Akerselva River Walk – A free activity in Oslo

There are a lot of things to do in Oslo that will cost your shirt (or your first-born, depending on where you bought your shirt). There are lots of cheaper things to do as well. You just have to know where to find them.

Living as a student in Oslo has taught me some city hacks for budgeting and saving money in one of the world’s most expensive cities. As a result, I can share a lesson or two on how to visit Oslo on a budget.

This post is one of them, and covers the lovely Akerselva river walk, a free thing to do in Oslo.

(It may or may not cost you a coffee if you wish to bring one along. Oslo in the winter months is way too cold not to.)

About the Akerselva River in Oslo

The Akerselva river is the river dividing Oslo. Almost literally through the city it separates the east and the west. In many cities, such dividers historically separate the rich and the poor.

In Oslo, it also allocates where you can find the hipsters and where you can find the au pairs, where you find the grungy dive bars and where you will find the champagne bars.

Oslo has so much to offer on both sides of the river, but for now, let’s focus on the actual river, shall we?

Walking along the river

Like I said, Akerselva splits Oslo in half. The river starts at Maridalsvatnet (the Maridal Lake) and runs straight into the Oslo fjord, with nice pathways and roads along it all the way. Do you see where I’m going with this?

Side note: if you are visiting Norway to see the fjords, one of the things we are most famous for, I wouldn’t include the Oslo fjord on your list. The best fjords in Norway are all found further west.

You probably guessed it, the point of this post is not the actual Akerselva river, but the walk along it!

If you start at the top you can walk as far as 10 kilometres, but you can also start it from wherever you want. Just jump on a bus and get off when you see moving water!

If you want to start all the way at the end, take the bus to Kjelsås station. I usually start walking from Nydalen (the subway stops there – the stop is called Nydalen), as that’s where my brother lives.

The walk along the river is extremely beautiful and calming, and there aren’t many places along the way when you notice you are in a city.

Stop along some of the coffee shops along the way if you get cold, bring your loved ones along and don’t forget your scarf! If you are spending some time in this city, I promise you that you won’t regret spending a few hours along the river, and that you’ll love the Akerselva River Walk.

Bonus: the pathway along the river is also great for people watching! Joggers, dog walkers, loved-up couples, kids and families all head here once in a while – especially on Sundays when everything else is closed.

Self-guided audio tour

I couldn’t not recommend this option for exploring the river. As mentioned, lots of Oslo’s history springs from the Akerselva river, and the best (and cheapest) way to learn about it is through audioguiding.

This is a download you can add to your phone. It includes a 45-minute tour of the river, and you can do it all at your own pace. I couldn’t recommend it enough. It uses the app called VoiceMap.

Alternatively, you can join a walking tour along the river. This is a little pricier (but still less than $30 per person), but is ideal if you want a more personal touch. Make sure to book it in advance, just in case it sells out.

Bicycle tour

Seeing Oslo from the seat of a bike is another great way to experience the city. This 3-hour Bike Tour along Akerselva river will let you explore the city with a local guide and experience some of its top sights. See iconic landmarks, beautiful parks and urban wildlife, while hearing stories and anecdotes about the Norwegian capital.

Regardless of how you choose to explore the river, I know you will have a great time!