Free things to do in Oslo

22 places in Oslo with free entry or no charge, based on guide listings and map data.

Ranked with the travel guide's picks and well-known places first.

SeeInner North
Aker river
Akerselva
Akerselva is Oslo's main river as it flows from Maridalen lake (Oslo's main water reservoir) to the fjord near the Central station. Previously Oslo's industrial heartland, now the river and its shores is converted into a green corridor almost the entire length from Grünerløkka to Maridalen. Bicycle and pedestrian paths along. Several small waterfalls. Industrial facilities remain as memories of Oslo's manufacturing origins.
24 hFree
DoInner East
Birkelunden
A cool park in eastern Oslo, the uppermost park in Grünerløkka neighbourhood, a so-called Greenwich village look-alike area. On Sundays, there is a second-hand market. The name refers to the birch threes there. The park covers one block.
24 hoursfree
SeeSentrum
City Hall
Rådhuset
A monumental functionalist building in red brick. Opinions are divided if this is a pretty building, but it is certainly imposing. The austere facade has a surprising number of fine details. Open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. Other rooms are also decorated with a variety of art. There are also some displays of historical artefacts in the side rooms upstairs. This is where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented every year. Although there is no public lift, disadvantaged visitors only have to ask and they can use the staff lift. On one of the towers, there is a glockenspiel playing melodies at every hour, the huge instrument is about 20,000 kg and stands 66 m above ground. The building was opened in 1950 after 32 years of planning and construction.
1 Jul - 31 Aug: daily 09:00-18:00; Sep-Jun: 09:00-16:00Free
SeeInner North
Damstredet/Fredensborg
The steep Damstredet with traditional wooden houses. Towering on the hill above are the iconic Westye Egeberg blocks.
free
SeeWest
Frogner and Vigeland park
Frogner park including Vigeland Sculpture Park is a large green area about 10 minutes by subway from the city center. In addition to being a nice green recreational area, it is also decorated with hundreds of sculptures by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere here, although the sculptures are a little disturbing. If your children want to climb the statues, nobody will even bother to look twice at you. There is also a cafeteria, and two museums, the City Museum of Oslo and the Vigeland Museum. If you fancy an outdoor swim, Frognerbadet is situated next to the Frognerpark with 3 pools, several diving towers and a water slide.
24 hFree
SeeInner East
Kampen
The Kampen neighbourhood is an area with many traditional wooden houses.
free
SeeWest
Nasjonalbiblioteket
National Library
Monumental building from 1913 with frescos by Emanuel Vigeland (younger brother of sculptor Gustav Vigeland). The Library holds copies of all published material in Norway. Fine retreat on a rainy day. Free entrance to Kartsenter (Map Center) with displays of map collections and history of geography and exploration in Norway. Cafe and bar within.
free
SeeNorth
Nordmarka (Oslo forest)
Marka
Oslo is surrounded by wide and partly dense forests, generally known as Marka, of which Nordmarka is the largest and most accessible section (in addition to Nordmarka there similar areas east, south and west of the city). There are lots of roads and trails criss-crossing these wide forests, but no cars, only skiers, hikers and bicycles. So it is essentially the largest park in town. There are countless lakes, many rivers and small waterfalls too. Small summits that rise above the city offers excellent panoramas. Entry points everywhere, usually 10-15 min from the centre. Access by bus, metro, tram, car or bicycle. There is a fine network of high quality foot paths (roads) suitable even for wheelchairs and baby strollers, as well as many "nature trails" for hikers and skiers only. Roads closest to the city have street lights. In winter used for cross-country skiing, also a small ski resort (alpine skiing). The Moose (elg), mainland Norway's largest animal, roam the forest and occasionally strolls into town. Note: the Oslo forest is drinking water supply for 1 million people. Restrictions on camping, barbecue and swimming.
24 hoursFree
DoInner East
Olaf Ryes plass
A small square park in eastern Oslo, Grünerløkka neighborhood, a so-called Greenwich village look-alike area. The park covers exactly one block in Grünerløkka's grid.
24 hoursfree
SeeWest
Oslo Museum
Oslo Bymuseum
Museum with exhibitions showing the city's cultural and commercial development. Free admission for everyone on the first Thursday of the month.
Tue-Sun 11:00-16:00, closed MonAdults: 130 kr, Students: 65 Kr
SeeInner East
Rodeløkka wooden houses
Traditional Norwegian wood architecture, not found downtown anymore.
24 hFree
SeeSentrum
Slottsparken
Palace Park
Surrounds the Royal Palace (see above) at the top of Karl Johan street. Oslo's most central park is a pleasant grass-covered area with majestic old trees. When you are in the park, don't miss Princess Ingrid Alexandra's Sculpture Park area, which contains sculptures made by children from all over Norway. Wide walkways crisscross the park. The Royal Guards have a small barrack in the park.
24 hoursFree
SeeNorth
Sognsvann
Sognsvann lake is one of the most popular places in Marka (Oslo forest), nice meadows and easy path around lake, paths continue through the forest - metro line 5 to Sognsvann station. Surprisingly this lake is the geographical mid point of Oslo.
24 hoursfree
SeeInner North
St.Hanshaugen park
bus 37 to St.Hanshaugen
A delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund (cemetery). The park has also given name to this popular neighborhood and to the larger administrative district (borough) that includes major parts of central Oslo.
24 hoursFree
SeeInner North
Stensparken
This charming park begins at Fagerborg Church (neo-Gothic, granite) and stretches for some 500 meters to a fine panorama point in the northern end. There is a café on the top. Stensparken is a good choice if nearby St. Hanshaugen park is too crowded. Just west of the park there is a line of stately town houses.
24 hoursfree
SeeSentrum
Stortinget
Parliament
It has free guided tours in English and Norwegian lasting about 45 minutes, which assemble outside the back door of the Parliament (on Akersgata). There is a limit of 30 people per tour, so be there at least 10 minutes prior to the start of a tour.
Free tours
SeeNorth
Stovnertårnet
Norway's longest tower
A 265 meter long circular walkway leads to the top of the tower, designed in such a way for universal accessibility. Great views of the Oslo Fjord in the distance and the Groruddalen valley in low bird's eye view.
Free entrance
DoNorth
Swimming (outdoor, freshwater)
For fresh water swimming, Akerselva is considered clean north of Nydalen. The best spot may be at Frysja (bus 22-25-54 to Stillatorget). Don't forget that many of the lakes in "Oslomarka" are for swimming and recreation (Sognsvann lake for instance). Note that some major lakes (Maridalsvannet in particular) are drinking water for the city, restrictions on swimming and camping. Buy a map and bring your swimming gear!
Open now · open 24 hoursFree
DoInner East
Torshovdalen
Big park in a small valley between Torshov and road 4. Popular for skiing in Winter. The city of Oslo maintains cross-country trails when there is enough snow. Skateboard facilities at the lower end.
24 hoursfree
DoInner East
Torshovparken
A fine park on a hill top in the middle of the classical Torshov neighbourhood.
24 hoursfree
SeeInner North
Vår Frelsers Cemetery
Vår frelsers gravlund
Graves of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, and a large number of reputed Norwegians. Several statues, including one by Gustav Vigeland. Gamle Aker Church (the oldest building in Oslo) stands in the northern corner of the graveyard. The graveyard is pretty park and within easy walk the very centre at Karl Johans gate/Akersgata.
Free
DoWest
Huk beach
Hukodden, Bygdøy
Beach, partly sandy, popular on warm summer days.
free

Listings from the Wikivoyage guide to Oslo (CC BY-SA 4.0).