Oslo itinerary — 2 days
Day 1 — Oslo
10 stops · ≈ 5 h 55 minThe primary church of the Church of Norway in Oslo, consecrated in 1697 and the traditional setting for royal weddings and national services. The cathedral features an ornate baroque altar and carved pulpit from 1699, alongside vivid stained-glass windows by Emanuel Vigeland. Its ceiling is adorned with extensive twentieth-century murals by Hugo Lous Mohr, all bordered by the charming nineteenth-century Bazaar halls.
A celebrated seafood bar and traditional fishmonger situated right on Youngstorget in central Oslo. It ingeniously pairs a working fish counter laden with fresh North Sea catches with casual, buzzy dining tables. Locals and visitors flock here for what is widely considered Oslo's finest crispy fish and chips, alongside rich creamy Norwegian fish soup (fiskesuppe), freshly shucked oysters, steamed mussels, and salmon sashimi.
A world-renowned speakeasy bar and craft microdistillery tucked behind an unlabelled door on Storgata in downtown Oslo, consistently ranked among The World's 50 Best Bars. Inside, copper stills produce in-house artisanal aquavit, gin, and vodka, supplying distinct spaces: an open-air cider courtyard, a taptails station, and a sophisticated cocktail lounge crafting inventive drinks with Nordic botanicals like cloudberry and sea buckthorn.
This popular walking tour through central Oslo typically begins by the bronze tiger at Jernbanetorget. In about two hours, engaging local guides trace Norway's rich story from the medieval Akershus Fortress to the futuristic Opera House. The stroll takes in landmark sights along Karl Johans gate, including the Parliament and Royal Palace.
Norway's main railway station and the country's largest transport hub. The historic 19th-century east-station building was merged with the western one into a single Oslo S after a tunnel was cut in the 1980s. Regional and long-distance trains, services from Sweden and the Flytoget express to Gardermoen airport, about 20 minutes away, all depart from here. Inside is a mall with cafes, shops and luggage lockers.
Oslo's flagship central library opened in 2020 on the waterfront in Bjørvika, next to the Opera House. Designed by Lundhagem and Atelier Oslo, the striking building was named World's Best Public Library in 2021. Across six light-filled floors featuring a dramatic cantilevered upper level, visitors find reading lounges with fjord views, 3D-printing workshops, podcast studios, a cinema, and cafes, all open freely to the public.
An architectural masterpiece designed by Snøhetta, the Oslo Opera House opened in 2008 on the waters of the Oslofjord in Bjørvika. Clad in gleaming white Italian Carrara marble and granite, the structure resembles an iceberg rising from the fjord. Its signature feature is an angled, pedestrian-accessible roof sloping down to the water, allowing visitors to walk freely onto the rooftop for panoramic vistas of downtown Oslo and the harbor.
An architectural icon designed by Snøhetta, rising like a pristine white iceberg directly from the waters of the Oslofjord in Bjorvika. Clad in Italian Carrara marble and gleaming glass, the opera house features a gently sloping roof that functions as a public plaza. Visitors can walk straight from the waterfront up onto the rooftop for sweeping panoramas across the fjord islands and the modern Barcode skyline.
Ekebergrestauranten perches on the wooded hillside of Ekeberg in Oslo, offering one of the finest vantage points in the capital with sweeping views across the Oslofjord, inner islands, and the Barcode skyline. Built in 1929 by architect Lars Backer, the crisp white building is celebrated as a landmark of Norwegian functionalist architecture. It borders the Ekebergparken sculpture park, near where Edvard Munch was inspired to paint The Scream.
Covering 25 hectares on a wooded hillside overlooking Oslo, Ekebergparken combines natural forest with world-class contemporary sculpture. Established in 2013, the park features over 40 artworks by masters including Auguste Rodin, Salvador Dalí, Louise Bourgeois, and Marina Abramović. Panorama viewpoints overlook the Oslofjord; this very slope is where Edvard Munch drew inspiration for his iconic 1893 painting The Scream.
Reserve
6If you have time left — worth it too.
Sørenga is a neighborhood in Gamlebyen in Oslo, Norway. It is located east of Bjørvika, west of Vannspeilet, south of the street Bispegata and Oslo torg, and west and north of the Alna River. South of the area the Sørengautstikkeren runs out into the Oslo Fjord. Wikipedia.
SALT is an innovative open-air cultural village situated along Oslo's Langkaia harbourfront, facing the Oslo Opera House. Inspired by traditional Arctic fish-drying racks (fiskehesjer), its monumental pyramidal timber structures house public wood-fired saunas, cold plunge pools, outdoor concert stages, and street food stalls, creating a unique social hub overlooking the fjord.
The city's picturesque districts, such as Grünerløkka and Frogner, offer a glimpse into Oslo's vibrant atmosphere, with their trendy cafes, restaurants, and boutiques. Nature lovers can explore the city's numerous parks and gardens, including the famous Frogner Park, or take a short trip to the nearby forests and fjords.
Built circa 1150, Oslo's oldest existing building is a medieval stone church with a baroque pulpit.
Inside lies the greatest treasure — the remains of Saint Olaf, presented to the church by Pope John II. There is also a copy of Raphael's "Sistine Madonna."
An oval park at the heart of Grünerløkka, Oslo's trendiest neighbourhood. A wooden bandstand stands in the middle, a flea market trades on summer weekends, and the city Christmas tree is raised here in winter. Around the park are late 19th-century brick and timber houses, cafés and vintage shops; Schous plass, the quarter's main promenade spot, lies just across the street.
- Purchase an Oslo Pass for free entry to many attractions.
- Use public transport for inexpensive and convenient city travel.
- Explore the city on foot for a more intimate experience of its neighborhoods.