Oslo Surrounds
5
Day Itinerary •
Norway
Five days in Oslo and its surrounds give you the full extraordinary depth of Norway's capital, from the extraordinary Opera House and the world's greatest Munch collection to Vigeland's monumental sculpture park, the Viking Ship Museum, the extraordinary Oslofjord island archipelago, the Holmenkollen ski jump above the city, and the extraordinary fishing villages of the southern fjord at Drobak and Hvitsten. This route covers the complete Oslo region. The Opera House and Bjorvika waterfront, Akershus and the medieval quarter, the Vigeland Park and Bygdoy museums, the Oslofjord islands, the Holmenkollen ski jump and Nordmarka forests, the extraordinary Grunerlokka neighbourhood, and the southern fjord villages that Oslo residents escape to at weekends.
Best Time To Visit
May to September
Getting There
Direct flights from most European cities to Oslo Gardermoen
Getting Around
Oslo Pass covers all transport, ferries and most museums. Essential.
Budget Per Day
Approx 1,100 to 2,400 NOK per person per day
Difficulity
Easy, walking and public transport
DAY 1
OSLO OLD TOWN
MORNING
THE OSLO OPERA HOUSE AND NATIONAL MUSEUM
The Oslo Opera House by Snohetta, its white marble and granite surfaces rising from the Oslofjord like an iceberg, is one of the most extraordinary public buildings in Europe, the sloping roof open to all as a public promenade. The new National Museum of Norway opened in 2022 contains The Scream and The Madonna by Munch, extraordinary Viking objects and the finest Norwegian art collection. Book timed entry online. The Munch Museum beside the Opera House contains 28,000 works. Entry approx 200 NOK. Travel: 20 min walk
MIDDAY
AKERSHUS FORTRESS AND THE MEDIEVAL QUARTER
The Akershus Fortress on its promontory built around 1300 gives the finest views over the Oslofjord from within Oslo. The Norwegian Resistance Museum tells the extraordinary story of the occupation with remarkable objects. The medieval Christiania quarter below is the finest historic area in the city, its extraordinary grid streets laid out by Christian IV in 1624. The remarkable Christiania Torv square with its extraordinary statue is the most atmospheric corner of old Oslo. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
AKER BRYGGE AND THE NOBEL PEACE CENTER
The Aker Brygge waterfront, transformed from a shipyard to a vibrant cultural quarter, has the most extraordinary fjord views in the city. The Nobel Peace Center in the former West Station gives an extraordinary exhibition on every Nobel Peace Prize winner since 1901, with remarkable objects, films and installations. The Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art by Renzo Piano beside it is the finest contemporary art museum in Norway. Peace Center entry approx 120 NOK.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Kvadraturen quarter is the most extraordinary hidden neighbourhood in Oslo, its 17th-century grid streets the finest urban remains of the original city. The remarkable Christiania Torv square and the lanes around it are the most atmospheric in Oslo. Entirely free to walk and almost entirely unknown to international visitors.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Kaffebrenneriet Outstanding Oslo coffee chain. Finest flat white in Norway and excellent pastries. | Lunch: Fiskeriet, Youngstorget Outstanding fish market restaurant. Fresh shrimp, salmon and local seafood. | Dinner: Maaemo, Oslo Three Michelin stars, finest restaurant in Norway. Book months ahead.
DAY 2
VIGELAND AND BYGDOY
MORNING
THE VIGELAND SCULPTURE PARK
The Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner Park contains 212 extraordinary works by Gustav Vigeland given to Oslo in exchange for a lifetime studio. The 14-metre Monolith granite column of 121 interwoven figures is the centrepiece. The Bridge of 58 bronze figures, the Fountain cycle and the extraordinary Wheel of Life all give an extraordinary meditation on the human condition. The park is open 24 hours. Entirely free. Travel: 20 min bus to Bygdoy
MIDDAY
THE VIKING SHIP MUSEUM
The Viking Ship Museum contains the finest preserved Viking ships in the world, three oak vessels from 9th-century royal burial mounds. The Oseberg ship of 834 AD with its extraordinary carved prow is the most extraordinary single object in Norway. The collection of sledges, beds and everyday objects buried with the dead gives the finest insight into Viking life anywhere. Entry approx 200 NOK. Travel: 15 min walk
AFTERNOON
THE KON-TIKI AND FRAM MUSEUMS
The Fram Museum contains the extraordinary polar vessel Fram, the strongest wooden ship ever built, which made three voyages to the Arctic and Antarctic between 1893 and 1912. You can walk on the deck and into the extraordinary officers' quarters. The Kon-Tiki Museum beside it has the extraordinary original balsa raft on which Heyerdahl sailed 8,000km from Peru to Polynesia in 1947. Entry approx 150 NOK each.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Norwegian Folk Museum at Bygdoy is the most extraordinary open-air museum in Scandinavia, 155 historic buildings from across Norway including a 12th-century stave church reassembled on the hill. The extraordinary traditional farm buildings and the stave church interior are outstanding. Entry approx 200 NOK. The finest single museum experience at Bygdoy.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe at Frogner Park Coffee before the park's morning quiet. The Vigeland sculptures at 8am are extraordinary. | Lunch: Lanternen, Bygdoy Outstanding seasonal restaurant on the Bygdoy shore. Local shrimp and Norwegian white wine. | Dinner: Territoriet Outstanding natural wine bar. Local Norwegian small plates and excellent Scandinavian wine list.
