House
– Explore the museum dedicated to the works of Edvard Munch
– Akershus Fortress
– Visit the former home of playwright Henrik Ibsen
– The Royal Palace of Oslo
– Explore the incredible Vigeland Sculpture Park
– Bygdøy peninsula
> Kon-Tiki Museum
> Fram Museum
> National Maritime Museum
> The Norwegian Center for Holocaust
> The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
> The Museum of the Viking Age (Opening 2027)
3. Getting to and around Oslo
4. The Oslo Pass
5. Vegan dining options in Oslo
6. Best time to visit
7. Where to stay
About Oslo
Location. Oslo, formerly known as Kristiania, is Norway’s capital and the country’s largest city. It is located in the south of Norway at the northernmost tip of the Oslofjord – which consists of 40 islands in total – and can be divided into 15 boroughs that surround the city center, called Sentrum.
Long ranked as one of the world’s most expensive cities, the ‘Nordic City of Light’ has enjoyed a cultural rebirth in recent years. On the back of the oil boom has come money for the arts and a flourishing of the arts scene. The new face of Oslo is represented by the magnificent white marble and granite Opera House, at the heart of the newly developing Bjørvika waterfront district.
In many ways Oslo retains the features of the ideal city of the 19th century. It is attractively nestled around the northern tip of the fjord and compact enough to be accessible on foot. It has all the accoutrements of a capital – a Royal Palace and park, Parliament, City Hall, castle, Oslo Cathedral, National Theatre and excellent museums, including the National Gallery. The attractions not in this compact grid of streets, such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Munch Museum and Nordamarka wilderness, are just a few stops on the tram or T-Bane, while the sights on the Bygdøy peninsula, Oslo’s other big draw, are a short ferry ride away.
Things to do
Oslo Cathedral
Oslo Cathedral (Norwegian: Oslo domkirke) — formerly Our Savior’s Church (Norwegian: Vår Frelsers kirke) — is the main church for the Church of Norway Diocese of Oslo, as well as the parish church for downtown Oslo. The present building dates from 1694 to 1697.
The Norwegian royal family and the Norwegian Government use the cathedral for public events. It was closed for renovation in August 2006 and re-opened with a festive high mass on 18 April 2010.
The current Oslo Cathedral is the third cathedral in Oslo, Norway. The first, Hallvards Cathedral, was built by King Sigurd I of Norway in the first half of the 12th century, and was located by the Old Bishop’s Palace in Oslo, some 1.5 kilometres (0.93 mi) east of today’s cathedral. For almost 500 years, Hallvards Cathedral was the most important church in the city. After a great fire in Oslo during 1624, King Christian IV decided to move the city a few kilometers west to be protected by Akershus Fortress. Construction of a new church was begun in 1632, on the main square in the new city. After that, Hallvards Cathedral fell into disrepair and decayed. In 1639 the second cathedral, Hellig Trefoldighet (Holy Trinity), was built. This cathedral burnt down after only 50 years, however, and the current cathedral was built to replace it. The church was likely designed by Jørgen Wiggers, councillor of state (etatsråd). The current cathedral was erected on a small rocky outcrop in the east end of what would later become Stortorvet. The foundation stone was laid in 1694 and the church was consecrated in November 1697.
Check out the Nobel Peace Center
The Nobel Peace Center is the museum for the Nobel Peace Prize, located at the City Hall Square, right in the middle of Oslo. The Nobel Peace Center is a showcase for the Nobel Peace Prize and the ideals it represents. The centre is also an arena where culture and politics merge to promote involvement, debate and reflection around topics such as war, peace and conflict resolution
The distinctive Opera House
It seems to me that in the world there are only two types of opera houses, the classical and ornate, such as in Paris or the modern, contemporary designs of Sydney, Copenhagen or Dubai. The opera house in Oslo most definitely falls into the second category. This building has two, long slopped roofs that reach down to a large square by the dock, which people are encouraged to walk up, that takes you to the roof of the main building. Opened in 2008, The angled exterior surfaces of the building are covered with marble from Carrara, Italy and white granite and make it appear to rise from the water. It is the largest cultural building constructed in Norway since Nidarosdomen was completed circa 1300.
Try a floating sauna with views of the Opera House
It is not just the Finns who like a nice sauna – the Norwegians also like to soak in a sauna.
Book a shared sauna and meet new friends, or book the whole sauna privately for you and your friends. You can also go on a warm sauna cruise in the nearby archipelago of the capital.
Explore the museum dedicated to the works of Edvard Munch
Four years before Edvard Munch died on 23 January 1944, he made a will leaving his entire estate to the City of Oslo. The Munchmuseet opened its doors in May 1963, 100 years after Munch’s birth. On 22 October 2021, a new museum building, MUNCH, opened on Oslo’s waterfront. It is an amazing museum to visit if you are an art lover or not!
Akershus Fortress
Hardly any other building in Norway has played such a central role in the country’s history for so long – and still does.
