Things to Do in Oslo, Norway

When I found round-trip tickets to Berlin for less than $700 a month ago, the only catch was a six-hour long layover in Oslo. As someone who struggles to sleep on overnight flights, I was worried this would be a disaster, but it actually worked out quite well and I was able to explore the city last Saturday as I hoped!

As an avid Scandinavia fan, I was eager to explore this dynamic city that seamlessly blends its deep history with striking modern architecture and engaging cultural attractions.

I’ll share the absolute best things to do in Oslo to help you plan an unforgettable trip. From world-class museums like the Munch Museum and the Viking Ship Museum to the lush Vigeland Sculpture Park and the iconic Oslo Opera House, there are so many amazing sites and experiences to enjoy in Norway’s capital city.

With scrumptious seafood, buzzing nightlife, and endless outdoor adventures just minutes from the city center, Oslo has something to offer every type of traveler.

Whether you’re a first-time visitor or returning to discover more of what Oslo has to offer, I’m excited to showcase the very best attractions and activities you simply must include on your itinerary. Let’s dive into the top things to see, eat, and do in this wonderful Nordic destination!

Take the Flytoget to the City Center

In fact, Oslo is one of the best cities to have a layover because it only takes 19 minutes to reach the city center from the airport via high-speed train, at a round-trip cost of ~$44 USD. Simply store your luggage at the airport (I paid $6) and then make a right, and walk straight until you see the turnstiles – where you can simply swipe your credit card and make your way to the Wifi-equipped Flytoget train.

Oslo Central Station where I arrived:

Shop for Local Norweigan Goods

After waking up at 5am (11am Oslo time), my first stop was to Stockfleths, a nearby Norwegian coffee shop. Then I continued walking westwards to Ting, a cute design shop I read about in Design Milk, located at Akersgata 18:

Oslo is wonderful if you’re into home décor shops – there’s way more than I was able to visit and they all looked incredibly cute!

Milla Boutique is another amazing shop you’ll find in the Tjuvholmen neighborhood of Oslo, a very chic and modern peninsula, south west of the Oslo train station.

I visited the famous Astrup Fearnley Museet for two special exhibitions:

Finally some of the modern architecture you can see around Oslo:

Overall, Oslo was a beautiful city that I wish I could have stayed in longer! It’s also a popular starting point to discover the Norwegian countryside (Trolltunga, anyone?!) which I definitely need to start planning for! :)