1. Oslo: A perfect start of your Norway Itinerary
The first stop of our perfect 7 - 10 day Norway itinerary is Oslo. This capital city of Norway truly is a must-see. Not only is it a major port of entry into Norway via plane, boat or train, but it also has plenty to offer. Our recommendation is to spend at least 2 days here, but you won't need more than 3 days. It will be a packed 2 days, but you'll give yourself ample time to do major tourist sights as well as enjoy the hip things Oslo is known for including some really nice restaurants and bars.
Bubbly Tip: It rains a lot in Norway so bring proper rain gear including coats, shoes/boots and umbrellas. And bring layers because you'll need to be able to layer up or strip down depending on the hour of the day. Don't feel like packing everything? Well there's plenty of fashionable stores throughout the country that set the standard with cool and stylish raincoats.
The Must-See Sights of Oslo
1. The Vigeland Park
The Vigeland Park is our top recommendation of things to do in Oslo. It is a beautiful, large park (80 acres, 32 hectares) with with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) in bronze, granite and cast iron, including The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen in Norwegian) located on the bridge with 57 other sculptures, The Monolith (Monolitten), The Wheel of Life (Livshjulet), the Vigeland Fountain and a children's playground. It is free to enter and will take 90 - 120 minutes to see. Located within Frogner Park in West Oslo, it's a 20 minute tram ride from Oslo's Central Train Station.
2. Walk the Roof of the Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House opened in 2008 and has been entertaining locals and tourists alike on its roof top ever since. It was built with that in mind and is encouraged. It's located in the very center of Oslo right next to the Central Train Station. It's an excellent location to look down over the Munch Museum and Ferris Wheel, catch a glimpse of the tourists swimming in the Oslo Fjord after their sauna, or even to watch the sun set. Oh, and if you want to go inside and see a performance, that is encouraged too.
3. Do a City Walk down Karl Johans Gate (Street)
Karl Johans gate is a main pedestrian only street that runs through central Oslo. It is named in honor of King Charles III John, who was also King of Sweden, and it is a composite of several older streets that used to be separate thoroughfares. Extending from the Central Train Station all the way to the Palace, there are several sights that make this walk worth it.
Sights on your City Walk down Karl Johans gate
Tiger Statue
At the Central Station, first notice the statue of the Tiger. It only dates back to 2000, but it represents 1000 years as a city for Oslo and is also symbolizes the city's nickname Tigerstaden ("The Tiger City"), which most Norwegians are familiar with.
Ruter's Customer Service Centre (Trafikanten)
Notice the oddly shaped glass tower next to the Tiger Statue. This is the service center for public transport in Oslo and the surrounding areas. You can purchase tickets for the tram here on your way to Vigeland Park.
Oslo Cathedral
Just a five minute walk up Karl Johans gate from the Tiger Statue is the Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke). Oslo Cathedral is the main church for the Church of Norway Diocese of Oslo, and is used for weddings and funerals by the Norwegian Royal Family and the Norwegian Government. It's rather uninspiring as far as European churches go, but par for the course in Scandinavia.
Iron Rose Monument
One of the most moving monuments in Oslo found just outside the Cathedral is the Iron Rose monument. It has 78 iron roses, one to represent each of the victims of a terrorist attack in 2011. Most of the victims were just children at a nearby school.
Shopping and Eating
Down Karl Johans gate there are numerous stores and restaurants where you can shop clothes and tourist trinkets or jump into a restaurant, bakery or cafe for a break. This includes W.B. Samsom where you can sample the oldest cinnamon bun in Oslo. It also includes the Grand Café just two minutes further down on your right where the famous Norwegian playwright, Henrik Ibsen, and the famous Norwegian artist, Edvard Munch, used to frequent.
Stortinget (Parliament building)
Located across from the Grand Café, the yellow Parliament building has been the seat of the Norwegian National Assembly since 1866. If the flag is flying, it means that Parliament is in session.
National Theatre
The National Theatre had its first performance on September 1, 1899. Located adjacent to Studenterlunden Park, it is one of Norway's largest and most prominent venues for performance of dramatic arts. Also check out the National Theatre Fountain located by the Theatre. This beautiful fountain resembles the white puffs of a dandelion in bloom.
University Square
University Square is located opposite the National Theatre on Karl Johans gate is University Square that is surrounded by three buildings of the Faculty of Law, University of Oslo. Oslo University is the oldest university in Norway and consistently considered the country's leading university, one of the highest ranked universities in the Nordic countries and one of world's hundred highest ranked universities.
