Oslo Travel Guide: The Best Things to Do, See & Eat
Oslo, the capital of Norway, blends modern urban living with stunning natural landscapes. The city is known for its innovative architecture, rich cultural scene, and picturesque fjords.
With 387+ hand-picked places to explore, Oslo rewards travellers who look beyond the obvious. Below is our complete guide to the best of the city — organised by what you're in the mood for, with every place linked to its full profile.
Must-See Attractions in Oslo
The icons and landmarks no first visit is complete without.
Start with The Monolith — a towering sculpture symbolizing human cycles in Vigeland Park. Just as worthwhile is Aker Brygge: this waterfront area is known for its lively atmosphere, modern architecture, and numerous dining options. Holmenkollen Ski Jump completes the picture: an iconic symbol of Norwegian ski culture, offering breathtaking views over Oslo and thrilling ski events.
The Monolith
Oslo • Monuments & Statues
A towering sculpture symbolizing human cycles in Vigeland Park.
Aker Brygge
Oslo • Famous Landmarks
This waterfront area is known for its lively atmosphere, modern architecture, and numerous dining options.
Holmenkollen Ski Jump
Oslo • Famous Landmarks
An iconic symbol of Norwegian ski culture, offering breathtaking views over Oslo and thrilling ski events.
Vettakollen
Oslo • Scenic Viewpoints & Lookouts
Popular among hikers, offering panoramic views over Oslo and the Oslofjord from a forested hilltop.
Museums & Culture in Oslo
Galleries, museums and cultural landmarks for a deeper look at the city.
Top of most lists is Viking Ship Museum: showcases well-preserved Viking ships and artifacts from burial mounds. Locals will also point you to Fram Museum — dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration, featuring the famous Fram ship. And for something different, there's The National Museum: home to Norway's most extensive art collection, offering a journey through the country's artistic evolution.
Viking Ship Museum
Oslo • Museums
Showcases well-preserved Viking ships and artifacts from burial mounds.
Fram Museum
Oslo • Museums
Dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration, featuring the famous Fram ship.
The National Museum
Oslo • Museums
Home to Norway's most extensive art collection, offering a journey through the country's artistic evolution.
Holmenkollen Ski Museum
Oslo • Museums
Explores Norway's skiing heritage, located at the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump.
Best Things to Do in Oslo
Activities and experiences to fill your days.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Nordmarka — a vast forested area offering extensive trails for hiking and skiing. Oslofjord earns its reputation too — a picturesque fjord offering a variety of water-based activities and scenic views. Round out the shortlist with Bygdøy Peninsula — a cultural and natural hotspot with museums and beautiful beaches.
Nordmarka
Oslo • Outdoor
A vast forested area offering extensive trails for hiking and skiing.
Oslofjord
Oslo • Outdoor
A picturesque fjord offering a variety of water-based activities and scenic views.
Bygdøy Peninsula
Oslo • Outdoor
A cultural and natural hotspot with museums and beautiful beaches.
Frogner Park
Oslo • Outdoor
A sprawling urban park known for its abundant sculptures and leisurely pathways.
Where to Eat in Oslo
From local classics to standout modern kitchens.
Start with Restaurant À L’aise — offers a luxurious French dining experience with a contemporary twist. Just as worthwhile is Himkok: innovative cocktail bar with a distillery and speakeasy vibe. Hrimnir Ramen completes the picture: a Nordic twist on traditional ramen, utilizing locally sourced ingredients for a unique flavor profile.
Restaurant À L’aise
Oslo • Fine Dining
Offers a luxurious French dining experience with a contemporary twist.
Himkok
Oslo • Local Cuisine
Innovative cocktail bar with a distillery and speakeasy vibe.
Hrimnir Ramen
Oslo • Street Food
A Nordic twist on traditional ramen, utilizing locally sourced ingredients for a unique flavor profile.
Rest
Oslo • Fine Dining
Focuses on sustainable dining, incorporating overlooked ingredients into creative dishes.
Oslo After Dark: Bars & Nightlife
Where to go once the sun sets.
Top of most lists is Parkteatret: a historic venue that doubles as a concert hall and lively bar, beloved for its eclectic events. Locals will also point you to Rockefeller Music Hall — a cornerstone of Oslo’s music scene, hosting a wide variety of artists. And for something different, there's Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri: combines craft beer excellence with a menu of Nordic-inspired dishes in a central Oslo location.
Parkteatret
Oslo • Nightclubs & Discos
A historic venue that doubles as a concert hall and lively bar, beloved for its eclectic events.
Rockefeller Music Hall
Oslo • Live Music Venues
A cornerstone of Oslo’s music scene, hosting a wide variety of artists.
Amundsen Bryggeri & Spiseri
Oslo • Craft Beer Bars
Combines craft beer excellence with a menu of Nordic-inspired dishes in a central Oslo location.
