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Ah, summer in Oslo, Norway’s capital city. It’s not known for much, but it doesn’t take long to discover that Oslo has a lot to offer, from its sleek architecture and fascinating museums to its thriving food scene.
And in summer it’s light almost 24 hours a day, so you can do it all! (PS…bring an eye mask so you can actually get some sleep.)
I passed through Oslo twice in the summer of 2025 and got super lucky with the weather. It was hot and sunny every day, and every Norwegian was outside soaking up the sun’s golden rays.
While great weather makes any trip better, there is no shortage of excellent museums, cafes, shops, and restaurants to duck into if the weather goes bad.
Read on for my recommended itineraries for exploring Oslo, whether you have one day or three to discover its charms. Use these itineraries as they are, or just use them for inspiration and sprinkle in a bit of “choose your own adventure”.
As a bonus, these itineraries take full advantage of the Oslo Pass! Even if you choose to only do Day 1 or Day 2, it’s still worth it. But put them together (along with Day 3) and you are way ahead. If you need to be convinced if it is worth it to get the Oslo Pass, I put together a detailed post with prices and activities .
Day 1: Iconic Oslo Landmarks
Day one in Oslo packs a punch. And if you get the Oslo Pass, you’ll have free reign over some of the city’s absolute best attractions. There’s world-class art, architecture, and sleek Scandinavian design, all within easy reach by tram or on foot.
This is the day to check out Oslo’s greatest hits.
Day 1 Overview
- MUNCH
- Oslo Opera House
- Oslo Public Library
- Karl Johans Gate
- Oslo City Hall
- Nobel Peace Center
- National Museum
MUNCH: Oslo’s Modern Art Icon
If, like me, your favorite emoji is the Scream, your first stop should absolutely be MUNCH! It opens at 10am, so be there when it opens to squeeze the most out of your day.
This modern museum, opened in 2021, is devoted to the works of Norway’s own Edvard Munch (pronounced “Moonk”). Munch was super prolific, creating over 26,000 works of art over his lifetime, and a lot of his work is in this magnificent collection.
MUNCH is the tall, slightly off-kilter-looking glass tower on Oslo’s waterfront. This place celebrates everything Edvard Munch: wild expressionist paintings, moody landscapes, and quirky portraits. And yes, The Scream. Or three Screams, actually—two paintings and a lithograph. Did you know there are several versions of The Scream out in the universe?
You probably don’t know much about Edvard Munch, the man and painter, so you might be planning to just pop in to see The Scream(s) and then bounce. But you’d be doing yourself a disservice. Munch actually painted some other really cool paintings, and you’ll also discover a lot about his difficult life as you meander through the seven exhibition floors.
They rotate viewing of each version of The Scream every 30 minutes, so plan on being there about one hour and a half to see them all (including time for the crowds to thin!).
Don’t forget to take home your very own Scream (scarf, magnet, notebook…) from the gift shop!
If you aren’t using the Oslo Pass, it’s best to reserve your ticket for MUNCH in advance, especially during peak season. With the Oslo Pass you can’t pre-order tickets to MUNCH or to the National Museum, but some tickets are set aside for visitors with the Oslo Pass in each time slot.
Oslo Opera House
Step out of MUNCH and you’re a short walk from the Oslo Opera House.
If you made short work of MUNCH and you have time to spare, jump on a 50-minute tour of the Oslo Opera House (you’ll save 20 percent, or around 30 NOK, with the Oslo Pass).
But it’s just as much fun to just take a walk up the slanting marble roof of this iconic modern building. You’ll get your steps, and great views of the Oslo Fjord!
I did see a wheelchair user cruising around on the roof, so it is accessible. Just be aware that the ramps are rather steep.
Just remember to bring your sunglasses—the Carrara marble adorning the building is VERY white in the summer sunlight!
Deichman Bjørvika: Oslo’s Main Library
Right next to the Oslo Opera House is another bold modern building. It’s a library!
The Deichman Bjørvika is an incredible public library that is worth a stop for anyone with even a passing interest in architecture and/or libraries. It is beautifully designed, with its large open atrium, and unique nooks and crannies around every corner with comfy chairs for reading or lounging.
This library is an amazing local resource, with books (of course), study rooms, a theater, a sound studio, and maker spaces. And with its huge windows, you are guaranteed beautiful views from almost anywhere.
Pro tip: you can visit the Opera House and Library before MUNCH to give yourself a head start on the day. Or, if you are going to have extra days beyond your Oslo Pass, you might want to save these two for later.
