What to see and experience in Oslo, our mini guide to you

Ivar
What to see and experience in Oslo, our mini guide to you

Parks & Nature

The outdoor sculpture park of Gustav Vigeland is impressive and worth a visit, it also is a nice walk from our house. The sculpture park is open and free all year all day, and you can enjoy the hundreds of sculptures in granite and brass. The artist is known for his portraying of life from embryo to death and the tall obelisk in granite is perhaps most impressive.
598 locals recommend
Vigelandsparken station
Kirkeveien
598 locals recommend
The outdoor sculpture park of Gustav Vigeland is impressive and worth a visit, it also is a nice walk from our house. The sculpture park is open and free all year all day, and you can enjoy the hundreds of sculptures in granite and brass. The artist is known for his portraying of life from embryo to death and the tall obelisk in granite is perhaps most impressive.
Do like thousands of Oslo people and have a walk around the lake Sognsvann! There is a walking path around the lake, lit in the evenings and the walk will take you about 45-50 minutes. it is easy to get there, just take the Subway "Sognsvann" from "our side" of Blindern subway station to its end station, walk for 5 minutes straight forward and there you are.
209 locals recommend
Sognsvann
209 locals recommend
Do like thousands of Oslo people and have a walk around the lake Sognsvann! There is a walking path around the lake, lit in the evenings and the walk will take you about 45-50 minutes. it is easy to get there, just take the Subway "Sognsvann" from "our side" of Blindern subway station to its end station, walk for 5 minutes straight forward and there you are.
From the harbour just in front of Oslo City Hall, there are small ferries taking you to Hovedøya, Bleikøya, Gressholmen, Lindøya and Nakholmen. These are all small juwels, well worth exploring during the summer season. At Hovedoeya, there are ruins after an old monastry, at Lindoeya a uniqe "city" of mini summer houses, originally built for factory workes. Check it out on visitoslo.no for more details.
7 locals recommend
Lindøya
7 locals recommend
From the harbour just in front of Oslo City Hall, there are small ferries taking you to Hovedøya, Bleikøya, Gressholmen, Lindøya and Nakholmen. These are all small juwels, well worth exploring during the summer season. At Hovedoeya, there are ruins after an old monastry, at Lindoeya a uniqe "city" of mini summer houses, originally built for factory workes. Check it out on visitoslo.no for more details.

