Things to do in Oslo

Things to do in Oslo

1. 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 hours·free

2. DoInner North

   Bislett Stadion

   Athletics and speed skating arena

   is one of the best known sports facilities in Oslo. Houses the annual athletics ExxonMobil Bislett Games.

3. DoSentrum

   Boating the inner Oslofjord

   from the port next to the Oslo City Hall and Aker Brygge

   A relaxing break from the busy city: There are many boats and ferries that can take you to the idyllic, small islands of the archipelago in the inner Oslofjord. Activities such as fishing, swimming, sunbathing, strolling and exploring ashore the islands. To the museums at the Bygdøy peninsula is a separate all year ferry. Throughout the year the Oslofjord can be crossed by ferry B10 to Nesodden. There is also a boat liner to the historic Oscarsborg Fortress off Drøbak at a slightly higher fare during the summer season. Bring food and drink for picnics on the islands before starting the boat trip.

   Mostly from May to September·A valid ticket for the public transport in Oslo, the price is the same to most islands. For those who want it, there is also fjord sightseeing and a Jump On - Jump Off sight seeing boat with trips in the harbor area.

4. DoInner East

   Botanical Garden

   tram 17 or bus 31 to Lakkegata skole or t-bane to Tøyen, walking distance 200 metres

   The University botanical gardens is located just south of Tøyen park next door to Munch Museum. A wonderful and relaxing area. Free entrance, opening hours Apr-Sep: Sa Su 10:00-20:00, M-F 07:00-20:00; Oct-Mar: Sa Su 10:00-17:00, M-F 07:00-17:00.

5. DoSentrum

   Chat Noir

   Norway's oldest and most famous scene for revues and entertainment, established in 1912. Rarely performances in English.

6. DoInner East

   Ekebergmarkedet

   Flea market and one of Northern Europe's largest swapmeet/markets for vintage car and bike parts. Takes place early May and mid. September at the north-west part of Ekeberg Park. Arranged by Norsk Veteranvogn Klubb (http://veteranvogn.no)

7. DoInner East

   Ekebergparken

   At the steep, green hill east of city centre (tram 18 or 19 to Ekebergparken, bus 34 or 74 to Brannfjellveien) is even a sculpture park, with works by Norwegian and international artists such as Salvador Dalí, Lynn Chadwick, Richard Hudson and Per Ung among others. This point is assumed to be the background for Scream, Edvard Munch's famous picture. Alongside the idyllic forest paths you can see sculptures, but also find remnants of cultural history from different eras of Norwegian history or enjoy the incredible views over the capital. Small climbing park for children.

8. DoSouth

   Ekebergsletta

   A field and a park system, neighbor to Ekebergparken Sculpture Park.The forest area fits to go hiking in. Don't forget a picnic basket. The field is used primarily for sporting events and is the location for Norway Cup, the world’s largest annually football tournament for children and young people aged 10 to 19 years old. At the northern edge of the hill there are spectacular views of the city.

9. DoNorth

   Holmenkollen

   see above

   The area around Holmenkollen (T-bane 1) is well suited for cross-country skiing, but also a nice area for hiking during summertime. While you are there, you can also visit the ski-museum which is located close to the ski-jump. For additional fun, buy a cheap sledge or "akebrett", or rent a proper one from Frognerseteren, and sleigh down from Frognerseteren to Midtstuen station. This was actually the venue of the sleighing competitions in the 1952 Winter Olympics, and the hill is referred to as "Korketrekkeren" (the corkscrew). If you buy a day-card for the subway, you can race all day long, but make sure you are well dressed, as you are going to get wet. The Holmenkollen ski festival, a competition in different types of Nordic skiing takes place here each March since 1892 (only interrupted by WWII).

10. DoInner East

    Intility Arena

    Home ground for the best football club in Oslo, Vålerenga Fotball

    Don't miss a home game with Norway's most passionate football fans.The stadium bar/restaurant has good burgers and a selection of craft beer.

11. DoSouth

    Lambertseter Swimming Pool

    Lambertseter bad

    Indoors swimming pool open to the public on weekends. Swimwear for sale.

    Saturdays 11:00-16:00, Sundays 10:00-15:30 all year

12. DoInner East

    Middelalderparken

    Medieval Park

    Ruins of medieval old town of Oslo, such as church ruins and ruins of the former Royal Estate. Location of the annual rock music festival Øyafestivalen.

13. DoSentrum

    National Theatre

    Nationaltheatret

    One of Norway's main theaters for performance of dramatic arts. The building is monumental and there are statues of several well-known Norwegian playwriters by the main entrance.

14. 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 hours·free

15. DoNorth

    Oslo Climbingpark

    Climbing in outdoor trees, zips and on a climbing wall.

    Perfect for adults and teenagers who want to challenge themselves with expert guidance.

    See prices and opening hours April to October

16. DoSentrum

    Oslo Concert Hall

    Konserthuset

    One of the main venues for classical and contemporary music in Oslo. The concert hall is home of the Oslo Philharmonic Orchestra, a world-class symphony orchestra. The building is modern with a modest exterior.

17. DoSentrum

    Oslo Nye Teater

    Main stage

    This is Norway's most visited theater institution with four theater stages, with different locations in the city. The main stage is the largest. The standard language is Norwegian Bokmål. Rarely performances in English.

18. DoSentrum

    Oslo Spektrum Arena

    indoor multipurpose arena

    The place for great concerts, rallies and indoor sports events.

