Tucked away in a far, cold (and expensive!) corner of Europe, Oslo is often overshadowed by other European capitals cities like Paris and London. But Oslo is actually a really cool, bustling city, with so much to offer. If you have a weekend to spare, 2 days in Oslo will be time well spent!
Situated on the stunning Oslofjord, surrounded by forests and rolling hills, Oslo is a beautiful city. And with its thriving coffee culture, imaginative fine-dining restaurants, delicious seafood, cool design shops, local fashion brands, heaps of incredible museums, striking modern architecture, and plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, Norway’s capital is definitely worth a visit!
And don’t worry, even on a tight budget, there are ways to enjoy 2 days in this expensive city!
In this guide, you’ll find everything you need to enjoy 2 days in Norway’s cool, underrated capital city.
*This post contains affiliate links.
Where to Stay in Oslo for 2 Days
To make the most of your 2 days in Oslo, you should stay in a central location, close to all of Oslo’s amazing museums and beautiful outdoor scenery.
Best Neighborhoods to Stay in Oslo:
- City Center (the best option!)
- Frogner
- Majorstuen
- Grünerløkka
- Gamle Oslo
Best Places to Stay in Oslo:
While in Oslo, I chose to stay at the beautiful and iconic Grand Hotel, which is situated on Oslo’s main downtown street and features a lovely staff, gorgeous guest rooms, a spa, and offers the most amazing hotel breakfast spread… probably ever!
From our hotel, we walked to all of Oslo’s points of interest. Plus, Oslo Central Station is right down the street, which makes traveling to/from the airport a breeze.
From luxury to budget, here are the best places to stay in Oslo for 2 days.
Luxury ($$$)
- Amerikalinjen (City Center): When it comes to city hotels, you literally couldn’t ask for more.
- The Grand Hotel (City Center): An iconic luxury Oslo hotel with a perfect location.
- THE THIEF (Tjuvholmen): The crown jewel of all Norwegian hotels. Amazing service, waterfront views.
Mid-range ($$)
- Hotell Bondeheimen (City Center)
- Karl Johan Hotel (City Center)
- Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo (City Center)
Budget ($)
And when I say budget, I mean that you won’t find anywhere to stay for less than $80 (USD) per night in Oslo. There are no traditional backpacker hostels in Oslo, and that’s just the way is! Here are the best and most affordable places to stay.
- Cochs Pensjonat (Frogner)
- Citybox (City Center)
- Anker Apartment – Sentrum (Grünerløkka)
From hotels and B&Bs to hostels and apartments, Booking.com always has the best deals on accommodation. You can find other great deals on Oslo accommodations here!
Staying on Budget: Get an Oslo Pass
As I mentioned, Oslo is expensive. It’s one of the most expensive cities in the world, for that matter. So to get the most bang for your buck, I recommend investing in the Oslo Pass.
With the Oslo Pass, you’ll receive:
- free entry into 30 of Oslo’s museums (i.e. Fram, Holmenkollen, Kon-Tiki, Norsk Folkemuseum)
- unlimited, free use of public transportation
- free use of the ferry to the serene forested peninsula of Bygdøy
- discounted or free sightseeing tours
Basically, with this pass, you’ll have access to everything you’ll want to do during your 2 days in Oslo, for a fraction of the price!
The Oslo Pass is offered for 24, 48, or 72 hours, and prices vary depending on the length you choose. You can purchase your pass here.
Things to Do in Oslo in 2 Days: The Perfect Itinerary
Okay, now that the logistics are out of the way, let’s get into it. Here are the best things to see and do in Oslo in 48 hours.
Day 1 of 2 Days in Oslo
On Day 1, I’d recommend exploring the city itself. Check out the scenery, historic sites, beautiful parks, restaurants, cafés, shops – and generally just roam around Oslo and get a vibe for what life’s like there.
#1 Coffee & Brunch
Oslo takes coffee culture seriously! There are so many cool cafés making a delicious cuppa. So it only makes sense to kick off Day 1 at one of Oslo’s best places for a coffee and a pastry.