DAY 3
OSLOFJORD ISLANDS
MORNING
THE OSLOFJORD ISLANDS
The Oslofjord archipelago is the most extraordinary natural escape from a European capital, over 40 islands accessible by public ferry from Pier 3 in just 10 minutes. Hovedoya has extraordinary 12th-century Cistercian monastery ruins from 1147, the finest medieval remains in the Oslo region, and a sheltered beach with clear water. Gressholmen has the finest wild swimming. Langoyene has the largest sandy beach. All ferries covered by the Oslo Pass. Travel: 30 min ferry back
MIDDAY
NAKHOLMEN AND AFTERNOON SWIMMING
Nakholmen is the most extraordinary island in the Oslofjord, its extraordinary collection of tiny wooden summer cabins occupied since the 1920s giving the most authentic Norwegian summer experience accessible from the capital. The rocky western shore gives extraordinary swimming and sunbathing with views back to the Oslo skyline. The Oslofjord in summer light with the Opera House visible across the water is extraordinary. Covered by Oslo Pass. Travel: 15 min ferry
AFTERNOON
GRUNERLOKKA AND THE AKERSELVA RIVER
Grunerlokka is the most extraordinary neighbourhood in Oslo, its extraordinary former working-class streets now home to the finest independent restaurants, coffee shops and galleries in the city. The Akerselva river walk through the neighbourhood passes extraordinary waterfalls, old mill buildings and the finest street art in Norway. The Mathallen food hall at Vulkan is the finest food market in Scandinavia. The walk is entirely free.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Akerselva river walk from Grunerlokka to Akerbrygge follows the extraordinary river through Oslo's former industrial district past waterfalls, old mills and the finest street art in Norway. The walk takes approximately 2 hours and is entirely free. The Mathallen food hall at Vulkan on the route is the finest food market in Scandinavia.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Java Kaffeebar Outstanding specialty coffee. Finest neighbourhood cafe in the city centre. | Lunch: Picnic on the islands Buy from Mathallen food hall. Fresh shrimp, flatbread and Norwegian cheese on the rocks. | Dinner: Arakataka, Oslo Outstanding modern Norwegian cuisine. Local fish, game and finest Scandinavian wine list.
DAY 4
HOLMENKOLLEN AND NORDMARKA
MORNING
THE HOLMENKOLLEN SKI JUMP AND MUSEUM
The Holmenkollen ski jump above Oslo is the most extraordinary sports venue in Norway, its extraordinary 64-metre tower giving the finest panorama over Oslo, the Oslofjord and the surrounding forests. The Ski Museum beneath the jump is the oldest ski museum in the world, its extraordinary collection tracing 4,000 years of skiing from prehistoric rock carvings to Olympic medals. Metro line 1 from the city centre takes 30 minutes. Entry approx 180 NOK. Travel: 30 min metro to Nordmarka
MIDDAY
THE NORDMARKA FOREST WALK
The Nordmarka forest begins at the end of the Oslo metro system and extends 1,700 square kilometres northward, the most extraordinary urban forest in Europe accessible by public transport in 30 minutes from the city centre. The trails from Frognerseteren give extraordinary views back over Oslo and the fjord. The extraordinary Tryvann tower at 529 metres gives the finest panorama over the forest. Walking in the Nordmarka is entirely free. Travel: 30 min metro back to Oslo
AFTERNOON
THE GRUNERLOKKA QUARTER
Grunerlokka's extraordinary streets centred on the Thorvald Meyers Gate and the Olaf Ryes Plass are the finest neighbourhood in Oslo, its cafes, galleries and independent shops giving the most authentic Oslo experience outside the tourist areas. The extraordinary Mathallen food hall at Vulkan has the finest Norwegian produce. The Bjornsongate and the lanes around the Akerselva river are the finest evening walk in the city.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Holmenkollen chapel in the forest above Oslo is the most extraordinary hidden building in the Nordmarka, a medieval log chapel rebuilt in 1903 standing alone in the forest above the ski jump. The extraordinary Frognerseteren historic restaurant beside it, built in 1891 in traditional Norwegian dragon style, is the finest historic building in the Oslo forest. Both free to walk to from the metro.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Frognerseteren Restaurant Outstanding historic restaurant at the forest edge. Coffee with the finest city panorama. | Lunch: Smelteverket, Grunerlokka Outstanding neighbourhood restaurant. Local Norwegian ingredients and craft beer. | Dinner: Kontrast, Oslo One Michelin star. Outstanding modern Norwegian. Local ingredients prepared with extraordinary skill.
