When planning a trip to Europe, Oslo may not be the first city that comes to mind. But if you do decide to visit the Norwegian capital, you’ll soon find out that it has a lot to offer. Spending a weekend in Oslo is just the right amount of time to take in the surrounding fjords and explore all of the incredible attractions throughout the city. Whether you’re interested in walking around trendy neighbourhoods, are keen to dive into the ever growing food scene in Oslo, or you simply want to enjoy a stroll along the waterfront, Oslo has something for everyone to enjoy.
What was once a modest Viking trading post in the 11th century eventually evolved into the thriving political and cultural hub of Norway that we see today. The city has been rebuilt a few times over the centuries, so what you’ll find is a unique mixture of medieval and neoclassical buildings nestled among modern architecture such as the Oslo Opera House. If you do plan to spend a weekend in Oslo, it’s the mixture of old and new that will make your stay even more memorable.
Buying the Oslo Pass
Like almost every city in Scandinavia, Oslo isn’t known for being very budget-friendly. However, there are definitely a few ways you can spend a weekend in Oslo without spending all of your savings. We chose to purchase the Oslo Pass which is available for different lengths of time, depending how long you’re in the city for. The pass includes free public transportation (ferries too), as well as entry into the majority of the main attractions in Oslo.
It’s a fantastic way to save money if you plan on seeing a lot of places in Oslo during your trip. However, it’s maybe not a great option if you plan to walk everywhere and not visit the many museums in Oslo. My advice would be to do some research beforehand and calculate how much money you’d save if you were to purchase the Oslo Pass.
Alternative things to do during a weekend in Oslo
Walk around Brenneriveien
There’s a lot to pack into a weekend in Oslo. For those of you looking for an alternative itinerary, the best place to start is the Grünerløkka neighbourhood. Beyond being a trendy area to walk around and grab a coffee or something to eat, this area is also home to Brenneriveien.
This street is famous for its murals and street art that adorn the walls of old industrial buildings. You’ll also find some quirky bars, music venues, and cafes around here, so in the evening it offers a very vibrant atmosphere. I’d recommend coming here early in the morning if you want to avoid the crowds and snap some nice photos without people in them.
Enjoy a floating sauna experience
One of the most unique things to do in Oslo is to experience a Nordic sauna. But not just any sauna will do. In Oslo they take tradition to the next level with a variety of floating saunas. These wooden saunas are located along the harbour, gently floating on the water so people can enjoy views of both the city skyline and the Oslofjord in the distance.
There are a few companies that offer the floating sauna experience in Oslo. One that seems to be very popular is KOK, who offer both shared and private saunas for visitors. To make the experience even more special, you can opt to have an electric boat pull your sauna into the fjord, far away from the sounds of the city. And yes, the saunas are also open in the winter months!
Treat yourself to an Oslofjord dinner cruise
If there’s one thing you have to try during a weekend in Oslo, it’s a dinner cruise around the Oslofjord. The 3-course dinner cruise by Brim Explorer is a phenomenal experience, where all of the food is locally sourced. Brim Explorer works with the chefs from Einer Restaurant, who are known for serving high-quality and sustainable dishes. They combine Norwegian flavours with modern techniques, and the result is an incredible fine dining experience on the water.
The courses are served in intervals, so guests can enjoy sitting outside with a drink from the bar while taking in the beautiful views along the route. The dinner cruise lasts for 2.5 hours, and it takes place near sunset so the lighting is perfect. Brim Explorer uses hybrid-electric boats, making you feel like you’re gliding along the water without the usual engine noise in the background. This was one of our favourite activities in Oslo and one that we would definitely do again.
Go to the top of the Holmenkollen Ski Jump
The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is one of Oslo’s most iconic landmarks. It sits high above the city, offering panoramic views of Oslo, the fjords, and the surrounding hills. It’s the perfect place to come for sports enthusiasts, as the ski museum showcases thousands of years worth of skiing history, including Olympic gear.
