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30 Secrets & Things to do in Oslo, Norway

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My Ultimate Weekend Guide with 30 Must-See Spots! From the enchanting Frogner Park and majestic Viking Ship Museum to exotic whale sushi tastings, there's a world to explore. Experience the highs of the Stratos Rooftop, indulge in the quirky delight of black licorice ice cream, and uncover the secrets of Oslo's electric nightlife. This article uncovers my hidden gems and top attractions of Norway's capital for an unforgettable experience!

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Tips & Advice
  • What: Capital of Norway
  • When: Visit in July & August for excellent warm weather
  • Why: Most laid-back city in Scandinavia with lots of attractions
  • Best Oslo Cafe: The Cakery
  • Best Oslo Restaurant: Rorbua
  • Best Oslo Museum: Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
  • Best Oslo Experience: Oslo Fjord Cruise ($36 USD)
  • Transportation: Oslo Hop-On Hop-Off Bus to easily explore Oslo ($43 USD)
  • Accommodation: Find the cheapiest hotels on Booking.com
  • Related: Oslo Nightlife Guide and Oslo Food Review

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tastes of Norway meat dish at Rorbua restaurant in Oslo in Oslo, Norway spectacular view of Oslo from the Akerhus Fortress in Oslo, Norway meeting the locals at Kulturhuset in Oslo, Norway in Oslo, Norway traditional Norwegian dance at the Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway

During my summer weekend in Oslo, I was pleasantly surprised by the city's vibrant outdoor attractions and culinary delights. Aker Brygge was my starting point, where I sampled the local specialty, Polse, a bacon-wrapped, cheese-filled hot dog, setting the tone for my culinary journey at $6 a pop. Walking from Aker Brygge, I explored the Royal Palace, the bustling Karl Johans Gate, the waterfront charm of Vippa, the architectural marvel of the Opera House, and the relaxing Sorenga beach deck.

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OSLO
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100+ hours of research went into creating this ultimate map including:
Attractions • Restaurants • Rooftops
Bars • Nightclubs • Walking Routes
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Best Places for Travel in Oslo

  • 1. Aker Brygge

    Upscale harbor front of Oslo with gorgeous views of Oslofjord.

  • 2. Pølse Hot Dog

    Most famous Norwegian hot dog wrapped in bacon and injected with cheese.

  • 3. Whale Sushi

    Try raw whale sushi at Det Nye Fisketorget at Aker Brygge.

  • 4. Black Licorice Soft Ice

    Hennig Oslen at Aker Brygge sells bizarre soft ice with black licorice sprinkles.

  • 5. Salted Licorice Ice Cream

    Paradis Gelateria is unique for its Sal Ammoniac Ice Cream.

  • 6. Oslo Radhus

    Oslo's city counsel including impressive murals on the walls.

Royal Palace of Norway in Oslo in Oslo, Norway Vippa food hall, a modernized food venue with a hipster vibe in Oslo, Norway breathtaking Opera House of Oslo on a sunny day in Oslo, Norway upscale neighborhood Sorenga in Oslo in Oslo, Norway

As the capital of Norway, Oslo, with a 1.5 million strong metropolitan population, presents a unique blend of royal history and modern living. Despite being one of the world's most expensive cities, as noted by Forbes Magazine, it offers a safe, laid-back Scandinavian environment. English is widely understood, easing navigation and dining experiences.

  • 7. Frogner Park

    Collection of 200 bizarre sculptures by Gustav Vigeland and a unique attraction in Oslo.

  • 8. Royal Palace

    Norway is a kingdom with its Royal family residing at the slottet downtown Oslo.

  • 9. Karl Johans Gate

    Located next to the royal palace, Karl Johans Gate is the main shopping street of Oslo.

  • 10. Studenterlunden Park

    Gorgeous downtown park and great to stroll around on a sunny day and admire its large fountains.

  • 11. Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

    My favorite museum in Oslo with a stave church dating from 1200 completely built out of wood.

  • 12. Viking Ship Museum

    Photos don't do this place justice, I did not know viking ships were this large.

gorgeous view of the Royal Palace from the Karl Johans Gate in Oslo, Norway gorgeous view of the Royal Palace from the Karl Johans Gate

The cost of living in Oslo is notable, with even basic items like hot dogs priced at $6, reflecting the city's high living standards. However, the city's ease of public transport and the prevalence of English make it accessible for tourists. I encountered the intriguing Brown Cheese Ice Cream, a testament to Oslo’s unique culinary landscape.

  • 13. Fram Museum

    Norwegian polar exploration mission vessel built in 1891.

  • 14. Norwegian Maritime Museum

    Learn more about the massive ship building industry of Norway including popular cruise liners.

  • 15. Kon-Tiki Museum

    During a 3 month journey in 1947, Thor Heyerdahl proved the South Pacific islands to be colonized by South Americans.

  • 16. Fiskeriet Youngstorget

    Indulge on fresh Norwegian fish including raw salmon cuts and fried cod.

  • 17. Vippa

    Hipster food hall at the harbor front of Oslo, great for an afternoon lunch.

  • 18. Opera House Oslo

    Most impressive building of Oslo, modeled after flat iceberg shapes with inclines,

Radhuset in Oslo with views of the harbor front in Oslo, Norway Fram Museum in Oslo in Oslo, Norway Frogner Park on a sunny day showcasing 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in Oslo, Norway The Thief hotel in Oslo in Oslo, Norway delicious fish platter at Fiskeriet Youngstorget in Oslo in Oslo, Norway eating Norwegian fish with my Norway T-shirt in Oslo, Norway self serving my ketchup on my Polse hot dog in Oslo in Oslo, Norway traditional Norwegian polse hot doy in Oslo in Oslo, Norway

Frogner Park stood out with its vast collection of sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, making it a must-visit for art enthusiasts. The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History also impressed me, offering a glimpse into Norway's rich past with its extensive exhibits and historical reenactments.