DAY 5
DROBAK AND HVITSTEN
MORNING
DROBAK, THE CHRISTMAS TOWN
Drobak is the most extraordinary small town on the Oslofjord, its extraordinary wooden houses along the fjord shore and the remarkable Drobak Aquarium the finest day trip from Oslo. The Santa Claus post office at Tregaardshusets receives letters from children around the world and the extraordinary Julehuset Christmas shop is open year-round. The 1905 church contains the finest old ship model collection in the Oslofjord. Train from Oslo S takes approximately 1 hour. Travel: 30 min drive to Hvitsten
MIDDAY
HVITSTEN, THE ARTISTS' VILLAGE
Hvitsten is the most extraordinary artists' village on the Oslofjord, its extraordinary small collection of wooden houses on a rocky peninsula the summer retreat of Edvard Munch, who painted some of his finest works here between 1913 and 1940. The extraordinary Munch connection and the remarkable unspoiled fjord character of the village make it the finest hidden destination near Oslo. The general store and the small jetty are extraordinary. The village is freely accessible. Travel: 1 hour train back to Oslo
AFTERNOON
OSLO DEPARTURE WALK
The final afternoon along the Aker Brygge waterfront and up to the Opera House roof gives the finest farewell to Oslo, the extraordinary fjord light in the afternoon catching the Opera House marble and the Munch Museum in extraordinary gold. The extraordinary view from the Opera House roof over the Oslofjord islands to the south and the city behind is the finest single panorama in Norway's capital. The roof is free to all.
💎 HIDDEN GEM
The Drobak fortress island of Oscarsborg is the most extraordinary hidden heritage site near Oslo, the island fortress in the middle of the Oslofjord where Norwegian guns sank the German cruiser Blucher on 9 April 1940, giving the Norwegian government time to escape with the gold reserves. Ferry from Drobak approx 80 NOK. The most extraordinary and historically significant island in the fjord.
🍽 WHERE TO EAT
Breakfast: Cafe in Drobak Coffee in the extraordinary wooden town before the morning walk. | Lunch: Drobak Fiskrestaurant Outstanding fjord restaurant in the Christmas town. Local shrimp and fresh fjord fish. | Dinner: Fauna, Oslo Outstanding modern Norwegian farewell dinner. Local ingredients, extraordinary presentation.
Where To Stay
Oslo City Centre, All Nights Thon Hotel Opera or Grand Hotel. Walking distance to everything. Approx 1,200 to 2,500 NOK. Grunerlokka Option Saga Hotel Oslo or SAGA Hotels. Trendy neighbourhood, excellent value. Approx 900 to 1,800 NOK. Budget Option Anker Hotel or Oslo Hostel. Good transport links. Approx 600 to 1,200 NOK per night.
Top Tips
1. The Oslo Pass is the finest value in Norway. Buy the 72-hour pass on arrival. Museums and transport free throughout.
2. Walk on the Opera House roof at sunset. The white marble roof is public and free, giving extraordinary fjord views.
3. The Vigeland Park is open 24 hours. Visit at dawn when the extraordinary sculptures have no other visitors present.
4. Buy groceries from Rema 1000 or Kiwi for picnics. The Mathallen food hall at Vulkan has the finest Norwegian produce.
5. The Holmenkollen ski jump is accessible by metro line
1. The view from the top over Oslo and the fjord is extraordinary.
6. Drobak is Oslo's best-kept secret. The Santa Claus post office receives letters from around the world year-round.
Total Budget
1,100 to 2,400 NOK/day