My top three picks are Tim Wendelboe, My Ugly Baby, and Supreme Roastworks AS.
Toward the bottom of this article, you’ll find all of my top picks for Oslo cafés, restaurants, and bars!
#2 Oslo Fjord
No matter the time of year, one of the best things to do in Oslo is to board a boat and explore the fjord! That’s especially the case if Oslo is your only stop in Norway and you won’t get any other fjord action. From the Oslo Fjord to the entire Oslo Region, the nature surrounding the city is stunning.
Below are your two fjord cruise options, the only difference is the time of year!
Summer Oslo Fjord cruise: Click here to book your summer boat tour of the Oslo Fjord.
Winter Oslo Fjord cruise: Click here to book your winter boat tour of the Oslo Fjord.
#3 Roam the City on Foot (or Bike!)
Every nook and cranny in Oslo is gorgeous. From the old, wooden, colorful houses in Rodeløkka that line the streets, to the new, innovative buildings sprinkled in here and there, the city itself is stunning.
And when you take into account that it’s situated along a fjord, with views of the sea, rolling hills, and forests, Oslo gets that much better.
If you like taking guided tours to soak in as much history and culture as you can, then book one of these Oslo tours. One is a bike tour, perfect for a sunny day, and the other is an alternative culture tour with a few local food tastings sprinkled in.
- Oslo Highlights Bike Tour: Click here to book your bike tour!
- Oslo Alternative Culture and Street Food Tour: Click here to book your walking food and culture tour!
If you’re heading out on your own, below are the main places to see on foot. Add them all to your Oslo itinerary!
#4 Oslo City Hall
While you may not expect a city’s government building to be a must-visit, the Oslo City Hall certainly is. From the outside, the brown building is not very impressive. But inside? Inside, along the corridors, you’ll find a magnificent collection of murals created by some of Norway’s most notable artists.
The City Hall is open to the public and entry is free.
The most impressive feature of the Oslo City Hall is the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, which takes place every December 10th. If you’re in Oslo at that time of year, definitely try to attend!
#5 The Akershus Fortress
The Akershus Fortress is a beautiful medieval castle surrounded by high walls, located right on the water. The castle was built during the reign of King Håkon V (1299-1319) and was remodeled into a fortress, used for protection against attacks from the sea.
Today, the castle contains banquet halls, the Royal Mausoleum and the government’s reception rooms. The castle’s small, historic church is the home of the royal sarcophagi.
The Akershus Fortress grounds are open to the public year-round and offer beautiful views of Oslo Fjord. You can take a tour during the summer months, but with only 2 days in Oslo, a quick visit to the grounds is probably enough.
*Entry is free with the Oslo Pass.
#6 Karl Johans Gate
Karl Johans Gate is the main street in Oslo, where all the action happens!
From cafés, bars, boutiques, and hotels, to discos and nightclubs, anything you want to experience in Oslo can likely be found on Karl Johns Gate.
Perfect for a stroll and people watching on a nice day, a number of the city’s top tourists sites can be found on this street, including the Oslo Cathedral and the Royal Palace, as well as the Oslo Central Station.
#7 Royal Palace
At the end of Karl Johans Gate, you’ll find the Norwegian Royal Palace – and the current home of the Norwegian Royal Family.
As one of Norway’s most important buildings, and a symbol of the country’s history since 1814, it’s worth stopping by the Royal Palace from the outside and checking out the beautiful Palace Park and Palace Square.
If you want to go inside, tours of the magnificent palace are available in the summer months.
#8 Oslo Opera House
As one of the city’s most photographed spots, and home to the National Opera and Ballet, the Oslo Opera House is an architectural gem and worth a stop as you explore the city on foot.
The Opera House is located in the Gamle Oslo area, where you’ll find some of the city’s coolest architectural marvels (Barcode Project), the MUNCH Museum, and the lively, multicultural area Grønland.
#9 Frogner Park
Frogner Park is the biggest park in the central Oslo area, and it’s a popular outdoor area among locals and tourists alike.
