All citiesOslo Things to do and walking itinerary
Norway Oslo travel guide
30 things to do in Oslo, where to stay, airport transfers, 4 MICHELIN-starred restaurants. Pick places on the map and get a day-by-day walking route from your hotel with steps, kilometres and minutes.
Top things to do in Oslo
- Oslo Opera House — opera house in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Munch Museum — art museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Akershus Fortress — former medieval castle in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Oslo Cathedral — cathedral in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Royal Palace, Oslo — official residence of the monarch of Norway (visit ≈ 90 min)
- National Theatre Oslo — theatre in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Vigeland installation — sculpture installation in Frogner Park (visit ≈ 120 min)
- National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design — National Museum in Oslo (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Fram Museum — museum on the peninsula of Bygdøy in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kon-Tiki Museum — museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Norwegian Museum of Cultural History — cultural history museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Gol Stave Church — stave church in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 30 min)
- National Gallery of Norway — in Oslo, Norway, since 2003 administratively a part of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Frogner Park — park in Oslo (visit ≈ 45 min)
- St. Olav's Cathedral — cathedral in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 35 min)
- Museum of Cultural History — museum of the University of Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Oslo Synagogue — Jüdisches Gotteshaus in Oslo, Norwegen (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Oscarshall — Palace in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Oslo Botanical Garden — University Botanical Garden in Oslo (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art — Art museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Old Aker Church — church in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Natural History Museum in Oslo — natural history museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Trinity Church — church in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Christiania Theatre — public theatre in Norway (1837-1899) (visit ≈ 20 min)
- Norway's Resistance Museum — world war ii museum in Akershus Fortress, Oslo (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Kunstnernes Hus — art institution and gallery in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Vigeland Museum — museum dedicated to Gustav Vigeland's art and life (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Rådhusplassen — square in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 15 min)
- Forsvarsmuseet — military museum in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 120 min)
- Sofienberg Church — church in Oslo, Norway (visit ≈ 30 min)
2-day Oslo walking itinerary
Starting point: Sentrum / Karl Johan. The top 8 places at a normal pace (up to ~10 km of walking a day), in this order. Change places or your hotel on the map and the route is recalculated; distances are estimates with a street allowance.
- Day 1 (≈ 4.7 km · 6,360 steps · 1 h 3 min on the way): Oslo Cathedral → Oslo Opera House → Munch Museum → Akershus Fortress → National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design
- Day 2 (≈ 7.6 km · 10,280 steps · 1 h 42 min on the way): Vigeland installation → Royal Palace, Oslo → National Theatre Oslo
Hidden gems and overlooked spots in Oslo
- Damstredet and Telthusbakken — Two sloping lanes just north of the centre lined with colourful 18th–19th-century wooden houses. (visit ≈ 30 min)
- Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Museum — Famous ski jump above the city with a ski museum and wide views over the fjord from the top. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Storting Building — Yellow-brick 19th-century parliament on Karl Johans gate; free guided tours on set days. (visit ≈ 45 min)
- Our Saviour's Cemetery — Leafy historic cemetery where Munch and Ibsen are buried; a calm place for a walk loved by locals. (visit ≈ 40 min)
- Akerselva River Walk — A green riverside path through the city past old mills, small waterfalls and bridges, from the forest to the fjord. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Sognsvann — A forest lake at the end of a metro line; the flat loop around it makes an easy walk in any season. (visit ≈ 90 min)
- Emanuel Vigeland Museum — A dim, echoing mausoleum-museum covered floor to ceiling in frescoes; open only limited hours. (visit ≈ 30 min)
Where to stay in Oslo
- Sentrum / Karl Johan: Walking distance to the main street, palace and harbour.
- Aker Brygge: Waterfront restaurants; stylish but expensive.
- Grünerløkka: Lively with cafés, bars and vintage shops.
- Frogner: Quiet, elegant area near Vigeland Park.
- Oslo S / Bjørvika: Airport train, Opera House and Munch Museum right next door.
- Grønland: Multicultural, with cheap food and stays.
