If you’re planning only two to three days in Oslo and you’re looking for the things you just can’t miss, this list is for you! Here are seven things we recommend checking out on your next quick trip to Oslo.
7 Spots You Can’t Miss in Oslo
Vigeland Sculpture Park
I’ve gone to this park every time I’ve been to Oslo. Located within Frogner Park, it is free to enter and open all year round, 24 hours a day. It contains more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron. Highlights for me include: The Monolith (Monolitten in Norwegian), The Wheel of Life (Livshjulet) and The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen in Norwegian). Stop by Anne på landet for refreshments. If it’s summertime, try the rhubarb slushie!
The National Museum, aka Norway’s Nasjonalmuseet
The National Museum was opened in 2022, combining exhibits from multiple locations to become Norway’s biggest collection of art, architecture and design. There’s a lot to see as it’s one of the largest art museums in Europe by size, surpassed only by the Louvre in Paris and the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg. In addition to paintings, sculpture and artifacts, you’ll find interactive exhibits like sketching, construction sets, tablets, and more. Highlights for me include an exhibit on royal fashion throughout the years, paintings by Degas, Picasso, Kandinsky and, of course, Edvard Munch. This includes his most famous work, The Scream. I also really enjoyed the sections featuring political art and artistic inventions and contributions by Norwegians through the years. Read about the museum in more detail here.
The Munch Museum is also enjoyable but if you have time to visit just one, my money is on the National Museum.
Aker Brygge
If you’re headed to the National Museum, you might as well stick around for a while and shop, drink, and dine in the surrounding area of Aker Brygge. After wandering around, I grabbed lunch at the Jarmann Gastropub followed by a boat ride around the fjord. Later in the trip, I considered trying one of the floating saunas but, instead, I booked a spa package at The Thief Hotel with an afternoon tea. Read more about that experience here.
Grünerløkka
This is my favorite area to wander. It’s bohemian, trendy and there are thrift shops littered throughout this neighborhood. There’s a creative atmosphere with cool street art, unique cafes, and parks. Something that’s definitely worth knowing is that while most things are closed on Sundays in Norway, many businesses in this area are open, including a handful of flea markets.
The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet
You don’t have to see a show, but you need to see this gorgeous building. On a summer day, lounge on the roof and watch the ships in the fjord. I’ve yet to see a performance here but I hope to one day. By the way, the rooftop was featured in the Christopher Nolan film Tenet. In the scene where the characters of John David Washington and Robert Pattinson are talking about the airplane accident, they are here.
After a walk around the Opera House, swing by the library located just across the street. You can grab lunch or coffee inside or simply enjoy the five story architectural marvel. Here’s a peek inside.
Norsk Folkemuseum
You can take a short ferry to reach the island of Bygdøy and it’s only open in the summer, but it’s a great way to get a feel for the real Norway. Here you will find the Fram Museum, Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) and Viking Ship Museum. Please note that the Viking Ship Museum is closed for rebuilding and will not re-open until 2026/ 2027. The Stave Church at Folkemuseum is a must see!
Oslo Street Food
This space was once the largest indoor pool in Oslo. Now it’s a food hall featuring a great mix of different cultures, cuisines, and beverages. Though the selection of food stalls serves delicious dishes from across the globe, the businesses use local food and recyclable materials and strive to reduce waste and energy. As if the offerings aren’t reason enough to visit, Oslo Street Food is definitely worthy of an Instagram post or two.
After you drink and/ or dine, walk through the lobby of the Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeatret to snap a pic of the Kate Moss statue titled Sphinx by Marc Quinn.
Pro Tip!
Download the transportation app. The Ruter app makes it so easy to get around with public transport.
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