3 days in Oslo: Why you Need to Visit

Why 3 days in Oslo is perfect

3 days in Oslo is the perfect taster to experience this wonderful city. As a small European capital, home to just over 700,000 residents, it is one of those places that always seemed just out of reach. Whilst notoriously expensive and quite a distance to get to, it was one of those elusive destinations I thought I might visit one day. After having been there just recently, I can safely say, it’s one of the top cities in Europe I’ve travelled to.

My first impression of Oslo was that it felt more like a large town. Quiet, calm, clean and very green. I was pleasantly surprised, having visited many European cities over the years, and Oslo just felt like a breath of fresh air comparatively. Sure, it might not have the same charm or glamour as others, but it makes up for it in spades. For me in particular, the design element that Scandinavia is so well known for was on display everywhere. 

Before you visit Oslo

Given it’s extremely expensive to visit, you want to make sure you have a budget and understand how much you’re going to spend here. Being a mostly cashless society also means you sometimes don’t realise how much you’re spending if you’re constantly tapping your card. Having said that, there are still lots of free or low cost experiences to be had and enjoyed in this wonderful city. You just need to know where to go and you can read more about that here.

How to get to Oslo

To/From Oslo

Fly: Oslo has two airports. Most international visitors will arrive at Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL), around 50 km northeast of the city. There is also Torp Airport (TRF), which is further from central Oslo.

Train: Oslo is well connected by train, including services from Bergen, Stockholm and Copenhagen. Within Norway, trains are operated by Vy and other regional operators.

Ferry: Travelling from Copenhagen? Go Nordic Cruiseline operates daily overnight sailings between Copenhagen and Oslo. You can also book a MiniCruise, returning to Copenhagen after spending around 6.5 hours in Oslo. It’s a lovely way to make the journey part of the trip rather than simply flying between the two capitals. 

How to get around Oslo for 3 days

Oslo is surprisingly compact. Great for walking but also has lots of options to get around the city.

To/From the airport

Vy Train – is the cheaper option at around 134 NOK, getting you to Oslo Central Station in around 25 minutes. You will need to buy a ticket first. If you have the Oslo Pass, this is already included. 

Flytoget – a little faster, getting you into Oslo Central station in around 19 minutes. It lets you tap on using a contactless card but costs double that of Vy. It runs more frequently and has dedicated luggage racks. 

Around the city

My favourite way however, to get around was to walk everywhere as it’s such a beautiful city to explore on foot.

Taxi/Uber – available and good for short trips but avoid airport trips as they are incredibly expensive.

Public transport –  simple, interconnected system of buses, trains, ferries and trams. Use the Ruter app for timetables and tickets.

Bikes – you can rent regular or e-bikes to explore the city at leisure, or choose to do a group bike tour.

Where to stay during your 3 days in Oslo

Sentrum is the obvious choice as it’s close to Oslo Central train station and you can get to many sights from here. However, my experience was that it was surrounded by extremely loud construction, particularly around Youngstorget. 

I stayed at the Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget given it’s central location. It’s a no frills simple hotel as many in Oslo are, but it was clean and sufficient for my stay. I will say, that accommodation is expensive and cost around $300 AUD per night for a basic room. They also like to charge extra for simple things like luggage storage and early check in.
Tip: Sign up to Strawberry membership for free coffee and luggage storage. 

My picks however, would be to stay around either Frogner (the leafy, elegant west side) or Grünerløkka (the hip, east side).

What to eat during your 3 day visit to Oslo

When I tell you that the bakery scene is elite, I mean one of the best I’ve seen in the world. Coffee & Skolebrod is the perfect breakfast or treat. 

Some of the places I liked to eat during my stay were: 

• Olivia Østbanehallen – great Italian food close to the waterfront
• Koie Ramen – excellent Japanese ramen restaurant on the water, near the Munch museum
• Girotondo – great Italian pizza in the city centre
• Cafe Sara – casual pub with great options and large portions
• Oslo Food Hall – so many different street food options, I tried the souvlaki
• Los Tacos – really good Mexican food
• Lett – excellent salad bar
• Fuglen – Amazing coffee & pastries, don’t leave without trying Skolebrod. 
• WB Samson – known for their famous Cinnamon Buns which are excellent with good coffee
• Fiskeriet – the only Norwegian restaurant I visited and it’s very popular and very expensive. Fish & Chips were nice. 
• Godt Brød – another excellent bakery
• GRØD – a Copenhagen institution for porridge, delicious.
• Vaffelvogna or Haralds Vaffel – is the quintessential Norwegian snack on every must try list, in particular the brown cheese waffle. It was ok, but the brown cheese didn’t really taste like anything. I would suggest saving your calories for the baked goods instead.

I also love a supermarket snoop when visiting somewhere new. I enjoy seeing how people move about their daily lives and find interesting finds, often cheaper than speciality stores, especially snacks and food to take home as gifts. 

Supermarkets chains here include Joker, REMA 1000 and Kiwi where you can get snacks, some have salad bars and bakery items. Try the chocolate by Freia and of course the Norwegian Kit Kat, Kvikk Lunsj. 

What to do in Oslo for 3 days

This list is by no means exhaustive. There are so many things to see and do during your 3 day stay or longer in Oslo. 

