The concept of this trip was to arrive on a Saturday morning and leave on Sunday evening, which meant we actually spent 29 hours in Oslo when considering the flights and transportation to/from the airports! So, what can the Norwegian capital offer you in such a short time and on a tight budget?
The first thing to consider is that we chose to visit during the summer, which is much more conducive to exploring outdoor attractions. We can only imagine how difficult it would be to follow the itinerary described below in -5°C weather during winter…
The Norwegian Folk Museum
This was the only paid visit during our stay, and it is also the most remote from the city center (although the Bygdøy peninsula, where the museum is located, is easily accessible by bus), which is why we decided to go there first—it’s a habit we have when travel time is limited.
Why go? This open-air museum consists of more than 160 antique buildings from various regions and periods (ranging from the Middle Ages to the 20th century). Thus, the visit is like a journey through time. Additionally, actors in traditional costumes help bring the place to life (blacksmiths, dancers, storytellers, and other village inhabitants).
What we liked:
- The pleasure of strolling through different eras, being able to explore various parts of history on our own (a good portion of the buildings are accessible and decorated);
- Seeing a magnificent 12th-century wooden church (this would be perfect for a scene in the series Vikings, with dragon heads adorning the ends);
- Thanks to the vastness of the park, it is pleasant to walk around without being constantly surrounded by other visitor groups.
We wanted to combine our visit with that of the Oscar Hall Palace gardens (a 5-minute walk away and free), but unfortunately, it was already closed when we arrived, so we took the bus back to the Royal Palace.
The Streets of Damstredet and Telthusbakken
Oslo doesn’t have a historic center as dense as that of other European capitals (due to a fire in… 1624!), but we recommend taking a stroll through two charming streets with wooden houses from the 17th and 18th centuries, pleasantly colored. These two streets, Damstredet and Telthusbakken, are quite close to each other, with a maximum walking distance of 10 minutes between them. Be careful: keep in mind the direction of your route as Telthusbakken is uphill. We ascended it after leaving Mathallen, a popular food court offering a variety of world cuisine. This route leads us to the entrance of Vår Frelsers gravlund (the “Our Savior” cemetery), where, for interested visitors, Edvard Munch’s grave is located. Generally not a big fan of cemeteries, we found the walk through this one to be pleasant. It has a peaceful atmosphere.
A Sculpture at Ground Level
At 9 Teatergata, if you take the time to look at the ground, you can see paving at different levels and, more surprisingly, thousands of small bronze human figures. This artwork, called Grass Roots Square by Korean-American artist Do Ho Suh, is surprising, and we enjoyed taking a few pictures of the 50,000 figures (that’s from internet research; we didn’t count them ourselves…) before continuing our itinerary.
Strolling from the Oslo Port to the Opera House Rooftop!
As evening approached, we decided to spend some time walking along the promenade from the Oslo port to the Opera House. This is the perfect opportunity to see the monuments with the beautiful colors of sunset. Along the way, we were able to catch glimpses of the Nobel Peace Center, Oslo City Hall with its fountains, the Akershus Fortress perched on its promontory, some street art, and we passed by the SALT event center (it seemed lively, with people queuing to enter) before finally trying to ascend to the Opera House rooftop (free) for sunset. We took a deep breath to climb the marble steps of the building and enjoyed a view of the fjords, the iceberg-shaped sculpture “She Lies,” and the Barcode district. The Opera House has captured the hearts of both Oslogutt (men) and Oslojente (women) given its popularity! During our visit, people were dancing to Latin rhythms, creating a wonderfully festive atmosphere. This concluded our first day in Norway.
Favorite Spot: The Interior of Oslo City Hall
While the exterior may appear quite austere and massive (yes, we’re not sure about the ultra-refined architecture there), being a bit curious and opening the doors reveals a completely different perspective. Every December 10, a ceremony for the Nobel Peace Prizes takes place here (several photos at the entrance show world leaders as proof). This is where the laureate receives a medal and diploma for this renowned award, not at the Nobel Peace Center, which serves more as a museum documenting the history of Alfred Nobel and previous winners and their work.
