Just have one day to explore Oslo? Maybe it’s the afternoon ahead of your cruise boarding, or 24 hours in Oslo until your next flight. However long, you’ve found this post because you’re checking out your options for the top sites in Oslo. Here’s how we made the most of our afternoon in Oslo. For time reference, our flight landed at Noon at Gardermoen and departed the next morning at 8 am.
What to see in 24 hours in Oslo? Here was our top list, and our time cut short to an afternoon due to flight delays we were only able to check off a few. La oss gå!
Vigeland Park & Museum – Vigelandsparken
The Vigeland sculpture park – Vigelandsparken, is a collection of Gustav Vigeland’s life’s work of over 200 sculptures in granite, bronze and wrought iron. A representation of over 40 years of artwork, the park took nine years to develop, 1940-1949. The center of the park is Vigeland’s Fountain and hundreds of sculptures radiate from this center to surrounding green space.
Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland captured the simplest expression of the human form. Despite, I found the works to hold so much expression in their movement, embracing and actions.
He studied with Rodin, and you can see the similarities in the column of bodies behind me. Not as “grotesque” as the Gates of Hell, but more humanity en masse- “here we are together”
Vigeland gave space to all genders and sexuality, perhaps radical for his time but creating a timelessness for the work.
The Vigeland Museum collection holds the prolific work of this native artist: sculptures, drawings, woodcuts, pastels, wrought iron works and woodcarving works. The collection is the result of an agreement between Gustav Vigeland and Oslo in 1919. In exchange of him giving ALL of his art to the municipality, Oslo would build a studio for him which would become a future museum for his art. Thus when Vigeland died in 1943, Oslo became responsible for managing the studio building and all of his art.
The park is a perfect spot for lunch (grab a sandwich) or a run. You can spend all day between the vast green space and the museum. We spent 2 hours wandering around in awe of this amazing work.
🚌 Bus 30 and 20 will get you there.
🚎Tram 12 stops right at the front gate. More info on transportation in Oslo here>>
Norsk Folkemuseum – Norwegian Museum of Cultural History
From the open air museum to many permanent and visiting exhibitions, the Norsk Folkemuseum was a must on our list to immerse in the historic culture of Norway.
I love Stave Churches, the beauty of the wood, the hand-craft (its fragility- blessing and curse?) and the religious contrast- decorated in Viking motifs from the days of Odin and then repurposed in Reformation- the Lutherans kept the dragons (so biblical, right? David v Dragon? 🙂 there are so few of them left – God Save the Stavekirke!
The Norske Folkemuseum houses the Gol Stavekirke in it’s open-air museum / park. Moved from Gol and reassembled in 1884, it dates from approx 1200!
🚌 We took Bus 30 and it stopped right at the entrance. Use the Ruter No App and it will get you here. More info on transportation in Oslo here>>
The Folkemuseum has a great cafe on site, Café Arkadia (and giftshop!) We bought sandwiches and crisps to hold us over until dinner.
Sadly we were only able to make it to the two stops above, but I’m saving the list below for my next trip. Add it to your plan and let me know how it goes!
Viking Ship Museum – Vikingskipshuset
(Closed until 2027 – but worth mentioning for my next trip!)
This fantastic historical collection is literally right next door to the Folkemuseum and houses preserved wooden Viking ships and artifacts recovered from burials. So Gosh Darn Cool! We’ll all be there when The Viking Ship Museum>> opens in 2027, but in the meantime the alternative to get your Viking fix in Oslo is at the digital museum; The Viking Planet.
- More to see on BYGDOY Museum district:
- Kon-Tiki Museet: We all read the Thor Heyerdahl book as kids, now see the original raft IRL!
- Frammuseet: This museum of Polar History holds the Fram of Arctic and Antarctic exploration fame
- Hop on the ferry at Bygdoynes Terminal to get back across the harbor to Oslo Sentrum
Oslo Opera House
Gosh darn it, I wanted to stroll along the quay, walk across the rooftop. Maybe see an opera or ballet. But it wasn’t to be, not enough hours in our day. Be sure to add the Operahuset – Oslo Opera House>> to your must see list!
Munch Museum
From the Opera House, cross the Odas Bro to the Munch Musseet – Munch Museum>> and see what the Scream is all about.
Worth Mentioning
There were a few more stops on my walking tour of Oslo. Adding them here to help you develop your own tour. . .
- Akershus Festning
- Vippa Food Court for Lunch if walking from Akershus Festning to the Opera House
- A walk from Sentrum Station to Oslo Catherdral with a stop at Grand Cafe Oslo. After lunch, walk on to the National Theater and the Royal Palace
Where to stay in Oslo
If you are staying under 24 hours in Oslo, the Radisson Blu Airport Hotel, Oslo Gardermoen is the perfect option. It’s literally right next to the airport. Prices are fair and there is quick access to transportation. The train station is right across the street with a direct line to city center (Sentrum). Read more about how easy transportation is in Oslo in my post here>>
Have more time? Stay in Oslo Sentrum. With a hub of transportation and many restaurants it will satisfy your stay. Easy access to bus and tram and back to the airport via train is a cinch. Did I mention how easy transportation is in Oslo?>>
When is Best Time to Visit Oslo?
Anytime of course! We’re True Blue Minnesotans and not scared of winter weather, a trip in February was fantastic! Be warned however, you’ll need spikes on your shoes to tackle the sidewalks in winter. Most of Norway does not clear the walkways but instead applies traction with pea gravel. The city Oslo is right on the Oslofjord and fairly temperate, even in winter – averages range from 23°-33°. When it was cold, it was a damp cold, perfect temp for coffee stops and Lingonberry Toddies.
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