15 essentials: what to see and do in OSLO in 1 or 2 days

Norway It is a country that undoubtedly has a special attraction for many Spaniards among whom I am.

The great explosion of nature that is the fjords make a trip to this Nordic country an objective for many of us.

But a sightseeing trip to Norway will always have as an essential stage: visit of its capital Oslo.

How is it Oslo And what are you going to find during your visit?

It is not a city as well known as its Nordic sister Stockholm, but if you think of an easy and pleasant city to visit as is the case with its other sister, Helsinki, that is Oslo.

Indeed, for your visit, the norwegian capital It is a city of dimensions that will surprise you with its seclusion and, therefore, very manageable to explore.

Curiosities of the History of Oslo

This is understood when you learn that, at the beginning of the 19th century, Oslo It was nothing more than a town, which in 1850 barely had more than 30.000 inhabitants.

At that time the city was called Christiania, which had been happening since 1624 in homage to the King Christian IV of Denmark.

In the second part of the 19th century, thanks to the improvement of the economy, the city had significant growth.

The dissolution of the union with Sweden in 1905, which meant the independence of Norway, led to the fact that in 1925 Oslo regained its original name.

As you can imagine, Oslo It is an orderly and clean city.

And if you are lucky enough to visit it on a sunny day, as has happened to me on the last few occasions I have visited, it is a very bright and really beautiful city.

Below I will give you some tourism tips for visiting Oslo.

How to get to the center of Oslo from the airport

To begin with, here you have information about how to get from the airport to the center of oslo, with the main option of Express train Flytoget, other regional trains or the Flybussen bus.

And, of course, you also have the option of a private transfer to get to the city center.

Tours and guided visits in Oslo

Facing your trip to oslo, to have a first approach to the most interesting places in the city, you may initially be interested in signing up for a tour.

In this regard you have this private tour of Oslo, which you will do in the company of a guide in spanish.

Another different option to visit the Norwegian capital is the Oslo Bike Tour, with a duration of three hours and a guide in english.

Or you can also sign up for a Oslo panoramic bus tour with a duration of two and a half hours, a guide in English and an audio guide in Spanish, in which in addition to touring the city center, you will go to the ski jumping stadium and Vigeland Park.

The best things to see and do in Oslo for tourism

Once on your own, you Oslo visit will have as its axis the street Karl Johans, which connects the square where the railway station is with the garden area where the Royal Palace.

All this central area of ​​Oslo Today it is where the city was rebuilt after the great fire of 1624.

Therefore, Oslo It is a relatively modern city that was reborn next to the Akershus Fortress.

This fortified complex from the 14th century, which incorporates a castle that was rebuilt in Renaissance style in the 17th century, stands on the banks of the fjord and next to the city's port.

What Monuments to visit in Oslo

Along this main street you will see significant buildings such as the Oslo cathedral or National Theatre.

Apart from the aforementioned fortress, in Oslo There are no large historic buildings as a result of Norway It has been since 1536 under the successive power of its Scandinavian neighbors, Denmark and Sweden.

Therefore, buildings like the Royal Palace or  Oslo City Hall They are relatively modern; Specifically, said palace was completed in 1848, and the town hall dates from 1950.

But this does not prevent Oslo you can't find very interesting attractions.

What museums to visit in Oslo

A key point in your visit will be the Bygdøy peninsula, where you will go by boat, and where they are concentrated three museums very interesting that are an exponent of the historical connection of Norwegians with the sea.

From the tourist point of view, the Viking Ship Museum, with various boats discovered at the end of the 19th century, which due to renovation works is announced to be closed until 2026.

To see a complete collection of viking objects during your trip to Oslo, you can currently visit the history museum., of which you have here all the information.

In turn, the Fram museum stands on an imposing polar ship and there you can learn about the adventures of the Norwegian explorers in both poles.

And in the Kon-Tiki museum You find boats used in even recent maritime explorations like the one mentioned Kon-Tiki and Ra II.

On this peninsula you also have the Norwegian People's Museum, which above all is worth visiting to see a typical Norwegian wooden church from the 13th century, which was moved from the town of Gol.

You also have important artistic corners to see in Oslo.

Vigeland Park in Oslo

you can't stop visit Vigeland park, a surprising sculpture park created during the first half of the 20th century by the Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, commissioned by the city council.

To make a more complete visit, here you can sign up for a Vigeland park tour with guide in spanish.

Munch's “The Scream” at the National Gallery in Oslo

For its part, the reflection of the work of the Norwegian painter Edvard Munch you have it in the center National Gallery, where you can see his famous work The Scream, as well as in Munch Museum.

Precisely this museum has recently opened a new headquarters in the port area of Bjorvika, which was commissioned by the Spanish architect Juan Herreros.

Bjorvika port area in Oslo

This is a new urban development carried out in recent years next to the port and east of the historic center of Oslo, next to the railway station.

This area is characterized by new buildings with very modern architecture that have been built in recent years.

An example is the building of the new Oslo Public Library located next to the train station.

Opera building in Oslo

But the great protagonist is, without a doubt, the very spectacular Oslo Opera building, which was completed in 2008, which is a reflection of the most avant-garde Norway.

Regarding the aforementioned Oslo Opera, I can tell you that your visit to the capital of this Nordic country will be incomplete if you do not you walk up the roof.

From the top of the building you have the best Panoramic views of this very modern area of ​​the city and its new buildings.

Holmenkollen Ski Jumping Stadium in Oslo

And if you are a fan of winter sports, immersed in a large forest on the side of a mountain that limits the city, you have an essential appointment with the new and imposing ski jumping stadium Holmenkollen.

In that place you can also visit the Ski Museum.

Oslo Fjord Cruise

Norway It is synonymous with nature and idyllic landscapes.

You can also enjoy it when you visit the capital by making a essential cruise along the Oslo Fjord.

You will not see large mountains, but you will be able to see what the Norwegian way of life is like, always linked to the sea.

You will sail between very small but idyllic islands on whose shores there are summer houses next to pleasure boats.

Is Oslo an expensive city?

Surely when you consider a trip to Oslo, you already know that Norway is a pretty expensive country for the purchasing power of the Spanish.

I'll tell you what Oslo It is a city clearly more expensive than Stockholm.

So you have indicative prices In everyday life in Oslo, a beer will cost you 6 to 10 euros; a cappuccino, 4 euros; a drink, 12 euros; and eat in a normal restaurant, from 40 to 60 euros.

How to get around by public transport in Oslo

While Oslo It is a city to visit on foot, you will need to use public transport to reach some places, like the Vigeland park or ski jumping stadium.

El public transport ticket price in Oslo (trams, buses, metro) is 4,8 euros, if you buy it in advance, and 6 euros if you buy it directly from the transport.

Therefore, it is worth considering the card purchase Oslo Pass, which will allow you to travel on public transport, in addition to entering museums and monuments whose access is not free.