Oslo, Norway

Beautiful fjords. Art.  Nobel Peace prize.  Oslo has a lot to offer.  It's a prosperous city with old world charm and yet it's also very modern and cosmopolitan.  Here are some recommendations and tips for a trip to Oslo.

STAY 

I stayed at the Grand Hotel, a large historical hotel with old world charm.  Lots of world leaders and Nobel prize winners have stayed here.  It even has a “Ladies’ Floor” for female travelers!  It’s centrally located in the tourist area which can be a pro or a con for staying here.

If you prefer something more contemporary and like modern art, consider The Thief, a luxury boutique hotel located in the Tjuvholmen arts district.  You’re more likely to run into celebrities and rock stars here.  (Fun fact:  the hotel’s name comes from the area’s Norwegian name, Thief Island, where thieves used to be executed in the 18th century). 

SEE + DO

Aker Brygge is an upscale area along the waterfront lined with restaurants that have outdoor seating to enjoy the views.  There’s a mix of tourists, locals and business people here. 

Tjuvholmen is another nice area nearby with the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, galleries, sculpture park, and a city beach that attracts local on sunny days.

A fjord sightseeing cruise is a must do.  It will give you a good overview of the city from a different perspective.  And you’ll see lots of small islands and pretty summer homes during the cruise. 

Grünerløkka is a hipster neighborhood with many cafes, bars, and shops.  A fun place to grab a coffee and explore.

Karl Johans Gate is Oslo’s main pedestrian street, a touristy area lined with lots of outdoor restaurants and cafes.  If you walk the entire length of the street from the train station, you’ll see many sights along the way and end up at the Royal Palace.

Take a short ferry ride to Bygdøy, a lovely area with beaches and interesting museums like the Viking Ship Museum and the Museum of Cultural History (Norwegian Folk Museum).

The Folk Museum is an impressive large open-air museum with traditional buildings from different parts of Norway.  It’s a fun place to learn about and experience Norwegian culture and history. 

In the summer months, it offers horse and carriage rides and lefsa making demonstrations.  

Lefsa is a traditional soft Norwegian flatbread.  Girls wearing traditional Norwegian costumes roll out the dough and cook the lefse on a griddle in front of you.  It was warm and delicious with butter.  Worth standing in line for!

The Oslo Opera House, designed to look like an iceberg floating in the water, is admired for its striking modern architecture.  It was built so you can walk up onto the roof to catch a panoramic view.

If you enjoy art, some notable museums you may want to visit:

National Gallery - Edvard Munch painting “The Scream”

Edvard Munch Museum

Vigeland Museum  - impressive sculptures

Other places to check out:

Henrik Ibsen Museum - for literary fans of A Doll’s House

The Nobel Peace Center - has interactive exhibits and also a café

If you have a chance to drive outside of Oslo, you will see some amazing old buildings like stave churches, in addition to the breathtaking scenery.

EAT + DRINK

Although summertime is an ideal time to visit Norway because of the nice weather and long days, foodies should note that many top restaurants are closed during the summer months.  (One reason for this is because the business people they mainly cater to are away on holiday during this time.)

Fru K, a restaurant at the Thief hotel, was closed for the summer so we at at the more casual restaurant on the Thief’s rooftop which was pretty good.  It’s also a good place to go for drinks.

Lofoten Fiskerestaurant is a seafood restaurant in Aker Brygge along the waterfront.  It was a lively place with nice views in a light airy setting.  The food was decent but a bit pricey like all the restaurants in this area.

Rust is a small plates/tapas restaurant in a quiet area that we discovered by accident.  Comfortable and laid back.  A pleasant spot for a light lunch or drinks.

Ekeberg Restaurant is a fancy restaurant up in the Oslo hills.  Food and service were good but the real star of this place is the stunning views.  It’s a splurge so I’d recommend coming here to celebrate a special occasion, a romantic dinner, or on your last night in Oslo.

Hos Thea is a lovely little restaurant in a peaceful neighborhood.  I liked the cozy ambiance and food was thoughtfully prepared.

Coffee enthusiasts will want to visit Tim Wendelboe in Grünerløkka.  This popular espresso bar and micro-roastery is owned by Tim Wendelboe, World Barista Champion and World Cup Tasters Champion.  They also sell their beans and host cupping sessions!

FYI:  the coffee in Oslo seems to generally be a light roast.

SHOP

Paléet - small local shopping center

Glas Magasinet - one of Norway’s oldest department stores

Steen & Strom - Scandinavian department store also found in Sweden and Denmark. 

SOUVENIR IDEAS

Sweaters, gloves, scarves, Norwegian sweets, housewares, design items

TIPS

Oslo is consistently ranked one of the most expensive cities in the world.  You can save by avoiding pricey cabs since Oslo is a very walkable city with good public transit system.  You also don’t need to spend on bottled water since Norway’s high quality tap water is safe to drink.  Eating out at restaurants is costly but generally the food quality is good so it’s worthwhile.

If you’re eating at one of the restaurants in the Aker Brygge, skip the expensive dessert and instead buy a sweet treat from one of the kiosks along the quay (like ice cream or a warm waffle with berries and yogurt) to enjoy as you walk along the waterfront.


Thanks for reading!