How Many Days In Oslo Is Enough?

If you are visiting the city for the very first time you may be wondering how many days in Oslo is enough to see all of its highlights and feel as if you’ve truly experienced its culture for yourself.

Beautifully located – with mountain and sea views – Norway’s scenic capital is famous for its Viking history, its excellent cultural attractions, and its dazzling fjords.

Its cuisine is incredible – with some of the freshest and most delicious seafood you’ll ever experience – and its atmosphere is vibrant, friendly, and fun.

In part, the answer to how many days in Oslo depends on the type of getaway you are looking for. 

If you love the buzz of being constantly on the go and want to fill every minute of your stay, then you could see the best of Oslo’s attractions in just 2 days. 

But if you are someone who prefers a more laid-back pace – with time to linger at your favorite sights or over a special meal – then plan to spend 3 or even 4 nights in the city.

Before making your final decision, there are a few other things you might want to take into consideration too.

How To Choose How Long To Stay In Oslo

Here in this guide, I’ve listed some important points to consider when planning how many days in Oslo you will need for an unforgettable visit. 

I have also included some of the best attractions and activities to enjoy during your stay, plus my recommendations for how long to spend at each. 

Together, all of this information should help you decide how long you’ll need to see all the things you want to and put together a workable itinerary at a pace that suits you perfectly.

To help you figure out exactly how long you’ll need in Oslo, make a list of the things you want to do in Oslo, and consider the time of arrival and departure.

Then, look at the distance between places to keep it realistic.

At the end of this exercise, you’ll know how many days in Oslo you’ll need.

Time Of Arrival, Hotel Check-In Time, And Time Of Departure

When planning how many days for Oslo you will need, think about the times at which you arrive and leave the city.

Do those times allow you to do any sightseeing on your arrival and departure days? If not, then you might need to add an extra night to your visit.

Next, think about what you will do with your luggage. If your check-in and check-out times don’t match your arrival and departure times, you might need to arrange to store them somewhere.

Your hotel or accommodation provider may be happy to help with this, although you should always check in advance to be sure. Be prepared to pay a fee for this in some cases.

If you need to make other arrangements, you have plenty of options throughout the city. There are luggage lockers at Oslo S (Oslo Central Station) and at Oslo Bus Terminal.

You will also find them at the terminals for the Color Line, DFDS, and Stena Lines ferries.

There are also lots of private companies offering a bag storage service at various locations around Oslo.

You can book these online, which may be preferable if you want to be sure ahead of time that your bags are taken care of.

Activities In Oslo

There are lots to do in Oslo, so it is important to decide on which attractions appeal to you the most before you leave. That way you can work out how many days you’ll need in order to fit them all in. 

My list of Oslo’s highlights below will help with this.

But don’t forget to add on extra time for traveling between attractions. You should also account for additional time spent queuing, especially during Oslo’s high season (from late June to early August).

Many travelers prefer to book tours and activities in advance to skip the queue and make the most of their time in Oslo.

Browse Tours In Oslo

Pace Of Activities

Seeing Oslo’s attractions at a pace that suits you is key to making the most of your trip. 

There is nothing worse than feeling rushed if you are the type of person who likes the freedom to stop and spend longer at sights and activities that really interest you.

You might also want to allow yourself time to stop and enjoy a good meal (Nordic cuisine is amazing!). 

So make sure that your itinerary is realistic and allows you to see things at a pace you find enjoyable.

Transportation

Oslo is a compact city so getting around it is pretty easy. You can travel between most attractions either on foot or by bike, as the distances between them are pretty short.

But there is also an excellent and reliable public transportation system should you need it. 

Known as Ruter, it uses one ticketing system that covers all public transport in Oslo and the boroughs surrounding it. This includes local ferries and trains, city and regional buses, trams, and underground transport.

The only thing not covered is the ferries to Bygdøy. However, these are covered by the Oslo pass, which also gives you free travel within zone 1 (Oslo) and zone 2. 

The Oslo Pass – which can be bought online or at sales points throughout the city – gives you free access to many museums too.

What To Do In Oslo

Here are my recommendations for the best places to visit in Oslo and how long you should set aside for each one.

Take A Sightseeing Cruise Of The Oslo Fjords

It is hard to describe the surreal beauty of Oslo’s legendary fjords and there is no better way to appreciate them than by joining one of these enchanting boat tours. 

From this unique perspective, you will be able to view the scenic islands dotted throughout, admire the deep bays, and take in the beautiful Norwegian coastline.

It’s fun to imagine how the Vikings would once upon a time have experienced these exact same views!

Suggested time: 2 hours

Explore Vigeland Park

This incredible Sculpture Park located in Frogner Park contains over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. He also designed the park and its architecture – a design so beautiful that it is one of the top tourist attractions in the country. 

Taking part in the Vigeland Park Exploration Game adds an extra element of fun to your visit, as you solve clues and unlock various stories on your phone.

Be sure to look out for the artist’s most famous works during your visit – the Monolitten and The Children’s Circle.

Suggested time: 1.5 hours

Visit The Royal Palace

Located at the top of Karl Johans gate, this neo-classical building is home to HM King Harald V and HM Queen Sonja. It is surrounded on all sides by the beautiful Royal Palace Park, with its small ponds, lofty trees, and statues.

It is free to walk through or to stop for a picnic and there are many good cafes nearby.

Guided public tours of the main palace rooms are available at certain times and you can watch the changing of the guards every day at 1.30 pm.

Suggested time: 1 to 2 hours

Take A Hop-On Hop-Off Bus Tour Of The City

Touring Oslo by bus is a great way to get a good overview of the city in a short amount of time, with the top deck offering panoramic views.

It also makes a good way to get around – your ticket is valid for a full 24 hour period and you can travel from one landmark to the next, getting off the bus whenever you want to get a closer look at something.

You can then hop on the next bus whenever you are ready.

There are 11 stops on the circuit – including highlights such as the Ibsen Museum (focused on the life and work of the 19th-Century Norwegian playwright and poet) and the Oslo Opera House.

A multi-lingual audio commentary is included.

Suggested time: Your ticket is valid for unlimited use within 24 hours

Learn About Norwegian Polar Exploration At The Fram Museum

You can find this fascinating museum at Bygdøy, close to the city center.

Its highlight is the 1893 wooden polar ship FRAM and walking its decks gives you a real feel of how conditions for explorers must have been.

A range of effects – such as vibrations, sounds, smells, and lights are used to really bring history to life!

There are also heaps of artifacts to see and fun activities for the whole family to enjoy.

Suggested time: 2 to 3 hours

See A Different Side To Oslo On The Grünerløkka Hipster Tour

Take a stroll along the Akerselva River on this guided walking tour until you reach the district of Grünerløkka.

This beautiful residential area has a distinctly artistic vibe, with gorgeous early 19th-century wooden houses and facades decorated with street art.

Once home to the artist Edvard Munch, the area features a giant chandelier hanging outside the area of Blå and the Vår Frelsers Gravlund cemetery.

Suggested time: 2.5 hours

Final Thoughts On Oslo Getaways

So how many days do you need in Oslo in order to enjoy its highlights at a pace that suits you?

I hope that this guide has helped you decide and that you have a wonderful stay in Norway’s exciting capital.

If you are thinking about visiting Oslo, you may also be interested in these other nearby adventures:

• How many days in Copenhagen
• How many days in Stockholm
• How many days in Amsterdam