Karl Johans Gate
Make your way out of the library and head past Oslo Sentralstasjon (Oslo Central Station) towards Karl Johans Gate—Oslo’s legendary pedestrian street. “Gate” is old Norwegian for “street”, and it’s pronounced GAH-tuh).
If you haven’t already grabbed a bite to eat at a MUNCH, Opera House, or Deichman café, you’ll find plenty of spots to eat along this iconic street.
It won’t be long before the Oslo Domkirke (Oslo Cathedral) catches your eye one street over to the right. The Oslo Cathedral has been holding down this corner since 1697 and is the official church for the parliament and royal family. But you can pop in for a visit Saturday through Thursday 10am-4pm and Fridays 4pm to midnight, with services most days at noon.
Keep heading west on Karl Johans Gate and you’ll eventually pass a tall yellow brick wall—it’s Stortinget, the Norwegian Parliament building. They do give tours in summer months, but you probably won’t have time, so just admire it from the outside (check out the latest Storting brochures). Make sure to get a nice view of the front of the building from Stortingsparken.
Back on Karl Johans Gate, cross the street and pop into the Freiabutikken. This is Norway’s famous chocolate shop. Stock up on your Kvikk Lunsj! But maybe come back some other time if you don’t want to carry lots of chocolate around (especially in summer).
If you are hungry or thirsty, make your next stop the Grand Café. Although it looks (somewhat disappointingly) modern now, this historic restaurant has been the meeting spot for famed Norwegians like Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen since 1874. But it’s not for the budget traveler or anyone in a hurry.
Head back out onto Karl Johans Gate. By now you should get a decent view of the neat yellow det kongelige slott, the Royal Palace, on top of the hill in the distance. It’s typically open for tours for a few weeks in summer. But you don’t have time for that today, not if you are trying to get the most out of your Oslo Pass!
Oslo City Hall
Walk across the park and head to Oslo Rådhus, or Oslo City Hall. It’s not what you’d expect a city hall to look like, but it’s kind of rad (look at me with the multilingual puns!). From June to August, they offer tours of this 1950’s building, but you’ll only really have time to admire it from the outside today.
Most notably, Oslo City Hall is where they host the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony every year on December 10.
The Nobel Peace Center: Ideas That Changed the World
It makes sense, then that the Nobels Fredsenter, or Nobel Peace Center is just steps away from Oslo City Hall. “Fred” is Norwegian for peace!
This thought-provoking museum is all about the Nobel Peace Prize and all the people who have earned one. You’ll learn about Nobel Laureates through interactive displays and exhibitions that shine a light on people who said “no” to war and “yes” to big ideas. It’s inspiring and sobering at the same time.
Hit up the gift shop for some unique souvenirs!
If you do this day’s itinerary backwards and on arrive here on a Friday at noon, you might be able to catch the peace dove flying from the Nobel Peace Center to City Hall carrying a message of hope.
The National Museum: Norway’s Artistic Crown Jewel
If you have time and energy left (it’s already been a day!), you might just be able to fit in a quick visit to the Nasjonalmuseet, the National Museum, which hugs the Nobel Peace Center.
The museum is open until 8pm on Tuesday and Wednesday, and until 10pm on Fridays—but closes at 5pm on Thursdays and weekends, so it could be tight depending on which day you are visiting.
Make sure to leave enough time to check your bags in one of the free lockers downstairs.
At the National Museum you’ll find the largest collection of art, architecture, and design in Norway, housed in a brand-new building that opened in 2022.
There’s a lot to see here, but you’ll probably want to make a beeline to see yet another version of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream”. This one is always on display, so you won’t have to navigate the mad rush every 30 minutes. Make sure to get that classic pic!
Day 1 Extras
Phew. That was a BIG day!
If you’ve got the Oslo pass and still want to squeeze some more value out it, head to some of the nearby restaurants offering 20 percent off your food bill:
- Nasjonalmuseet Café: upscale café offerings, right in the National Museum
- Rorbua Aker Brygge: traditional Norwegian fare (deer, whale, moose)
- Hitchhiker Restaurant: fancy Asian food
- Jarmann Gastropub: fancy pub food, great for fish and chips
- Mamma Pizza Vika Osteria di Mare: pizza and Italian fare
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Day 2: Best of Bygdøy
Day 2 in Oslo is all about exploring the Bygdøy peninsula.