In short, if we rewind to the city hall interior, it is worth a look for its paintings by Norwegian artists covering the walls with diverse themes. The main hall vividly illustrates Norway’s history in bright colors. It would be a shame to stop the visit here because upstairs, there are more rooms to explore (with a cool view of the Oslo port), including modern portraits of the Norwegian monarchy and other fantastic frescoes. It’s an unusual, stylish, and free experience not to be missed.
Bonus: Every hour, if you’re in the vicinity, the 49 bells chime in rhythm and produce impressive musical notes (that’s quite a noise from 49 bells ringing in unison!)
The Modern Districts of Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen
Continuing from the Oslo port is the Aker Brygge promenade where locals come to stroll, dine (with many restaurant and food truck options), and shop. This area is a pleasant, lively modern district. Continuing on and crossing a pedestrian bridge, we arrived at Oslo’s newest district, Tjuvholmen. Urban art enthusiasts will find plenty to enjoy: many installations and sculptures animate the streets. We also noticed a change in dress code between Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen, with many people swapping their long summer outfits for swimsuits. Indeed, behind the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art is the Tjuvholmen bystrand beach, which was crowded on that sunny August day.
Oslo Cathedral
Oslo Domkirke, the most important church in Norway, is used by the royal family and the government for religious services such as weddings and funerals. The main attraction of the visit is the ceiling decoration by Hugo Lous Mohr, created between 1936 and 1950. Located at 11 Karl Johans, its position is central and very easily accessible from the station. To the right of the cathedral, there is a memorial of steel roses honoring the 77 victims of the attack on July 22, 2011, by Anders Behring Breivik. Families of the deceased, as well as blacksmiths from around the world, sent contributions (more than 1,000 roses from 25 countries) for this artwork referencing the rose parade that followed the attack.
The Deichman Library in Bjørvika
Much more than a traditional library, the Deichman Library is a reimagining of public space and a tribute to learning.
This venue is not usually mentioned among must-see places for a short stay, but we found it to be a wonderful discovery, so we want to share it! The library opened in 2020 with the concept of allowing visitors to enter from all sides of the city. Additionally, its design makes it an unmistakable building in the train station area, with a cantilevered roof extending to create a workspace with a magnificent view of the Opera House and surroundings.
Spread over five levels, the quantity of materials (books, CDs, DVDs) available for public access is astounding, but what really catches the eye are the various possibilities provided. For example, there are sewing machines, mixing decks, and 3D printers available for use. In summary, this place goes far beyond the unique function of a library. As the director aptly states, the goal is to provide a space for sharing, discussion, reading, and learning in the broadest sense. It truly feels comfortable, making you want to explore the floors just to discover what’s hidden inside.
Finally, on the top floor is the Future Library by Katie Paterson. What’s the concept? Every year, an author contributes and adds a work to the collection, for 100 years! The texts will be kept in a special room and will only be read in 2114! As for the paper, 1,000 spruce trees have been planted in a nearby forest for this occasion and will be used to provide the necessary paper.
Due to the limited time (less than 48 hours), we had to make some choices, and of course, this guide is not exhaustive. Other attractions we could have discovered include the Vigeland Park with its bizarre statues, the Botanical Garden, or the Ekebergparken Park (offering panoramic views of the city and more contemporary sculptures).
In the End, What Was the Cost of This Weekend?
Now that we’ve explained our itinerary, let’s take a look at the costs for the trip. Here’s a breakdown of our weekend expenses:
- Double room with breakfast included: Scandic Holberg 900 NOK = 86 Euros
- Benefits: located near Johan’s Gate and the Royal Palace. Plus, the breakfast buffet allows for a hearty meal to start the day!
- Train tickets from Oslo Torp airport <> central train station: 554 NOK = 54 Euros
- Flytoget (trains) from central station <> Gardemoen airport (the local Beauvais): 408 NOK = 40 Euros
- 2 entries to the Norsk Folkemuseum: 160 NOK = 16 Euros
- Round-trip bus tickets to Bygdøy Island: 38 NOK x 4 = 152 NOK = 15 Euros
- 2 burgers at Mathallen food court: 423 NOK = 40 Euros
So, the total cost for two people to explore the Norwegian capital was around 250 Euros.
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