In the summer, the park is always filled with people enjoying nature, the sunshine, and the park’s public swimming pool. In the winter, Frogner plays host to an ice skating rink if you’re keen for a little spin! The park also houses Norway’s largest collection of roses and 14,000 different plants.
Restaurants, museums, and playgrounds are also sprinkled throughout Frogner Park, so the park is the perfect place for a stroll, year-round – as long as it’s not raining!
#10 Vigeland Sculpture Park
In the middle of Frogner Park lies Oslo’s most-visited attraction: Vigeland Sculpture Park. This park is Gustav Vigeland’s masterpiece, containing more than 200 different sculptures of cast iron, bronze, and granite. During any time of year, Vigeland Sculpture Park is open and worth a visit.
Day 2 of 2 Days in Oslo
Oslo is definitely a museum city! Today, I recommend hitting a floating sauna on the Oslo Fjord (a must!), checking out some of the city’s best museums on the Bygdøy Peninsula, and checking at Aker Brygge.
#11 Floating Sauna and Swim
Do something different to kick off your second day in Oslo… Which may end up being the best, most memorable thing you do in the city!
Floating and seaside saunas are super popular in Norway these days. In such a magical, relaxing setting, floating on the water, how could they not be?
So whether it’s a warm or cold day, an epic way to start the day is with a sweaty sauna and cold dip into the fjord!
A sauna and swim will make you feel alive and ready for a full day of exploring.
The best place for a floating sauna and swim is definitely the Oslo Fjord Spa.
#12 Visit Bygdøy Peninsula
On the leafy, relaxed peninsula of Bygdøy, you’ll find beaches, walking/biking trails, and Oslo’s best museums. On a sunny day, why not rent a bike in Oslo center, ride around the peninsula, and hop from one museum to the next? You could even pack a picnic (think: freshly baked bread, smoked fish, cheeses, wine) to enjoy outside.
If you want to take public transport to Bygdøy, simply hop on Bus #30 (which stops in front of each museum) or take the ferry from the front of Oslo City Hall.
With your Oslo Pass, entry to each of these museums is free!
Here are the must-see museums to see in Bygdøy.
#13 Fram Museum
The Fram Museum is an absolute must-visit during your 2 days in Oslo. This museum is dedicated to Arctic and Antarctic exploration, and in particular, the Fram: one of the world’s most famous polar exploration vessels.
At the Fram Polar Ship Museum, you can climb aboard the strongest wooden ship ever made and see how it, and its crew, survived sailing through the Arctic and Antarctic regions. You’ll get to see some of the equipment and tools used by early explorers. Plus, you’ll experience a simulation of the frigid weather and dangers that crews faced during polar expeditions over 100 years ago!
So impressive and so worth your time – the Fram Museum is one of the most popular tourist attractions in Oslo, so be sure to arrive early to avoid the crowds!
#14 Kon-Tiki Museum
The Kon-Tiki Museum is dedicated to famous explorer, Thor Heyerdahl, and his epic 1947 voyage across the Pacific Ocean on a balsawood raft.
The Kon-Tiki Museum contains Heyerdahl’s original raft and other boats used in his expeditions, as well as multimedia exhibits about his life and work. You’ll also experience models of sharks and fish in an underwater exhibition under the Kon-Tiki raft, wander a 30-meter-long replica of an Easter Island cave, see Heyerdahl’s vast personal library and learn more about the curious, resolute person he was.
This museum is so awesome and worth a quick visit during your 48 hours in Oslo.
#15 Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norwegian Folk Museum)
The Norwegian Folk Museum is one of the largest open-air museums in Europe, which exhibits Norwegian folk culture, from the Sami people to traditional Norwegian villagers.
Outdoors, 155 traditional houses from all different regions of Norway are on display.
Indoors, Norwegian culture is showcased through weapons, traditional handicraft items, folk attire, and much more!
#16 Viking Ship Museum
Usually, I’d say you can’t leave Oslo without visiting the Viking Ship Museum… But sadly, the Viking Ship Museum is closed until 2026.
The museum is currently undergoing renovations and expanding beyond just Viking ships, into Viking history.
