1 Day in Oslo, Norway: The Perfect 24 Hour Oslo Itinerary
Are you planning on spending 1 day in Oslo? If so, here’s the perfect itinerary for 24 hours in the Norwegian capital and everything you need to know!
Oslo was the very first city we ever visited in Norway – it was actually the first city we visited in all of Northern Europe, so it kind of started our love for the Nordics!
Andrew bought the flight tickets for me for my birthday, and we spent a long weekend in the city, exploring the museums, admiring the views, and wandering around the cobbled streets of the Old Town.
Oslo is beautiful and, for many, it’s the gateway to this Norway. Although many people skip it completely and head straight for the fjords, if you have time, we highly recommend spending at least one day in Oslo.
That won’t be enough to see everything the city has to offer, but it’ll give you a really good taste of the city and hopefully get you wanting to come back for more!
So, if you’re planning a day in Oslo, here’s how to make the most of your time!
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Oslo Must-Do’s!
Short on time? These are 4 bucket-list experiences we recommend doing in Oslo! ❤️
Our fave hotel: Karl Johan Hotel
Where to stay for 1 day in Oslo
If you only have 24 hours in Oslo, you’re realistically going to want to stay somewhere central with easy access to the city’s main attractions and walking distance to restaurants.
We love Karl Johan Hotel, a beautiful property located along Oslo’s main street.
You’ll be within easy access of local attractions and walking distance to transport links and restaurants.
Plus, the rooms are stylish and beautiful, and you’ll have access to their fitness centre and delicious buffet breakfast if you stay here.
However, if you’d prefer something a little more budget, we recommend Hotel Filip, a lovely 4* hotel located near Akery Brygge and the waterfront. There’s a sauna, fitness centre, comfy rooms, and walking distance to most attractions.
👉 For more top recommendations, check out our guide on where to stay in Oslo.
9:00 – Visit the Viking Ship Museum or the Fram Museum
Start your day in Oslo with a trip to one of the city’s best museums. If you’re interested in Norway’s ocean history, you’re going to love this.
These museums are some of the best things we did in Oslo, and we absolutely loved admiring all of the old ships.
Since you only have a day, we recommend choosing one.
The Viking Ship Museum houses incredibly well-preserved Viking ships and artefacts that date back more than a thousand years, while the Fram Museum is all about Polar exploration.
Both museums are located in the Bygdøy Peninsula, where you’ll also find several of Oslo’s other top museums.
You can stand in front of these incredible ships and see the sheer scale of Norwegian craftsmanship. Plus, it’s crazy to imagine the voyages they would have made across potentially stormy Arctic seas.
Both of these are fascinating insights into Norwegian history, and if you have more time (2 or 3 days in Oslo), we would definitely recommend seeing both.
❤️ Book tickets to the Fram Museum in advance here.
11:30 – Walk Through Vigeland Park
From there, catch the bus back to the main city and visit Vigeland Park. Also known as Frogner Park, this is one of the most unique attractions in Oslo, with hundreds of statues and artworks scattered around the park.
It’s also completely unique as it’s the world’s largest sculpture park created by a single artist. You’ll find over 200 sculptures here, all created by Gustav Vigeland.
The statues range from playful to thought-provoking, and the park itself is beautifully landscaped, with plenty of paths for wandering.
It’s free to enter, and it offers a peaceful break from the bustle of the city centre. Even if you’re not usually into art, the uniqueness of this place makes it a must-see.
12:30 – Lunch at Mathallen
For lunch, take the bus to Mathallen Food Hall.
This place is perfect if you want to try lots of different things, as it has over 30 different stalls selling everything from traditional Norwegian bites to international street food.
It’s lively, affordable, and a fun foodie experience.
TOP TIP: Alternatively, head to Fiskeriet Youngstorget if you love seafood. This casual fish bar is a local favourite, and the fish soup and fish & chips are great ways to sample Norway’s fresh catches without blowing the budget.
14:00 – Explore the Royal Palace Gardens
Next, continue walking straight, and eventually, you’ll reach Oslo’s Royal Palace. This is the official residence of the Norwegian monarch and an incredibly beautiful building both inside and out.
