What To Do In Oslo | Nature Escapes, Rich Heritage, & Modern Landmarks

Oslo’s vibrant capital offers a blend of rich heritage and modern landmarks, accentuated with tranquil escapes into nature. Cruise around the islands of the Oslofjord on an authentic wooden sailing ship, learn the history of 13th century Akershus Fortress, walk on the rooftop of the modern Opera House, which was designed to look like a glacier rising from the sea, experience a traditional Norwegian sauna, a very popular activity here, and discover the Nobel Peace Center, the Munch Museum, sculpture parks, hiking trails, and more. This post covers what to do in Oslo.

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What To Do In Oslo

Aker Brygge Waterfront

The Aker Brygge Waterfront is the perfect place to start your exploration of Oslo. It was once a shipyard where wooden sailing ships and barges were built for maritime trade, but has now been converted into a lively pedestrian space. It’s popular with both locals and tourists with many restaurants, cafes, shops, and museums, along with apartments, and office buildings. It’s very vibrant, often filled with festivals and events, and scenic, with views of the Oslofjorden.

Oslofjord Cruises & Ferries

The Aker Brygge Waterfront is also where you can catch one of the many cruises that head out into the Oslofjord. There’s a mini cruise that goes by the iconic Opera House and the inner Oslofjord. It lasts about an hour. There’s also a 2-hour cruise that goes deeper into the fjord, where you will see the islands where the locals have summer homes. Then there are several 3-hour cruises, including a jazz cruise, blues cruise, rock cruise, and dinner cruises. For something completely different, you can also explore the Oslofjord on a 3-hour kayak trip.

I personally think a cruise in one of the authentic sailing ships is the best (which are in the links above). You can also purchase tickets for these cruises near the dock, but they sell out fast during peak season, so it’s best to book early.

You can also catch a ferry to the islands off the coast of Oslo from the waterfront. They run often to Hovedøya, the closest island, but here are also ferries to Lindøya, Nakholmen, Gressholmen, Langoyene, and Bleikøya. Since Hovedøya is one of the most popular islands to visit, I’ve listed more detail on what to expect there in a section below.

You can also take a ferry to the Bygdøy Peninsula from the Aker Brygge Waterfront. This peninsula is home to six museums and the summer home of the Norwegian Royal Family. See Bygdøy Peninsula below for more details.

To ride the ferry, buy a public transport ticket on the Ruter’s mobile app. Tickets are valid for a set amount of time, for different zones, and can also be used for the metro and bus. See the app for details.

Tip: skip the mini cruise and take the ferry to Hovedøya instead. It’s almost the same route, except it stops at the island rather than going around it. The cost is much lower than the mini cruise, plus you get to explore the island as a bonus. Then splurge and book one of the longer cruises into the Oslofjord. Preferably near sunset.

Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress is the medieval castle and fortress that once protected Oslo. It sits beside the Aker Brygge Waterfront, overlooking it. The fortress dates back to the late 13th century. You can explore the King’s Hall, the Castle Chapel, the dungeons, the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, and the Norwegian Resistance Museum. The latter details the history of Norway’s resistance during German occupation in WWII.

I recommend the self-guided audio tour of the fortress. It provides a nice overview. The Resistance Museum is a separate ticket from the fortress ticket (although a combination ticket is available). I found it interesting, as I did not know its history, but found that only a small part of the detailed presentation of events is in English. I’m still glad I visited though. The Norwegian Armed Forces Museum is also located here.

Tip: After exploring the fortress, look for the small cafe/bar on the cliff overlooking the Aker Brygge Waterfront. You can sit and watch the sailing ships and ferries cruising in and out to the fjord.

Opera House

The Opera House is a must-see modern landmark in Oslo. It’s built of white marble and designed to look like an iceberg rising from the water. The roof is purposely sloped, so visitors can walk to the rooftop for panoramic views of the city and the fjord.

The Opera House hosts a variety of operas, plays, and ballet performances, although they are usually in Norwegian (or the original language of the performance).

