Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. Surrounded by mountains, sea and lakes it has a lot to offer with nature but also with history and museums.
Visiting tips
Airport transport to and from Oslo
Torp Sandefjord
The best way to get to Oslo is to take train from Torp Station. When you get out of the airport, there should be a shuttle bus to Torp train station (3 minutes drive). Then you take the train to Oslo (1h 30m). You can buy tickets online on Vy. The shuttle bus leaves just in time to catch the train and other way around, when you get to the train station, the bus should be there to take you to airport. You can trust the train schedule. In our experience, the most they were late was 2 minutes.
Oslo Airport
We did not go trough Oslo Airport but there should also be a train that goes to Oslo City center.
Public transport
Oslo public transport is run by Ruter. In 4 days that we were there we got checked by conductors so you better get the tickets. The best way to buy the ticket is through the mobile app. You do not need to scan anything when boarding the bus, if the ticket check comes, just show them the app.
Google Maps works good to show you directions, buses, trams and trains you need to get on.
Oslo Pass
Oslo pass is a great way to save money when you are visiting the city. In the pass you get free pubic transport (airport transfer excluded), free access to almost all museums in the city (see what’s included), and discounts at restaurants.
If you plan to enter many museums it is definitely worth it. If you do not care for museums, it is not worth it.
There is a 24h, 48h and 72h pass. Children and seniors have discounted prices, and if you are a student you get 20% off (you will need to show some kind of proof that you are a student in current year). Discounted price is only available if you buy it in person.
When you get out of Oslo train station, the Oslo Visitor Center is in the first building to the left. You can buy the pass there or through the Oslo Pass mobile application.
What To See
Tours
Walking Tours
There is a bunch of free walking tours you can make reservation for. You can learn a lot about Norway and Oslo from the tour guides. Free walking tours are based on tips so you can give the guide as much as you want. On the other hand you can also find a lot of private walking tours.
Here is the link to the walking tour we went on: https://freetouroslo.com/
Oslofjord Boat Tour
I would recommend taking a boat tour, they are worth it. Most of them take you around the fjord for an hour or two. There is a bunch of options to pick from but here is one that we went to: https://www.getyourguide.com/oslo-l38/oslo-2-hour-fjord-sightseeing-tour-t576
Attractions and Buildings
Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the national opera house in Norway. The roof of the building angles to ground level, creating a large plaza that invites pedestrians to walk up and enjoy the panoramic views of Oslo. Interior surfaces are covered in oak to bring warmth to spaces in contrast to the coolness of the white exterior.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
Norsk Folkemuseum, at Bygdøy, Oslo, Norway, is a museum of cultural history with extensive collections of artifacts from all social groups and all regions of the country. It also incorporates a large open-air museum with more than 150 buildings, relocated from towns and rural districts.
Viking Ship Museum
The museum is closed until 2026 or later.
The Vigeland Park
Sculpture park in the Frogner Park with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron, including The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen in Norwegian), The Monolith (Monolitten) and The Wheel of Life (Livshjulet).
The Vigeland Museum is right next to the park.
The Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is situated on a rise, the Bellevue, at one end of Oslo’s main thoroughfare, Karl Johans gate. The Royal Palace is one of the country’s most important buildings, and a concrete symbol of the course of Norwegian history since 1814.
Munch Museum
Museum next to the Oslo Opera House dedicated to the artist Edvard Munch. With a total of 13 floors and 11 gallery spaces, MUNCH offers a wide range of approaches to Edvard Munch and his art. The museum contains paintings like The Scream, Anxiety, Puberty and many others. One version of the painting is held in the National Museum
Holmenkollen Ski Museum & Ski Jump
You can take a lift up to the ski jump tower to see a panoramic view of Oslo and Oslofjord.
Nature
Sognsvann lake
Sognsvann lake is a popular park north of Oslo. If you go there during winter it will most probably be frozen. It is accessible by train (T5), 25 minutes from city center. A walk around the lake takes about an hour. We would recommend going there if you got the time.
Hiking
Around Oslo you can find a huge amount of hiking trails so if you brought good shoes and are willing to go, you should definitely go.