While visiting Oslo, we honestly had no idea of what one day in Oslo, Norway would look like. We originally had planned on just walking through the city. However, we got lucky and found ourselves exploring Oslo with a local!
When we were in Croatia a few months prior, we met a girl from Oslo on a tour. She told us to connect if we were ever in Norway, and low and behold, we found ourselves visiting Norway sooner than we had imagined.
We were excited to see someone we had met while traveling, and were looking forward to where she would take us, being a local and all. And spending one day in Oslo, Norway with her did not disappoint!
We found ourselves visiting places we would have otherwise missed out on and were able to see the city from a local’s perspective, learning things about the weird “iceberg” art and more.
Now, we know that having a local tour of a city isn’t something everyone gets to experience, and we were super fortunate to experience it. So we want to share it with you, and in doing so, offer you the perfect one day in Oslo, Norway itinerary.
Heading to Bergen? Read out city guide to Bergen, Norway here.
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Getting to and Driving in Oslo, Norway
We drove into Oslo as part of our European Road Trip from Scotland, however, flying into Oslo is a great option too. And if you fly, you really don’t need a car right away, as paying for a rental car when in a city is kind of a waste of money.
If flying into Oslo and then, exploring more of Norway, we suggest getting your rental car the day you leave the city. That way you’re not paying for tolls, parking, and rental car fees while you’re exploring Oslo.
Find Cheap Flights To Norway Here | We use and love Momondo when searching for cheap flights. They compare all the airlines, and even include budget airlines in the mix too. By using Momondo, we’ve literally saved hundreds of dollars on flights! See what you can save on flights here.
Toll Tunnels in Oslo, Norway
Norway is famous for fjords and toll roads. The toll roads going in and out of Oslo are tricky and can leave you paying more than budgeted in toll fees.
We found ourselves accidentally taking the toll roads in Oslo multiple times, as we kept losing GPS connection going into the tunnels and repeatedly missing our exit. Talk about annoying.
Don’t let this happen to you! Download maps.me before you go to Norway, and I’m not kidding when I say pin the location of the exits on your phone before going into tunnels! That way, you’ll know where to exit before losing your GPS connection!
Parking in Oslo, Norway
We really dislike paying for parking, and, especially when visiting a country that’s pretty expensive to begin with. So, instead, we like to park on the outskirts of town and then ride our bikes into the city.
For our one day in Oslo, this worked out perfectly, as the free parking on the outskirts of town doubled as a place to park overnight, and had a lovely bike path leading into the city.
The exact coordinates for where we parked are here | 59.914556, 10.681778
READ MORE | Wild Camping in Southern Norway (coordinates + rules to follow)
If you do not have a bike with you, it’s a relatively flat walk into town right by the harbor, so it may be with it if you fancy a wee walk. Alternatively, there are multiple paid for parking areas like this closer to town, or you can rent a bike here!
The Perfect One Day in Oslo Norway
Things To Do In Oslo At A Glance
- Visit the Opera House
- Find the Famous “Iceberg”
- Drink a Beer From the World’s Most Northern Brewery
- Marvel at the Old Fish Drying Racks
- Visit the Medieval Castle
- Take a Dip at Huk Beach!
- Bike Around Oslo
Visit the Opera House
- Entrance | free
- Location | Oslo Opera House
Oslo’s Opera House is hard to miss. It sits right on the waterfront and is big and beautiful building. The design and architecture simply from the outside are a sight to see.
However, don’t just stand in awe from a distance. It’s free to go inside the Opera House, and it’s beautiful from the inside too!
And even better, the interesting slants along the outside of the building are actual walkways. Climbing up the outside of the building, you’ll be greeted with beautiful views of both the city and the Oslo fjord too.
Find the Famous “Iceberg”
- Entrance | free
- Location | Oslo Fjord
Per local stories, there is a piece of art right in the center of the Oslo fjord that is meant to be an iceberg. However, when the artist designed the piece they messed up (or those who installed the artwork did), and the iceberg sits much higher above the water than it’s intended to.
You know how you can really only see 10% of an iceberg above water? Well, this one you can see like 90%. It’s a really odd thing to look at and try and understand!
Drink A Beer From the Most Northern Brewery In The World
- Prices | varies by drink
- Location | Food Truck Near Oslo Floating Saunas
Almost directly across the fjord from the Opera House, you’ll find Evergreen. A small outdoor food truck-like stall offering coffee and beer. While coffee is temping to get, don’t pass up on grabbing a beer from them!
By grabbing a beer at Evergreen, you’ll be drinking from the most northern brewery in the entire world! Cheers to the opportunity to be in Oslo and enjoy!
In this same area, there are floating saunas! If you fancy experiencing a traditional sauna in Norway, check out the floating saunas here.
