Welcome to Oslo, the vibrant capital of Norway! Nestled between the fjord and lush green hills, this city beautifully merges nature with urban life.

For us, Oslo served as the starting point to our Norwegian adventure, that ultimately culminated in Tromsø where we experienced the magic of the Northern Lights in Norway! But the three days we spent in Oslo, gave us the opportunity to not only get over our jet-lag, but also discover and learn more about Norway, from its history, art, culture, and (most importantly), food!

Our days were spent wandering the streets of Oslo, visiting its beautiful parks, admiring museums, and learning about the unique aspects of the Nordic life.

In this guide, we’ll walk you through some of our highlights from Oslo, along with the must-do things, and top attractions.

Oslo Pass

Before we proceed, it’s worth talking about the Oslo Pass.

The Oslo Pass is perhaps the most convenient and affordable way to experience Oslo, and we highly recommend purchasing it upon or before your arrival.

You can purchase a 24h, 48h, or 72h pass, and they all come with the following benefits:

• Free public transport: Probably the most important feature of the Oslo Pass is that you get unlimited travel with the public transport system throughout Oslo and the surrounding areas. You can use the city’s tram, subway, bus or public ferry systems, without having to worry about tickets. Local trains to Oslo Airport Gardermoen are also included.

• Free entrance to museums and attractions: The Oslo Pass also offers you free admission to 30 museums and sights in Oslo. The full list can be found on this website.
• Discounts on sightseeing, restaurants and services: The card also offers rebates on sightseeing, concert tickets, climbing, ski rental and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues. The list of offers can be found here on the Oslo Pass website.

Be sure to pick up your Oslo Pass to have a more seamless and enjoyable experience while in Oslo.

Top Things to do in Oslo, Norway in the Winter

Whether you’re a nature lover, culture buff, history enthusiast, or simply love food, Oslo has something to offer for everyone. We spent three days in this beautiful city, and here is our list to things to do during the winter. We’ve also listed two additional things that you must do in Oslo during the warmer months at the end of this post.

1. Visit Frogner Park & Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken)

Vigeland Park (Vigelandsparken) was by far the highlight of our visit to Oslo. The park encompasses art, history, and nature all in one breathtaking space!

Located inside the Frogner Park, the largest park in Oslo, the Vigeland Park is free to enter and open 24/7/365. The park invites you to wander through beautifully landscaped gardens.

However, what makes this park truly special is its unique stunning collection of over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron by artist Gustav Vigeland.

Upon entering, you’ll be immediately struck by The Bridge, where 58 bronze sculptures depict an array of children, women, and men of different ages, including the iconic “The Angry Boy” sculpture (Sinnataggen).

As you continue your journey past The Bridge, you’ll encounter The Fountain, a masterpiece featuring six giants holding aloft a large saucer-shaped vessel. The men, of different ages, are seen toiling with the burden of life.

After The Fountain comes the main attraction, the iconic Monolith, a towering structure made of intricately carved figures, piled up on top of each other.

Standing at 17 meters tall, this single block of stone depicts 121 figures clinging and floating together, interpreted by many as a vision of resurrection and our longing for spirituality. The steps to The Monolith also showcase statues depicting different emotions.

It might be tempting to think that there isn’t anything beyond The Monolith, but you’d be mistaken.

Continue walking to the back of The Monolith to arrive at The Wheel of Life, a symbol of eternity. The wheel is designed as a rotating wreath of women, men, and children holding onto each other for all eternity.

Don’t forget to admire the wrought iron work on the park’s gates before you leave – a final touch that showcases Vigeland Park’s attention to detail. This park is a must-visit for anyone visiting Oslo!

2. Visit The Munch Museum

The Munch Museum is one of the newest additions to Oslo as it opened in 2021, before which it was located in Tøyen.

The new museum in Bjørvika, Oslo is dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, Norway’s most iconic artist known for “The Scream”.

With a vast collection of over 20,000 works, including paintings, letters, and personal items, this museum offers an immersive experience into the artistic genius of Edvard Munch.

