UPDATED MAR 2020. I spent a weekend in Oslo with my best friend during my birthday trip to Norway and fell even more in love with it than I already was. Here are my tips for spending your own weekend in Oslo and getting the most bang for your buck. Norway is known for being expensive so this guide will help you experience the city without maxing out your credit cards! I didn’t visit solo for this trip, but the suggestions would remain the same for solo travelers – the only change I would make is to visit the Ice Bar earlier in the evening to avoid being out at a bar solo later.
How To Spend A Weekend In Oslo & Get The Most Bang For Your Buck
Disclaimer
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Where to stay in Oslo
I mentioned this hotel in my post on 24 hours in Oslo, and, when I was planning another visit, I booked the same hotel.
I absolutely love the Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz because of the value for money. The convenient location is only a 10-minute walk to the central station which makes getting around easy.
Breakfast is included which, I have to say, is the best hotel breakfast I have ever had. They have such a wide range of foods from the standard foods you expect at a hotel breakfast, to traditional foods and even fresh juices and smoothies.
What I love most about the hotel though, is that they have a lounge area upstairs that offers a free dinner each night. It’s got fresh bread, cold meats, cheese, a salad, a starch, and a meat option. Not only did I get a comfortable mid-range room in a great location, but I also got two solid meals a day which helped me save money.
Day 1 in Oslo
There are many interesting museums in Oslo that are worth visiting. Here are a few of my favorites, but there are still more to choose from and of course you can mix and match based on what you are most interested in and the time you have.
Make sure you check the opening hours because they change for the winter season.
Get a public transport day pass
Head to the Ruter Help Center at Central Station & pick up a 24 hours public transport pass.
It makes getting around on the train very easy because you’ll be able to walk onto public transport, scan your pass & not worry about getting tickets each time.
Visit the Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset)
From Central Station, you can catch the bus to Vikingskipene which will drop you off right out the front of the Viking Ship Museum.
It’s a small but interesting museum that houses 3 Viking ships, a collection of artifacts, skeletons and they play a short movie on the walls of the museum that depicts the life cycle of a Viking ship.
I’ve been here twice and, maybe it’s just because I’m interested in Vikings, but it’s very cool to be able to see the ships up close and learn more about them.
Cost: 100NOK (about 12USD) per adult – ticket includes entry to the Historical Museum within 48 hours.
Time: 1-1.5 hours
Viking Ship Museum
Viking Ship Museum
Visit the Norsk Folkemuseum
The Norsk Folkemuseum is only a 5-minute walk from the Viking Ship Museum and worth a visit while you’re in the area.
It is a fantastic museum for learning more about Norwegian culture with a wide range of exhibits as well as an open-air museum that you can walk through to see a variety of different house structures from different time periods.
There is also a little stable with farm animals that are very cute!
Cost: 130NOK (about 15USD) per adult
Time: 1-2 hours
Norsk Folkemuseum
Norsk Folkemuseum
Other museums in the area include the Fram museum, Kon-Tiki Museum, and Holocaust Center.
Visi the Historical Museum (Historisk Museum)
Your ticket to the Viking Ship Museum includes entrance to the Historical Museum, so if you still have time in the day and aren’t all museumed out, you could head to this one.
It’s not too big so it doesn’t need a lot of time, but it is an interesting look at different time periods of history from ancient Egypt, to the Ice Age, and the Medieval times.
To get here catch the bus back towards Central Station, stop at Rådhuset then walk to the museum.
Cost: Included in your ticket to Viking Ship Museum
Time: 1 hour
Historical Museum
Visit the Royal Palace and Gardens
Finish the day with a leisurely walk through the city to the Royal Palace and through the park area that surrounds it.
Cost: Free (unless you stop for a lot of souvenirs along the way!)
Gardens next to the Royal Palace
Get a drink at the Magic Ice Bar
After dinner at the hotel, take a 3-minute walk to the Magic Ice Bar for a chilly nightcap.
Upon arrival, you will get gloves and a warm poncho to wear before you enter the bar made of ice.
Sure it’s a little gimmicky and touristy, but with the unique atmosphere, artistic ice sculptures and fun drinks, it’s actually a lot of fun.
With the basic package, you get a welcome drink served in an ice glass included and I stayed for a second drink as well (I recommend the Northern Lights cocktail) which was about as much of the cold temperature that I could handle.
Cost: 195NOK (about 23USD) for the basic package
Magic Ice Bar
Day 2 in Oslo
Take a day trip
If you wanted to stay within Oslo, you could continue museum hopping around the city or find other attractions to visit – in which case it might be worth getting a 48-hour public transportation pass on the first day.
I think it’s always good to take a day trip outside of the city as well, and, for this trip, I took a train to visit the Midgard Viking Center (Midgard Vikingsenter) in Vestfold.
For this trip, you use a different company than the local buses and trains in Oslo which is why you only get the 24-hour pass on the first day.
I took the train from Oslo Central to Tønsberg with NSB (bought the ticket at the self-service machine at the station), then a bus to Kirkebakken Borre (bought the ticket using cash when getting on the bus) and the trip took about 2 hours total.
Unfortunately, the Midgard Viking Center was closed the day I visited, but I was still able to walk through the Viking burial mounds which were surreal to see. I would definitely return to look through the Viking Center.
Viking burial mounds
Midgard Viking Center
Go for a swim and sauna
When you get back to Oslo, why not experience a swim and sauna. If you want a cold seawater swim experience, check out the Sørenga Seawater Pool where you can swim in Fjord water.
If you want more of a spa experience, visit The Well – but be aware that you can’t wear your own swimwear, you have to purchase theirs, and be ready for a lot of nudity as swimwear is optional for the pools and, in fact, not allowed in the saunas and steam rooms.
For this reason, you cannot take any photos here. I didn’t go to these spots personally, but it’s something I would add on if I went back.
Walk around the waterfront
Finish the day with a walk around the scenic waterfront area. There are a few coffee shops along the way where you can stop and get a warm drink to sip on while you walk.
Both times I have visited Oslo, I have liked to walk along the water to the Museum of Modern Art area where there are sculptures in the park, nice views, and an open water swimming area before returning to the hotel for dinner.
Cost: Free or the cost of a coffee
Other guides to help you plan a visit to Norway
Visit Nordkapp In Norway – How To Plan A Trip To The Top Of The World
Finnmark Road Trip Itinerary – How To Plan An Epic Tour Of Northern Norway
6 Places To Visit If You Love The Show Vikings (Or Vikings In General)
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