Herr Nilsen Jazz Club
Oslo • Live Jazz Venues
A cornerstone of Oslo's jazz community, known for its intimate setting and regular live performances.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Hand-picked hotels, hostels and B&Bs across every budget.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Hotel Continental — a blend of classic elegance and modern luxury in central Oslo. Amerikalinjen earns its reputation too — modern design meets historical roots in this stylish boutique hotel. Round out the shortlist with Hotel Christiania Teater — steps from Oslo's National Theatre, this hotel blends historical charm with contemporary luxury.
Hotel Continental
Oslo • Luxury Hotels
A blend of classic elegance and modern luxury in central Oslo.
Amerikalinjen
Oslo • Luxury Hotels
Modern design meets historical roots in this stylish boutique hotel.
Hotel Christiania Teater
Oslo • Luxury Hotels
Steps from Oslo's National Theatre, this hotel blends historical charm with contemporary luxury.
Hotel Continental Oslo
Oslo • Spa Hotels
Classic elegance with a modern spa, offering an exquisite urban retreat experience.
Shopping in Oslo
Markets, boutiques and everything in between.
Start with Rolex Boutique - Thune — a premier destination for luxury watches, offering an array of Rolex's finest timepieces. Just as worthwhile is Hermès Oslo: offers timeless elegance through its iconic silk scarves, leather goods, and high-end fashion collections. EGER Karl Johan completes the picture: eGER Karl Johan offers a curated selection of premium fashion brands in a stylish, contemporary setting.
Rolex Boutique - Thune
Oslo • Luxury Shopping
A premier destination for luxury watches, offering an array of Rolex's finest timepieces.
Hermès Oslo
Oslo • Luxury Shopping
Offers timeless elegance through its iconic silk scarves, leather goods, and high-end fashion collections.
EGER Karl Johan
Oslo • Luxury Shopping
EGER Karl Johan offers a curated selection of premium fashion brands in a stylish, contemporary setting.
Velouria Vintage
Oslo • Vintage & Thrift Shops
A curated selection of quality vintage clothing from the 1920s to the 1990s.
Parks & Green Spaces in Oslo
Room to breathe when you need a break from the streets.
Top of most lists is Vigeland Park: renowned for its vast collection of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. Locals will also point you to Oslomarka — a vast forested area surrounding Oslo, offering diverse outdoor activities throughout the year. And for something different, there's Bygdøy: a scenic peninsula known for its beaches, museums, and pleasant walking paths.
Vigeland Park
Oslo • Parks
Renowned for its vast collection of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.
Oslomarka
Oslo • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A vast forested area surrounding Oslo, offering diverse outdoor activities throughout the year.
Bygdøy
Oslo • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A scenic peninsula known for its beaches, museums, and pleasant walking paths.
Østmarka
Oslo • Nature Reserves & Wildlife
A popular forest area offering extensive trails for hiking and skiing, just a short distance from Oslo.
Oslo Like a Local
The spots most visitors walk straight past.
If you only make time for one stop, make it Kolonihagen Frogner — set in a charming courtyard, this spot focuses on organic and sustainable dining. Korketrekkeren earns its reputation too — renowned for its exhilarating toboggan run, this spot also offers stunning winter vistas over Oslo. Round out the shortlist with Vettakollen Viewpoint — panoramic views of Oslo and its fjord await those who trek to this elevated viewpoint.
Kolonihagen Frogner
Oslo • Secret Foodie Spots
Set in a charming courtyard, this spot focuses on organic and sustainable dining.
Korketrekkeren
Oslo • Secret Viewpoints
Renowned for its exhilarating toboggan run, this spot also offers stunning winter vistas over Oslo.
Vettakollen Viewpoint
Oslo • Secret Viewpoints
Panoramic views of Oslo and its fjord await those who trek to this elevated viewpoint.
Grünerløkka
Oslo • Hidden Neighborhoods
A lively district known for its creative energy and eclectic mix of shops and cafes.
66 Explorer Picks We Held Back
Every list above is our free tier. On top of it, our editors mark the roughly one-in-ten places in Oslo that are genuinely special — standout stays, tables worth planning a day around, and rooms most visitors never find — as Explorer picks, with full write-ups reserved for members. A few currently on the Oslo list:
- Oslo Opera House Roof· Monuments & Statues
- THE THIEF· Bed & Breakfast
- Maaemo· Fine Dining
- Oslo Pride· Festivals
- Statholdergaarden· Local Cuisine
Planning where to stay in Oslo?
Our neighbourhood-by-neighbourhood guide covers the best areas and hotels for every budget.
Where to Stay in Oslo →Plan Your European Adventure
Explore 22,000+ places across 70+ European cities