Getting from the airport to Oslo
- Oslo Gardermoen (OSL): Flytoget train ≈ 20 min
- Sandefjord Torp (TRF): Torp-Ekspressen bus ≈ 1 h 50 min
Getting around
The centre is walkable; the T-bane metro, trams and ferries use the same Ruter ticket. Buy tickets in the Ruter app.
Classic places to eat
- Engebret Café: Oslo's oldest restaurant; Norwegian fish and game.
- Grand Café: Ibsen's old haunt; classic Norwegian dishes.
- Fiskeriet Youngstorget: Fishmonger and restaurant; fish and chips, fish soup.
- Mathallen Oslo: Food hall at Vulkan with local produce.
- Schrøder: Traditional pub; hearty Norwegian home cooking.
- Lorry: Bustling old beer hall with a long beer list.
- Tim Wendelboe: World-famous roastery and filter coffee.
- Åpent Bakeri: Sourdough bread and cardamom buns.
MICHELIN-starred restaurants
Last known stars; check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- Maaemo — 3 MICHELIN stars, Nordic
- Kontrast — 2 MICHELIN stars, Nordic
- Statholdergaarden — 1 MICHELIN star, Classic
- Sabi Omakase — 1 MICHELIN star, Japanese
Romantic views
- Opera House Roof (Sunset): The sloping marble roof looks over the fjord and the city.
- Ekeberg Park (Sunset): A wooded sculpture park on a hill with views of the city and fjord.
- Vigeland Park (Afternoon): A long walk among rose gardens and sculptures.
- Aker Brygge (Evening): The fjord-side quay comes alive with lights in the evening.
Football stadiums in Oslo
- Intility Arena: Home of Vålerenga Fotball
- Nadderud Sports Arena: Home of Stabæk Fotball
- Ullevaal Stadion: Home of Lyn 1896 FK
- Bislett Stadion: Home of Lyn 1896 FK
Good to know before visiting Oslo
- Fine: Drinking in streets and parks is generally banned.
- Fine: The drink-driving limit is very low.
- Warning: Hikes like Trolltunga or Preikestolen are long and hard; bring proper gear and check the weather.
- Wine and spirits are sold only at Vinmonopolet; supermarket beer sales stop early and not on Sundays.
- The right to roam (allemannsretten) allows hiking and camping if you leave no trace.
- Road tolls are charged automatically by plate and billed to rental cars.
- Emergency: police 112, ambulance 113, fire 110
- Plugs: C/F, 230V
- Tap water: Tap water is excellent.
- Tipping: Tipping isn't expected; round up for good service.
Sources: UK FCDO — Foreign travel advice: Norway, Wikivoyage — Norway, T.C. Dışişleri Bakanlığı — Türk vatandaşlarının tabi olduğu vize uygulamaları · For information only; rules change, check official sources before you go. Last checked: 2026-10
Oslo travel FAQ
- How many days do you need in Oslo?
- The top 8 places in the centre take about 2 days at a normal pace on a walking route from your hotel. Allow 5 days for the top 20 places within walking distance.
- What are the top things to do in Oslo?
- Highlights: Oslo Opera House, Munch Museum, Akershus Fortress, Oslo Cathedral and Royal Palace, Oslo. The map has 30 things to do in total.
- Where to stay in Oslo?
- Sentrum / Karl Johan: Walking distance to the main street, palace and harbour. Other options: Aker Brygge, Grünerløkka, Frogner, Oslo S / Bjørvika and Grønland.
- How do you get from the airport to Oslo city centre?
- Oslo Gardermoen (OSL): Flytoget train ≈ 20 min · Sandefjord Torp (TRF): Torp-Ekspressen bus ≈ 1 h 50 min
- How do you get around Oslo?
- The centre is walkable; the T-bane metro, trams and ferries use the same Ruter ticket. Buy tickets in the Ruter app.
- Which MICHELIN-starred restaurants are in Oslo?
- According to the last known data there are 4 starred restaurants: Maaemo (3 stars), Kontrast (2 stars), Statholdergaarden (1 star), Sabi Omakase (1 star). Check the MICHELIN Guide before you go.
- What is the emergency number in Oslo?
- Emergency: police 112, ambulance 113, fire 110.
- Do you tip in Oslo?
- Tipping isn't expected; round up for good service.
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