Check Out the Old Fishing Drying Racks
- Entrance | free
- Location | Right On Waterfront of Oslo Fjord
While you’re sipping on your beer, check out the architecture around you. At first, it may seem very odd. However, knowing why the area is designed as it is, you’ll appreciate it more.
The traditional way to dry out fish is by hanging it down the center piece of wood from a tent of wood. I know that makes no sense at all, but seeing the shaded design around you, it will be clear.
You can learn more about this history of the fish hand drying, and even purchase some Stockfish, the traditional dried fish here.
If you travel outside the city and into more of the countryside of Norway, you’ll likely see this traditional fish drying rack at homes near the ocean and at some restaurants too.
Visit The Medieval Castle in Oslo
- Entrance | free
- Location | Akershus Festning
Free to enter and explore, Akershus Festning, or Akershus Fortress, is a medieval castle close to the city center that is the perfect place for a picnic. With historic stone walls, cannons, and more, this castle is a great look at what Oslo used to be like.
Even if you’re not into this history side of things, the views from this castle are worth the walk/ride there!
Cool Off At Huk Beach
- Entrance | free
- Location | Huk Bay
Before we even met up with our friend, we visited Huk Beach for a refreshing dip. So when she recommended we go there, we felt pretty proud we already had visited! That surely didn’t stop us from visiting Huk Beach again though!
It’s a true slice of paradise. Swimming in the Oslo fjord, providing some pinch me moments that this is real life. Don’t worry about saltwater, honestly the water didn’t feel too salty, and there’s a shower to rinse off in after.
We really liked Huk Beach at sunset as it was full of locals enjoying a drink and picnic dinner mixed with locals swimming for exercise and working out all along the water! It’s a true glimpse at what life could look like living there.
If time allows, check out the Gol Stave Church and Norsk Folkemuseum both on the way to Huk Beach from Oslo City Center.
Bike Around The City
- Bike Rentals | grab yours here
Now, we understand not everyone will be driving a campervan with their bikes in tow visiting Oslo. However, you don’t have to bring your bike to enjoy exploring Oslo via bicycle!
For a relatively cheap fee, you can rent an E-bike bike and explore Oslo. Or grab a bike from one of many Oslo bike rental companies scattered throughout town. And it seems that as long as you check the bike into any of the checkpoints throughout Oslo every three hours, you can keep the bike all day!
Biking is great way to explore Oslo at your own pace and offers a great opportunity to see things you would normally see just by taking public transportation throughout the city.
Getting To Oslo
If you plan on flying into Oslo, check for current flight prices below! We always find the best deals on Momondo, sometimes saving us hundreds of dollars a ticket.
Find Cheap Flights Here | Search for up to 35% off your flights to Oslo, Norway here.
When looking for flights, be sure to pay attention to which Oslo airport the flights are to. There are three different airports right around the city, and you want the OSL airport for the closest airport to the city center.
From the airport, you can take the train directly into Oslo’s central station in the city center. Alternatively, you can grab a cab, though this will be the most expensive option by far.
If you plan on visiting more of Norway than just Oslo, don’t forget to book your rental car in advance. We love using Sixt Rental car, and have found them to be fantastic to work with in multiple different countries.
Check Sixt Rental Car Prices Here
As we said in the beginning of this post, if you plan to spend some time in Oslo before exploring other parts of Norway, it’s well worth looking into if getting a rental car from day one is necessary and cost effective.
With toll roads, paid for parking, and rental car fees, you may want to save renting a car until you leave the city. That way you avoid the extra costs just to have your car parked while you explore Oslo.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Hotels
Oslo has no shortage of places to stay right in the city. There are large hotel chains and small hotels as well to fit exactly what you’re looking for.
Camping
There are plenty of free places to camp all over Norway, offering a fantastic break to anyone’s budget. And rather surprisingly, there is a great place to free camp just outside of Oslo.
We camped here in our campervan, and while it’s nicer and easier in a van or sleeping in a car, you could also pitch a tent here too.
READ MORE | Every place we camped for free for three weeks in Norway.
What to Pack For Norway
We always recommend traveling carry-on only, as it’s cheaper for flights and easier to maneuver than large bags on public transportation or in small rental cars.
Packing for Noway carry-on only can be tricky, as you’ll definitely want to bring warm clothes. However, layers are your best friend in this situation. And we have a post all about layers and packing here.
If you plan on camping in Norway (which we strongly suggest doing) check out this complete guide to backpacking gear here.
If driving to Norway from the main part of Europe.. we suggest filling your car with all the groceries you can think of before getting into Sweden + Norway! We loaded up in Germany, saving us loads of money on our trip to Norway!
Remember, everything is expensive here! And it’s much better to buy from a big grocery store in Germany and then spend the money you saved at small shops and restaurants in Norway to support the locals!
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