At the Viking Ship Museum, two of the best-preserved Viking ships from the 9th century are on display, as well as other centuries-old boats, tools, sledges, household utensils, textiles, and artifacts excavated from Viking tombs around the Oslo Fjord, and more.
#17 National Gallery
Last, but certainly not least, is Oslo’s National Gallery.
The National Gallery is currently closed and will be moved to the National Museum, opening sometime in 2022.
Founded in 1837, this museum houses Norway’s largest public collection of drawings, paintings, and sculptures. From works by Manet and Cézanne, to Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, the National Gallery features quite an impressive collection of artwork. If you love art, you won’t want to skip this one.
#18 Holmenkollen Museum & Ski Jump
If you’re an avid skier (or, honestly, even if you’re not!) making the trek outside of Oslo to the Holmenkollen Ski Museum is well worth the trip! The view from the train on the way there makes it that much better.
This museum showcases over 4,000 years of skiing history and modern skiing/snowboarding exhibitions.
The 60-meter Holmenkollen ski jump has played host to over a century of ski competitions, and from the observation deck at the top, you’ll also witness panoramic views of the Oslo region!
#19 Take a Stroll around Aker Brygge
Don’t forget to wrap up your time in Oslo with a stroll around the beautiful Aker Brygge area.
A former shipyard, Aker Brygge has been transformed into one of the city’s most chic, exciting entertainment districts.
Between restaurants, bars, galleries, stunning architecture, walking routes, and views of the fjord, spending a bit of time here and grabbing a sunset drink is the perfect way to spend your last evening in Oslo.
Where to Eat & Drink with 48 Hours in Oslo
There are so many amazing places to eat and drink in Oslo! Albeit, expensive.
Hopefully, after you’ve purchased your Oslo Pass and found a great deal on accommodation, you’ll be able to splash out and enjoy Oslo’s cool cafés, creative fine-dining restaurants, seafood eateries, and trendy taprooms, wine bars, and cocktail rooms.
Here are my top picks for where to eat and drink during 48 hours in Oslo!
Coffee & Pastries
- Tim Wendelboe: Micro-roastery and seriously epic coffee. A bit far from the center, but worth the trek.
- Supreme Roastworks AS: Arguably the best coffee in Oslo. (It’s hard to choose a winner!) But seriously good either way.
- My Ugly Baby: Amazing donuts (like… wow). And good coffee too.
- Mocca Oslo: Rich, speciality coffee and yummy pastries in a cozy setting. What more could you want?
- Fuglen Coffee Roasters: Cool spot with good vibes, great coffee.
Restaurants
- Prindsen Hage: Trendy outdoor food cart and beer garden, perfect on a sunny day.
- San Francisco Bread Bowl: Cozy soups and stews in sourdough bread bowls. Perfect for a rainy lunch.
- xef tjuvholmen: Upscale culinary experience, with plenty of seafood, in a great locale.
- Bono Traditional Italian Food: Traditional Italian food, done well. You can’t go wrong!
- Baohouse: Bao and other flavor-packed Asian dishes, perfect for a quick, cheap lunch.
- Restaurant Ludo: Delicious pizza and wine spot.
- Mantra: Super popular Indian restaurant. If you need to spice up your day, this is the place for you.
Bars
- Hopyard: A must while in Oslo! Extensive selection of craft beer and delicious, creative dishes.
- Henry & Sally’s: Oslo’s Mikkeller bar. If you know, you know.
- Torggata Bontaniske: Super cute botanical cocktail bar in the most dreamy, cozy setting.
- Bar Lardo: A wine bar serving interesting vinos and delicious little plates.
- Radegast Wine Bar: Arguably the best wine bar in Oslo… If you love a glass of red and a cheese board. (Who doesn’t?)
2 Days in Oslo: The Perfect Oslo Itinerary
When visiting Norway, staying 2 days in Oslo will suffice.
While Oslo is an incredibly beautiful city with a lot to do, most likely, you’re visiting Norway to experience its otherworldly landscapes, to see the Northern Lights, the fjords of Western Norway, and all the colorful villages in between.