It’s a totally different vibe than Day 1’s shiny Oslo waterfront dotted with stark modern buildings. This time we’re rewinding to learn about life in Norway over the past centuries.
Day 2 Overview
There’s a lot to do in Bygdøy, so you’ll have to be fast and/or selective. You can probably fit in three out of five of the following museums and the ferry:
- Bus to Bygdøy
- Norsk Folkemuseet
- Fram Museum
- Kon-Tiki Museum
- Norwegian Maritime Museum
- Bygdøy Ferry
- Akershus Castle
- Norway’s Resistance Museum
Read on to see what interests you most.
Bus to Bygdøy
First let’s get you to Bygdøy. The best way to get to Bygdøy from downtown is on the Ruter bus.
It only takes about 20 minutes on the #30 bus from Oslo Central Station (Jernbanetorget stop) to Folkemuseet. Wherever you are staying is probably pretty close to somewhere along the #30 line.
You can also take the Bygdøy ferry, but I suggest taking that on your way back for the full experience (more on that later).
Norsk Folkmuseet: Norwegian Cultural History
I don’t know about you, but I love a good folk museum. And the Norsk Folkemuseum (aka the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History) does not disappoint!
You need to get here right when the museum opens, because this place is HUGE. There are 160 historic buildings spread out over many, many acres. These buildings represent Norwegian history and culture from the 1200s to the present day.
There are so many memorable buildings and exhibits, but the highlights for me were the Enerhaugen (everyday life in 1910), the Pharmacy Museum (ask the pharmacists questions!), the Apartment Building and, of course, the Stave Church.
There are additional activities on weekends, such as guided tours, folk dancing. a blacksmith, bread baking, and others.
Don’t skip the most excellent gift shop! And the little museum café is good for a quick breakfast, snack, or lunch.
I lost steam after about four hours, and I think I saw almost everything. I am still super bummed that I missed the old town artisans.
Fram – the Polar Exploration Museum
At the Fram Museum, you’ll learn all about the world’s most famous polar expedition ship (the Fram!). Haha—I hadn’t heard of it either, but the Fram took famous Norwegian explorers Roald Amundsen and Fridtjof Nansen to both poles. Since 1936 this ship has been enjoying a cushy retirement inside this museum building in Oslo.
At the Fram museum you can see not only the Fram but also the Gjøa—the first ship to navigate the entire Northwest Passage. See the ships, then wander three floors of in-depth exhibits on polar expeditions.
The museum has kept up with modern times, and has some cool digital experiences that simulate the feelings of being on a polar expedition.
Kon-Tiki Museum
The Kon-Tiki Museum is right next to the Fram Museum (and the Norwegian Maritime Museum)
Thor Heyerdahl is on a short list of famous Norwegians. As you may know, in 1947 he crossed the Pacific Ocean on a rinky-dink balsa wood raft he named Kon-Tiki, just to prove that South American people could indeed have made epic voyages by sea to Polynesia back in the day.
At the Kon-Tiki Museum, you can see the original Kon-Tiki balsa raft, as well as a later expedition craft, the reed boat Ra II. You’ll learn all about his life’s work of environmental protection and challenging norms.
If you get there around noon, you can also catch a screening of the 1950 Academy Award-winning Kon-Tiki film.
Norsk Maritimt Museum (Norwegian Maritime Museum)
But wait, there’s more! The Norwegian Maritime Museum is in the same area as the Fram and Kon-Tiki Museums.
This museum is all about Norway’s maritime heritage, with exhibitions about Viking Age boatbuilding traditions, coastal culture, and life under the sea. You can visit the exhibit of traditional boats through the ages and learn about how they are made at the KLINK Boat Building Workshop.
You’ll also learn about life at sea through stories and maritime artifacts.
If you like boats, this museum is for you!
If you don’t have the Oslo pass, you can get a discounted pass to visit two (325 NOK) or three (485 NOK) of these maritime-oriented museums, valid for two days).
Museum of the Viking Age (closed until 2027)
Sadly, you won’t be able to visit the Museum of the Viking Age (formerly Viking Ship Museum) until 2027, as it is currently closed for a huge upgrade.
If you really want to see Viking artifacts before then, you can find them at the Historical Museum near the royal palace—yep, that museum is on the Oslo Pass too, though no one is raving about it.
So this museum won’t be part of your Bygdøy adventure for now…but it will be pretty cool when it finally reopens!