Sights
Opera House & The Mother – visually striking and one of the most well known spots. Walk up the sloping bridge to enjoy the view over the fjord and walk down to the canals and see the enormous Mother statue. 

Oslo City Hall – for beautiful murals and frescoes depicting Norwegian history and culture. It’s also free to enter. 

Royal Palace & Slottsparken – The palace grounds are stunning and are free to explore, as is the surrounding parkland. You might also catch a glimpse of the changing guards. 

Aker Brygge – another lovely spot on the waterfront for people watching, eating and shopping. There is a giant rose in the main square here that’s beautiful. 

Museums
Vigeland Park – The most stunning outdoor sculpture park by Gustav Vigeland. With over 200 sculptures across the park, it was one of my favourite sights and it’s free to explore. 

National Museum – the one museum I paid for (220 NOK), it has a great variety of art, including Munch’s The Scream. 

Nature
Akerselva River – a beautiful river that winds its way through the city. On weekends, there is a small arts & crafts market. Quiet, calm and green, it’s a stone’s throw from the city and makes for a great afternoon walk. 

Activities
Experience a floating sauna session on the waterfront. It was too hot for me when I visited, but definitely something I’d like to do next time. 

Cafe hopping and thrifting in Grünerløkka, crossing the Fairytale Bridge from Sentrum into this colourful neighbourhood.

Shopping
Karl Johans Gate – Oslo’s main shopping strip extending from Royal Palace to Oslo Central Station. 
Storgata –  a good mix of shops away from the main shopping strip above.
Majorstuen – great high street shopping with local brands and cafes.

Oslo is a beautiful city filled with art & sculptures, so you could easily just spend your days wandering aimlessly, soaking in its charm. 

What 3 days in Oslo might look like

Day 1

Arrival and getting to your accommodation. Getting oriented and exploring the surrounding neighbourhood. Depending on when you arrive, you might want to explore the Opera house and waterfront at a leisurely pace and settle in.

Day 2

After breakfast, pick one or two of the many museums available, walk through the centre for some shopping and explore the Royal Palace Grounds and surrounding gardens.

Day 3

Spend the morning at Akerselva river and enjoy the Grünerløkka area and head to Vigeland Park in the afternoon.

Note: Summer, the days are long and the sun barely sets so it doesn’t get dark even after 11pm, leaving plenty of daylight to explore. 

Practical things to know for your visit

Costs – Norwegian Krone (NOK) and the city is almost entirely cashless. You can use your card and phone payment systems. Even public toilets required card payment so you won’t need cash. 
Weather – Summer in my opinion is ideal but I’m biased, as I’m not a fan of cold weather. It’s when the city celebrates together, makes use of the warm days and sunlight.  Winter is very cold and brings with it a snowy wonderland.
EES – Europe’s new digital border system (entry/exit) is required for all non EU visitors to the Schengen area. There have been delays at various airports since implemented so allow sufficient time. It took me about an hour to get through the queue upon arrival. 
Connectivity – An e-sim such as Airalo is super valuable when getting around.
Electricity – type C and Type F plugs, with a 230V / 50Hz.
Water – the tap water is high quality and you will hear Norwegians tell you so, often and proudly.

FAQ’s for your Oslo visit

Is 3 days enough, or should it be 2 or 5?
3 days in Oslo is a really good amount of time. Enough to get around and see the main sights, but equally you could easily spend 5 days here, enjoying the city at a slower pace. 

Is Oslo too expensive to visit?
It’s certainly expensive, but you can still enjoy the city on a budget and there are plenty of things to do that don’t cost a lot. 

What’s the best way to get around Oslo?
Google Maps works really well for navigation around the city. Use the Ruter app for all public transport options. You can also hire a bike to get around, noting it’s quite flat near the waterfront but can be hilly elsewhere. There are also designated bike lanes. 

What’s the easiest way to get from Oslo Airport to the city?
I would choose Vy over Flytoget given it’s half the price and only a few minutes longer to get into Oslo Central Station. 

What’s the best time of year to visit Oslo?
Summer is ideal for long days and outdoor life; winter gives you a very different Oslo, and spring/autumn can be a nice compromise.

Is Oslo a good city for walking?
Yes, it’s compact and excellent for getting around on foot. One of my favourite ways to explore a city. 

Is the Oslo Pass worth it? 
Genuinely worth it if you’re planning to visit several paid museums and rely on public transport. Skip it if, like me, you prefer slower neighbourhood based exploring at your own pace. 

Don’t miss Oslo

If you’re travelling to Europe, or specifically Scandinavia, don’t miss Oslo. 3 days in this beautiful city provides a great taster to what’s on offer. From nature to art, museums and waterfronts, great food and design, it is green and compact, a real treasure to be discovered. It’s proof that slow travel doesn’t need a remote destination but rather sometimes it’s just about how you choose to move through a city. Oslo was unexpected for me in the best possible way and I hope to return and explore it again, along with greater Norway.

Planning your own trip to Oslo? Before you book anything, I’ve put together a free 6-question checklist to help you figure out what you actually need from the trip. Get the free checklist here.

Prefer to skip the DIY entirely? I run 45 minute sessions where we work through your specific trip together, and you walk away with an actual plan. Find out about working more with me here.