2 Days in Oslo, Norway: Things To Do, Where To Stay, Food To Try

Ideally, when you select a destination to visit, you’d like to stay a while. However, when you find yourself in a position to spend 48 hours in a city, you should embrace the opportunity.

The capital city of Oslo, Norway, is one of those 48-hour cities where you can experience a great deal in a short period. Like any short getaway, you’ll want to be strategic and do your homework to make the most of your time.

Fortunately, we’ve done some of the work for you and have ideas to share.

Whether your short visit is a weekend getaway, a long layover, or the result of a trip disruption, here are ways to make your visit memorable.

First Things First

To maximize your time in Oslo, choose a central hotel and consider purchasing an Oslo Pass for convenient transportation and access to various sightseeing activities.

Selecting Convenient Lodging Using Hotel Loyalty Points

Find lodging that is conveniently located to ensure you can maximize your time in the city. Fortunately, there will be many hotels available for booking using hotel loyalty points.

The Oslo Central Train Station will likely be your arrival point, as it is conveniently accessible from Oslo Airport (OSL).

While Marriott, Hyatt, Hilton, and IHG do not have properties in the Oslo city center, Choice Hotels is a viable option in Oslo. There are more than 2 dozen Choice hotels, many of which are within walking distance of the station.

These central hotels all offer complimentary breakfast, and you can book them starting at 15,000 Choice Privileges points per night.

• Amerikalinjen, an Ascend Collection Hotel (reviewed here)
• Comfort Hotel Boersparken
• Comfort Hotel Grand Central
• Clarion Hotel The Hub
• Hobo Oslo, an Ascend Collection Hotel
• The Home Hotel Bastion
• Home Hotel Folketeateret

Hot Tip:

Choice Privileges points are easy to accumulate. Citi ThankYou Points earned on the Citi Strata Elite℠ Card and Citi Strata Premier℠ Card transfer at the rate of 1 ThankYou Point to 1.5 Choice Privileges points. Wells Fargo Rewards points earned on the Wells Fargo Autograph℠ Card and Wells Fargo Autograph Journey℠ Card also transfer at the rate of 1 Wells Fargo Rewards point to 2 Choice Privileges points. American Express Membership Rewards points and Capital One miles transfer at a 1:1 ratio.

Purchasing an Oslo Pass

On arrival at Oslo Airport Gardemoen, you can purchase the Oslo Pass at the visitor center in the arrivals area. You’ll want to buy it at the airport (or ahead of your trip via the app) because traveling on the Vy trains to the city (approximately $11 each way) is included.

The pass includes entrance to several museums, discounts, and free public transportation throughout the city and the surrounding area. Note that Oslo is very walkable, but with limited time, the pass might be worthwhile.

Typical museum entrance fees range from $12 to $22 each. A ferry to a neighboring island costs approximately $16 round-trip, and a bus ticket costs around $5. The 48-hour adult Oslo Pass costs around $80.

Hot Tip:

When traveling abroad, it’s essential to use a travel rewards card that does not charge foreign transaction fees. The Platinum Card^® from American Express (rates & fees), the Chase Sapphire Reserve^®, and the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card all have no foreign transaction fees and provide valuable travel protections and benefits.

Things To Do: Day 1

You’ll likely arrive early in the morning and perhaps be tired from your journey. No worries! You can still fill the first day with enjoyable, low-key activities that still allow you to appreciate the city.

Morning Activities

• Stop by the visitors center: Before you head out to explore, be sure to stop by the visitors center in the central station. You can get help building a customized itinerary, purchase tickets, learn about the Oslo Pass, and find out everything there is to do in Oslo.
• Walk the Oslo Opera House: The roof of the opera house offers a stunning view of the city and is a must-do experience (and it’s free!). You can also pay to tour the opera house if you’re up for it.
• Ride the hop-on, hop-off bus: If you didn’t purchase the Oslo Pass, a 48-hour hop-on, hop-off bus pass could be an alternative means of transportation as it stops at 13 of the top sites in Oslo. On your first day, you can ride the bus along the route, then revisit the sites you’re interested in on the second day when you’re more refreshed.