Bygdøy Ferry
The Bygdøy Ferry (aka the Museum Ferry) is the perfect way to get back to downtown Oslo. It drops you off in the area near City Hall, the National Museum, and the Nobel Peace Center.
It’s an easy walk from the Norsk Folkemuseum to the Dronningen ferry stop. Google Maps is not super helpful in locating the stop, so look for the Kiosken Kaffe or Lanternen Brasserie and Bar on Google Maps—the Dronningen stop is right behind it.
Don’t go to the end of the long pier, the ferry does not stop there! And get a waffle with brown cheese while you wait.
It’s an even shorter walk from the other Bygdøy museums to the Bygdøynes ferry stop. The Bygdøynes stop is in about the right place on Google Maps.
The Bygdøy ferry runs between these two Bygdøy stops and City Hall Pier 3 every 20 minutes from around 9am to 6pm in summer (the Bygdøy ferry only runs from March through October).
You can also take the ferry TO the museums instead of the bus. I just had a lot of trouble finding information online about the Bygdøy ferry, and Google Maps was only showing me the bus route. But because you are here, you have all the info you need to make a decision!
Day 2 Extras
So, you are back on this side of town. Depending on how much time you spent at the museums in Bygdøy, you’ll have limited time to see more attractions before they close. You might need this time to pop into the National Museum or the Nobel Peace Center if you missed those on Day 1.
However, if you do find yourself with extra time, there’s more to see in and around the Akershus Fortress.
It’s free to walk the grounds and ramparts of the Akershus Fortress, and the grounds are open until around 9pm. It’s a nice spot for sunset views of the Oslo Fjord.
If you want to squeeze a bit more value out of your Oslo pass, you’ll want to visit the Akershus Castle, Norway’s Resistance Museum and/or Norwegian Armed Forces Museum.
Akershus Castle: Medieval Oslo with a View
I only saw the castle from the outside, wandering the ramparts, but it’s pretty impressive. It’s a bit of a patchwork of styles, since they’ve been adding on to it since the late 1200s. It started as a royal residence, then did time as a prison—and it’s actually still an active military site (so there’s a chance you won’t be able to visit if something official is going on).
If you want to get inside the Akershus Castle, you’ll have to get in before it closes, at 5pm in summer. The best way to learn about the castle is on a 55-minute guided tour (exterior only), which they offer in English at noon and 2pm during the summer. That’s not too realistic if you are trying to fit it in at the end of a Bygdøy museum day.
Your best bet is to start at the visitor center (Akershus festning besøkssenter) and go from there.
Norges Hjemmefrontmuseet: Norway’s Resistance Museum
Norway’s Resistance Museum, called Norway’s Home Front Museum on Google Maps, is a heavy stop on this itinerary. It’s a lot to take in at the end of a long day, so I would only recommend it if you are a devoted WWII buff or history fan.
True to its name, Norway’s Resistance Museum walks you through the various stages of Norway’s involvement in World War II and, obviously, how they resisted occupation. There are some nicely done dioramas and some artifacts, but it’s also a lot of reading.
It’s a good little museum, but you’ll come out with a little dark cloud over your head!
If you really want to go to this museum, make it your first stop after the ferry because it closes pretty early (at 5pm May-August—at 8pm on Thursdays, and at 4pm September-April).
Day 3: Bonus Day!
I didn’t have a full third day in Oslo, but if I did, this is what I would do. If you’ve got the Oslo Pass, adding a third day is a no-brainer, as you’ll definitely be taking advantage of the transit benefits and a few entry fees.
Day 3 Overview
You’ll be doing more transit and getting more steps on Day 3, as you head a bit further from downtown.
- Holmenkollen Skimuseet
- Oslo Museum – Museum of Oslo
- Vigeland Museum
- Vigelandsparken / Vigeland Park (free)
Read on for more ideas for your Day 3 itinerary.
Holmenkollen Skimuseet (Holmenkollen Ski Museum)
Have you ever wondered how the heck ski jumping was invented? I mean, it’s crazy, right?
Well, it was invented in Norway, and you can learn all about it at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Jump Tower, a short hop by train from downtown Oslo.
Holmenkollen is the world’s oldest ski museum, and for one ticket, you can visit the museum and the impressive ski jump tower.
The Holmenkollen Ski Museum will teach you about the evolution of skiing as a leisure and competition sport, and highlight the history of biathlon. You can also see the royal family’s old ski equipment. And see the oldest known ski, at around 5200 years old!
