OsloTravel Guide

If you’re putting your budget on the backburner and you’re looking to splurge on accommodation in one of Oslo’s upmarket suburbs, the lavish and leafy Frogner is where it’s at. It’s the part of the city where you’ll find luxurious hotels with all the trimmings, along with classy antique stores and 5-star restaurants offering international cuisine. The Thief will steal your heart, with 5-star hospitality and just a minute’s walk from the beach. Hotel Verdandi Oslo is another popular choice, known for its delicious breakfast buffet and fuss-free modern rooms.

Soak up the stunning views of the Oslofjord waterway when you settle in at one of high-rise hotels in the city centre (the Sentrum). Scandic Byporten Oslo puts you in the centre of all the action. It’s conveniently located just a three-minute stroll from the Oslo Spektrum, a multipurpose indoor arena which hosts events and conferences, and is used as a music venue, among others. The 4-star, eco-certified Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel combines comfort and modern aesthetic appeal. It also boasts a fitness centre with a sauna and an indoor swimming pool on the top level.

Bordering the cultural melting pot that is Gamle Oslo, trendsetters (and followers) will likely feel a pull towards Grunerlokka, the city’s former workers’ district in downtown Oslo. This is one of the areas to stay where there’s no shortage of welcoming streetside cafés, vintage shops and bustling flea markets. Enjoy luxury without spending a fortune when you opt to stay at the Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget. Anker Hotel is another fantastic accommodation provider within walking distance to many of Oslo’s attractions, including the Oslo Opera House. 

Arguably one of the best-known landmarks in all of the city is the Oslo Opera House. Designed to resemble an icy glacier and offering access to spellbinding panoramic views of the city, and the sunset if you time your visit right, it’s home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Along with admiring the building itself, be sure to book tickets ahead of time to treat yourself to a show!

Daredevils take note. The Holmenkollbakken ski jump has got your name on it! The jump is from the top of the Holmenkollbakken hill that overlooks the city. If you’re not keen on an adrenalin rush, it’s still worth a visit just to walk through the iconic ski museum, the oldest of its kind in the world.

Oslo’s busiest street, Karl Johans Gate, is dotted with its fair share of landmarks, cafés and shops, making it an ideal destination for a fun-filled day out. A few sights to anticipate are Akershus fortress, the National Theater, Oslo Cathedral and the Parliament Building. Go on an adventure along this street in whatever way takes your fancy: solo and on foot, on a bike, or while mingling with other tourists on a guided walking tour.

If you love nothing more than visiting a museum or an art gallery, you’re going to feel like a kid in a candy shop when exploring Oslo! There are over 50 museums scattered across the city’s winding streets, including the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, celebrated for its art talks and public guided tours. The Kon-Tiki Museum is another one deserving of a spot on your itinerary, dedicated to the life’s work of Norwegian adventurer, Thor Heyerdahl, and his legendary Kon-Tiki expedition of the 1940s.
 

Nature lovers can look forward to exploring and picnicking in Oslo’s botanical garden. Nestled in Tøyen, the gardens boast over 1,800 plants in the arboretum, and collections of more than 6,000 species. There’s also a smaller scent garden and loads of Insta-worthy woven sculptures by British artist, Tom Hare. Other stunning green spaces include family-friendly beaches and parks, like Frogner Park and Vigeland Park, where you can kick back, be as lazy as you like and enjoy life’s simplest pleasures.

If you only eat at one restaurant in Oslo, let it be Maaemo. Why? Because this restaurant serving up Norwegian classics is one of only four three-star Michelin restaurants located in the Nordic countries. So gastronomic perfection is guaranteed! Maaemo offers a seasonal tasting menu and has recently been acknowledged for its sustainability ethos, being awarded a Michelin Green Star as a cherry on top of its existing accolades. RE-NAA is another delight, boasting a menu inspired by nature and featuring ingredients collected fresh from the ocean, fjords, land, forests and mountains. Keep in mind that you’ll need to book well in advance (we’re talking months here) to secure your spot at a table at this exclusive restaurant.
 

The indoor food hall, Mathallen, is the go-to in Oslo for street food. The friendly vendors are ready to dish up some delicious comfort food in the form of heart-shaped Norwegian waffles topped with cloudberries and many other local favourites, such as pickled herring, Polse (the Norwegian version of hotdogs) and Pinnekjott for the meat lovers (sheep ribs that have been generously salted and air-dried).

Looking for a place where all you need (and some stuff you don’t need but are keen to buy anyway) is under one roof? Then head to Oslo City Shopping Centre, one of Norway’s biggest shopping malls, spanning five levels. No matter what you’re looking to spend your money on, you’ll find it inside one the centre’s 90 stores. Once a shipyard and now a shopping centre, Aker Brygge is another option. It features loads of unique shops, cafés and restaurants situated around the fjord.

Got your eye on second-hand goods? You never know what treasures you might stumble upon when strolling through a flea market in Oslo. Most of these local flea markets welcome traders of all types, so there is always a variety of interesting booths to peruse. Birkelunden Marked is arguably the most popular flea market in town, known for its vintage clothing and jewellery.

How does free travel around Oslo sound? The Oslo Pass is your ticket to this vacation luxury, allowing you to travel for free (unlimited) within zone 1 (Oslo) and zone 2, as well as make use of the ferries to Bygdøy for 24, 48 or 72 hours based on the option you choose. Another bonus? Aimed specifically at tourists, the Pass gets you free admission to over 30 museums and attractions in the city as well as access to hearty discounts at participating restaurants, venues and shops.

Need a lift somewhere a bit further afield? You shouldn’t have an issue hailing a taxi from your hotel, but it’s always better to order your ride via Oslo Taxi by calling the company or by visiting their website to avoid any potential delays.

If you’d like to move along on your own schedule but want a step up from “roughing it” on foot, then you might want to look into renting a bicycle. Oslo City Bikes is open between April and November to equip you with a two-wheeler to tour through the capital’s streets at your leisure.