Top Things to do in Oslo, Norway [A Local’s Guide]

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In this guide I share the most popular/top things to do in Oslo, sharing a local’s opinion on what to do when sightseeing in the Norwegian capital. Whether you are visiting Oslo for the first time or you’re a frequent visitor, there are some attractions you just don’t want to miss during your trip.

Having lived in Oslo myself, and with loads of friends and family who still do, I visit the city often. In fact, even though I brag about being from the most beautiful place on earth (aka the western fjords), I my mom and that entire side of my family are Oslo natives!

The capital city is the most-visited destination in Norway, and with good reason due to the many fun things to get up to there. The city is the main port of entry for most travellers arriving in Norway, before they head off to the fjords or up north to see the northern lights.

How this Oslo guide is structured

This guide used to be a lot bigger (with over 40 things to do in Oslo, actually!). However, I recently decided to split it up to make it even more reader-friendly – in the hopes that it would be easier for you to use it in planning your trip to Oslo and Norway.

Therefore, in this guide I give you the most popular things to do and activities in Oslo. These include the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Akershus Fortress and (of course) the Munch Museum. In short, the must-see, can’t miss things to do while you’re here!

Then, in another post, I have outlined my favorite free attractions in Oslo. From my favorite city walks to the Botanical Gardens, I include everything you need to visit Oslo on a budget over there.

Moving on, Oslo is home to some epic museums – it’s not just the Munch! So, I have dedicated an entire article to the best museums in Oslo. I even ended up creating a little guide to visiting Oslo with kids!

Now, there is some overlap. For example, the Vigeland park is both free and one of the most popular things to do here. However, for the most part, these guides will all enhance your trip to Norway – and hopefully cover whatever specific activity you’re looking for!

The 12 Most Popular Things To Do in Oslo – By a Local!

I’ll get straight to it.

These are the most popular Oslo attractions that I recommend for anyone wondering what to do in Oslo for their visit.

#1 Vigelandsparken (the Vigeland Sculpture park)

The Vigeland Park is a sculpture park and the most popular attraction in Oslo.

The collection of sculptures is actually the largest sculpture park in the world created by only one artist; Gustav Vigeland. If you can find the most popular sculpture; the Angry Boy (Norwegian; Sinnataggen), make sure to get a photo!

In the Vigeland Park / Vigelandsparken, you’ll meet tourists and locals alike, as everyone loves to drop by for a walk.

The park is free of charge, and particularly busy on Sundays.

You’ll also find groups meeting in the park to work out or start their runs here, so if you are hoping to get some exercise during your trip, this is the place to start!

Head this way to read my quick guide to the Vigeland Park.

Just around the corner from the park you’ll find the Vigeland Museum. There, you can dive deeper into the life and works of Gustav Vigeland himself.

Vigeland lived in an apartment adjacent to the museum from 1924 until his death. They’ve kept the apartment as it would have been when he lived there, and on selected days you can enter the apartments.

Read more about the best museums in Oslo here!

#2 The Norwegian Palace

The Norwegian Palace is a must for when you visit Oslo, and so easy to check off your list. It was completed in 1849, and boasts 173 rooms!

This is where the royal family resides, and when the royal flag is up this means that the King is at home. I love walking around the palace trying to sneak a peek through the windows!

When deciding what to see in Oslo, most people make sure not to miss the Palace. As mentioned, it is located at the end of the main street Karl Johan, so it’s easy to drop by to see it when you are in the city center.

In the summer months you can join a guided tour of the palace. These tours sell out fast, so make sure to book in advance on their website.

#3 Holmenkollen Ski Arena and Museum

We love skiing in Norway, and ski jumping is by many considered one of our national sports.

Holmenkollen is one of the top Oslo attractions, and the building itself is impressive with or without snow. At Holmenkollen you’ll find the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, which is the world’s oldest museum dedicated to skiing, and the famous jump tower.

The museum opened in 1923, and covers 4000 years of skiing history – with over 2500 pairs of skis on display!

How to get there: Take the subway line 1 towards Frognerseteren, and get off at the subway stop called Holmenkollen. The travel time from the city center is around 25 minutes.

#4 Have lunch at the Grand Café

Not everyone knows the significance of this place, and you’ll find that it’s mostly locals who do. But when I’m asked about what to do in Oslo, this is one of the first places I recommend.

The Grand Café is located right on Karl Johan, across from the Norwegian parliament Stortinget. And it is well worth a visit (for lunch, dinner, or just a coffee or glass of wine).

The original Grand Café opened in 1874 in the basement of the Grand Hotel (where the likes of Obama and the Rolling Stones have stayed), and was a watering hole for the now famous ‘Kristiania Bohemes’.

The likes of Henrik Ibsen, Knut Hamsun and Gustav Vigeland (the sculptor) would all spend their days there.

So, when you are seated here, know that you are one of many, many important names and people who have done the same.

Don’t miss the large mural on the back wall, depicting some of the famous people who frequented this watering hole. When you get close to it, you’ll notice that their names are engraved on the frame of the painting, so you can see who’s who.

Tip: If you stay at the Grand Hotel whilst in Oslo, breakfast is served at the Grand Café!

#5 The National Museum

The brand new National Museum opened in 2022 and contains Norway’s largest public collection of paintings.

The museum spent years in the making, and opened its doors right in the city center by the Opera House and Nobel Peace Center, and within walking distance of Oslo’s Barcode neighbourhood (pictured below).

It is now the largest museum in the Nordics, and covers several floors of exhibitions (both permanent and temporary) – in fact, they have over 5000 pieces in their collections!

Art lovers will love visiting the National Museum – my only recommendation is to check their website before you visit to orientate yourself with their floor plans and exhibits. You don’t want to get lost and miss out on the pieces you most wanted to see.