There’s also a section on polar expeditions (both poles—north and south!), where you can see some cool artifacts from the famous Fram expeditions, among others.
But we know you’re really just here to see the ski jump tower—or Holmenkollenbakken. Take the elevator up 64 meters through this modern (2010) steel structure for fantastic views of Oslo (it’s also wheelchair accessible, per the website).
Just imagine the courage it takes to fly down on skis! You can get pretty close to that sensation if you opt to zipline down along the jump tower. Wheee!
To get to Holmenkollen, take a 25-minute ride on Subway (T-bane) line 1 towards Frogneseteren from Oslo Sentralstasjon/ Jernbanetorget to Holmenkollen. Then it’s about a 15-minute walk to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum.
Oslo Bymuseet – Oslo City Museum
Nestled in a corner of Frogner Park is the Oslo City Museum, or Museum of Oslo. This is one of several “Oslo Museums”. It’s located in the Frogner Manor, in the same building as the Oslo Theater Museum (a great add-on for all you theater nerds).
As the name implies, the Oslo City Museum is all about the history and development of the city of Oslo. They’ve got a little bit of everything, from art to artifacts and a model of the old city. Look out for interesting special exhibits. Just keep in mind that hours are limited, from 11am to 4pm (6pm on Thursdays).
Vigelandmuseet – Vigeland Museum
A short walk from the Oslo City Museum, you will find the Vigeland Museum. If you plan to walk through Vigeland Park (and you should), it makes sense to stop at this museum first so that you can get to know its creator, Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, a little better.
Vigeland lived and worked in this building for the last 20 years of his life (occasionally, if you are lucky, you can book a tour of the artist’s residence). The museum has most of the sketches and plaster casts used for making the park’s sculptures, so it will be a bit of a preview—and you’ll learn about his process.
Hours here are also tight, so make sure to get there between 12-4pm (closed on Mondays).
Unless you are a huge Vigeland fan, it might not be worth the price if you don’t have the Oslo Pass. But you do, right?
Vigelandsparken (Vigeland Park)
So you’ve learned all about Vigeland, the artist. It’s time to see his masterpiece.
I had no idea what to expect about Vigeland Park; I was just summoned by the green “want to go” flag on my Google Maps. But whoa—this place is crazy!
Vigeland Park is the culminating work of Gustav Vigeland, displaying over 200 statues of (mostly) human bodies of all ages, shapes, and sizes carved in bronze, granite and iron. You’ll cross the bridge lined with statues, past the fountain, to reach the crowning achievement, The Monolith. There, you’ll just ask yourself “what is this place?!”
Really, you just have to see it for yourself. And it’s free!
Evening Activities
I’m sure you’re exhausted by now, but surely you can squeeze a little more in?
If you’ve got the Oslo Pass, hop on a Fjord Cruise with a 15% discount. The last cruise in summer departs at 6pm.
Feeling hungry? Head to Lorry for dinner (reservations recommended)! It’s an Oslo classic with its quirky décor and delicious food—get the trout. Sorry, no Oslo Pass discount here.
But if you are looking for some Oslo Pass discounts (15% off food) on some classic Norwegian dining, check out Rorbua, Folkvang Sagene, Ringnes Brygghus (pizza), or Fiskeriet,.
Then head back to the water by the Opera House to enjoy the quintessential Norwegian floating sauna experience to wrap up your epic stay in Oslo (it’s open until 10pm, and still before the sun sets in summer!). This has been added to the Oslo Pass in 2026, so you can even get a 15% discount for drop-ins!
Key Takeaways on Visiting Oslo
Anyone who says that two days in Oslo is enough is either off their rocker, or just not a city person. There is EASILY enough to fill three full days in Oslo and still leave you wanting for more.
Follow this three-day game plan to check out Oslo’s greatest hits (the National Museum, MUNCH, Fram Museum, Akershus Fortress, Nobel Peace Center, and its efficient transportation system). You’ll see amazing architecture and art, learn uniquely Norwegian history, and get the lay of the land of this bustling city.
As a bonus, this itinerary helps you make the most of the 1-, 2-, or 3-day Oslo Pass, saving you money!
If you can’t make it to Oslo in summer, and instead have plans to visit Oslo in winter, check out my friend Katie’s top tips for 11 Things To Do in Oslo in Winter (That Aren’t Just Museums). Believe it or not, a lot of things that are fun in summer are also fun in winter…but you have to prepare a little differently.