Royal Palace and Park
Karl Johans gate ends at the Royal Palace. The Royal Palace is open to the public from late June to mid-August when the royal family is not living there. Otherwise, the current King and Queen of Norway, Harald V and Sonja of the House of Glücksburg, live in the palace. The palace also serves as a residence for foreign heads of state who visit Norway, and the Royal Court also works daily in the palace. When closed to the public, you can still walk the Palace Park and watch the changing of the guards daily at 1:30pm.
4. Visit City Hall and see the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony Location
City Hall is where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is conducted annually. It looks like something out of Gotham (for you comic fans), and it certainly should not be confused with the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo where you can learn about past Nobel Peace Prize laureates, nor the Stockholm, Sweden Concert Hall where the Nobel Prizes in physics, chemistry, physiology or medicine and literature are awarded. Oslo City Hall is home to many works of Norwegian art, including frescoes, murals, and paintings by artists like Edward Munch, Peter Krohg, and Henrik Sorensen. Visit Hardråderommet, the room dedicated to King Harald the Ruthless, who is considered by many to be the last Viking King of Norway. Find the building's exterior sculptures and reliefs depicting scenes of Norse mythology, and listen to the eastern tower's 49-bell carillon that chimes every hour.
5. See charming old Oslo
Colorful wooden houses with leafy gardens on a hilly cobblestone street paints an accurate Scandinavian portrait of these quaint and charming streets of Oslo, Damstredet and Telthusbakken. The streets aren't big, but are certainly worth a trip if you desire an off-the-beaten tourist path of a hidden gem. It's a little bit of a walk from central Oslo, so time your visit here with a food stop at large and popular nearby indoor food court, Mathallen Oslo, with countless of restaurant and bar options.
6. Visit the Munch Museum and/or the National Museum in Oslo
The Munch museum, now simply known as the Munch, is dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. His 1893 work The Scream has become one of Western art's most acclaimed images and it is available to see in the National Museum in Oslo. The Munch also has three other versions of The Scream: an oil painting, a crayon drawing, and a lithograph. Only one is visible at a time though to protect them from the effects of lights.
7. Take a Ferry Ride to the nearby Island of Bygdøy
To catch the ferry to Bygdøy, you can board at Pier 3, which is located behind Oslo City Hall. The ferry is called the Bygdøyfergene and runs seasonally from March to October. It takes only 20 minutes to get you across the fjord to Bygdøy where you have the option to visit multiple museums: Norwegian Folk Museum (Norske Folkemuseum), Viking Ship Museum (closed until 2027), Kon Tiki Museum, Fram Museum, Maritime Museum, and Holocaust Center. Although we didn't get the chance to visit all these museums, Bubbly Tourist did visit the Norwegian Maritime Museum which has two viking boats on display including the Dugout Canoe, the oldest boat in Norway. The other viking boat is from 900 AD.. It is a kid-friendly three story multi-media museum and is worth the visit. If you find yourself hungry on Bygdøy, take a break and enjoy magnificent views and food at Lille Herbern.
8. See the Akershus Fortress
If you like fortresses, then visit the Akershus Fortress. Located right on the water, behind Oslo City Hall it's free to visit the grounds but paid admission to go inside. Bubbly Tourist only toured the grounds. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 1300s, had a strategic location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. King Christian IV (1588-1648) had the castle modernized and converted into a Renaissance castle and royal residence.
9. Walk the Pier at Aker Brygge
Aker Brygge is an area known for its pier where eateries with outdoor tables serve upscale Nordic and French cuisine, or casual fare like burgers and steak. Nearby, you'll find the Nobel Peace Center, with exhibits on the famous prize, and the National Museum. You'll also find an indoor shopping street in a rustic old harbor building selling interior design, books, vintage treasures and Norwegian (and Scandinavian) clothing brands.
10. Go inside the Deichman Library for a break
If you need a break from the rain or tourist activities or just need some downtime, the Deichman Library is a pretty cool spot to go. The architecture inside is a very modern honeycomb pattern and is probably not like any library outside of the Nordic countries that you've ever seen. It's several stories high and offers a cinema, auditorium, restaurant, café, information desk, and gaming zones. It also has a people's workshop with 3D printers, sewing machines, music, and sound studios. Crazy, but true! We also saw a very similar library offering similar services in Helsinki, Finland.
In Search of Bubbles and Bites in Oslo
In an ongoing segment by Bubbly Tourist, we always search for a location - if not the best location - to have some champagne wherever we go.