19. DoNorth

    Oslo Summerpark

    climbing park

    To adults and children: challenge yourself, swing through the trees, fun zip lines, balancing along a section of posts. The Climbing Park is designed and constructed so that trees can grow to their natural shape and size. Routes and paths are placed naturally using the latest technology and an independent arborist that puts safety first. Knowledgeable training.

    mid May to October

20. DoNorth

    Oslo vinterpark

    The capital's greatest ski resort for alpine skiing. Ski school and ski equipment rental. Dinig. After ski Fridays. Oslo Vinterpark offers multiple lifts and slopes stretching from the Tryvann Tower, at the top and all the way down to Sørkedalen, where the 1300m Wyllerløypa ends. See weather forecast.

21. DoInner East

    Sofienbergparken

    (The largest of the parks in Grünerløkka) A lot of activities all day long and especially on weekends; ball-playing, picnics, public barbecues, especially nice area for children.

22. DoInner East

    Sunday Market at Birkelunden

    east end - near junction of Toftes Gate and Seilduksgata

    Antiques and second hand market every Sunday noon until 7PM at Birkelunden park at Grünerløkka.

23. 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 hours·Free

24. DoInner East

    Sørenga

    Fjord pool with seawater from the Oslofjord. Swimming pool, children's pool, beach and a large recreational area. Crowded on sunny summer days. If it's not tempting to swim, take a stroll anyway along the scenic waterfront where there are outdoor areas and new cafes and restaurants.

25. 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 hours·free

26. DoInner East

    Torshovparken

    A fine park on a hill top in the middle of the classical Torshov neighbourhood.

    24 hours·free

27. DoInner East

    Tøyenbadet

    Public Bath

    Norway's most popular public pool. All-year: two indoor swimming pools, diving board, waterslide, in the summer: two outdoor pools.

    Mon-Fri 07:00-19:00, Sat Sun 09:00-17:00

28. DoInner North

    Ullevål Stadion

    The Norwegian National Football Stadium

    This is one of the largest sports arenas in Norway. It is home ground for the Norwegian national team in soccer and there the Norwegian cup final is played. There are shops inside the stands. Sometimes there are concerts and other events there. Then there is the least crowding on the metro from east to west, opposite afterwards.

29. DoInner North

    University of Oslo

    Main campus

    The University of Oslo is Norway's oldest and second largest university. The main campus is at Blindern where most buildings are in red brick, functionalist style. On campus there are student associations and dormitories, gyms, the meteorological institute and research institutes within an area of more than 1 square kilometer. The university hospital is next door on the other side of ring road 3. Botanical garden and museum, zoological and geological museums are at Tøyen in eastern Oslo. Subjects: Education, Aesthetic Studies and Musicology, Health and Medicine, History, Philosophy, and Culture Studies, Information Technology and Informatics, Language and Literature, Economics, Leadership and Administration, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technology, Media Studies, Religion and Theology, Social Sciences and Psychology. The law school is in the original university buildings in downtown. Some classes are taught in English.

30. DoInner East

    Walk along the river Akerselva

    Eastern riverbank walkways

    An 8-km-long walk totally takes you past forested areas, historical buildings, fishing and swimming spots and several waterfalls.

31. DoSouth

    Østmarka

    Nature reserve

    A large forest area with idyllic trails and small lakes that the locals use for recreation, hiking (summer) and cross-country skiing (winter). See map.

32. DoSentrum Not mapped

    Det Norske Teatret

    The largest theater in Norway where the standard language is Norwegian Nynorsk.

33. Do Not mapped

    Films from the South

    Film festival presenting movies from Asia, Africa, Middle East and Latin America. Established in 1991. Takes place in various theatres in Oslo, mid-October. Arabian Film Days late April.

34. Do Not mapped

    Inferno

    Inferno is a metal festival taking place in various venues downtown Oslo, late March. Dating back to the mid-1980s and the forming of bands like Mayhem, Norwegian Black Metal has established itself on the international stage. Where better to experience the sheer evil energy than in the dark and cold world capital of Black Metal; Oslo?

35. Do Not mapped

    Musikkfest (National Music Day)

    Free, mostly outdoors, music festival established in Oslo in 1992, as a spinoff from Fête de la Musique. Always taking place first Saturday in June.

36. Do Not mapped

    Oslo Chamber Music Festival

    Founded by renowned violinist Arve Tellefsen in 1989. The programme usually spans from medieval to contemporary music. Over the years artists (in no particular order) like Barbara Hendricks, Jan Garbarek, the Hilliard Ensemble, Trio Mediæval, Solveig Kringlebotn, Elisabeth Norberg-Schulz and many others have performed.

37. Do Not mapped

    Oslo Pride

    Skeive dager

    Gay/lesbian pride festival and parade taking place all over, late June.

38. Do Not mapped

    by:Larm

    Rock festival taking place in various venues downtown Oslo, mid-February. The lineup consists of mostly Norwegian (or Nordic) underground or rising artists along with some more established names.

39. Do Not mapped

    Øyafestivalen

    In the beginning of August every year, Oslo is housing the Øyafestivalen in Tøyenparken, an event which over the years has become a great festival for all kinds of people of all ages who enjoy rock and pop music.

40. DoWest

    Huk beach

    Hukodden, Bygdøy

    Beach, partly sandy, popular on warm summer days.

    free

Browse all 292 places in Oslo

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