The gardens surrounding the palace are open to the public. These are the perfect places for a relaxing stroll, where you can admire the fountains, tree-lined paths, sculptures and the impressive palace.
15:00 – Stroll Along Karl Johans Gate
From there, take a stroll down Karl Johans Gate. This is Oslo’s main pedestrian street and is located just a short walk from the cathedral.
This vibrant street connects Oslo Central Station with the Royal Palace, and along the way, you’ll pass shops, cafés, street performers, and some of the city’s most recognisable landmarks.
It’s a great chance to soak in the atmosphere and people-watch.
Even if you don’t stop for shopping, the street itself gives you a real sense of Oslo’s blend of old and new, with historical buildings sitting right alongside modern glass architecture.
15:30 – Visit Oslo Cathedral
Located right in the heart of the city, this magnificent building is one of the most impressive landmarks in Oslo.
It’s about 13 minutes on foot from the Opera House, and you’ll pass right through the centre of the city. It dates back to the late 1600s and has held royal weddings, national ceremonies and more.
Inside, it’s pretty grand with colourful stained glass windows and intricate wooden carvings, plus the striking ceiling murals are just incredible.
Even if you only spend 10-15 minutes here, it’s worth visiting to see a piece of Oslo’s cultural heritage. Since it’s right near Karl Johans Gate, it’s an easy addition to your day in the city.
16:30 – Visit the Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is arguably the most popular attraction in the city and is well worth ticking off your Norway Bucket List.
It’s one of the city’s most photographed spots, and it’s quite easy to see why, as it really is a unique building. It was originally designed to resemble an iceberg rising from the water.
One of the best parts of this is that it’s completely free to visit, and you can walk across the sloping roof of the building to enjoy 360-degree views over the surrounding city and the Oslo Fjord.
TOP TIP: This is also one of the best places in Oslo to watch the sunset.
18:00 – Dinner at Aker Brygge
For dinner, head down to Aker Brygge. This is one of the most vibrant areas in Oslo with charming waterfront cafes and restaurants, and outdoor terraces.
You’ll find a lot of fresh seafood here, along with international restaurants serving things like pizza and asian cuisine.
A few of our favourite spots include:
- Louise Restaurant & Bar – A local favourite serving Norwegian seafood and meat dishes with waterfront views. Their fish soup is especially popular.
- Rorbua Aker Brygge – Traditional, hearty Norwegian fare like reindeer, elk, and stockfish. Great if you want to try something truly local.
- Delicatessen Aker Brygge – A relaxed tapas restaurant with a Scandinavian twist. Perfect if you want a lighter lunch or to share plates.
- Døgnvill Burger – If you’re in the mood for something more casual, this burger joint is one of the best in Oslo, with craft beers and a lively vibe.
- Eataly Ristorante – A solid Italian choice with pizzas, risottos, and pasta. A bit touristy, but affordable and delicious.
20:30 – Watch the Sunset from Ekebergparken
Wrap up your day with sunset views. One of the best spots is Ekebergparken, a hilltop park that offers sweeping views of the city and fjord below.
It’ll take about 25 minutes by bus to get up here, but the views are worth it as you’ll be treated to panoramic views over Oslo, the fjords, and the surrounding countryside.
It’s especially magical in the evening when the city lights begin to twinkle.
However, if you prefer something more relaxed and don’t fancy heading up there, you could simply walk along the waterfront by the fjord for a peaceful end to your day.
Is 1 day in Oslo worth it?
Yes, we absolutely loved our time in Oslo and think it’s such a charming city. It’s definitely underrated, and there’s so much history that you could easily spend several days here.
For our first visit, we stayed in Oslo for 3 days for a long weekend city break.
With the striking modern architecture of the Opera House, the ancient Viking ships, the peaceful palace gardens, and lively waterfront restaurants, Oslo manages to pack a lot into a small area.
However, if you only have 1 day in Oslo – perhaps you’re on a layover, or only stopping briefly in Oslo as part of a wider Norway itinerary – you can experience a surprising amount of what the city has to offer.
We hope this itinerary has given you plenty of inspiration on how to spend your time. It’s the perfect teaser if you’re planning a longer trip through Norway and will likely leave you wanting more – that’s exactly what happened to us!
👉 Still need somewhere to stay? Check out our favourite hotels in Oslo!
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