Bubbly Note: Prices in Norway are high, and especially restaurant prices, so expect to pay a large amount for a nice dining experience. This is in part due to Norway's famously high wages. The good news is that tipping is not customary since the wait staff is already getting paid a good salary but it is appreciated. When you tip, it's usually about 5% - 15% of the bill.
Vaaghals
Conveniently located in Central Oslo next to Central Station and across from the Opera House, this amazing cozy restaurant serves incredibly delicious food from a talented chef in an open style upscale setting. The wine list is extensive. Highly recommended.
Madonna
Located in Central Oslo on Munch pier just down from the Munch off of Operagata, this restaurant brings you Michelin dishes at pre-star Michelin prices. Meaning, it's excellent value. The decor may be minimalistic, but the food is very tasty. Highly recommended.
Lille Herbern
While on Bygdøy visiting the museums, be sure to take a break and eat at the incredible Lille Herbern restaurant with beautiful views (only open in the summer) on a small island accessible at the Little Herbern Ferry dock. Bubbly Tip: ring the doorbell in the shed at the end of the dock to notify the ferry you're there waiting.
Vin Bjørvika
Vin Bjørvika is where you come to drink your bubbly! This excellent wine bar is upscale and has quite the extensive collection. It's located on Munch pier between the Munch and Madonna restaurant. The atmosphere is chic yet casual and the owner is genuinely nice and extremely helpful. Highly recommended.
Himkok
As one of the world's 50 greatest bars, Himkok is definitely worth the visit. They serve expertly crafted cocktails that often include their own distilled liquor which is phenomenal by the way. There are multiple rooms including a downstairs and upstairs bar as well as an open-air courtyard serviced by an outdoor bar. The drinks here are absolutely fantastic and the bartenders are super friendly. Get there right at 5pm when it opens if you want a spot at the downstairs bar. It's a popular spot.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Bubbly Tourist recommends staying in Sentrum (City Center) of Oslo. Regardless of our destination, we always recommend staying closest to the locations you'll be visiting. In Oslo, the Central Train Station is city center and is about as close to the sights as it gets. There are many hotels right by Central Station. Choosing a hotel is a very personalized process that we understand varies by individual. Use the Bubbly Tourist process in finding a hotel to help narrow down the lodging that best fits your needs.
Hotel Thon Opera Oslo
Conveniently located in Central Oslo next door to Central Station and across the street from the Oslo Opera is the Hotel Thon Opera Oslo. This hotel was our first experience with the Thon Hotel chain, and we were delighted. The pricing is definitely affordable, the rooms are comfy, the location is perfectly central, and the breakfasts are huge. In fact, we stayed at many Thon hotels throughout Scandinavia and were always impressed with comfort, location and the included breakfasts. Look no further. As a reminder, Bubbly Tourist is not compensated in any way by any of our recommended vendors.
Getting In and Out of Oslo
To and From the Airport
Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) is 25 miles (47km) from the city center and is the city's main international airport. Getting into the city couldn't be easier. There's several options, but for the fastest, take the FlyToGet train from the airport into Oslo Central Station. Tickets must be purchased before you board the train – from a ticket machine at the station, on the Flytoget website, in the Flytoget app, or simply by tapping your card in the reader at the station before you board and again after you arrive at the barrier that exits the station. Note: there is also a second airport, Torp Sandefjord Airport (TRF), about 66 miles (110km) south of Oslo, that is used by several low-cost carriers. VY, the Norwegian national train operator offers one train per hour between Torp and Oslo, which takes about 1 hour and 45 minutes.
Transportation in Oslo
You won't need a car in Oslo, and you won't need to use public transport unless you head out to Vigeland Park. It's our number 1 recommended sight to visit, however, so plan on using the tram roundtrip this once. Buy your roundtrip tickets in the Ruters Public Transportation Help Center and then head across the street to Platform 2 for the 20 minute tram ride to Vigeland Park.
Leaving Oslo and beginning "Norway in a Nutshell"
For the next segment of our perfect 7 - 10 day Norway itinerary, head to Oslo Central Station to take the train out of Oslo. This will begin your "Norway in a Nutshell" journey that allows you to travel by train through scenic mountains, by boat across majestic fjords, and by bus past thundering waterfalls across Norway to Bergen. First stop, the mountain station in Myrdal. Here, in the middle of nowhere in this tiny but scenic town, you'll disembark the five hour train ride from Oslo and hop on the Flåm Railway, one of the prettiest train rides in the world.
Bubbly Bon Voyage!