Here you will find the remains of the original medieval castle, rooms from the residence of the Danish-Norwegian kings, gloomy dungeons, narrow passages and magnificent halls.
Visit the former home of playwright Henrik Ibsen
IBSEN Museum & Theatre is a dynamic cultural center that conveys the legacy of Henrik Ibsen. The main attraction is Henrik Ibsen’s home in Oslo, where he lived the last 11 years of his life.
The Royal Palace of Oslo
The Royal Palace is situated on a rise, the Bellevue, at one end of Oslo’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate. The Royal Palace is one of the country’s most important buildings and an important symbol of Norwegian culture since 1814.
Explore the incredible Vigeland Sculpture Park
The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland’s life work, comprising over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. It was installed mainly in the period 1940-1949, but is nevertheless a result of over 40 years of work.
Discover more about the Kon-Tiki expedition
The sculpture park is Gustav Vigeland’s life work, comprising over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. It was installed mainly in the period 1940-1949, but is nevertheless a result of over 40 years of work.
The Fram Museum tells the tales of great explorers
The Fram Museum contains exhibitions of some of the most famous voyages of exploration. The centerpiece of the museum is the world´s strongest wooden ship, the polar ship Fram.
The National Maritime Museum explore Norway’s great sea faring traditions
The Norwegian Maritime Museum is situated in beautiful surroundings on the waterfront on the Bygdøy peninsula. The museum presents Norwegian maritime history, shipbuilding and underwater technology.
The Norwegian Center for Holocaust
The Norwegian Center for Holocaust and Minority Studies is a research, education and documentation center in Oslo focusing on the Holocaust, other genocides, extremism, antisemitism, hate speech, and the situation of minorities in contemporary societies.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
Norsk Folkemuseum is a museum of cultural history with extensive collections of artifacts from all social groups and all regions of the country. It also incorporates a large open-air museum with more than 150 buildings, relocated from towns and rural districts.
The Museum of the Viking Age
The Viking Museum is currently closed and will not re-open until 2027.
The Museum of the Viking Age will exhibit the world’s most extensive collection of objects from the Viking Age, including the best-preserved Viking ships in the world.
The new Museum of the Viking Age will be three times as large as the former Viking Ship Museum. In total, the new museum will be approx. 13,000 m2, of which approx. 9000 m2 is audience space, including 5500 m2 of exhibitions.
Getting around Oslo
Thanks to Oslo’s excellent public transportation system Ruter, it is easy to travel around the city. Distances between attractions are often quite short, so you can explore a lot of the city by walking or biking.
Public transport
All public transport in Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are included in one ticketing system. That includes city and regional buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains and ferries. The ferries to Bygdøy are not included.
Tickets and zones
One of the easiest ways to get and manage tickets for public transport is using the mobile app Ruter. If you prefer having physical tickets in your pocket, you can purchase them at the Oslo Visitor Centre, at Ruter’s customer service centre, and in Narvesen and 7-Eleven shops.
Get an overview of the prices for tickets here.
Please note that if you want a physical version of weekly, monthly or annual tickets, you need a reusable plastic travel pass costing 50 NOK. All tickets are transferable.
Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are divided into several zones. All of Oslo, including the last stops of the subway system, is included in zone 1. If you want to go to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, you need a ticket for four zones. If you have a period ticket of the Oslo Pass, you can buy the remaining zones separately.
Ticket prices for public transportation in Oslo
See all ticket prices for public transport in Oslo and find out where you can buy tickets.
Oslo Pass
If you are planning to spend a few days in Oslo, using the public transport system and visiting several of the city’s attractions then the Oslo Pass could be a good option for you. We purchased the pass for our stay and it was great value for money and made our lives easier. Find out more about the Oslo Pass and what is included here.
With the Oslo Pass, you can travel for free within zone 1 (Oslo) and zone 2. In addition to Ruter’s public transport network, also the ferries to Bygdøy are included in the Oslo Pass.
It comes as an app as well, so you can handily have it on your phone when using the transportation or visiting one of the tourist attractions.
Getting around Oslo
Thanks to Oslo’s excellent public transportation system Ruter, it is easy to travel around the city. Distances between attractions are often quite short, so you can explore a lot of the city by walking or biking.
Public transport
All public transport in Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are included in one ticketing system. That includes city and regional buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains and ferries. The ferries to Bygdøy are not included.
Tickets and zones
One of the easiest ways to get and manage tickets for public transport is using the mobile app Ruter. If you prefer having physical tickets in your pocket, you can purchase them at the Oslo Visitor Centre, at Ruter’s customer service centre, and in Narvesen and 7-Eleven shops.
Get an overview of the prices for tickets here.
Please note that if you want a physical version of weekly, monthly or annual tickets, you need a reusable plastic travel pass costing 50 NOK. All tickets are transferable.
