If you are looking for a vacation with a whole lot of variety and never a dull moment, Oslo, Norway is the place for you. Rich in culture and history, Oslo prides itself on its ancestry and strong traditions.
No matter the season, it’s easy to fill your days with a variety of adventures. There aren’t many places you can go zip-lining, view art by Edvard Munch, see ancient Viking ships, and bike the country side, all in one day, but you can in Oslo.
Winter falls between December and March making Oslo a snowy paradise, perfect for a ski getaway.
Winter Activities
- Oslo Winter Park Ski School
- Spikersuppa Skating Rink
- Oslo Winter Park Ski Rental and Workshop
- Oslo Winter Park
- Oslo Ski Center
- Valle Hovin Ice Skating Rink
- Toboggan run: Korketrekkeren
- Tryvann Skiskole
- Ski Simulator Holmenkollen
- Varingskollen Alpine Center
June through August is pleasantly warm because of the gulf stream waters and its summer average is about 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
Summer Activities
- Frysja/Brekkedammen Beach
- Bogstadvannet Lake
- Ingierstrand Beach
- Batservice Sightseeing
- Fjord Cruise with Christian Radich
- Tyrifjord Golf Club
- Kikut Bicycle Rental
- Frognerbadet Open-Air Public Bath
- Ovre Lyse Farm
- QlturRebus Cultural Trail
- Fjordtaxi: Sightseeing and Fishing Trips
- Waterfall at Molla
- Lindoya
- The Sneak Peak
Recreation
- Gokart: Harald Huysman Karting
- Bogstad Camping
- Megazone/Indoor Paintball
- Oslo Golf Club Bogstad
- Solli Bowling
- Holmenkollen Zipline
- Glazed and Amused
- Klatreverket Climbing Centre
- Adventure Parxs
- Dykkersport Diving Centre
- Viking Biking
- KIM Camp & Nordic Safari
- HeliWing Helicopter Sightseeing
Relaxation
Norway is home to famous artists such as Edvard Munch, the creator of The Scream and playwright Henrik Ibsen, commonly known as the “father of realism”. Oslo celebrates these talented natives with museums dedicated to their work. In addition, there are galleries full of everything from famous canvases to the world’s largest mini-bottle collection. There is such a wide selection of things to see you’ll find it hard to choose.
Museums
- Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology
- Norwegian Folk Museum Horse and Buggy Ride
- Holocaust Center
- Henie Onstad Art Centre
- National Museum of Contemporary Art
- Armed Forces Museum
- Munch Museum
- The Mini Bottle Gallery
- Oslo City Museum
- National Museum – Architecture
- Engineerium
- Ibsen Museum
- Oslo School Museum
One of the best things about vacation is the local food and Oslo is bursting with restaurants and cafes. They have dishes from around the world and seating with atmosphere so it’s easy to enjoy the rooftop views, deliciously exotic dishes, and a new restaurant every night.
Food
- Olakademiet – The Beer Academy
- Eataly
- Grand Cafe
- Hukodden Beach Restaurant
- The Kabash
- Art of Sushi
- Mathallen Food Hall
- Peppes Pizza Hegdehaugsveien
- Big Horn Steak House Aker Brygge
- Mehfel Restaurant
- Stratos
Grab a flick at one of the many cinemas or go out for a night on the town and learn to Tango! Oslo has an incredible night life.
Entertainment
- Danselovene Dance Institute
- Colosseum Cinema
- Cinemateket
- Team Escape – Life Adventure
- Tango Tango
- Popsenteret
Shopping
- Norway Designs
- Marthes Lekestue
- Oleana
- Norway Shop
- Oslo Sweater Shop, Radisson Blu Scandinavia
- Liebling
- Christiania City Auction Antiques and Art
- Paleet Shopping Center
- IKEA Furuset
- Oslo City Shopping Centre
- Expo Arte Jewellery Design & Gallery
Oslo is a great place for a family getaway. There is plenty to keep the kids busy and entertain the adults too.
Kids
- Child Planet Atlantis
- Hakkespettene Children’s Workshop
- Hopp i Havet Children’s Activity Center
- Leo’s Lekeland (Leo’s Playland)
- Open Farm with Animals at Bogstad
- Grunerlokka Minigolf Park
- International Museum of Children’s Art
Like everything else, there is also a wide variety of accommodations available in Oslo. Whatever your style preference, from the ornate historical buildings to the high rise luxury suites, every room offers a unique experience.
Hotels
- Hotel Bristol
- Grand Hotel
- Park Inn By Radisson Oslo
- The Thief
- Cochs Pension
- Scandic Fornebu
- Thon Hotel Opera
- First Hotel Grims Grenka
- Voksenasen Culture and Conference Hotel
Clearly, Oslo is a bustling city that has attractions to fill an entire lifetime. Which will you choose to explore?
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omg these all sound like such fun things!!!i wanna go to Norway! Maybe one day ;-)
There really are so many things we want to see and do in Oslo and the general area. I think it could easily be a month-long trip if you extended to Copenhagen too. We’d love to go!
This is a fantastic list! My family is from Norway (with one living relative still there.. she’s about 90 now!) and we visited in 2003. We traveled all over the country with a few days spent in Oslo… gorgeous! I really hope to go back someday with my husband and kids!
Oslo is on my bucket list. It is so beautiful and LOTS of activities to do
We were stationed in the UK for a few years but did not make it to Norway! We did travel quite a bit and would love to go back. I would put Norway on the top of the list! Great ideas!