Oslo

Surrounded by forests and fjords, Norway’s vibrant capital seamlessly blends history, culture, and outdoor adventure

Norway’s “Viking City” looks set to be the best Scandinavian city break spot for 2025. Expect to find a rich cultural heritage, harbor life, and excellent foodie venues.

10 A.M.

Oslo was built on the Oslofjord by the Norwegian Vikings back in 1040 and today’s city still stands on those foundations. Start your trip with a visit to the waterfront, where galleries and museums line the walkways at the National Museum.

Follow bright orange shipping containers, which double as signposts, along the harborside from Aker Brygge to Sørenga. Halfway round, at the modern Oslo Opera House, you can walk on the roof and peer into costume-making studios as you go. Stop for a snack at Godt Brød bakery and try the classic skillingsboller, a Norwegian cinnamon swirl.

12 P.M.

The path continues to the iconic MUNCH museum, home to permanent exhibitions by the Norwegian artist (and his famous The Scream) as well as touring exhibitions, and on to Sørenga. Here, cafés line the harbor path and a floating swimming pool looks out to the fjord.

3 P.M.

Spend the afternoon at sea on a mini fjord cruise. Brim Explorer runs a two-and-a-half-hour silent, solar-powered tour of the fjord, cruising past islands, boathouses, and cottages perched on craggy islands.

7 P.M.

Round off your day with dinner at the National Library’s bar-restaurant, which is run by the country’s leading chef, Heidi Bjerkan. It’s open until 9 p.m. – in Oslo, people dine early – so head to Libertine Vinbar afterward: a wine bar with a 450-bottle-strong list.

10 A.M.

Oslo has cornered the market in sauna boats, where you sweat in a small, floating, wooden hut and dive into the clean, cold fjord to cool off. You can book this popular pursuit with local operator Mad Goats. Alternatively, explore the water by paddleboard or kayak. Being active in nature is in Norway’s DNA, and these activities give you authentic access to local life.

12 P.M.

Head to Vippa Oslo for lunch. This multicultural food court is bedecked with street art and brings together people from all over Oslo to its international stalls, serving anything from noodles to Arabian pizza.

3 P.M.

Oslo’s hipster area, Grünerl.kka, is packed with independent boutiques and vintage shops, and has a creative and artsy feel. It’s a great place to sit and watch the world go by, which is a very Norwegian thing to do. Kos – the country’s version of hygge – is found in moments just like these.

7 P.M.

For dinner, head to Apostrophe for an elegant French-Nordic dining experience. After your meal, spend the evening in one of the city’s natural wine bars. Becco is a threestory bar in the city center frequented by hip locals. It hosts regular DJ sets and live events, including jazz performances during the Oslo Jazz Festival in summer.

10 A.M.

Find out more about Norwegians’ love of mountain life with a trip to Holmenkollen Ski Museum. The stainless steel ski tower is 190 feet high and offers panoramic views. Stand at the top and test your nerves: the 1,184-foot zip-line can whiz you down to the bottom. There’s also a lovely 1.2-mile hiking route, taking around 30 minutes, from Holmenkollen to Frognerseteren – you can take a tram back to the city from here.

3 P.M.

Spend the afternoon strolling in Vigeland Park. Opened in 1907, the park contains 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. It is free to enter and includes the sculptures The Angry Boy and The Wheel of Life.

7 P.M.

Dinner calls for a famous Norwegian delicacy: salmon. The country is the world’s largest producer of Atlantic salmon. At The Salmon, you can not only enjoy a range of seafood dishes but also learn about aquaculture as you’re doing it. Then it’s on to cocktails at HIMKOK. The bar was recently rated number 11 on The World’s 50 Best Bars list and is known for its Nordic-style cocktails.