Vacation In Oslo Norway
Are you looking to vacation in Oslo Norway? After reading this article you will be able to get great information for your Norway Vacation.
Learning that the low-cost airline Norwegian Air Shuttle has direct flights from Copenhagen to the capital of Norway, Oslo, I decided to visit the city that has been high on my bucket list for years. I figured out an itinerary that would leave me 3 days in Oslo before having to turn around and return to Copenhagen where I’d catch a flight back home. That left 3 short days to see as much of Oslo as possible. Beyond the numerous tourist attractions such as the Vigeland Sculpture Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump, and Aker Brygge are restaurants and shops that draw foodies and shoppers from all over Europe – including Denmark which is just next door. The fjords that surround Oslo beckon tourists in kayaks, boats, and even fake Viking ships (just up the road from Holmenkollen Ski Jump). Are you wondering if Norway has any beaches? The Stavanger Peninsula is home to hundreds of miles of sandy beaches where some lucky residents can have their own personal secluded beach right outside their back doors. All this and more in this vacation guide to Oslo Norway….
What to see and do in Oslo, Norway? From Oslo’s wonderful museums to the city’s many restaurants, there is a lot to explore. And getting around is easy using the transport system of Oslo. Learn more with this guide to everything you need to know about vacationing in Oslo, Norway.
By far the most popular vacation spots in Norway, Oslo is a place many choose to visit. This city has a cosmopolitan feel and a number of attractions that are appealing to the masses.
Vacation In Oslo Norway
There is nothing like the Fun and Excitement of vacationing in Norway. If you are looking for new experiences this is the place to come to. Norway has much to offer everyone no matter what age group, or even interests. How would you like to learn more about Norwegian history and culture or even sail along the coastlines for a relaxing adventure. What about enjoying unique cuisines?
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/ Norway / 33 Top Things to Do in Oslo – From a Local!
TOP THINGS TO DO IN OSLO – FROM A LOCAL!
I never used to be a big fan of Oslo, mostly because I’m more of a mountain person. To me Norway is all about beautiful views, and Oslo sightseeing doesn’t really compare to the incredible views in other parts of Norway. Then again, I’d say Oslo certainly offers enough interesting museums, shops, cafes, and experiences to make up for the lack of dramatic mountains and fjords.
Quick Oslo Travel Guide
Oslo Accommodation: Camillas Hus for most unique luxury accommodation, The Grand Hotel for classic luxury or The Thief for modern luxury accommodation, and First Hotel Millennium or Oslo Citybox for mid range accommodation downtown. I don’t recommend booking an Airbnb in Oslo as allegedly there have been a bunch of legal problems with Airbnb in the Norway and lots of bookings now fall through.
Top Oslo Activities:
Packing for Oslo: You can find my summer packing guide for Norway here and my winter packing guide for Norway here. In general I would say Oslo is quite a casual city – even when dressing up to go out most women opt for sneakers or boots with their dresses, so you can leave the high heels at home.
Travel Insurance: It’s always important to get travel insurance, especially these days. I always use World Nomads Travel Insurance, as I’ve had good experiences filing claims with them in the past.
While Oslo was established in 1048, it was only Norway’s capital briefly in the 1300s and then not again until 1814. Plus after a fire devastated Oslo in 1624, the city was actually moved slightly west, so today you won’t find the same rich history here as you do in Bergen or Trondheim.
And so whenever people asked me where to go in Norway, I would say that you can’t go wrong anywhere in Norway, but maybe avoid Oslo. It’s a wonderful city for locals, but most foreign tourists come to Norway for the incredible views, which isn’t really Oslo’s strong suit.
I mean yes, Oslo is surrounded by beautiful nature and there are so many parks and green areas right by the city, but the landscape is nowhere near as impressive as that surrounding Bergen, Tromsø, Ålesund, or oh my goodness Bodø.
But my heart has finally warmed to Oslo.
When I lived in Telemark I would usually visit Oslo at least a couple of times a month, but after moving up north I didn’t visit Oslo once – until this past weekend! And wow was it nice to be back.
I also used to spend a lot of time in Oslo when I was younger. My mother studied there and her closest friends still live in Oslo, so we’d often stay with them while in Norway. So I realized that now that I live farther away from Oslo I do sort of miss it.
While I still probably wouldn’t consider Oslo a must-visit on any Norway trip, if you are planning some time in the city don’t worry, you won’t be at a loss for what to do in Oslo. At least if you read this! I thought I’d share some of my top tips for things to do in Oslo, and I’ve been surprised by how long the list has become.
I started taking notes on my phone while wandering the city over the weekend and it seemed like every five minutes I was pulling out my phone to add something else, which must be a good sign!
And if you’re wondering how long to spend in Oslo, I think one full day would be plenty, or two days tops. This will give you time to experience Oslo’s best sights, but also won’t cut too much into the rest of your Norway trip.
Norway Travel Guides! I’ve gathered all my best advice for planning an incredible trip through Southern and Northern Norway in two 95-page ebooks covering my top recommendations for places to visit (both on and off the beaten path), the best times of year to visit, how long to visit for, the best accommodation choices, transportation, what to eat, what to pack, and how to plan the perfect itinerary.
You can purchase the Norway Travel Guides here.
Walk up the roof of the Oslo Opera House
I remember when it first opened in 2008 and it felt like a milestone for the city. Oslo was finally becoming cool. And actually it’s crazy to think how much Oslo has changed in the decade since then. Mostly in good ways!
The Opera House is a popular summer hangout, with people sunbathing here on sunny days, but I personally think it’s also magical in the winter. So if you’re looking for things to do in Oslo in winter I’d still recommend this.
Check out Oslo’s brand new “Instagram spot” Deichman library
I actually laughed out loud when I saw Oslo’s new library being advertised in Norwegian media as Oslo’s new Instagram spot. And then I sort of wanted to cry – is this what libraries have become? But then I saw photos of the Deichman library and wow, it is definitely photo friendly.
Beyond books, the library also houses a movie theatre, media workshops, gaming zones, lounges and a restaurant. Oh and it’s right by the Oslo Opera House and Central Station, so it’s convenient as well.
Go for a cook and dip at KOK
KOK is a new floating sauna established in 2017, now with two sauna boats. You can relax in the sauna docked across from the Opera House, and then if you’re brave (and you should be) you can take an icy dip in the fjord!
SALT
Another new place in Oslo featuring all capital letters, SALT is a nomadic restaurant/art/sauna project that has already been in Nordland and Bergen, and now it is in Oslo until 2020. It features three saunas, art exhibitions, a café, concerts, a market, and other events. It’s all very hip and exciting.
Take a boat trip down Oslofjord for some Oslo sightseeing
I love experiencing Norway from the water, and while Oslofjord isn’t the sort of dramatic mountainous fjord that Norway is famous for, it’s always nice to get out on the water! There are a bunch of tour boats that leave from near Oslo Station, like this 2-hour sightseeing cruise.
Kayak down Oslofjord
Another fun way to get out on the water in Oslo is to go kayaking. Again there are a few tour options, like this 3-hour kayaking trip.
Eat dinner on a boat down Oslofjord
There are a few tour options here where you can even have dinner on a boat, like this 3-hour buffet on wooden boat sailing through the fjord in Oslo.