16 Things to Do in Oslo for an Unbelievable Visit

To say that Gustav Vigeland had some issues would be an understatement (one look at his sculpture of a man fighting and kicking babies should convince you), but a stroll through Vigeland Park, situated inside Frogner Park, is essential when visiting Oslo. This is, after all, the largest sculpture park made by a single artist in the world. Walk up to the Ovelisk, take a selfie with the naked statues, and check this one off your list.

To say Tim Wendelboe brews (or rather, aeropresses) the best coffee in Oslo is no exaggeration, it’s a fact. This coffee shop, micro-roastery and coffee brewing school in Grünerløkka has won the Nordic Roaster competition (a blind tasting) three years in a row. Tim himself is the 2004 World Barista Champion and 2005 World Cup Tasting Champion, and currently consults the new Noma in Copenhagen on coffee matters—so you know your cortado will be impeccable.

In contrast to the other two Scandi capitals, Oslo has a much younger vibe. This is partly due to the fact that a large fire in 1624 destroyed almost everything, so the city had to be rebuilt. The one thing that survived the fire? The Akershus Fortress, to this day standing by the waterside, unchanged (and free to enter). Walk within its walls that were built in 1300 and get a better understanding of how ancient this city actually is.

Edvard Munch is one of Norway’s most famous artists and definitely one of the most important painters of all time. It makes sense, then, that his presence can be felt all around the city. To begin with, Oslo Airport is now a mini Munch museum, so you can start your visit on the right foot. Then, there is the Munch Museum, now next to the Opera, having moved from Tøyen to the waterfront in Bjørvika.

This brick building in the industrial neighborhood of Vulkan, next to the Akerselva River, is like a cornucopia of flavors from all over the country. In Mathallen, you can find anything from cheese, ice cream, sausages, meats, fish, and vegetables from small-scale producers to curious desserts from Portugal, Italian pasta and wines, and more. Grab a table with friends (or sit outside if the weather is on your side) and take turns visiting each stand to try the goods.

It’s true that Oslo has many museums. Luckily for you, the ones you shouldn’t miss are all in one place: the Bygdøy Peninsula, just a quick bus (or ferry) ride from central Oslo. You should definitely visit the Kon-Tiki Museum – to see Thor Heyerdahl’s famous raft, the one that took him across the Pacific Ocean – and the Viking Ship Museum, where you’ll get to share the room with actual Viking ships and learn more about their military tactics. What will blow your mind, however, is the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum: you’ll get to walk amid traditional houses from all over Norway, make your way through an old village, and visit a stave church that dates back to 1200.

There’s a reason you see cranes all over the city: Oslo keeps changing. Within the last 10 years, iconic buildings like the National Opera and the Astrup Fearnley Museum set the tone for a city that’s unafraid to play with sharp angles and strange, geometrical shapes. Take a walk near the Barcode Project (12 buildings shaped to resemble a barcode from afar), explore the revamped neighborhoods of Vulkan, Tjuvholmen and Sørenga, and imagine what the new Deichman Library—currently under construction next to the Opera—will look like once it’s finished.

To get a table at Maaemo, Norway’s only three-starred Michelin restaurant, you’ll have to be smart and plan ahead – as in, at least three months ahead. Esben Holmboe Bang’s seasonal menu, with produce from the restaurant’s own farm, is totally worth it.

You can’t have a complete “must-do” checklist for any city without at least one drink along the way. In Oslo, let that one drink be a cocktail at Himkok, one of the world’s top establishments according to The World’s 50 Best Bars. The spirits here are of the utmost quality and have been produced in the bar’s onsite micro-distillery. Go for an aquavit-based cocktail and feel good about what a worldly and sophisticated drinker you are.

This must-try experience may sound weird and yet one of Oslo’s best value propositions is how easy it is to hop on a train from Oslo Sentralstasjon and explore Norway – or even Sweden. In case you’re wondering, the train to Bergen takes seven hours and every minute of the route is a scenic one.

The beautiful Oslo Fjord stretches 100km (62mi) south from the city and is dotted with picturesque islands such as Langøyene, Gressholmen and Lindøya. Holidaying Norwegians flock here in the summer to swim, kayak, barbecue and enjoy cruises. From its banks, hike through nearby woodlands, open fields and quaint villages. Winter swims are popular, just with a fjordside sauna before and after. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.

Ski resorts can be enjoyed all year around, not just in the winter. Tryvann, the most popular resort in Norway dating back to the 1930s, is a 20-minute metro ride from Oslo. For skiing and snowboarding, there are 9.6km (6mi) of slopes and nine lifts – it’s a great spot to hit the pistes at night. Come summertime, you can swing among the treetops at the climbing park, rent a bike and explore the hiking trails. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.

Norwegians are proud of their royal family and their country’s history, which makes the Royal Palace one of the country’s most important buildings since the early 1800s. Built in a neoclassical style, it has two wings and is three storeys high. Just like Buckingham Palace in London, it’s where the daily work of the monarchy is conducted and where the King and Queen still live. Book a guided tour to see its grandeur with your own eyes. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.

This red-brick, twin-towered town hall opened in 1950 to commemorate Oslo’s 900th anniversary, and today houses the city’s political administration. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here every year, with luminaries including Yasser Arafat (1994) and Martin Luther King Jr. (1964). Inside, you’ll find Norwegian art from 1900-1950, including the mural Life by Edvard Munch. The building hosts regular concerts and guided tours. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.

A significant historic landmark in the centre of Oslo, the cathedral was first consecrated in 1697 and restored back to its original baroque interior in 1950 after World War II. Today it is used for weddings and funerals by the Norwegian royal family and government. Learn all about its storied past and architecture with a guided tour – book in advance – or enjoy one of the regular classical concerts put on here. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.

Hold on to your hats – Norway’s largest amusement park offers up high-octane fun. Rides include Speedmonster, a towering rollercoaster that’s faster than a Formula 1 car, and SpinSpider, a terrifying-looking carousel attached to a huge pendulum. There are 30 rides in total and plenty are child- and family-friendly, plus there’s games, shops and eateries. The park is around 20 km (12mi) from the centre of Oslo – hop on a bus that stops at the entrance. Recommended by Louise Older Steffensen.