Oslo and the surrounding boroughs are divided into several zones. All of Oslo, including the last stops of the subway system, is included in zone 1. If you want to go to Oslo Airport Gardermoen, you need a ticket for four zones. If you have a period ticket of the Oslo Pass, you can buy the remaining zones separately.
Ticket prices for public transportation in Oslo
See all ticket prices for public transport in Oslo and find out where you can buy tickets.
Free travel with the Oslo Pass
With the Oslo Pass, you can travel for free within zone 1 (Oslo) and zone 2. In addition to Ruter’s public transport network, also the ferries to Bygdøy are included in the Oslo Pass. Find out more about the Oslo Pass and what is included here.
Eating out for vegans in Oslo
While Oslo might not be the most vegan-friendly city in the world, there are still plenty of high-quality options to choose from.
- Oslo Raw – Address: Skovveien 16, 0257 Oslo, Norway osloraw.no
- Dirty Vegan at Barcode Street Food – Dronning Eufemias gate 14, 0191 Oslo, Norway https://www.dirtyvegan.no
- Nord Vegan – Kristian IVs gate 15B, 0164 Oslo, Norway 3 https://www.nordvegan.no/
- Cultivate – Helgesens gate 18a, 0553 Oslo, Norway – https://cultivatefood.no
- Torggata Botaniske – Torggata 17B, 0183 Oslo, Norway https://www.torggatabotaniske.no/
- Veggie da Luca – Thorvald Meyers gate 34, 0555 Oslo, Norway https://delideluca.no/
- Silk Road at Oslo Street Food – Torggata 16, 0181 Oslo, Norway – https://www.oslo-streetfood.no/silk-road
The best time to visit Oslo
Positioned in the southern part of Norway, Oslo experiences a Humid continental climate; no dry season, warm summer, according to the Köppen climate classification, symbol Dfb. The climate bears a strong influence of Gulf Stream, thus enjoying a warmer climate than other regions of similar latitude around the world.
For Oslo annually, monthly average temperatures range between -6.8°C (19.8°F) to 21.5°C (70.7°F), showing significant fluctuations as the season change. Moreover, rainfall is experienced all year round, with monthly averages ranging from 36mm (1.42″) to 90mm (3.54″). The city endures between 4 and 8 rainy days per month, with the maximum number of rainy days in August and November.
The best time to visit Oslo
For visitors, the best time to visit Oslo is usually between June and August. Temperatures during these months range from 15.1°C (59.2°F) to 21.5°C (70.7°F), which is quite pleasant for outdoor activities. The sea temperature is at its highest, around 17.3°C (63.1°F) in June and 17.9°C (64.2°F) in August. These months also provide the longest daylight hours, between 17.9 and 18.7 hours, providing ample opportunity to explore the city’s attractions.
The worst time to visit Oslo
The winter season, from December to February, is regarded as the least attractive time to visit Oslo due to the cold temperatures and short daylight hours. The average temperatures plummet to cold levels between -6.8°C (19.8°F) to -0.9°C (30.4°F), and daylight is restricted to between 6.1 and 9.2 hours. Additionally, the sea temperature is at its coldest, dipping to between 3°C (37.4°F) to 4.2°C (39.6°F), making it unsuitable for water-based activities.
Where to stay in Oslo
1. Mid Range: Hotell Bondeheimen
This central hotel is just 100 metres from the National Gallery and Oslo’s main shopping street, Karl Johans Gate. Free WiFi and a popular in-house restaurant is available. The Oslo Opera House is 1.3 km away.
Hotel Bondeheimen’s spacious rooms also include cable TV, a tea/coffee maker and ironing facilities.
Hotel Bondeheimen’s restaurant, Kaffistova, specialises in traditional Norwegian food such as potato dumplings and cod.
Tinghuset Tram Stop is just around the corner from Bondeheimen and is a 4-minute ride from Oslo Central Station.
2. Luxury – Hotel Continental
The elegant Hotel Continental is centrally located in Oslo, only 150 metres from Oslo’s main street, Karl Johan. It is the only 5-star hotel in Norway, and offers free in-room Internet access.
The individually decorated rooms at Continental Hotel include a cable TV, minibar and an in-room safe. Bathrooms include amenities and a separate shower and bath.
Leisure options include a free 24 hour gym and a lobby lounge featuring Edward Munch lithographs.
Guests can enjoy fine dining at Restaurant Eik Annen Etage. The historic Theatercaféen has been the Oslo’s most popular dining and meeting place for over 100 years.
3. Budget -Bunks at Rode
Situated in Oslo, Bunks at Rode has a shared lounge, terrace, bar, and free WiFi throughout the property. The property is around 4.1 km from Akershus Fortress, 6.9 km from Sognsvann Lake and 2.4 km from Oslo Bus Terminal. The property is non-smoking and is located 2.5 km from Oslo Central Station.
Certain rooms are fitted with a kitchenette with a fridge, a microwave and a stovetop. The rooms have bed linen.
