Oslo is known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. But is it really so expensive that you need to avoid visiting it if you’re travelling on a budget? The answer is no. Spending 4 days in Oslo doesn’t have to bankrupt you as long as you plan ahead.
There are numerous free things to do in Oslo as well as plenty of museums to get lost in when the weather turns bad. Chances are it’ll be worth it for you to purchase the Oslo Pass as it includes public transportation such as trams, ferries, buses, and the metro.
I find that purchasing a city pass is a great way to save money, but only if you’re actually going to visit the attractions on it in the first place. The best way of finding out if it’s worth it is to go on each attraction’s website and add up the cost of all the entry fees and compare it to the price of the pass. In the case of Oslo it’s definitely worth it.
Here are some tips to consider while spending 4 days in Oslo as well as a list of the top attractions around the city that shouldn’t be missed, especially if it’s your first time visiting Oslo.
Flying into Oslo
To get from Oslo Torp to the city centre takes 2 hours via a shuttle bus and train. This is where many of the budget airlines will fly into but often the arrival times are less than ideal. If you’re spending 4 days in Oslo you’ll want to have as much time as possible in the city without worrying about airport transfers.
From Gardermoen, you can get to the city centre in 20 minutes. There’s an express airport train, or a normal one which costs half the price and takes 2 minutes longer. So don’t be fooled at the airport with all the signs for the express train ticket machines.
What to eat in Oslo
Food is probably going to be your biggest expense after accommodation in Oslo. If you’re visiting Oslo on a budget you may want to avoid dining in the expensive restaurants. Instead, I would recommend taking advantage of the numerous food trucks around the city as well as the indoor food markets.
If you’re looking for the best supermarket chain in Oslo, REMA 1000 is the main one. They’re tricky to locate, often positioned underground, so make sure you have you Google Maps ready.
What to see and do during 4 days in Oslo
I spent 4 days in Oslo, and loved every minute of it. Even the rain couldn’t spoil it for me. Oslo is one of the best cities to visit in Norway, with a lot of incredible things to see, and most of them will fit comfortably within your travel budget. Here’s what I got up to during my 4 days in Oslo.
Norsk Folkemuseum
The Norsk Folkemuseum is the most unique open air museum I’ve been to. My favourite part of the museum is The Stave Church, which was originally from Gol but was rebuilt here. You’ll find this museum in Bygdoy which is where the Viking Ship Museum is also located. It’s one of the best places to go during 4 days in Oslo.
Oscarshall
Visiting Oscarshall is a fantastic free thing to do in Oslo. This summer palace offers stunning views of the fjords and is located in Bygdoy, only a short walk from the Norsk Folkemuseum. It’s not a main tourist attraction in Oslo so chances are you’ll have it completely to yourself.
Visit the museums on Bygdoy
I’m not quite done with Bygdoy just yet, because there are even more museums to visit on it! The Fram Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, and Norwegian Maritime Museum are all situated next to each other, and are included with the Oslo Pass. The ferry back to Oslo’s city centre docks just behind these museums so they’re very conveniently located, making it the perfect area to visiting during 4 days in Oslo.
Wander around Mathallen Food Hall
Mathallen Food Hall is a great spot place to eat in Oslo. This indoor food hall has over 30 stalls and is very popular with both tourists and locals. I visited Oslo in September, so the temperature was still comfortable enough to sit outside and take in the surroundings while eating some incredible food.
Holmenkollen Ski Museum
Some say that the Holmenkollen Ski Museum provides the best views of Oslo – unless it’s foggy. With the Oslo pass entry is included as is the metro ride to the top of the hill. It’s a bit further out of the city centre than most of Oslo’s points of interest, but it’s considered one of Oslo’s top attractions so it’s definitely worth visiting.
Walk along Damstredet
Walking along Damstredet is an absolute must during 4 days in Oslo. This cobbled street boasts very colourful 19th century wooden houses which are still lived in today. It’s one of the best places in Oslo to go for photos and is very safe if you’re exploring the city by yourself.
Oslo Opera House
If you don’t have time to go to an opera performance, you still have the option to walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera House. This is a really unique thing to do in Oslo and is completely free. The tourism website actually encourages you to walk on the roof, and the views of the fjords are breathtaking from the top.
Engebret Cafe
Engebret Cafe is situated in a very scenic courtyard, and it was very popular among artists such as Munch. The prices here aren’t budget friendly, but it’s a picturesque area of Oslo to walk around so it’s worth stopping at even if it’s just to look at it from the outside.
