THE ESSENTIAL GUIDE to explore touristic destinations and hidden gems in Oslo and around.

As a brand new Oslo-resident I´ve been exploring the city from a touristic point of view, here´s my best recommendations on things to do when visiting Oslo!

1. When in Oslo, the first thing you should always do is say hi to the Oslo-tiger, placed at Jernbanetorget, Oslo S.

2. Second thing, go check out the world famous Opera House. The building is stunning.

3. Check out one (or all) of the food markets. Vippa, Mathallen Vulkan & Oslo Street Food.

4. Take a stroll through Vigeland Sculpture Park in Frogner to check out the cool (and sometimes a little bit scary) sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.

5. Do a ”Skriet” imitation at The National gallery (temporarily closed) The New Munch Museum and The National Gallery is re-opening in 2021.

6. Explore one of the many museums at Bygdøy and learn about the viking history!

7. Hang out by the beach: Katten, Sørenga, Bispevika, Operastranda (new 2021) Hvervenbukta, Huk, Paradisbukta.

8. Ekeberg Sculpture Park with many interesting sculptures, and a restaurant with panoramic view over Oslo.

9. Take a swim in one of the many lakes in Oslo. https://worldbytina.se/2020/08/06/oslos-sjoar/

10. Visit one of the movie theatre and book the Supreme-package!

11. Visit Tomma Emanuelle – the mausoleum of the less famous Vigeland brother. Hidden gem!

12. Have a look at the macabre split cows of Damien Hirst at Astrup Fearnley Museum of modern art.

13. Explore the archiepilago by boat! Recommending: Hovedøya and Grassholmen.

14. In Oslo you can find great sushi! My favourite is to be found at SüdØst Asian Crossover.

15. Go pub-crawling in Løkka – the place to spend Oslo night out!

16. Book an arty performance at The Black Box Theatre.

17. Enjoy the food flavours of the area Grønland, I would pick falafel!

18. Play indoor minigolf while having a beer at Oslo Camping. Fun & games!

19. Check out the street art of Oslo! Especially in Grønland, Løkka & Tøyen.

20. Go flea market shopping in one of the many schools at weekends during spring and autumn: www.loppemarkeder.com

21. Take a hike up to Holmenkollen, Vettakollen or Grefsenkollen to see Oslo from above.

22. Celebrate 17 may! ”Gratulerer med dagen”.

23. Check out the Castle, the park and the view.

24. Go luxury shopping at Karl Johans Gate.

25. Have a glas of wine at Grand Café, since 1874.

26. Take subway no 5 to Sognsvann and have a relaxing 5 km walk around the lake.

27. Walk along Akerselva, stopp for a refreshing drink at Blå or Syng, great outdoor seating.

28. Have Game night at TILT with shuffleboards, arcade games and flipper. Who doesn’t wanna play Pac Man, Space Invader and Donkey Kong again? Welcome to memory lane!

29. In ”Vår Frelsers gravlund” you will find the graves of many celebrities such as Henrik Ibsen and Edvard Munch.

30. Visit the idyllic wooden houses in Rodeløkka.

31. Book a table at Restaurang Månefisken or go dancing at one of their raggae nights next door.

32. If your into rock & metal I suggest Kniven, Rock Inn and Revolver.

34. Explore the area around Oslo for example Ormøya, Malmøya or Ulvøy.

35. BBQ in one of the great park areas: Tøyenpark, Kubapark or Sofienberg.

36. In the winter, take the subway to Oslo Vinterpark for skiing and snowboarding.

37. Book tickets to the National Theatre: Nationalteatret, since 1899.

38. Visit the buildings and ruins of medieval Akershus Fortress and Castle.

39. Enjoy the nature at the Botanical Garden, especially in April when the cherry blossom is in full bloom.

40. Have a beer at the longest bar in Oslo, Smelteverket, Vulkan.

41. Hold a snake at Oslo Reptile Park.

42. Visit one of the many farms with animals you can say hi to. List of farms open for visits.

43. Rent kajaks and explore the Oslofjord.

44. Try out the floating sauna along Aker Brygge, KOK.

45. Enjoy one of the nice restaurants at Tjuvholmen. I recommend The Salmon if you wanna have the local touch. Restaurant recommendations: https://worldbytina.se/2019/10/21/oslo-tjuvholmen/

46. Oslo is filled with stunning galleries, many of them is located at Tjuvholmen, check out for vernissage – always free bubble.

47. Spend a day at Bygdøy. Visit the meny museums or enjoy the nature along the coast. I specially recommend the Oscarshall castle and Norwegian open air musuem with the famous stavkirke.

48. Be impressed by the cool area of Barcode.

49. Visit the art & culture scene called SALT with a stunning view over the Opera house.

50. Pay a free visit to the brand new library – you will get impressed! Next to the Opera House, close to Oslo Central.

51. Visit the Viking Planet to learn about history and culture.

52. A trip down memory lane at the Technical Museum.

53. Say hi to the whale in Kampen. Location: Normannsgata.

54. Follow the fairytales by Per Gynt in Løren.

55. Enjoy the English houses in Lille Tøyen Hageby.

56. One of the coolest sculptures in Oslo (according to me). Grass Root Square. Location: Teatergata.

57. The cherry blossoms at Kjølberggata in april each year.

58. Visit the ruins of Margaretha Kirken at Maridalsvatnet.

59. Go camping at Lutvann.

60. Take a day trip to Sandvika, Asker, Drøbak, Hurumlandet, Holmestrand, Tønsberg, Bunnefjorden, Lillestrøm, Sundvollen, Hadeland and Jevnaker. https://worldbytina.se/2021/07/26/norway-visit-greater-oslo/

To be continued…