Tip: since most performances are not in English, the best way to experience the inside of the Opera House is to take an English speaking guided tour.

Experience A Norwegian Sauna

Just across the fjord from the Opera House, you will find several floating sauna experiences. This is extremely popular in Norway, so there will be both locals and tourists enjoying them. One of the most popular saunas here is SALT – Art & Music. Along with 3 different saunas, SALT also has DJs, bars, and live music, as well as food, making for a very fun afternoon or evening. As sauna experiences are very popular, make sure to book in advance. The saunas are open year round, and also very popular in winter.

Tip: Remember to pack your bathing suit. Some saunas do sell basic swimsuits, but they also sometimes run out.

Nobel Peace Center

The Nobel Peace Canter was my favorite museum in Oslo. It tells the inspiring story of Alfred Nobel, who established the Nobel Peace Prize in his last will and testament. The museum showcases the remarkable achievements of the laureates; individuals who have made a significant positive impact on our world.

The museum space is thoughtfully designed to encourage reflection on peace-related topics and conflict resolution.

“It often takes more courage to change one’s opinion than to keep it.”

Willy Brandt, Nobel Peace Prize 1971

Munch Museum

Edvard Munch is one of Norway’s most recognized artists. He is a pioneer of Expressionism, with his most famous artwork, “The Scream”, a symbol of modern existential angst. The art collection holds over 28,000 works by Munch, as well as several variations of “The Scream”. This museum is located beside the Opera House.

The National Museum

The National Museum, or Nasjonalmuseet, is another important museum in Oslo. It opened in 2022 and is recognized as the largest museum for art, design, and architecture in the Nordic countries.

You can find works by famous artists like Pablo Picasso, Vincent Van Gogh, Henri Matisse, Cezanne, and more.

Tip: If you are not a huge Munch fan, I recommend the National Museum over the Munch Museum as it also has a version of “The Scream”.

Hovedøya island

Hovedøya is the island closest to Oslo and one of the most often visited islands. It’s known for its scenic nature, which offers a lovely escape from modern Oslo. There are several tranquil, wooded walking paths, the ruins of a 12th century monastery, Klosterkroa, restored Napoleonic War cannons that once protected the island, options for kayaking, two small beaches for swimming, and a cozy little café, Klosterkroa Cafè Hovedøya.

This unassuming little café offers lovely lunch options. At the very least, it’s worth visiting the island just for the scenic ferry ride and lunch. I tried the Skagen sandwich; a delicious open faced shrimp salad sandwich with fresh dill. You can also get a big bowl of shrimp, mussels, hummus, and a variety of sandwiches.

To get to Hovedøya, take the ferry from the Aker Brygge Waterfront. Use the Ruter’s mobile app to buy your ticket (which can also be used in the metro and bus).

Tip: Make note of the last ferry return to the mainland so you do not miss it.

Bygdøy Peninsula

The Bygdøy Peninsula, which has several museums, is also accessible by ferry from the Aker Brygge Waterfront. You can visit the Viking Ship Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Fram Museum, the Maritime Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum, and the Norwegian Holocaust Center. All are within walking distance. This is also where the Norwegian Royal Family has their summer residence. Guided tours are often available in summer.

Tip: If you are a museum lover, and plan to visit several museums, look into the Oslo Pass.

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace is where the Norwegian Monarchy works and lives. It was built in the early 19th century for King Carl Johan, who ruled over both Norway and Sweden.

One of its highlights is the changing of the guard ceremony that happens daily at 1:30. Usually, the procession starts from Akershus Fortress around 1:10. From there, they march down the main boulevard, Carl Johans Gate, sometimes accompanied by a marching band. The ceremony is less elaborate in winter.

You can also book guided tours to see the interior of the palace. They start from the back of the palace by Slottsgården. Look for tours in English.

Parliament House

At the opposite end of Carl Johans Boulevard is the Parliament House, also called the Storting Building. Although there are guided tours in the Parliament Building in the summer, they are not for tourists. If you want to learn more about the Norwegian Parliament watch this virtual tour.

