One Day in Oslo: Places to See and Things to Do in Oslo
One day in Oslo is not enough to explore this beautiful Scandinavian city but it is enough to get a glimpse of Oslo’s must-visit places.
Whether you’re interested in art, history, or simply strolling around and soaking up the atmosphere, Oslo is an excellent destination for a one-day trip.
If you are visiting Oslo for arts purposes then we recommend museums like The Munch Museum, Astrup Fearnley Museum, and The National Museum.
If you are a wanderer, then strolling at Karl Johans Street, Aker Brygge, and Tjuvholem are great places to wander and get lost.
If you are coming to a day in Oslo with family or kids then we recommend you to visit Ekebergparken (Ekeberg Park), Frogner Parken (Grogner Park), and Natural History Museum (Naturhistorisk Museet). The modern library is also worth visiting as it has a children’s department with a bit of everything that kids will surely enjoy.
We’ll go deeper into each place you can visit for a day in Oslo.
Here are our recommended places to see and fun things to do during your one-day Oslo visit.
Read also: 24 Hours in Oslo Itinerary.
Where to Stay in Oslo
When you’re visiting Oslo, one of the first things you’ll need to arrange is your accommodation. The good news is that there are plenty of places to stay in Oslo, catering for all budgets and tastes.
Here are some suggestions:
For a luxury stay in Oslo, look no further than the Grand Hotel.
This five-star hotel offers elegant rooms and suites, many with views over the city’s famous must-see places. The Grand Hotel is ideally located for sightseeing in Oslo, with attractions such as the Royal Palace and National Gallery just a short walk away.
If you’re travelling on a budget but still want comfortable accommodation, why not try one of Oslo’s hostels? Citybox Oslo offers affordable accommodation in the heart of the city, with modern rooms featuring free Wi-Fi and other basic necessities.
They even offer self-check-in to make things easier for visitors trying to save time during their visit. For those who prefer self-catering options or longer stays, there are plenty of apartments available to rent across the city.
Frogner Apartments offer stylish accommodations with fully equipped kitchens and living areas. They have several locations around the city centre including popular tourist spots such as Karl Johans Gate.
Overall, there are lots of great options when it comes to finding a place to stay in Oslo – whether you’re looking for luxury or budget-friendly options. Make sure you consider what kind of trip you’re planning when choosing your accommodation – if you’re hoping to fit in lots of fun activities around your sightseeing in Oslo day trip then it might be best to choose somewhere central so that everything is close by!
Other budget-friendly hotels to consider are as follows:
Oslo Pass
The Oslo Pass is an excellent way to make the most of your one-day trip to Oslo. Not only does it allow you to save money on admission fees, but it also includes free public transportation within the city, making it incredibly convenient for sightseeing in Oslo. Public transportation in Zones 1 and 2 are included.
The pass can be purchased for 24, 48 or 72 hours, giving you plenty of time to explore the best places to see in Oslo. With the Oslo Pass, you can visit some of Oslo’s best museums and attractions without worrying about individual ticket costs.
Highlights include the Munch Museum, the National Museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, and many more. You can also use your pass for a guided tour of Parliament or a visit to Akershus Fortress.
Benefits of having Oslo Pass
- Includes all public transportation within Zone 1 and 2.
- This means that you can easily travel around town without worrying about buying individual tickets or passes.
- It includes buses, trams, Metro, and trains within the specified zones.
- Free ferry rides with the Bygdøy Ferry.
- Bygdøy Ferry is also included and it will take you to the Bygdøy Museum peninsula.
- With Oslo Pass, you will get a certain percentage discount with other Oslo Cruise tours.
- These boat rides will take you along Oslo’s stunning waterfront.
- Free pass to 30 attractions. (As of writing, there are 30 attractions, check Oslo Pass for updates)
- Discounts on shopping centers and restaurants also on Oslo cruises.
- Save time by not needing to queue for tickets.
