The Best Things To Do in Oslo in 2025

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One of the best parts of traveling is creating the itinerary! Whether you're looking for places that are easy to walk to from your hotel accommodations or a unique experience that you wouldn't be able to do anywhere else, the possibilities are endless — and that's so exciting.

Oslo, the capital of Norway, has no shortage of things to do: from engaging museums to outdoor activities. We've put together a list of ideas that together, are well-rounded and memorable, making the most of your time up north.

Learn about polar exploration

The Fram Museum is a must-visit. Here, visitors will learn everything they ever wanted to know about polar exploration. From travel routes and ships to what daily life was like for the northern explorer, this museum delivers.

Tickets are available online and museum guides are available in several languages, including English.

See "The Scream" in person

Perhaps Edvard Munch's most famous painting, The Scream lives in Munchmuseet: The Munch Museum in Oslo!

Celebrated Norwegian painter, Edvard Munch, was born in a small town north of Oslo. Now, visitors can learn about his life and see a large collection of his works at The Munch Museum. In addition to Munch's work, the museum also has temporary exhibits featuring other artists' works.

This Museum is in a building with a unique architectural design and jaw-dropping views of the bay. Tickets for the museum can be purchased online ahead of time, where you can also see which temporary exhibits are currently on display.

Take in the bay... and its art

Oslo is known for its beautiful waterside views, and one of those holds this gem — a sculpture created by artist Monica Bonvicini.

"She Lies" is a permanent art installation made out of glass and metal that can be seen on the water's edge of Oslo's famous opera house.

If you have time to spare in the city, it's worth walking by at different times during the day to see how the light reflects off the glass depending on the hour.

Explore unique sculptures in an extravagant garden

The Vigeland Installation (or Vigelandsanlegget) is a sculpture garden located within Oslo's Frogner Park (in Norwegian, Frognerparken).

The sculpture garden itself is 80 acres of over 200 works in different mediums, including iron, granite, and bronze. It also currently holds the title of the largest sculpture park created by a single artist (Gustav Vigeland).

Frogner Park is an absolute joy to visit. Its landscaped gardens house the largest rose collection in Norway with over 14,000 bushes. It's also home to thousands of trees, some as old as 250 years.

With walking paths, fountains, and even a café onsite, travelers can easily spend a long afternoon exploring all that Frogner has to offer.

The park is free to visit and open at all hours.

Traverse the waterways of Oslo

Oslo has a well-known inlet called Oslo Fjord that can be viewed by boat or from various points on land.

Depending on the time of year, several different activities are possible. Some popular options among locals and tourists alike are swimming, hiking, and boat riding.

Cafés, saunas, and fjord cruises are available depending on when you visit, which can allow you to immerse yourself into the Norwegian way of life.

Step back in time at the Akershus Fortress

While its exact construction dates aren't known, The Akershus Castle was first mentioned in literature in the year 1300, though it has continued to develop and change over time.

With a rich history, it is a must-visit for visitors of all ages. Inside its walls, visitors will find a dungeon, decorated halls, and furnished rooms for travelers of all ages to enjoy.

Tickets can be purchased on-site and hours may change through seasons.

Visit the world's largest mini-bottle collection

Easily accessible in the city center, The Minibottle Gallery is a quirky way to pass the time on your trip to Oslo.

You'll be able to look at over 53,000 miniature bottles presented in unique ways, such as on a chandelier and a slide. While inside, make sure you look up, down, and all around. It's 3 floors of bottles everywhere you look!

At the last update of this article, the Mini Bottle Museum is open every weekend to the public and tickets can be purchased onsite.

Feel like a local at the Sunday Markets

On Sundays, you'll find the Søndagsmarkedet at Blå. This is a second-hand and craft market where you'll find everything from clothing and shoes to home decor and knick-knacks.

Also open on Sundays, the Birkelunden "Bric Brac" market offers its shoppers items spanning the decades. You'll find vintage clothing, vinyl, kitchen utensils, small pieces of furniture, and so much more.

Make sure to check online whether or not the markets are up and running, as there may be seasonal hours.

Taste the local flavors

While in Oslo, get a true taste of the culture (no pun intended) by sampling the local cuisine. Here are some Norwegian classics to keep an eye out for while you're abroad.

Waffles. A popular treat in Norway is waffles with raspberries, blueberries, and cream.

Fårikål. For those who want a true cultural experience, try the local Fårikål. This stew is sometimes called "Norway's national dish" and contains mutton, cabbage, and whole black pepper.

Pinnekjøtt. While it's traditionally a Christmas dish, Pinnekjøtt is a must-try if you can find it. This main course is air-dried and salted, then rehydrated sheep rib.

Brunost. While we usually think of cheese as being French, Spanish, or Italian, Norway is home to its own cheese too, and that's Brunost, a brown cheese made with whey, cream, and either goat or cow milk.

Lefse. A traditional flat bread that is usually rolled up and eaten with butter and sugar.

Akvavit. An herbal Schnapp that is a potato-based clear spirit and can be drunk neat or used as a cocktail mixer.

Lutefisk. A white fish (typically cod) cured in lye. Because of the rehydration process, the meat takes on a gelatinous texture.

Kjøttkaker. Norway's version of meatballs. Unlike other takes, Norway's meatballs have a sweetness to them that comes from adding nutmeg and ginger.

Save this list for your upcoming trip to Oslo

• The Fram Museum: polar expeditions
• The Munch Museum: see "The Scream" in person
• The "She Lies" Sculpture: near the Opera House
• The Vigeland Installation at Frogner Park (sculptures and roses!)
• Oslo Fjord: take a cruise
• Akershus Fortress/Castle
• The Minibottle Gallery
• The Søndagsmarkedet at Blå: on Sundays, secondhand clothes and items
• The Birkelunden: on Sundays, vintage vinyl, clothing, housewares, etc.
• Try the local flavors, like waffles with berries, lefse with your coffee, or the Lutefisk

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Europe travel

Norway