#6 The Nobel Peace Center

Right next to the National Museum you will find the Nobel Peace Center. Not everyone know that the Nobel Peace Prize is handed out in Oslo every year, as opposed to the other Nobel prizes (handed out in Sweden).

The center is dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize, its history, winners and impact through the years. They use modern exhibitions to dive into topics on peace and war, with the aim to inspire visitors to “work towards a more peaceful world”.

This is especially a good place to bring children. I remember it had a big impact on me when I visited when I was little. I left with a sense of being able to change the world.

#7 The Bygdøy Museums

Bygdøy is a treasure trove of museums that cater to a wide range of interests, making it a must-visit destination for any traveler exploring Oslo. From delving into the intriguing world of the Viking age at the Viking Ship Museum to embarking on a journey through polar exploration history at the Fram Museum, Bygdøy offers an enriching cultural experience.

The Kon-Tiki Museum is a fascinating stop for those intrigued by Thor Heyerdahl’s expeditions, while the Norwegian Folk Museum provides a deep dive into Norwegian heritage and culture.

With such diverse offerings, spending time in one (or several) of the museums in Bygdøy is undoubtedly one of the best things to do in Oslo, offering a mix of educational insights and engaging exhibits for visitors of all ages and interests.

Whether you’re a history buff, an adventurer at heart, or simply curious about Norwegian traditions, Bygdøy’s museums have something for everyone. The museums in Bygdøy not only educate and entertain but also offer a unique glimpse into the past, showcasing the resilience, innovation, and cultural heritage of Norway.

Side note: The Viking Ship Museum is closed for renovations until 2027. I’ll keep you posted when it reopens. For now, the Historical Museum is your go-to for Viking age artefacts in Oslo.

#8 The Oslo Opera House

The Oslo Opera House is more than just a cultural performance hall, it is one of the best things to do in Oslo during your visit.

It is the first Opera House in Norway, and opened in 2008. In addition to being the place to go for classical concerts, ballet and (of course) opera, the structure itself is quite impressive.

The fun design of the Opera House attracts many visitors, and having a walk around the roof is a great Oslo activity for a sunny day. Grab a coffee to go and enjoy the views of the harbour!

#9 Explore Akershus Fortress

Akershus Fortress overlooks the harbour of Oslo and is a castle and fortress dating back to the 1300s. It has been a prison, the seat of the royal family, and currently holds barracks belonging to the Norwegian army.

In short, Akershus is one of the most important buildings in Norwegian history, so if you are unsure of where to start and what to see in Oslo first: this is it.

You are also just a short walk from Aker Brygge, so it’s the perfect thing to do in Oslo before dinner and a stroll on the roof of the Opera House!

There are daily tours taking you around the grounds of Akershus, and they also have a visitor centre where you can get all the information you need.

Akershus Fortress also contains two museums (the Resistance Museum and the Armed Forces Museum) that you can read more about here.

#10 MUNCH (The Munch Museum)

Edvard Munch is perhaps the most famous artist to come out of Norway.

His most well-known painting is The Scream (in Norwegian; Skrik), but other notable works of art include Madonna and The Girls on the Bridge (Pikene på Broen).

The Munch museum, simply named MUNCH, is a modern, 13-storey building in Oslo’s Barcode district. The most famous pieces are found on the 4th floor (in the exhibition called Endless Munch/Munch Uendelig), and Kranen Bar on the 13th floor is one of the best bars in Oslo for the views alone.

It isn’t Norway without a fjord cruise, right?

Whilst it can be argued whether the Oslofjord is a proper fjord or not, there is nothing like heading out on the water.

There are several fjord cruises available from Oslo, usually lasting about 2-3 hours. They will take you on a roundtrip journey through the fjord, and bring you back to the city docks by the end.

With several to choose from, I thought I would share three of my favourite fjord cruises in Oslo here.

From 3-hour evening cruise that take you out on the fjord onboard a beautiful wooden boat in the evening to slightly shorter daytime tours, there are plenty of options for cruises on the Oslofjord.

Finally, there is the sightseeing boat to Bygdøy. This is the perfect mode of transportation for those who want to head out to the Bygdøy museums (Fram, Kon-Tiki and the Museum of the Viking Age). You can disembark at Bygdøy after the 1-hour 45-minute cruise through the fjord, and return to Oslo by bus (Route 30).

#12 Oslo Street Food Tour

What better way to enjoy a city than to eat your way through it?

If you join one of these Oslo Street Food tours, you’ll not only be taken on a walking tour around Oslo, but you will also get the change to sample some local dishes and delicacies.

From traditional Norwegian hot dogs and waffles, to meats and drinks – this is the perfect activity for foodies, and will also allow you to explore a more alternative side to Oslo.

Your Questions About Oslo – Answered! [FAQ]

I get a lot of emails and DMs with questions about Oslo and visiting Norway (I always say: start by reading my Norway trip planning guide here).

So, below I have tried to gather some of the most frequently asked questions I get about Oslo and things to do there, in the hopes that it is helpful to you!

Of course, if you have a question that isn’t covered here, please leave a comment below!

Looking for more things to do in Oslo?

There you have some of my favourite Oslo activities and things to do during a visit. There are plenty of unique ways to explore Oslo, whether you are on a budget or looking to splurge a little.

Oslo is a great city to visit, both in the winter and the summer, and I hope you enjoy the Norwegian capital! You can find some more information about visiting Oslo and Norway here on Fjords and Beaches, and also on the Visit Oslo website.

Visiting Bergen as well? Don’t miss my guide to the best things to do there!

Below are a bunch more things and activities in Oslo for your trip. As always, I recommend booking activities and tickets in advance, as Oslo (and the whole country really) gets busy in the summer.