It’s not only an excellent value but also provides easy access to some of the city’s best attractions and activities while taking away transportation concerns. Don’t forget to consult your guide and tips when using the pass so that you can make the most out of your experience!
Read also: Must-see waterfalls in Norway.
One Day in Oslo Itinerary Suggestions
Places to visit
Oslo has no scarcity of tourist attractions, and it is practically impossible to cover all the best places to see in just one day trip in Oslo. However, with a little planning and a time-saving itinerary, you can make the most of your Oslo day pass by visiting some of the must-see sights. One of the top places to visit in Oslo is undoubtedly Vigeland Park.
Vigelandsparken (Vigelands Park)
A beautifully crafted park that showcases hundreds of bronze, granite and iron sculptures and statues created by Gustav Vigeland.
These sculptures depict various life stages and are arranged around a beautiful fountain in the center of the park.
You can spend hours admiring these awe-inspiring works of art or simply take a leisurely stroll amidst lush greenery and a serene atmosphere.
Adjacent to Vigeland Park is Frognerparken (Frogner Park)
These two parks are connected with each other so you will not notice it is actually two parks in one place.
The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
If you’re interested in learning more about Norway’s history and culture, head over to The Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
This open-air museum showcases traditional Norwegian architecture through various structures like farmhouses, stave church etc., dating back from medieval times until today’s modern era. You can explore the exhibits on foot to admire Norway’s cultural history.
The Opera House
Oslo’s Opera House is an architectural marvel showcasing stunning views across Oslo’s fjord coastline- which should be on every visitor’s list. Its sloping white roof allows visitors to walk up from ground level right up onto its roof for panoramic views – definitely one of the best places to see in Oslo, especially during sunset!
Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning)
Another worth visiting during your one-day trip to Oslo is the Akershus Fortress This is a medieval castle that is situated near Oslo’s coastline. It has a panoramic waterfront view of Oslo’s other side.
Norway’s Resistance Museum Museum is also located inside the fortress for a fee (without Oslo Pass) and a free pass with Oslo Pass.
Fun things to do during your One day in Oslo
Oslo is a city full of fun activities to do, and it can be hard to decide which ones to prioritize, especially if you only have one day in the city. Here are some of the best things to do in Oslo to make your one-day trip to Oslo fun!
Stroll the Street of Karl Johan.
Wander the famous street of Karl Johan (Karljohans Gate). There are a lot of things to see and admire while strolling at Karl Johan. The street is lined with different boutiques, cafes, restaurants, hotels and souvenir shops.
Wandering this beautiful street will bring you to The Parliament, Spikersuppa where you will see colourful flowers and the fountain during summer, an ice skating rink during the winter, towering trees on the sidewalk, The Palee’t Shopping Centre, The Grand Hotel which is a famous historic luxury hotel and many more.
Play at the Frognerparken (Frognerpark) and Bird Feeding
If you are visiting Oslo for a day with your kids, then head on to Frogner Park and let you and your kids enjoy the park. There’s a monkey bar, slides, swings and many more at the park that kids will surely love.
After that, head on a few meters from the play area to the lake and let your kids experience birds and duck feeding.
My kids always enjoy doing this so we kept on visiting the place, it’s fun for the whole gang!
Sculpture Hunting at Ekebergparken (Ekeberg Park)
If you have a few hours to spare, then go ahead and do sculpture hunting at Ekebergparken. Sculptures are scattered all around this vast forest visitors need to walk around the forest to see these wonderful works of art.
Moreover, kids will surely love the mini obstacles built for kids located just a few meters from The Ekerberg Restaurant.
You can also visit Ekerberg Dyreparken (Ekeberg Animal Park) to see horses, goats, sheep, ducks, rabbits, pigs and many other farm animals.
Children can ride on the pony (with a fee), feed the goats and just get a close encounters with these animal farms.
Your children will have a fun day getting up close experience with the animals.