The ski jump has hosted competitions since the 19th century, and it’s still very much a part of Norway’s ski culture today. Even if you aren’t interested in skiing, you have to see the sheer scale of this ski jump up close. If you like ziplining, there’s one at the top of the ski jump that gives you a taste of what the athletes experience. The Holmenkollen Ski Jump is included in the Oslo Pass as well.
Watch the changing of the guard
The Royal Palace is one of the top things to see in Oslo. Even if you don’t want to take a guided tour of the palace, you can still experience a touch of tradition during the changing of the guard, taking place daily at 1:30pm. The guards will perform a carefully choreographed routine as they change posts, and during the summer months there’s a marching band playing alongside them.
The palace itself sits at the end of Karl Johans Gate, which is Oslo’s main boulevard. It was built in the 19th century and is still the official residence of the Norwegian monarch. Watching the changing of the guard is one of the best free things to do in Oslo, but if you want a good view you’ll have to arrive earlier to beat the crowds to the best spot.
Walk on the roof of the Oslo Opera House
Not many cities can say that their opera house doubles as a public walkway, but Oslo definitely can. Oslo’s Opera House was opened in 2008, and it was designed to resemble an iceberg rising out of the fjord. This striking modern building has become a major attraction for visitors, as people are encouraged to climb up its roof to see some of the best views in Oslo.
As you can imagine, the roof becomes very crowded mid-morning, so arrive as early as possible if you can. This is also a great spot to come at sunset, and it sits right next to the new MUNCH Museum, so you can cross off two attractions during your weekend in Oslo at once.
Locate one of The Scream paintings
Did you know there are two places to see Munch’s The Scream in Oslo? This is one of the most famous paintings in the world, and you can find versions in either the National Museum or the MUNCH Museum. Munch actually spent most of his life in Oslo, and at the MUNCH Museum you have the chance to see many other pieces of his artwork and learn more about his life through the exhibitions.
For art lovers, tracking down these paintings is a must, and it gives you a deeper connection to Norway’s cultural heritage too. Both museums are included in the Oslo Pass, but the MUNCH Museum requires a time for you to enter, so try to get there early to avoid waiting. The original The Scream painting rotates with two other versions throughout the day in 30 minute intervals, so you may need to hang around longer than expected if you want to see it. Or, head over to the National Museum where it’s always on display.
Admire the world’s most famous wooden polar ship
Taking a ferry over to Bygdøy is a must during a weekend in Oslo. This part of the city is known for housing several important museums in Oslo, including the Norsk Folkemuseum and the Viking Ship Museum. But it’s the Fram Museum that’s home to the world’s strongest and most famous wooden polar ship.
The Fram was built in the 19th century and carried famous explorers on groundbreaking Antarctic expeditions. Visitors have the opportunity to step onboard this preserved vessel and learn more about how the crew lived and worked in harsh conditions. There are also several exhibitions and historical artifacts located on each floor surrounding the ship. All of the museums on Bygdøy are included in the Oslo Pass too, which will save you a lot of money if you’re a museum-goer.
Explore the Vigeland Sculpture Park
Another fantastic free thing to do in Oslo is to visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park. It was created by Gustav Vigeland and contains over 200 sculptures, all depicting human figures in different stages of their life. The Monolith is the centrepiece of the park, carved out of a single block of granite. There are also some popular sculptures to see along the bridge, such as The Angry Boy. The park is free to enter, but if you want to learn more about the life of the sculptor, the Vigeland Museum is located a short walk from the park.
Spend the evening at SALT
If you’re looking for an alternative place to spend the evening in Oslo, pop your head into SALT. This arts and culture hub is located along the waterfront, and its outdoor space offers a combination of bars, live music, food stalls, and art installations. There are even saunas available throughout the day, all situated inside wooden structures that are inspired by traditional Arctic fish-drying racks.
This is a very lively place to come in the evening, and you can regularly find film screenings and cultural events taking place here. It still offers a relaxed vibe though, so even if you’re just looking for somewhere to get a drink or meet new people, SALT is the perfect place to visit in Oslo.
