Oslo Travelers Recommend

With three days in Oslo, you’re lucky to have plenty of time to soak up the city’s atmosphere, see its most famous sights, get out onto the waters of the fjord, and head out of town into the surrounding countryside. Here are a few ways to experience the very best of Oslo in 72 memorable hours.

Day 1: Sightseeing and Culture

Start your Oslo visit by exploring the city’s top sights, such as City Hall and Akershus Castle, on a guided tour by bus, Segway, or (like the locals) bicycle. Some tours also go beyond the city center to the soaring Holmenkollen ski jump and the famed sculpture park of Vigeland. Alternatively, set your own itinerary with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour, spending as long as you like at each stop before continuing on the route.

Make the most of your stay and save money by booking a Visit Oslo Pass. It grants free admission to the city’s most important cultural attractions, including the Munch Museum (home to the world-famous painting The Scream), the Nobel Peace Center, and the Kon-Tiki Museum, which is dedicated to the 1947 Norwegian expedition to Polynesia. The pass also includes free public transit for the length of your pass’ validity. 

Day 2: Explore the Fjord and Food Scene

Get a different perspective on Oslo by sailing through its shimmering fjord on a sightseeing cruise. Soak up the views of the waterfront area, home to attractions such as the elegant Oslo Opera House and the skyscrapers of the Barcode district. Also see the forested hills around the city, plus the little islands that dot the fjord and are home to the summer homes of well-to-do Oslo residents. Alternatively, exert some energy on a kayak tour. Paddling through the fjord offers a close-up view of the nature that surrounds the city and the opportunity to stop at small island beaches.

Afterward, immerse yourself in Oslo’s rich culinary heritage and learn about cutting-edge New Nordic cuisine on a guided food-themed tour of the capital’s gastronomic hot spots. Alternatively, a beer- and cheese-tasting tour takes you to the busy Mathallen food hall and local pubs for local cheese, meat, and beer sampling.

Day 3: Experience the Countryside

Even with just one day to spare, it’s possible to get out of the city and explore the surrounding Norwegian countryside. On a full-day tour from Oslo you can hop on the Bergen railway to Myrdal, from where you ride the scenic Flåm Railway through the beautiful valley of Flåmsdalen, cruise down the UNESCO World Heritage–protected waters of Aurlandsfjord and Naeroyfjord, visit Gudvangen, and see other charming villages that dot the landscape. Skip the hassle of trip planning by booking a self-guided tour that combines the convenience of a guided tour with the freedom of independent travel.

Surrounded by fjords and forested hills, Oslo is doubly blessed by proximity to Norway’s dazzling nature and cultural clout. Renowned as the home of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, Oslo is also one of Europe’s fastest-growing cities and buzzes with contemporary creative energy. Here’s how to spend 24 memorable hours in Oslo.

Morning: See the Sights

The Norwegian capital’s compact city center makes it easy to see a lot in a short time. Start your day by hitting up the city’s top sights, such as City Hall and Akershus Castle, on a guided tour by bus, Segway, or (like the locals) bike. Some tours also take you beyond Oslo’s city center to Holmenkollen ski jump and the famed sculpture park of Vigeland, and a few also include a fjord cruise. Alternatively, a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour allows you to set your own schedule and spend as long as you like at each stop before continuing on the route.

Afternoon: Hit the Museums

Spend the afternoon exploring Oslo’s wealth of cultural attractions, such as the Munch Museum (home to the world-famous painting The Scream ), the Nobel Peace Center, and the Kon-Tiki Museum, which is dedicated to the 1947 Norwegian expedition to Polynesia. You can save money by purchasing a Visit Oslo Pass, which grants free admission to museums and discounts at other attractions, restaurants, and shops. For the length of your pass’ validity, you also travel for free on public transit. Alternatively, if you want to visit only one or two museums, such as the Viking Ship Museum, look for a sightseeing tour that includes entrance.

Night: Cruise the Fjord or the Cuisine

In Oslo, much of local life revolves around the waterfront, an area that has undergone attractive development in recent years. You can soak up the sights of the city’s waterfront and its surrounding countryside on a cruise that takes you out onto the sparkling waters of the fjord, past sights such as the gleaming Oslo Opera House and Akershus Fortress, and by the many little islands that dot the fjord. Alternatively, indulge in some Norwegian specialties on a beer- and cheese-tasting tour that takes you to local pubs and, typically, the popular Mathallen food hall in the Grunerlokka neighborhood.

Two days in Oslo allow you a good amount of time to thoroughly explore the compact city center and its surroundings, as well as get out onto the fjord. You’ll also have plenty of opportunity to soak up some history and culture. Here’s how to spend 48 fabulous hours in the Norwegian capital.

Day 1: Explore the City and the Fjord

**Morning:**Begin your stay in Oslo with a guided bus, Segway, or bicycle tour, hitting must-see sights such as City Hall and Akershus Castle. Some tours also take you just outside of the center to Holmenkollen ski jump and Vigeland sculpture park. Alternatively, create your own itinerary with a hop-on hop-off sightseeing bus tour.

**Afternoon:**Get a different perspective on Oslo: from the water. Kayak tours let you explore the nature that surrounds the city and stop at small island beaches while paddling through the fjord. If that sounds too effortful, opt for a fjord sightseeing cruise.

**Night:**Indulge in some delicious treats on a beer- and cheese-tasting tour, which typically includes a visit to Mathallen—a large food hall in the buzzing Grunerlokka neighborhood—and to local pubs. If cheese and beer is not quite enough to satisfy, stay for dinner at one of Grunerlokka’s many great restaurants.

Day 2: Experience Local Culture

**Morning:**Delve into Oslo’s cultural attractions, such as the Munch Museum and the Nobel Peace Center. Save money by booking a Visit Oslo Pass, which grants free admission to museums and discounts at other attractions, restaurants, and shops. For the length of your pass’ validity, you also travel for free on public transit. 

**Afternoon:**Immerse yourself in Oslo’s rich culinary heritage and learn about cutting-edge New Nordic cuisine on a guided food-themed tour. Most tours of the capital’s gastronomic hot spots include samples of local craft beers to wash down delectable cheeses, meats, fruits, and more.

**Night:**Conclude your visit to Oslo with a sunset fjord cruise. Float on the water in a traditional wooden sailboat and enjoy light snacks as you watch the sun go down over waterfront landmarks such as the gleaming Oslo Opera House.