Oslo Fjord Cruise
These cruises offer stunning views of the coastline while providing insight into Norway’s rich seafaring heritage. You can also choose between different types of cruises depending on your interests – from sightseeing tours with audio guides to dinner cruises where you can enjoy a gourmet meal while taking in incredible vistas.
Whether you choose art, nature or history as your guide for sightseeing in Oslo this itinerary will provide excellent guidance and tips for an unforgettable time-saving itinerary! There are countless fun things to do in this vibrant city – these three experiences are just scratching the surface!
Affordable places to eat
Oslo is a city with a lot of great dining options, but it can be expensive. Here are some affordable places to eat while exploring Oslo on a day trip.
Mathallen
Location: Vulkan, Oslo
Transportation: 6 mins bus ride from Jernbanetorget to Møllerveien Station. Then walk 3 minutes to Mathallen.
or 6 mins tram ride from Jernbanetorget to Schous Plass Station then walk 7 min to Mathallen.
One option is Mathallen Oslo, a food hall with dozens of vendors selling everything from seafood to pizza. It’s located just a few minutes bus ride from Jernebantorget (city center) to Vulkan.
This is a great spot for trying Norwegian specialties like smoked salmon or reindeer meatballs. There are also plenty of international options if you’re looking for something different.
Vippa
Another option is at Vippa, where you get to sit outside with a waterfront view. They have a cafe, bar, tacos, nachos, and other international cuisines to choose from.
Just like Oslo Street Foods and Barcode Street Foods, Vippa has different food stalls too.
Location: Akershusstranda (Vippetangen)
Transportation: 5mins bus ride from Jernbanetorget to Vippetangen then walk 1 minute.
or you can choose to walk from Jernbanetorget to Vippetangen and it will take you more or less than 14 mins.
Oslo Street Foods
Oslo street foods is a diversified eating experience. There’s a mixture of Norwegian cuisine and international cuisines. Every food stall offers its own speciality. You will find Indian cuisine, Philippines, Thai and many other mouth-watering cuisines.
This must-try international cuisine is located in the city center at Torggata.
Barcode Street Food
Are you looking for a tasty breakfast, mouth-watering lunch or a heavy-to-light dinner with music? Look no further at Oslo Sentrum because Barcode Street Foods is just a few minutes walk from Jernbanetorget (city center). Barcode Street Foods is located on the trendy street at Bjørvika.
There are various food stalls offering delicious and tasty foods that both young and old will enjoy.
If you want to grab something quick on the go then Narvesen shops are located on every corner of Oslo, as well as Deli De Luca store, Backstube (coffee, bread and pastry), Espresso House and many other small to big food shops around.
Overall, there are plenty of affordable places to eat in Oslo that won’t break the bank during your one-day trip to Oslo itinerary. Try out some local specialties or grab something quick on the go to make the most of your time sightseeing in Oslo without spending too much money on food.
Conclusion
Spending one day in Oslo can be a fun and exciting experience for both the young and grown-ups.
With the Oslo Pass, you can save time and money while exploring some of the city’s best attractions. From historical landmarks to modern museums, there is something for everyone in this beautiful city.
For those looking to see the best places in Oslo, a guided tour or time-saving itinerary can help make the most of your day trip. Whether you prefer sightseeing on foot or by public transportation, there are plenty of ways to get around and see all that Oslo has to offer.
To make your Oslo day trip even more enjoyable, consider trying some of the fun activities available in the city. From ice skating at Spikersuppa (wintertime) to visiting the Vigeland Sculpture Park, there is no shortage of things to do.
When it comes time to eat, there are many affordable places to dine in Oslo. Whether you want traditional Norwegian cuisine or international fare, there are plenty of options available throughout the city.
Overall, whether you’re visiting for a single day or several days, creating an itinerary with these guides and tips will help ensure that you have an unforgettable experience exploring all that Oslo has to offer. So don’t hesitate – plan your trip today and discover why it’s one of Scandinavia’s best cities!
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