Stuff to Do in Oslo

Everything you need to see, eat, do, and of course play in Oslo

This is an all intensive list of things to do in Oslo. You've made a big decision to move here, let's make it easy to get around. This is an evolving list of things so if you have any new suggestions, just let us know!

Historic Landmarks

Stortinget

Wandering around in the city centre (between Stortinget [Parliament building], Slottet [the Castle] and Rådhuset [City Hall] is nice - but beware that this is a touristy area. Tourist shops and many of the restaurants in this area are sub-par compared with other ares of town.

If you are around the castle in the afternoon, make sure to see the Royal Guard’s change of guards at 13:30.

The Opera House

The Opera house, located in the new “Barcode” district. When visiting the Opera house - bring your swimming clothes and visit the Floating sauna boats.

MUNCH Museum

Newly opened museum with a huge collection of Munch’s paintings and other work.

Vigeland Sculpture Park

The Vigeland Sculpture park is located at Frognerparken. Is a sculpture park designed by Norwegian sculpture Vigeland. Vigeland was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park, which is one of Norway's top tourist attractions, with more than one million annual visitors. This is a nice place to grab a coffee and walk around.

Ekebergparken

Ekebergparken is another sculpture park that is great for a hike around the area. It is much larger than Vigeland Park, and contains many famous artworks by many artists like James Turrel. To check out the Turrel exhibition you must book a ticket online here.

Holmenkollen

This ski jump will be something everyone will tell you to check out. Here you will find a Ski Museum with one of the best views of the city.

Astrup Fearnley museum

Located at the tip of the new Tjuvholmen district is the best contemporary art museum. Located in a beautiful building by Renzo Piano, with a decent collection and often many good rotating displays.

Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology

The museum is an anchor point on the European Route of Industrial Heritage.

Gol Stave Church

The Norwegian Folk Museum has an open-air museum with 160 buildings, including Gol Stave Church and the OBOS farm Wessels gate 15. The museum conducts research and knowledge production, and offers programs for children and families. It also has one of the best Christmas Markets.

City Walk with Henrik Ibsen

Other than Vigeland, Henrik Ibsen may be the most important Norwegian artist to the world culture. His plays may be the most performed after Shakespeare. Ibsen is very much present in Oslo.

The Mausoleum by Emanuel Vigeland

The hidden gem among Oslo attractions may be the mausoleum of Vigeland. The fresco paintings cover all the walls and the ceiling in one large dark. quiet room was named Vita (Life). Yes, he is the less famous kid brother of Gustav Vigeland that made the sculpture park. Only open Sunday afternoon; book your ticket in advance. If you are lucky, someone has brought an instrument and will demonstrate the amazing acoustics.

Food

Restaurantguiden

This is a nice overall guide of restaurants in Oslo by category. This is a good list for jumping off guide for when you are looking for something particular.

Norwegian Food

Norwegian food can be divided into three categories:

Traditional:

Frognerseteren

Engebret Cafe

Seafood:

Restaurant Fjord

Tjuvholmen Sjømagasin

Eff Eff

Modern Scandi:

Medium: 
Bass

Vaaghals

Expensive

Maeemo

Kontrast

Streetfood

Oslo Street Food

Barcode Street food

Tango Empanadas

SALT

Helt Rå Foodtruck

Food Delivery

Don't want to leave the house? that is fine there are two main food delivery services but please tip your riders, they say they get paid well it isn't true.

Foodora

Wolt

Activites

Indoor & Outdoor Climbing

Torshov

Vulkan

Trampoline

Rush

Kayaking

Mad Goats

Oslo Kayak Club

Tennis

Oslo Tennis Club - Tennis courts, courses and camp

Hiking

Sognsvann

Vettakollen Viewpoint

Maridalsvannet

Blåsen utkiktspunkt

Group Workouts

Barry's Bootcamp

Yoga/Pilates

Glød Yoga

Kjernekraft Oslo, Yoga og Pilates

Park hangs

This a very popular activity. You pretty much can expect a few people to be there all day and night in the summer/spring months.

Drinks

Byrgg

Aku Aku

Himkok

Oche

Angst

Oslo Camping

Champagneria

The Thief

Pier 42

Perestrojka

Bar*ISM

Fastlege

While a GP is assigned to you, here are some helpful hints to get started.

Helse Norge

An overview of your medical records while in Norway. You can also change your GP here twice a year.

Dr. Dropin

This is an emergency doctor in case you are unable to see your GP, this is great for quick visits or need for care. You can do video or in person visits.

Naprapat landslaget

This is a chiropractor that is pretty easy to get appointments

Oslo Tannlegesenter

A list of Dentists in Norway

Language Course

Alfaskolen

Speak Norsk

Lingu Oslo

Language Champ

Travel & Transportation

While walking is a good way to get around Oslo, sometimes you don't want to hoof it up another hill (or the weather is bad)

Ruter

This is the best way to buy a ticket for the public transit. By downloading the app in your app store.

Oslo Bysykkel

Here you can rent a bike and use it through out the city. There are tons of these blue bikes that makes it easy to get around pretty cheaply.

Tog

There are three options for taking the Train or Tog to leave Oslo. Vy, Entur, and buying at the kiosk at Oslo S (Jernbanetorget). At the station it will probably be more expensive but sometimes the apps or site do not like international cards.

Vy

This is the preferred application for booking a ticket.

Entur

This one will typically work for bank cards outside of Norway.

Taxi

These are pretty decent taxi services. Download the app and go! 

Bolt

Yango

Fair warning calling a taxi while out in town will be run up pretty quick but using services like Bolt, Uber, or Yango can help save a few.