The main attraction at the museum is of course “The Scream”, in its three different styles. Each version of “The Scream” is in rotation for display for 30-minutes only.

But there is so much more to explore in the museum. Each painting or sculpture showcases Munch’s bold and expressive style, from his hauntingly beautiful depictions of nature to his iconic representations of human emotion.

The museum also delves into Munch’s turbulent life, including his struggles with mental health and relationships.

This museum is a must-visit if you’re in Oslo.

Entry to the Munch Museum is covered by the Oslo Pass.

3. Visit the National Museum

Although I’d personally recommend the Munch Museum, Oslo has numerous other museums that may interest you more.

In fact, entry to many of the museums is included as part of your Oslo Card. But entry to one of the biggest museums in Oslo isn’t included in the card, and that is the National Museum.

The new building that houses the National Museum was opened in 2022 on Vestbanen in Oslo, right next to the Nobel Peace Center.

The National Museum holds over 400,000 works of the Norwegian state’s public collection of art, architecture, and design objects.

With so many things to do in Oslo, we didn’t get a chance to visit the National Museum during our trip.

4. Step Inside The Deichman Bjørvika (Oslo Public Library)

I’ll admit, this wasn’t on our agenda, and we just happened to step into the Oslo Public Library.

As someone who grew up visiting the library during my summer holidays, stepping into the Deichman Bjørvika (Oslo Public Library) was not only a nostalgic experience, but also an eye-opener.

The gorgeous building houses not only a library with an extensive book collection, but also a movie theatre, media workshops, gaming zones, lounges, and a restaurant! And there’s even a separate section for kids and babies!

We spent our time admiring the stunning views of Oslo from the library’s large windows while feeling a sense of warm nostalgia. The library’s calm interiors forces you to slow down and perhaps even pick up a book.

Highly worth a visit!

5. Admire the Opera House and Walk on its Rooftop

We actually entered the Oslo Public Library thinking it was the Opera House. We weren’t totally lost as both buildings are located next to each other in Bjørvika, Oslo.

Standing as a striking icon on the Oslo waterfront, the Opera House is not only a world-class performing arts venue but also an architectural masterpiece.

Although this architectural marvel is stunning from within, you can do something equally fun on the outside. The slanting roof is designed to allow people to walk onto the Opera House’s rooftop. In fact, people are encouraged to walk to the top to admire the views of the city and the harbour.

Unfortunately, if there is snow and ice on the roof, it is closed to the public. This may be the case if you’re visiting Oslo in the winter.

6. Visit a Sauna

Saunas are a big part of the Nordic lifestyle, as we learned when we first visited Finland. Norway is no exception too.

Right opposite the Opera House, there are plenty of floating saunas in the Oslo Fjord. If you’re up for a typical Nordic experience, we highly recommend entering one, and then diving into the freezing sea!

7. Visit the Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning)

Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle in Oslo that was built to protect and provide a royal residence for the city.

Completed in the 1300s, Akershus Fortress has witnessed numerous sieges and battles throughout its storied past, solidifying its reputation as an unyielding bastion of power.

Over the centuries, the fortress underwent significant transformations under King Christian IV’s guidance, who oversaw a comprehensive renovation to convert it into a grand Renaissance castle.

Today, this historic stronghold remains an integral part of Norway’s military heritage, yet offers visitors a unique glimpse into its storied past by opening its gates to the public.

Beyond the fortress walls, two more museums await exploration: the Norwegian Armed Forces Museum and the Resistance Museum, which delve into the country’s complex history of military service and resistance. Moreover, the joint headquarters of Norway’s Ministry of Defence and Defence Staff Norway sits within the eastern bastions.

Entry to the museums Akershus Fortress is covered by the Oslo Pass.

8. Visit the Nobel Peace Center

Located at Oslo City Hall Square, in the converted 1872 train station, is the Nobel Peace Center.

The centre’s exhibitions are not just eye-opening but also quite enlightening as it uses them along with events, and digital content to spread the ideas, work, and causes of past Nobel Peace Prize laureates.