Food Scene

If you would like to experience a dragon style / viking style cafe / restaurant, Frognerseteren a great choice! There is a self serve cafeteria, but there are also an old style restaurant with white tablecloth and silver cutlery, reindeer and other Norwegian style delicacies on the menu - with a magnificent view of Oslo. First one affordable, second one expensive. Take Subway Holmenkollen from Majorstuen station to station Frognerseteren. For the cafeteria no booking is needed.
147 locals recommend
Frognerseteren
200 Holmenkollveien
147 locals recommend
If you would like to experience a dragon style / viking style cafe / restaurant, Frognerseteren a great choice! There is a self serve cafeteria, but there are also an old style restaurant with white tablecloth and silver cutlery, reindeer and other Norwegian style delicacies on the menu - with a magnificent view of Oslo. First one affordable, second one expensive. Take Subway Holmenkollen from Majorstuen station to station Frognerseteren. For the cafeteria no booking is needed.
A really nice bakery which you will enjoy, 15 minutes walk from our place. It is located at Ullevål Hageby, one of the most popular (and expensive) places to live in Oslo. This is where authors, actors, architects, dancers, TV personalities live, and some others of course. Walk from our place or take T-banen two stops to Ullevål, and then walk from there, that will be only three minutes I think. You can sit outside or inside, or just buy bread baked in their stone oven, or morning croissante and bring back home.
22 locals recommend
Åpent Bakeri Damplassen
24-25 Damplassen
22 locals recommend
A really nice bakery which you will enjoy, 15 minutes walk from our place. It is located at Ullevål Hageby, one of the most popular (and expensive) places to live in Oslo. This is where authors, actors, architects, dancers, TV personalities live, and some others of course. Walk from our place or take T-banen two stops to Ullevål, and then walk from there, that will be only three minutes I think. You can sit outside or inside, or just buy bread baked in their stone oven, or morning croissante and bring back home.
We live right at the center of the University of Oslo. It`s worth walking around, the picture is the old physics main building - sun shining through. Fredrikke Spiseri is a value for money buffet cafeteria, 3 minutes walk from us at the University main square. First and foremost it is practical, it also is a youth scene - but you are not going to remember the food itself for a long time :-) Opening hours 10-19 mon-thu, on Fridays open 10-18. It`s closed in weekends, over the summer and other holidays.
21 locals recommend
University of Oslo
11 Problemveien
21 locals recommend
We live right at the center of the University of Oslo. It`s worth walking around, the picture is the old physics main building - sun shining through. Fredrikke Spiseri is a value for money buffet cafeteria, 3 minutes walk from us at the University main square. First and foremost it is practical, it also is a youth scene - but you are not going to remember the food itself for a long time :-) Opening hours 10-19 mon-thu, on Fridays open 10-18. It`s closed in weekends, over the summer and other holidays.
If you really would like a restaurant experience you will never forget, this is it. It will cost you much more than your accommodation in Oslo, but it simply is fantastic. Book months in advance! Three stars in the Michelin Guide. One of the top 50 restaurants in the world. https://maaemo.no
98 locals recommend
Maaemo
23 Dronning Eufemias gate
98 locals recommend
If you really would like a restaurant experience you will never forget, this is it. It will cost you much more than your accommodation in Oslo, but it simply is fantastic. Book months in advance! Three stars in the Michelin Guide. One of the top 50 restaurants in the world. https://maaemo.no
If you like a lively, informal "food truck" style meal, find your way to Vippetangen at the harbour and enjoy! You have the choice between tapas, chineese, eritrean, italian, veg, turkish, fish & ships. Closed on Mondays. You can sit outside and enjoy the see view on nice days. Not sure if it is open during the winter season, I suspect not, check vippa.no.
158 locals recommend
Vippa
25 Akershusstranda
158 locals recommend
If you like a lively, informal "food truck" style meal, find your way to Vippetangen at the harbour and enjoy! You have the choice between tapas, chineese, eritrean, italian, veg, turkish, fish & ships. Closed on Mondays. You can sit outside and enjoy the see view on nice days. Not sure if it is open during the winter season, I suspect not, check vippa.no.
Opened spring 2022, and already a hotspot in Oslo for young celebrities and many others. It is not possible to book a table, so you need to go there and find out. If packed, try another hotspot without booking 5 minutes away in St.Olavs gate 7, Izakaya. It’s down the stairs, a small place, first class tastes and I guarantee you will feel the pulse of the capitol.
9 locals recommend
KAFETERIA AUGUST
9 Universitetsgata
9 locals recommend
Opened spring 2022, and already a hotspot in Oslo for young celebrities and many others. It is not possible to book a table, so you need to go there and find out. If packed, try another hotspot without booking 5 minutes away in St.Olavs gate 7, Izakaya. It’s down the stairs, a small place, first class tastes and I guarantee you will feel the pulse of the capitol.
There are some 300 restaurants in Oslo, so don`t worry - there are plenty of experiences waiting for you. Check out visitoslo.no, tripadvisor.com, or Aftenposten restaurant guide estaurantguiden.aftenposten.no/?r=s&gclid=Cj0KCQjwheyUBhD-ARIsAHJNM-NWzKjbxT1c25iNk8HQiRXESNWaQrLSfIGhFsH7G1-H3GGhMFZU1iQaAk3xEALw_wcB So why in particular recommend Kaffistova (The coffe living room)? Simply because this is a cafe / restaurant has a particular history going back 120 years. The hotel and cafeteria style restaurant opened 120 years ago, and was then - and is now - owned by the youth org. of the Farmers Assosiation. This is where the farmers came to have a real Norwegian meal when visiting the city. And the menu still reflects that. Traditional Norwegian food, big servings, no extra design of anything - just plain well made, tasty, traditional food. So do like the farmers of Norway have done for more than 100 years, find the farmers place nearby the Parliament and enjoy a simple and easy meal.
14 locals recommend
Kaffistova
2 Kristian IVs gate
14 locals recommend
There are some 300 restaurants in Oslo, so don`t worry - there are plenty of experiences waiting for you. Check out visitoslo.no, tripadvisor.com, or Aftenposten restaurant guide estaurantguiden.aftenposten.no/?r=s&gclid=Cj0KCQjwheyUBhD-ARIsAHJNM-NWzKjbxT1c25iNk8HQiRXESNWaQrLSfIGhFsH7G1-H3GGhMFZU1iQaAk3xEALw_wcB So why in particular recommend Kaffistova (The coffe living room)? Simply because this is a cafe / restaurant has a particular history going back 120 years. The hotel and cafeteria style restaurant opened 120 years ago, and was then - and is now - owned by the youth org. of the Farmers Assosiation. This is where the farmers came to have a real Norwegian meal when visiting the city. And the menu still reflects that. Traditional Norwegian food, big servings, no extra design of anything - just plain well made, tasty, traditional food. So do like the farmers of Norway have done for more than 100 years, find the farmers place nearby the Parliament and enjoy a simple and easy meal.