Before you scurry off to another part of Norway, though, make the most of your 2 days in Oslo. With so much to see and do, there’s no way you won’t like it!
Did you know…
When you book travel or purchase something through our links, we receive a small commission, at no extra cost to you? Your support enables Maddy’s Avenue to keep producing helpful travel content. Thank you!
2 Days in Oslo FAQs
2 days is the perfect amount of time to spend in Oslo. You can easily cover the city’s best sights, eat some delicious food, visit a few of the many amazing museums on offer, and enjoy being in nature – Oslo is, after all, situated on a fjord and surrounded by forest. It’s absolutely beautiful! If museums aren’t your thing, 1 day in Norway may be enough; but if you’re at all into Viking history, polar exploration, art, Norwegian culture, or skiiing, then there are plenty of museums you shouldn’t miss.
There are so many things to see during 2 days in Oslo! Exploring the city on foot – and stopping by places like the Oslo Opera House, Royal Palace, Akershus Fortress, Frogner Park, and Vigeland Sculpture Park – is a must-do. The leafy and relaxing Bygdøy Peninsula is home to some of the city’s best museums: Fram, Viking Ship Museum, Kon-Tiki, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. You can also take a boat cruise on the Oslo Fjord to take in the city’s beautiful nature.
Spending 2 days in Oslo is the perfect amount of time. You’ll have time to soak in the beauty of the Oslo Fjord and explore the best of what the city has to offer – from museums and historic sites to restaurants and bars.
Bergen and Oslo are so different! Bergen is a cozy, charming city located right on the water with beautiful Bryggen (the Hanseatic wharf), cute cafes, and lovely views. If you want to hike and experience Norwegian nature to the fullest, then Bergen is a better choice – it’s surrounded by mountains and fjords. However, the Oslo Region also offers plenty of opportunities to get out into nature too! Oslo is much larger, more modern, and has a more lively nightlife scene. There are dozens of incredible museums to explore, if art, history, and culture are your thing. There’s also no shortage of shops, cafés, bars, restaurants, and parks to explore. Ultimately, both cities are worth visiting if you have time!
Click here for my Guide to Three Days in Bergen, Norway.
This article details all of the must-see places to explore during two days in Oslo. But to sum it up, the best things to see include the Fram Polar Ship Musuem, Viking Ship Museum, Frogner Park, Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, the Royal Palace, Opera House, Oslo Cathedral, Akershus Fortress, Vigeland Sculpture Park, Nobel Peace Center, Oslo City Hall, and the Kon Tiki Museum. On foot, you should explore Aker Brygge, the city centre, and Vigeland Sculpture Park. There are also plenty of great restaurants, bars, cafés, and shops to check out.
Over to you! Have you spent 2 days in Oslo? What did you think of it? What were your favorite places to visit? If you haven’t visited, is Oslo on your travel bucket list?
*This post contains affiliate links. When you make a purchase through a link on our site, we will receive a commission, at no extra cost to you. These commissions help keep Maddy’s Avenue up and running, and we thank you for your support!
LOL I like how you started out with an exclamation of protest for the cost of everything there – I can’t imagine it being any worse than Iceland (now that’s an expensive place…). Anyway, Oslo is definitely on my bucket list so thanks for the tips and suggestions. I’m more into the outdoor scene so Frogner Park sounds like a great place to go.
Well, I haven’t been to Iceland yet, so I can’t make an accurate comparison. However, I think all of Scandinavia and the other Nordic countries are all incredibly expensive. My guess would be that they’re just about the same though.
I have heard that Oslo is an expensive city to visit! But that encourages me to travel there even more since I like figuring out how to visit pricey cities on a budget haha — and it sounds like you did just that! I would definitely get the Oslo pass too since it gives you the most bang for your buck, as you said. It looks like a lovely city and I hope to visit there someday! Great guide, I’ll keep your suggestions in mind :)
https://www.mintnotion.com
That’s true! I was so impressed by your budget trip to the UK recently. Thanks for stopping by!
Hi, we are heading to Oslo for two days in November. Where should we stay as in hotel? Who do you recommend? Thanks for your article on Bergen as well!