Ekebergparken
A walk to Ekebergparken is quite an uphill trek so I would suggest getting the tram to the top. The park is dotted with very unique sculptures, and provides you with amazing views of the fjords. If you love nature and have some spare time during your 4 days in Oslo I would recommend coming here.
Snap a photo of the Santa statue
This unique statue in Oslo sits just at the base of Ekebergparken. Although it has been official named the Santa Statue it’s also referred to as the “Butt Plug Gnome”. It’s definitely a talking point and something unusual to see in Oslo.
Explore Akerselva
If you have time, take a stroll along the Akerselva River. It’s a lovely walk and you’ll pass through some very unique areas. My favourite part is where the industrial buildings are. The buildings have been turned into bars in an effort to make the area a place to socialize and the walls are adorned with graffiti and street art to make it more appealing.
Aker Brygge
If you’re spending 4 days in Oslo you can’t miss Aker Brygge. It’s packed with restaurants, bars, and sits along the waterfront so the views are stunning. There are often food stalls set up along here offering a variety of budget friendly bites to eat that you can take advantage of.
Nobel Peace Centre
The Nobel Peace Centre is also included in the Oslo Pass and is really interesting to walk around. It takes around 45 minutes to see all of it, and it’s located at Aker Brygge too so it’s very easy to find. This is another of Oslo’s main attractions so I would highly recommend adding this to your itinerary if you’re spending 4 days in Oslo.
Oslo City Hall
Oslo’s City Hall is an impressive structure but my favourite part of it is the interior. The building was completed in 1950 after construction was halted due to World War II. There’s no time limit to the visit so once you’re inside you can spend as much time as you want in it.
Karl Johans Gate
Karl Johans Gate stretches from the train station to the Royal Palace, and is the main street in Oslo. This is where you can find a number of high end shops and restaurants, so if you’re visiting Oslo hoping to do some shopping, you should head here first.
Royal Palace
If you’re visiting Oslo on a budget you can still visit the Royal Palace. The palace was built in the 19th century and is current the home of the reigning monarch. If you time your visit correctly you can watch the changing of the guard and spend some time walking around the exterior of the palace.
Munch Museum
Visiting the Munch Museum is a unique experience and one of the best things to do during 4 days in Oslo. It’s a fairly small museum, so it doesn’t take long to go around, but they have a lot of Munch’s artwork on display here and the exhibitions change regularly.
The National Museum
I went to the Munch Museum expecting to see his most famous painting, but it turns out that The Scream is actually located in The National Museum. It also holds Norway’s largest collection of art, so you can easily spend a few hours here, especially if it’s raining in Oslo.
Akershus Castle
Akershus Castle is one of my favourite spots in Oslo. This castle is completely free to walk around, and is situated in an elevated position overlooking Oslo’s city centre and the surrounding landscape. This should be one of the first places you visit during 4 days in Oslo if you enjoy historic buildings.
Explore the Vigeland Sculpture Park
No trip to Oslo is complete without a visit to the Vigeland Sculpture Park. The park is open 24/7 and is free to enter. There are more than 200 sculptures to look at, with the most famous one being The Angry Boy. It’s one of Norway’s top tourist attractions, so it needs to be on your list of things to do in Oslo.
Where to stay in Oslo
Citybox Oslo
If you’re looking for a hotel in Oslo’s city centre within walking distance of the train station, I’d recommend staying at Citybox Oslo. Its location makes it an ideal spot to start exploring the city from, and its very budget friendly . I stayed here for one night, in their Single Room with Balcony, and had a great nights sleep.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Citybox Oslo <<
Cochs Pensjonat
I stayed at Cochs Pensjonat for the remaining 2 nights in their Premium Single Room. The hotel is located just behind the Royal Palace, and is surrounded by lovely shops and restaurants. It’s perfect if you’re on a budget but still want somewhere centrally located.
>> Click here for the most up to date prices at Cochs Pensjonat <<
I had a fantastic time during my 4 days in Oslo, and I’d love to return to explore more of the city. Oslo is a great place to visit, even if you’re on a budget. Remember to keep in mind that there are a lot of free things to do in Oslo, and you can save a lot by purchasing the Oslo Pass.
Alternatively, Finland is always a nice country to visit, so take a look at The Best Things To Do in Helsinki for some recommendations. And don’t forget to follow my travels on Instagram too to keep up with my latest adventures.
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