Oslo is a beautiful Scandinavian city that is worth visiting. Are you planning to visit Oslo for a day? Read this.
This all-encompassing manual serves as an ideal itinerary for first-time visitors and return explorers alike, aiming to optimize your single-day sojourn in the city.
Oslo is a beautiful city that offers a perfect blend of historic charm and modern sophistication and is also Norway’s capital city.
With its picturesque waterfront, vibrant cultural scene, and stunning natural beauty, Oslo has something for everyone.
Make the most out of your one-day visit to this beautiful city with the help of our One Day in Oslo Tourist Guide.
Look no further! This comprehensive One day Oslo guide will take you on a journey through Oslo’s must-see attractions. From the famous Vigeland Park to the iconic Oslo Opera House, we’ll show you the best places to visit and the hidden gems that only locals know about.
Whether or not you are visiting Oslo for history, art, or nature, you will surely be captivated by this gorgeous city.
Get ready and let’s get started discovering all the amazing things this city has to offer!
One Day in Oslo Itinerary: Places to Visit
Morning: Exploring the City Center
Start your day in Oslo by exploring the city centre. Begin by visiting the Royal Palace, the official residence of the Norwegian monarch. Pre-booked guided tours are also available if you want to visit the inside of the palace.
The palace gardens are worth visiting as well. It has a serene ambience with a small lake with ducks to watch. Colourful flowers will welcome you if you are visiting during the warm season.
The Norwegian Castle is located in a more elevated area so you can stand on the pathway and have a full view of the famous Karl Johan Street (Karl Johans Gate).
Next, head to the Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main street, which runs from the Royal Palace to the Oslo Centrum. Various shops, cafes, and restaurants are lined up in the street, making it a perfect spot for taking refreshments and shopping.
You can also find souvenir shops at Karl Johan Street. You don’t want to miss buying troll-themed items that will remind you of your visit to Norway!
The streets of Oslo are both a combination of old infrastructure and modern architecture.
The new Munch Museum building and the library are just a few of the modern buildings that you will not surely miss as they are both modern buildings in the center that will grab your attention.
Finally, you can visit the Oslo City Hall, which houses the city council and the mayor’s office. The building is famous for its murals, which depict scenes from Norwegian history and culture.
Afternoon: Museums and Parks
After exploring the city centre, it’s time to visit some of Oslo’s known museums and parks. Start at Bygdøy where a lot of museums are located a close distance from each other.
Take note that the Viking Ship Museum is temporarily closed for rebuilding as of writing. Check the website for more information on its re-opening time.
Other museums like Fram Museum, Kon Tiki Museum, and Maritime Museum are all located nearby the Viking Museum so you can explore them all or just choose a few to visit according to your interests.
If you want to get to know more about Norway’s early culture and traditions then you can drop by at Folkemuseet (The Norwegian Museum of Culture History). It is an open-air museum that walks you through Norway’s humble beginning featuring housing and life during the early eras and many more.
If you still have time and art is your interest then head to the city center again and visit the Munch Museum, which is dedicated to the works of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. The museum houses a ton of art collections by Edvard Munch, including his most famous painting, “The Scream.”
You can check here for bookings and tickets.
If you still have spare time and are not an art enthusiast then head to Vigeland Park, which is a huge landscape with sculptures. The sculpture park features over 200 sculptures by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland, depicting the human form in various poses and expressions.
Take a leisure walk through the park and admire the stunning sculptures, which are made from bronze, granite, and cast iron.
Green lush grounds are also inviting where you can take a picnic or just sit down and enjoy the view of the beautiful trees around, colourful flowers and the sculptures.
Whew! That’s a lot to visit in a day, I know! But if you are up early and preplanned your day, then you can cover most of Oslo’s must-see attractions.
The museums are just recommendations if you love artworks and history. But if you are more into parks and stunning views, then Vigelands and Aker Brygge are options.
Evening: Food and Drink
After a full day of exploring Oslo’s attractions, it’s time to indulge in some Norwegian cuisine and drinks.
Start by visiting the Mathallen Food Hall, which features various vendors selling everything from fresh seafood to artisanal cheese.
Grab a bite to eat and mingle with the locals, who flock to the food hall for its delicious offerings.
You can also visit Oslo Street Foods where you can have a taste of international cuisines that are ready to serve you.
Getting Around Oslo
Oslo is a small city (as compared to other huge cities in the world) that is easy to navigate on foot, but there are also plenty of public transportation options available.
The city has an extensive network of buses, trams, and subways, which are all operated by Ruter.
Visitors can purchase a Ruter Travel Card, which allows unlimited travel on all forms of public transportation for a set period of time.
Where to Stay in Oslo
Oslo has a wide range of accommodation options, from budget-friendly hostels to luxury hotels.
You can check available and different types of accommodations here.
Other must-see attractions in Oslo are:
- The Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle and fortress that was built in the late 13th century to protect Oslo from attack. The fortress has played a significant role in Norwegian history and has been used as a royal residence, a prison, and a military base.
- The Norwegian Parliament- You will surely not miss this brick building as you wander around Karl Johan.
- Spikersuppa- is a charming park that has a gorgeous fountain along the street of Karl Johan and the National Theatre. During the winter season, the area serves as a skating rink for skate enthusiasts.
- Tjuvholmen- a beautiful place to visit just after the stretch of Aker Brygge.
Conclusion
Oslo is a beautiful city with a perfect blue hue waterfront, must-see museums, parks and many more.
The Norwegian Palace, Karl Johan Street, Munch Museum, and Vigeland Park are just a few of the One day in Oslo itinerary.
Depending on your time and interest, you can choose to follow this guide or you can check this other 24-hour Oslo itinerary tour guide.
Wandering around Oslo is easy as tourist attractions are located near each other and public transportations are accessible.
Oslo Centrum is better toured by foot or you can hire electric scooters if you prefer.
Whether you’re planning a day trip in Oslo or a longer stay, be sure to check out all the amazing things that it has to offer! You can read more about Oslo in our previous article here.
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