We stayed at the Grand Hotel Oslo, which is a 5-star hotel. I was not impressed, and I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it, just because when you’re paying those high prices, you expect a nice, newer room. The room they put us in seemed very old and run down. That said, though, the service was fine and breakfast buffet there was incredible; you’ve never seen such a vast, delicious breakfast buffet in your life, guaranteed! And the location is also as central as you can get. However, there is a new Scandinavian hotel chain called HTL. There are two in Oslo, one of which is right nearby Karl Johans Gate (center of the city); it’s a 3-star hotel. I haven’t stayed at this hotel, but stayed at an HTL in Stockholm and loved it. So I would recommend looking into those two hotels.
Have a great trip to Norway!
I never got the chance to go to those city (Stockholm, oslo, etc) but I heard it was suuuuuuuuper expensive !
I’d love to discover this country which seems sooooo nice and do a road trip in Norway, that’s one of my main goal.
Thank you for sharing. :)
Kenza from https://travelwithkenza.blogspot.fr/
They are all super expensive, but they’re such great cities that they’re worth it. And anyway, since you live in Paris, it shouldn’t be too much of a difference!
I would LOVE to do a road trip in Norway in the summer. That would be a trip of a lifetime.
The scenery is wonderful.
It really is! :)
Oslo is very high on our list! Love Scandinavia!
We do too!
What a pretty place to visit! I love how colorful all of the buildings are! Some of them remind me of the french quarter in New Orleans :)
Hmmm… Oslo isn’t super colorful, not like the French Quarter or Copenhagen, for example, but there are some parts of the city that are – and those are the parts Pictured above. I love colorful buildings too, so I had to include those!
Good morning,
I really enjoyed reading your comment. I wish i can have an advice from you..
Well, i’m planning to visit Oslo soon, i already both the ticket, i’m a student and my budget during the two days trip in Oslo is 400 euros, would it be enough to survive there xd ? i mean to get a place to stay in, eat..visit some areas.
Thanks you in advance for your answer.
Hi, yes 400 euros will definitely be enough for two days in Oslo!
Thank you for this. ! I’m trying to plan a surprise birthday weekend for my partner and I think you’ve given me all the information I need for it to be an amazing two-day trip. x
Thank you so much for the articles of Bergen and Oslo. My husband and I will be visiting for a 25th anniversary and we’re so excited. I have one question is The Thief hotel central enough to the places in your Oslo article? Will it be easy to walk to city center from there?
Hi Maria, congratulations on your anniversary! What a beautiful way to celebrate. The Thief hotel is central enough – you can expect about a 15-minute walk to the heart of the city center and many of the things to see/do. Frogner area and Frogner Park are also close enough (about 30 minutes walking to the park). You will have to take public transportation or a taxi to the museums on Bygdøy, but you’d have to from the city center as well. You couldn’t ask for a more stunning location, view, or ambience than what you’ll have at The Thief, so I think it’s a great choice!
Thanks for all your lovely recommendations. We are a family of 5, visiting Norway and Sweden this June. In Norway, we are doing both Oslo and Bergen. Is the Oslo city pass worth it? Also, we want to do a shorter fjord cruise (kids are 14, 11, and 8 and the 2 younger boys are high energy), do you have a cruise you recommend? In Oslo or Bergen?
We are visiting Norway as a family of 5 (kids are 14, 11 and 8 – 2 younger ones are high energy boys) – is the Oslo Pass worth it? And we want to do a fjord cruise – which do you recommend that’s not too long and from Oslo or Bergen (we are spending time in both cities). Thanks!!
Hi Manisha, I hope my reply isn’t too late! Yes, I do recommend the Oslo Pass if you plan to visit museums. I would recommend this Mostraumen Fjord Cruise (3 hours long) from Bergen and this Oslo Fjord Cruise (2 hours) from Oslo. If your visit is in the winter then you can do this winter Oslo fjord cruise. If you want to only do one cruise, choose the Bergen one as the fjords are way more beautiful! I hope you have a great time!