Vigeland Sculpture Park

The Vigeland Sculpture Park is the largest sculpture park where the sculptures are all designed by one artist, Gustav Vigeland. There are over 200 sculptures here, each designed to capture the various aspects of a person’s life. And because he wanted them to be timeless, he sculpted them all naked. Vigeland Sculpture Park also has the largest collection of roses in Norway.

Vigeland is free and open 24 hours every day. There is a cafe here, the Vigeland Kafe, but I recommend Anne på Landet instead. It’s a short walk from the entrance (or exit) and overlooks the gardens. To find it, walk to the left of the bridge and the famous Angry Boy statue (Sinnataggen). It offers a variety of pastries, sandwiches, coffees, and teas.

Tip: Try to arrive at Vigeland early morning or late afternoon to avoid the crowds that arrive on tours.

Ekebergparken Sculpture Park

Ekebergparken is another sculpture park in Oslo. This sculpture park is smaller, and located closer to the city. The sculptures here are more modern and created by various artists. They are scattered throughout the forest trails, so this is more of a “walking in nature” type of experience. Plus, as the park sits above Oslo, there is also a scenic view of the city and the fjord from the park.

Evenings are especially enchanting with the “Nordic Pixel Forest” light and sound installation, which features rows of colorful lights hanging within the trees. This park is also free and open 24 hours, every day. There is also a restaurant in the park.

Tip: As this park sits east of Oslo, it is ideal to arrive before sunset to watch the sun descend over the city and wait for the lights to come on at dusk.

Nordmarka Forest & Sognsvann Lake

Sognsvann Lake, in Nordmarka Forest, is another great spot to enjoy nature. PIt’s a very poplar to come for a walk around the lake, have a picnic, or go swimming or fishing. To get here, take the metro to Sognsvann Station.

There are also hundreds of trails in Nordmarka Forest for hiking and biking. See AllTrails for detailed trail information and maps.

Visit Hip Grünerløkka

Grünerløkka is a bohemian neighborhood in Oslo. Once an industrial area, it’s been renovated and is now full of cozy cafes, hip bars, dance clubs, boutique stores, weekend markets, and street art. Make sure to visit Olaf Ryes Plass Square, which is surrounded by trendy little restaurants. In the evening, the patios are filled with diners enjoying food and drink.

If you want to learn more about this area, try one of these walking tours:

• Grünerløkka Vibes: A Bohemian Oslo Experience
• Grünerløkka Food & Culture Walking Tour

Norway In A Nutshell

Oslo is one of several starting points for Norway In A Nutshell (NIN). This iconic transportation route offers a spectacular journeys through the peaks, valleys, fjords, and cascading waterfalls between Oslo and Bergen.

At its core, it traverses the Flåmsbana Railway between Myrdal and Flåm, a cruise on the UNESCO-listed Nærøyfjord, and a drive to the peak of the Stalheimskleiva for a panoramic view of the Nærøydalen (which is also UNESCO listed). Yet, it also offers flexibility. You can customize your trip by starting/stopping at different locations, making round trip vs one way journeys, adding in side trips or overnight stays, and alternative routes.

The website makes it very easy to customize your trip based on personal preferences, but, it’s really all just public transportation. If you have time, and feel confident piecing everything together yourself, use the site as a guide and book everything separately to save money.

There’s also the Sognefjord In A Nutshell and Hardangerfjord In A Nutshell. The former follows the same path as the Norway In A Nutshell, but the leg from Flåm to Bergen follows the Sognefjord, rather than the Nærøyfjord. The latter also runs between Oslo and Bergen, but offers a cruise in the Hardangerfjord, which is south of Oslo.

For more details, see my post Norway In A Nutshell Review – Is It Worth It?

Want To See More Of Norway?

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• Norway In A Nutshell Review – Is It Worth It?
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• Norway In A Nutshell Review | Is It Worth It?
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• Norway Travel Guide

Safe Travels!

Julie