Unique places to eat in Oslo
bakt.
Tucked away in the city centre is bakt. – a favourite for anyone who loves Detroit-style pizza. Everything served at bakt. is made in-house, including their 2-day fermented dough and their delicious sauces. You’ll find their food stall located inside the VIA Village Food Court, not far from Aker Brygge. And, to top things off, they use hot sauces from Kyrres Krutt on all of their pizzas.
If you visit at lunch, they have a lunchtime offer which includes a drink, so you’ll save a bit of money there. They have some fantastic flavours to choose from, and they’re always coming up with new ideas. When we visited, they had a tasty birria pizza available and it was delicious. This is a nice budget-friendly place to eat in Oslo and they’re quick to serve you too.
Barcode Street Food
Saving money in Oslo can be difficult, but one way to do it is by eating street food. Barcode Street Food is where you can find dozens of food vendors, serving everything from Mexican tacos to Asian noodles and Lebanese dessert. The space has a casual, modern vibe to it, with long communal tables and colourful decor throughout. Oslo’s food scene is very multicultural, and Barcode Street Food is a great place to experience different cuisines all in one place.
Hakone Coffee
Located across the road from the city’s main train station is where you’ll find Hakone Coffee. They’re known for drawing inspiration from Japan’s coffee culture, and their brewing methods produce some of the best coffee in Oslo. As well as coffee, you can order matcha lattes and a few light bites such as pastries or simple sandwiches. It’s a good place to come in the morning if you’re planning to explore the area around Karl Johans Gate, and the prices are reasonable.
The Cupcake & Pie Co.
There are a lot of food stalls to choose from inside the Mathallen Food Hall, but one of my favourite ones has to be The Cupcake & Pie Co., who are known for their sweet treats. Their menu is centred around delicately decorated cupcakes and delicious doughnuts. You’ll find a mixture of classic flavours as well as creative combinations available – like their Oreo cupcakes! If you don’t know what to choose, you can order a selection of their mini cupcakes which will let you try a few different flavours in one sitting.
Paradis Gelateria
No weekend in Oslo is complete without getting at least one handmade gelato. Like all of my trips, I try to find a nice gelateria, which is why I was pleased to come across Paradis Gelateria near the MUNCH Museum. They have a couple of other locations around the city, including one on Karl Johans Gate, however most of the flavours are sold out by the evening.
The menu at Paradis Gelateria changes seasonally, but they’ll still keep a range of their classic flavours throughout the year. They’re open late too!
Where to stay in Oslo
Radisson Blu Nydalen Hotel
Most of the hotels in Oslo’s city centre can be pricey, which is why staying a little further away from the main attractions can help you save money. Radisson Blu Nydalen Hotel is the perfect place to stay during a weekend in Oslo. It’s located in the Nydalen district, near the Akerselva River, with easy metro connections that will bring you back to the centre in under 20 minutes.
The rooms here are modern and spacious, so you’re sure to get a good sleep. The neighbourhood is a quiet one too, so it’s ideal for both business and leisure purposes. Though they do offer a breakfast buffet, I’d recommend going to a local cafe instead.
Is a weekend in Oslo enough time to see the city?
So, is a weekend in Oslo enough time to see everything? That really depends on your interests, but overall I’d say no. There are a lot of things to do in Oslo, from exploring its museums to enjoying the surrounding nature and immersing yourself in its food scene. I’d recommend spending at least three nights in Oslo so you can explore the city’s trendy neighbourhoods outside of the city centre too. This will also give you enough time to try out one of the many Oslofjord cruises on offer.
If you have any questions about spending a weekend in Oslo, or if you have any advice about what to see or do during our next trip to the Norwegian capital, please get in touch. You can reach out via the contact form on my website, or by sending me an email. You can also follow along with my travels on Instagram and TikTok, where you’ll find more travel tips and inspiration.
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