If you ever want to restore your faith in humanity, I highly recommend a visit to the Nobel Peace Center.

Entry to the Nobel Peace Center is covered by the Oslo Pass.

9. Admire the Oslo City Hall

Situated between the Nobel Peace Center and the Akershus Fortress is the Oslo City Hall.

Since its inauguration in 1950, Oslo City Hall has stood at the forefront of civic governance, serving as the administrative hub for the city’s municipal operations.

Interestingly, the building itself is a masterpiece of Norwegian artistry from the early 20th century. Spanning the period between 1900 and 1950, the artwork on the facade and walls draws from Norway’s heritage, as well as its labour history and traditions.

The Oslo City Hall isn’t always open to the public. But you check its schedule on the official website, along with any information about ongoing activities and concerts.

10. Set Off On A Tour On The Oslofjord

One of Norway’s most distinct geographical features is its fjords — long, deep, narrow body of water that reaches far inland created by glaciers from the Earth’s last Ice Age.

The Oslofjord (or Oslo Fjord) is a 120 km that begins at the small village of Bonn in Frogn Municipality and reaches all the way to Oslo.

If you’re visiting Norway, there is no way that you’re not undertaking a fjord cruise! And you can start exploring fjords, right here in Oslo.

11. Indulge in Local Cuisine

After our trip, I have to admit, I love Norwegian food! It’s delicious, healthy, and created to keep you warm in the winter.

From salmon, to herring, and reindeer, Norwegian dishes are often a delicious mix of locally sourced meats and vegetables.

We ate at plenty of local restaurants, and the one that stood out was Asylet.

The rustic, no frills’ ambience, along with sumptuous and delicious local dishes really won us over!

12. Explore Mathallen Food Hall

If you’re looking for a bit more variety in your food scene, then we recommend a visit to Mathallen Oslo.

The market consists of numerous speciality stores, cafés, and eateries that offer food and drinks from different parts of Europe and the world.

Mathallen is great place to grab a quick bite, or pick up a few sauces or ingredients to take back with you.

13. Stroll around Grünerløkka, The Hip Neighbourhood

Mathallen Food Hall is situated in one of Oslo’s most happening neighbourhoods, Grünerløkka.

If you’re exhausted by the crowds in the centre of Oslo, we highly recommend taking a tram to Grünerløkka.

The trendy neighbourhood is filled with cafés, restaurants, vintage, and boutique stores with unique and interesting goods. In fact, I ended up buying a pair of trendy snow boots that got me a lot of compliments from strangers in Tromso and Flam.

14. Check Out Oslo’s Event Calendar For Your Dates

And finally, I highly recommend that you keep an eye on the official calendar of events in Oslo for your dates. There’s always something happening in this vibrant city, and you wouldn’t want to miss out on it.

Accommodation & Hotels in Oslo

As a visitor, you want to stay close to the action in Oslo. Most attractions (listed above) are within walking distance from each other, except for Frogner Park and Vigeland Park.

We stayed at the Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel because it is very central, and is connected via a bridge to the Oslo Central Station.

Here are some of the other options that we considered, and you could too.

Discover Oslo In The Winter

We hope that you enjoyed our guide on things to do in Oslo in the Winter.

Most the activities above are still applicable even if you end up visiting Oslo in the summer months. In fact, if you end up visiting Oslo during the warmer months, I would add two additional activities to the ones above:

1. Visit the Norwegian Royal Palace: The palace is the official residence of the current Norwegian monarch and is open to the visitors only in the summer months.
2. Go for a hike in the neighbouring forest: One of the things that Norwegians cherish the most is nature. Even in Oslo, you’re never too far away from a hike, or a forest walk. And one of the most popular hikes is the Østmarksetra to Mariholtet forest walk.

If you found this guide resourceful, drop us a comment below. We’d love to hear from you and about your experience of visiting Oslo in the winter.

And if Oslo is the start to your Norway excursion, and you’re heading up to Tromsø, check out our guide for things to do in the city, including chasing Northern Lights in Tromsø!