  • 19. SALT

    Cool harbor front spot across the Opera House, a nomadic art lounge with bars and coffee shops.

  • 20. Sørenga Sjøbad

    Luxurious neighborhood with fantastic outdoor deck where you can swim and socialize with the local.

  • 21. Ekebergparken

    Bizarre sculpture park and great views of Oslo from the Ekeberg Restaurant.

  • 22. Akershus Fortress

    Fantastic views of Oslo and watch massive cruise liners dock at the harbor front.

  • 23. Resistance Museum of Norway

    Education experience about occupied Norway by the Nazis during World War II.

  • 24. Rorbua

    Incredible restaurant serving local Norwegian dishes, try the Tastes of Norway meat stick.

brown cheese ice cream at Louise restaurant in Oslo in Oslo, Norway brown cheese ice cream at Louise restaurant in Oslo

An unexpected message from an American friend led me to Fiskeriet Youngtorget, where I indulged in the finest Norwegian salmon. This experience highlighted the quality of local seafood and the city's welcoming nature.

  • 25. Brown Cheese Ice Cream

    Unique traditional Norwegian dessert: caramelized cheese ice cream at Louise restaurant.

  • 26. Mathallen Oslo

    Brand new food hall with unique restaurants and shops located in the student district Grünerløkka.

  • 27. Magic Ice Bar

    Cheers on ice wine at enjoy the ice version of the famous SCREAM painting.

  • 28. Stratos

    Enjoy cocktails at the amazing rooftop lounge Stratos with a remarkable patio.

  • 29. The Thief Rooftop

    Upscale rooftop lounge at one of the most prestige hotels of Norway.

  • 30. Oslo Nightlife

    One thing that was beyond all my expectations; the nightlife. Oslo has many incredible bars & nightclubs, watch my full review.

bizarre sculptures by Gustav Vigeland at Frogner Park in Oslo in Oslo, Norway Frogner Park on a sunny day showcasing 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in Oslo, Norway Frogner Park on a sunny day showcasing 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in Oslo, Norway Frogner Park on a sunny day showcasing 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland in Oslo, Norway Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway Norwegian Museum of Cultural History in Oslo, Norway

Historical exploration took me to Akershus Fortress, where I enjoyed panoramic views of Oslo and delved into Norway's WWII history at the Resistance Museum, enriching my understanding of the country's past.

my American friends met me in Oslo after their trip in Svalbard in Oslo, Norway my American friends met me in Oslo after their trip in Svalbard

Dining at Rorbua on Aker Brygge, I savored the "Tastes of Norway" meat platter, featuring exotic selections like whale and reindeer, with the juicy reindeer meat being a highlight, all for around $45. This meal, coupled with traditional Norwegian Hansa beer, encapsulated the local culinary experience.

together with my American friends in Oslo, Norway in Oslo, Norway exploring the resistance museum with my buddy Andrew in Oslo in Oslo, Norway Resistance Museum of Norway in Oslo, Norway Resistance Museum of Norway in Oslo, Norway get black licorice soft ice at Hennig Olsen in Oslo in Oslo, Norway black licorice soft ice in Oslo in Oslo, Norway admiring a giant cruise liner in Oslo in Oslo, Norway beautiful views of Oslofjord in Norway in Oslo, Norway

Beyond the main attractions, Oslo's architectural feats like the contemporary Opera House and the innovative Sorenga neighborhood provided a modern contrast to the city's historical sites, enhancing the urban experience.

meeting the staff of Rorbua Aker Brygge after an incredible dinner in Oslo in Oslo, Norway meeting the staff of Rorbua Aker Brygge after an incredible dinner in Oslo

For nature and art lovers, Ekebergparken offered a serene escape with its intriguing sculptures and panoramic city views, further enriching my Oslo itinerary.

delicious 'Tastes of Norway' at Rorbua in Oslo in Oslo, Norway tastes of Norway on a metal stick in Oslo, Norway stave church from 1200 in Oslo in Oslo, Norway viking ship museum includes a detailed map of the conquests in Oslo, Norway viking ship museum in Oslo, Norway reformatt at the viking ship museum in Oslo, Norway enjoying my time in Oslo at the Radhuset, city hall in Oslo, Norway inside the city hall of Oslo in Oslo, Norway

My visit concluded with a tour of the city's museums on the Bygdoy Peninsula, including the Viking Ship Museum and the Fram Museum, each narrating facets of Norway’s maritime and exploration heritage.

enjoy ice sculptures at the Magic Ice Bar in Oslo in Oslo, Norway enjoy ice sculptures at the Magic Ice Bar in Oslo

The culinary scene in Oslo was further explored at Vippa, a trendy food hall offering a variety of cuisines, and at Mathallen in the Vulkan district, where I enjoyed local specialties in a contemporary setting.

Magic Ice Bar in Oslo in Oslo, Norway breakfast at the Scandic Vulkan Hotel in Oslo, Norway Scandic Vulkan Hotel in Oslo in Oslo, Norway downtown Oslo in Oslo, Norway Sorenga upscal neighborhood with a cruise liner DFDS seaways in Oslo, Norway people tanning at sorenga district in Oslo in Oslo, Norway bizarre and creepy sculptures at Ekebergparken in Oslo in Oslo, Norway please do not kipnap me lady in Oslo, Norway

In conclusion, Oslo is an ideal destination for a short summer getaway, offering a blend of outdoor activities, historical insights, and a rich culinary scene. With its mix of cultural attractions and lively social scene, especially during the weekends, Oslo is a city that leaves a lasting impression.

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