Should I spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Oslo?
Should you spend 1, 2, or 3 days in Oslo?
Most visitors spend one to five days in Oslo when visiting. The clean city offers so many things to see and explore, so you'll want to take full advantage of the limited time you have. Highlights include the museums and landmarks, the big city activities, the food, and the nightlife.
Oslo is the capital of Norway. It's a beautiful city that has many parks and green space, but it's also filled with museums and local culture. The city has a longtime shipping and maritime history which you can learn about at the Viking Ship Museum or the Norwegian Maritime Museum. The city also offers access to winter sports.
Do you have one or two days to visit Oslo? Here's our comprehensive breakdown of how much time you might need for your trip along with some suggestions for things to do.
Is one day enough time in Oslo?
One day is generally not enough time to experience everything in Oslo. A shorter schedule may leave you with a sense of urgency to browse through museums, discover the big city activities, enjoy a meal at a restaurant, and grab some drinks at a bar. To genuinely appreciate the highlights, a more lengthy visit is typically recommended. Many tourists opt for one to five days to immerse themselves fully in the charms of the area. After all, As a popular city, Oslo offers a large number of activities and attractions for visitors. However, if you're working with limited time, we have some great ideas for making the most of your stay below.
How to spend a day in Oslo
A number of fantastic museums and famous landmarks are found in Oslo, so spend at least one full day exploring those that look the most appealing to you. Famous sights around town include the Akershus Fortress, the Folk Museum of Norway, and the Munch Museum.
A few tour suggestions include:
- The Fram Museum Admission Ticket ($13)
You can't miss out on tasting the fantastic cuisine at one of the best restaurants in town, so make sure you find somewhere special for lunch or dinner. The city has a reputation of serving a lot of cured meats and potato dishes, but there is actually a good amount of variation available. Local favorites include smoked salmon, meatballs, and meat stews.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour ($73)
- Christmas Street Food Tour with Akevitt and Christmas beer ($111)
Oslo is a walkable city and easy to explore on foot. With only a day in the city, you'll have no trouble seeing the local sights. The city has a number of traffic-free areas so it's fun to explore on foot.
Is a weekend (two to three days) enough time in Oslo?
Oslo is a big city that is quite popular with tourists. A weekend is probably not enough. You'd feel rushed to see the main attractions of Oslo such as the great museums and landmarks along with the terrific big city activities. To thoroughly enjoy all that the city has to offer, you'll probably want more than just a 2 day trip. Most travelers schedule one to five days to fully experience this city. Nevertheless, if a weekend is all you can spare, we have some suggestions for your weekend getaway to Oslo below.
Oslo
How to spend 2 days in Oslo
If you have more than a weekend (two to three days) in Oslo, you'll appreciate the added time for everything the city has to offer.
Because Oslo is a fairly large destination, you can spend at least a full day exploring the many neighborhoods, landmarks, and popular attractions found around town. The city does a good job of integrating its waterside setting and greenspace into everyday life.
A few tour suggestions include:
- Guided Oslo Fjord Cruise by Silent Electric Catamaran ($55)
- Akerselva River Tour ($92)
- Oslo Fjord 3 Course Dinner Sightseeing Cruise ($119)
The nightlife scene is very popular here. After dark, head out to one of the many venues around town. The city's high alcohol prices mean that many locals enjoy their drinks at home during pre-parties before heading out on the town. The atmosphere is usually laid-back and chill, with a diversity of entertainment venues that you can choose between.
The public transit in Oslo is fast and efficient. Over the course of a few days, you should be able to explore the city quite easily and affordably. The system includes buses, trams, undergrounds, local trains, and ferries.
More Info
If you're looking for more information about Oslo, we have even more advice to help you plan your journey.
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