Oslo, Norway: travel guide
Norway's compact, green capital at the head of the Oslofjord — home to the Munch Museum, the National Museum, Vigeland Park, the waterfront Opera House and Akershus Fortress, ringed by forest and fjord.
- Country
- Norway
- Currency
- NOK
- Time zone
- Europe/Oslo
- Nearest airport
- OSL
Top places to visit in Oslo
Akershus Fortress
Fort · 4.5 rating · about 1.3 h
A medieval castle and fortress guarding Oslo harbour since around 1300, with ramparts, a royal mausoleum and sweeping fjord views. Grounds are free to wander.
MUNCH (Munch Museum)
Museum · 4.5 rating · about 2 h · entry NOK 180
A 13-storey waterfront museum in Bjørvika dedicated to Edvard Munch, holding the largest collection of his work including a version of The Scream.
Oslo Opera House
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1 h
The home of Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, its white marble roof sloping into the fjord so visitors can walk right to the top for free. An architectural icon of Bjørvika.
Fram Museum
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NOK 160
A Bygdøy museum built around the polar ship Fram — the strongest wooden ship ever built and the vessel that carried Nansen and Amundsen to the polar extremes.
Karl Johans gate
Cultural · 4.6 rating · about 1 h
Oslo's grand main boulevard running from the Central Station up to the Royal Palace, lined with the Parliament, the University, the National Theatre, cafés and shops.
Kon-Tiki Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 1.3 h · entry NOK 160
The original balsa raft Kon-Tiki and reed boat Ra from Thor Heyerdahl's expeditions across the Pacific and Atlantic, on Bygdøy's museum peninsula.
Astrup Fearnley Museum
Museum · 4.3 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NOK 180
A Renzo Piano-designed museum of contemporary art at the tip of Tjuvholmen, with a sculpture park and beach beside the fjord.
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
Museum · 4.7 rating · about 2 h · entry NOK 200
One of Europe's oldest open-air museums, with 160 historic buildings including the Gol stave church, showing Norwegian life from the 1500s to today on Bygdøy.
Holmenkollen Ski Jump & Museum
Viewpoint · 4.6 rating · about 1.5 h · entry NOK 200
The iconic ski jump above Oslo with a viewing platform over the city and fjord, plus the world's oldest ski museum inside the structure. A zipline runs from the top in season.
Vigeland Sculpture Park
Cultural · 4.7 rating · about 1.5 h
The world's largest sculpture park by a single artist — over 200 bronze and granite figures by Gustav Vigeland, culminating in the Monolith. Free and open around the clock in Frognerparken.
The Royal Palace
Heritage · 4.5 rating · about 1 h
The official residence of the Norwegian monarch at the top of Karl Johans gate, set in a public park. Watch the daily changing of the guard; state rooms open for guided tours in summer.
The National Museum
Museum · 4.6 rating · about 2.5 h · entry NOK 200
The largest art museum in the Nordics, gathering Norway's national collection of art, architecture and design — including Munch's The Scream — in a landmark building near the waterfront.
Things to do
- Oslofjord Sightseeing Cruise Sightseeing · 2 h · from NOK 490 per person
- Oslo Old Town & Highlights Walking Tour Cultural · 2.5 h · from NOK 300 per person
- Holmenkollen Ski Jump Zipline Adventure · 0.5 h · from NOK 750 per person
- Oslofjord Kayaking Tour Water Sports · 3 h · from NOK 750 per person
- Vigeland Park Guided Tour Cultural · 1.5 h · from NOK 350 per person
Where to stay in Oslo
- Sentrum (Karl Johan) about NOK 2,000 per night
The heart of Oslo along the Karl Johans gate axis — walkable to the Opera, museums, station and nightlife.
- Aker Brygge & Tjuvholmen about NOK 2,600 per night
A smart waterfront district of restaurants, galleries and the Astrup Fearnley Museum, with fjord swimming.
- Grünerløkka about NOK 1,600 per night
A hip, bohemian quarter of cafés, vintage shops and riverside parks north of the centre — great for younger travellers.
Hotels
- Grand Hotel Oslo 5-star · NOK 3,000 to NOK 7,000 per night
- Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo 4-star · NOK 1,600 to NOK 2,800 per night
- Citybox Oslo 3-star · NOK 900 to NOK 1,500 per night
- Amerikalinjen 4-star · NOK 2,200 to NOK 4,500 per night
- The Thief 5-star · NOK 4,500 to NOK 9,000 per night
- Anker Hostel 2-star · NOK 350 to NOK 1,200 per night
Where to eat
- Maaemo New Nordic, Norwegian · about NOK 3,800 per person
- Ekebergrestauranten Norwegian, European · about NOK 550 per person
- Fiskeriet Youngstorget Seafood, Norwegian · about NOK 320 per person
- Mathallen Oslo International, Food Hall · about NOK 250 per person
- Vippa Street Food, International · about NOK 200 per person
- Lorry Norwegian, Pub · about NOK 420 per person
- Illegal Burger Burgers, American · about NOK 220 per person
- Louise Restaurant & Bar Seafood, European · about NOK 520 per person
Getting around
- Bus main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Metro main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Tram main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
- Walking main way to get around
Seeded from the curated primary_local_modes array; per-city parameters not yet researched.
Safety and scams to avoid
Unofficial airport taxi overcharging
Oslo Airport & central taxi ranks
Taxis in Norway set their own fares, so an unmarked or "premium" cab at the rank can charge two or three times the normal rate for the same trip.
How to avoid it: Use the Flytoget airport train or a booked app taxi (Oslo Taxi, Bolt); check the price sticker in the window before getting in.
Dynamic currency conversion at card terminals
Shops, restaurants and ATMs
When you pay by card you may be offered to be charged in your home currency "for convenience" — the exchange rate is poor and adds a hidden markup.
How to avoid it: Always choose to pay in Norwegian kroner (NOK); decline conversion to your home currency.
Petition & friendship-bracelet distraction
Karl Johans gate & tourist crowds
A person asks you to sign a petition or ties a "free" bracelet on your wrist, then demands cash while an accomplice may target your bag.
How to avoid it: Politely decline and keep walking; keep valuables zipped and in front of you in busy areas.