Arts & Culture

Please note that the Viking Ship museum unfortunately is CLOSED for 5 years 2021-2026, due to major reconstruction and expansion.
UNFORTUNATELY CLOSED FOR 5 YEARS FROM 2021! But from then: Must see when in Oslo is the impressive Vikingship Museum at Bygdøy! They found the Oseberg and Gokstad ships about 100 years ago, they were used for burying a Viking queen, I think. Now you can see it all, impressive and beautiful - and make sure to check the carved wagons, sledges, impressive clothes etc that they found inside the ships.
275 locals recommend
Viking Ship Museum
35 Huk Aveny
275 locals recommend
UNFORTUNATELY CLOSED FOR 5 YEARS FROM 2021! But from then: Must see when in Oslo is the impressive Vikingship Museum at Bygdøy! They found the Oseberg and Gokstad ships about 100 years ago, they were used for burying a Viking queen, I think. Now you can see it all, impressive and beautiful - and make sure to check the carved wagons, sledges, impressive clothes etc that they found inside the ships.
The new Oslo Opera House is a great attraction with its white marble roof that you are suppose to walk. Great new turist attraction, and make sure to have a look inside too. Architects are Snoehetta, the award winning Norwegian designers who have their Office at the seaside as well, just beneath the Akershus Castle.
872 locals recommend
Oslo Opera House
872 locals recommend
The new Oslo Opera House is a great attraction with its white marble roof that you are suppose to walk. Great new turist attraction, and make sure to have a look inside too. Architects are Snoehetta, the award winning Norwegian designers who have their Office at the seaside as well, just beneath the Akershus Castle.
If you are interested in how the Norwegian way of life has evolved, you will enjoy Norsk Folkemuseum. They moved houses from all over Norway to this spot so we can check out how they lived i.e. 500 years ago up in the valleys and along the fiords. You walk from west coast of Norway to the south and then to the north of this vast country in just a few minutes. On a sunny day, this is a great way to get Norway at the core of where we came from as a country. Great Viking style Stave church is a must see.
171 locals recommend
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
10 Museumsveien
171 locals recommend
If you are interested in how the Norwegian way of life has evolved, you will enjoy Norsk Folkemuseum. They moved houses from all over Norway to this spot so we can check out how they lived i.e. 500 years ago up in the valleys and along the fiords. You walk from west coast of Norway to the south and then to the north of this vast country in just a few minutes. On a sunny day, this is a great way to get Norway at the core of where we came from as a country. Great Viking style Stave church is a must see.
You probably know "The Scream", one of the most well known paintings there are? Well if you would like to take a look at one of the originals and other paintings, prints and drawings by Edvard Munch this is where to go. Brand new museum with a magnificent view of Oslo - next to the Opera House,
647 locals recommend
Munch Museum
1 Edvard Munchs Plass
647 locals recommend
You probably know "The Scream", one of the most well known paintings there are? Well if you would like to take a look at one of the originals and other paintings, prints and drawings by Edvard Munch this is where to go. Brand new museum with a magnificent view of Oslo - next to the Opera House,
Did you see the Vigeland sculpture park? Well, the sculpuror Gustav Vigeland had a younger brother, Emanuel. He was famous for his led glass artwork for churches. But what he is most known for today, is the mausoleum he built for himself in a housing area 20 minutes walk from our place Blindern. The mausoleum is only open on Sundays, and it is really a "secret" and a great experience. You bow to get in, and it is dark and ecco sounds in the large room. And gradually while your sight adapts to the dark, you will see the magnificent fresco work on the walls. And when you leave you bow again - under the urn with his ashes. Not everybody know about this perl of an experience in Oslo
38 locals recommend
Emanuel Vigeland Museum
8 Grimelundsveien
38 locals recommend
Did you see the Vigeland sculpture park? Well, the sculpuror Gustav Vigeland had a younger brother, Emanuel. He was famous for his led glass artwork for churches. But what he is most known for today, is the mausoleum he built for himself in a housing area 20 minutes walk from our place Blindern. The mausoleum is only open on Sundays, and it is really a "secret" and a great experience. You bow to get in, and it is dark and ecco sounds in the large room. And gradually while your sight adapts to the dark, you will see the magnificent fresco work on the walls. And when you leave you bow again - under the urn with his ashes. Not everybody know about this perl of an experience in Oslo
Originally the Royal Stables with 38 horses, but now Queen Sonja`s passion: A museum for exhibitions, often based on the Royal collections, royal clothing etc. The KunstStall (art stables) opened in 2017.
Queen Sonja Art Stable
50 Parkveien
Originally the Royal Stables with 38 horses, but now Queen Sonja`s passion: A museum for exhibitions, often based on the Royal collections, royal clothing etc. The KunstStall (art stables) opened in 2017.
Fram (meaning Forward) is several times voted the best museum of Oslo, The ship, from which the museum is named, frosen into the ice, took polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen close to the North Pole. Fram later took Roald Amundsen, the winne of the race to the South Poli, to the Antarctic. You actually enter the ship itself. It`s there!
134 locals recommend
The Fram Museum
39 Bygdøynesveien
134 locals recommend
Fram (meaning Forward) is several times voted the best museum of Oslo, The ship, from which the museum is named, frosen into the ice, took polar explorer Fridtjof Nansen close to the North Pole. Fram later took Roald Amundsen, the winne of the race to the South Poli, to the Antarctic. You actually enter the ship itself. It`s there!
Many floors, many places to sit, all free in that athmosphere that only a great library can give you. This is more than a library, though - it`s a new center point that Oslo evolves around. Opened 2020. Needless to say, worth a visit.
26 locals recommend
Oslo Public Library
4 Arne Garborgs plass
26 locals recommend
Many floors, many places to sit, all free in that athmosphere that only a great library can give you. This is more than a library, though - it`s a new center point that Oslo evolves around. Opened 2020. Needless to say, worth a visit.
Brand new: The National Museum, a merge of several museums, is opening its doors to the public for the first time in June 2022, presenting 55 000 m2 of all disiplines of art, from paintings and sculpturs to clothing, furniture, photography and more. Even if we have a large dedicated Edvard Munch museum in Oslo, The National Museum has its own exceptionally good collection of Munch which you are invited to see. Designed by german architects Kleihues + Schuwerk, the monumental new museum is located right in the center of Oslo, between the City Hall and Aker Brygge - on a location that used to be one of two major trainstations in the city.
Nasjonalmuseets administrasjon
4 Dronning Mauds gate
Brand new: The National Museum, a merge of several museums, is opening its doors to the public for the first time in June 2022, presenting 55 000 m2 of all disiplines of art, from paintings and sculpturs to clothing, furniture, photography and more. Even if we have a large dedicated Edvard Munch museum in Oslo, The National Museum has its own exceptionally good collection of Munch which you are invited to see. Designed by german architects Kleihues + Schuwerk, the monumental new museum is located right in the center of Oslo, between the City Hall and Aker Brygge - on a location that used to be one of two major trainstations in the city.

Getting Around

Blindern T-bane is the subway station just next to our house. The platform on our side of the railway track takes you to Sognsvann (hike) or to Ullevål (shopping & soccer), Nydalen (Business school etc) and Storo (shopping). Take the walking bridge over to the other side to go down to Majorstua (popular shopping & restaurant area, and also the place to shift subway if you want to go to Holmenkollen ski jump and Frognerseteren restaurant) - or to the town center Nationaltheateret (royal castle, Aker brygge) or Stortinget (Parliament and main pedestrian shopping street Karl Johans gate) or Jernbanetovet (walk from here to the Airport express train, trans to Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim)
Blindern station
Blindern T-bane is the subway station just next to our house. The platform on our side of the railway track takes you to Sognsvann (hike) or to Ullevål (shopping & soccer), Nydalen (Business school etc) and Storo (shopping). Take the walking bridge over to the other side to go down to Majorstua (popular shopping & restaurant area, and also the place to shift subway if you want to go to Holmenkollen ski jump and Frognerseteren restaurant) - or to the town center Nationaltheateret (royal castle, Aker brygge) or Stortinget (Parliament and main pedestrian shopping street Karl Johans gate) or Jernbanetovet (walk from here to the Airport express train, trans to Bergen, Stavanger, Trondheim)
Oslo Citybike is a great way of getting around. Available from April - October, being a member for about 300 NOK, you can grab and use bicycles from pickup points all over town. There is one at the parkinglot at the University area up the hill and to your left. More info: https://oslobysykkel.no/en/about You need to download an app and pay by credit card. The app will tell you where to deliver and pick up bicycles.
Problemveien 13
13 Problemveien
Oslo Citybike is a great way of getting around. Available from April - October, being a member for about 300 NOK, you can grab and use bicycles from pickup points all over town. There is one at the parkinglot at the University area up the hill and to your left. More info: https://oslobysykkel.no/en/about You need to download an app and pay by credit card. The app will tell you where to deliver and pick up bicycles.

Essentials

Nearby small grocery shop open mon-fri 07-22, sat 10-18 and closed on Sundays.
Bunnpris Blindern
11 Problemveien
Nearby small grocery shop open mon-fri 07-22, sat 10-18 and closed on Sundays.
Small grocery, open all days until 23.30. Opens at 0700. On Sunday opens at 0900.
12 locals recommend
Joker Kirkeveien
90 Kirkeveien
12 locals recommend
Small grocery, open all days until 23.30. Opens at 0700. On Sunday opens at 0900.

Sightseeing

Famous skijump arena, worth a visit. Combine with a visit to the SKI museum, shot into the rocks behind the skijump itself. There you can enjoy the proud skiing traditions of the Norwegians, and even take the elevator to the top of the tower. http://www.skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen/skimuseet/
215 locals recommend
Holmenkollen Ski Museum
5 Kongeveien
215 locals recommend
Famous skijump arena, worth a visit. Combine with a visit to the SKI museum, shot into the rocks behind the skijump itself. There you can enjoy the proud skiing traditions of the Norwegians, and even take the elevator to the top of the tower. http://www.skiforeningen.no/en/holmenkollen/skimuseet/
If you plan to "do Oslo", travelling around with public transport, visiting museums, eating out - consider buying the OSLO PASS for turists at Trafikanten, a service point for turists and locals at the Central Station. Prices and what is included in the OSLO PASS on this link: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/sales-points/ Opening hours at Trafikanten: 07-20 weekdays and 9-18 on Saturdays and Sundays. http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/sales-points-list/?TLp=654821&Ruter-s-Customer-Service-Centre-Trafikanten-
13 locals recommend
Ruter Help Center (Public Transport)
1 Jernbanetorget
13 locals recommend
If you plan to "do Oslo", travelling around with public transport, visiting museums, eating out - consider buying the OSLO PASS for turists at Trafikanten, a service point for turists and locals at the Central Station. Prices and what is included in the OSLO PASS on this link: http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/sales-points/ Opening hours at Trafikanten: 07-20 weekdays and 9-18 on Saturdays and Sundays. http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/oslo-pass/sales-points-list/?TLp=654821&Ruter-s-Customer-Service-Centre-Trafikanten-

Shopping

The main boulevard of Oslo is the "Karl Johans gate", a straight line from the Royal Castle to the Central Station. On a nice day, I recommend taking that walk. There are a lot of shops and restaurants, and you pass the Parliament building, the Oslo City Hall (Peace Price Event yearly), the National Theatre - so you are close to everything. Oslo is a compact little city :-) Take the Metro to Nationaltheateret station, take to the left when leaving the station - and there you are. Royal Castle to your left, Parliament to your right - on Karl Johans gate. Karl Johan was the Swedish/Norwegian king in the 1830-40ies.
334 locals recommend
Karl Johans gate
Karl Johans gate
334 locals recommend
The main boulevard of Oslo is the "Karl Johans gate", a straight line from the Royal Castle to the Central Station. On a nice day, I recommend taking that walk. There are a lot of shops and restaurants, and you pass the Parliament building, the Oslo City Hall (Peace Price Event yearly), the National Theatre - so you are close to everything. Oslo is a compact little city :-) Take the Metro to Nationaltheateret station, take to the left when leaving the station - and there you are. Royal Castle to your left, Parliament to your right - on Karl Johans gate. Karl Johan was the Swedish/Norwegian king in the 1830-40ies.
Looking for a rather large shopping mall with everything? Take the subway just three stops from us to Storo (our side of Blindern station). From there 200 meters. You`ll find it.
171 locals recommend
Storo Storsenter
7 Vitaminveien
171 locals recommend
Looking for a rather large shopping mall with everything? Take the subway just three stops from us to Storo (our side of Blindern station). From there 200 meters. You`ll find it.