Afternoon Activities

• Take a sauna: It’s a Norwegian tradition that might revitalize you after a long trip. Try the popular Salt Art & Music venue on the waterfront or one of the available sauna facilities, as there are many.
• Go island-hopping: Taking the ferry is a relaxing way to travel from island to island. Ferries leave from Aker Brygge in central Oslo and connect to Hovedøya, Lindøya, Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Gressholmen, and Langøyene. Tickets are included in the Oslo Pass but can also be purchased separately for around $6 to $8 each.
• View the city from the Holmenkollen ski jump: Make your way to the ski jump via the metro train line No. 1 (T-bane) to the Holmenkollen station and walk about 10 minutes uphill to the site. It’s an incredible structure, and the view is stunning. There is also a ski museum.
• Visit the Royal Palace Park: Take a relaxing stroll through the Royal Palace Park and Queens Park to the south. The parks surrounding the Royal Palace are filled with sculptures, ponds, and lush forests. If you’re up to it, consider a tour of the palace.

Evening Activities

Here are some ideas for a chill first evening in Oslo:

• Splurge on a signature cocktail: Wind up your day with a decadent cocktail at Svanen. The historic setting and specialty drinks make the venue one of the world’s top 50 bars.
• Go on a harbor cruise: Getting out on the water, watching the sunset, and simply relaxing is a nice way to wind up the day.
• Listen to acoustic music: Fuglen is a popular midcentury coffee shop with cocktails and easy-listening music in the evening. Last call for espresso is 7 p.m.

Things To Do: Day 2

Now that you’re well-rested, your day can include more high-energy activities. There is so much to see and do today that you’ll want to get an early start.

Morning Activities

• A second cup of coffee: If your first cup of hotel coffee didn’t fully wake you, try a cup at Kuro Oslo (Rathkes gate 9C, 0558). Its coffee and pastries get rave reviews. For more ideas on the best places to have coffee near the central station, visit Oslo’s tourism site.
• Make a plan: These 10,000-step walking routes ensure you’ll see the city highlights in a short period.

Afternoon Activities

It’s time for the museums, and Oslo offers a diverse selection. Here are some of the most popular:

• Norsk Folkemuseum: Visit this outdoor museum where you can step back in time.
• Kon-Tiki Museum: Relive the most extraordinary sea adventure of all time. It’s perfect for the kids.

• Fram Museum: Explore the Fram ship and learn about polar exploration.
• National Museum: View artist Edvard Munch’s “The Scream” and an extensive collection of art from both modern times and the past.
• Akershus Fortress and Castle: Discover Oslo’s rich history.

• National History Museum: Yes, there are dinosaurs, a botanical garden, and much more.
• The Royal Palace: It’s worth a tour, but it is only open in the summer.
• The Viking Ship Museum: View original Viking ships and check on the progress of a full-size reproduction.
• Norwegian Maritime Museum: Learn about Norway’s nautical past.
• Munch Museum: There are 8 versions of Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” There is always at least 1 displayed here, plus 13 floors of exhibits.

Also consider the Oslo Cathedral and Oslo City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place.

Evening Activities

It’s your last evening in Oslo, so let’s make it a memorable one.

• A harbor dinner cruise: If you’re only in Oslo for 2 nights, why not splurge on a 3-course dinner cruise? Seeing Oslo from the water and enjoying a locally sourced meal is a lovely way to spend a few hours.
• Nighttime entertainment: To discover concerts, musical events, and performances happening in Oslo, download the Broadcast app. Alternatively, purchase tickets for an English-language performance and walk over to Latter, Oslo’s largest comedy club. You can also check the What’s On calendar for current events.
• Beer, fun, and games: For the best of these, visit Tilt, an adult arcade, pinball, and shuffleboard bar. Accompanied minors can play until 5 p.m., but it’s adults-only after that.
• Another sauna and more: Consider hanging out at Salt, where you can enjoy live entertainment, grab a bite to eat and a drink, and indulge in another sauna experience. A nice post-sauna walk along the harbor would be a great way to end the evening.

Where To Eat

You can save money by eating a quality breakfast at your hotel, which is included in most nightly rates. If you’ve chosen a Choice hotel that provides an evening meal, like the Home Hotel Bastion, for example, you could eat there the first night and dine out the second night.

Here are some places to try:

• Fiskeriet Youngstorget: Try the fish and chips and fresh seafood.
• Oslo Street Food: All types of food are under 1 hip roof.
• The Salmon: There is great food and reasonable prices. It gets rave reviews.
• Vaaghals: For Michelin-quality cuisine at a great price, try brunch or a late lunch or splurge on dinner.

During your stay, try to experience afternoon kaffepause, a time to take a break, grab a cup of coffee or tea, and partake in something sweet. Like the Swedish fika tradition, it’s an opportunity to connect and relax.

Final Thoughts

The visit goes quickly when you only have 48 hours, but you can always return to experience the things you missed.

Oslo is an excellent base for exploring other cities in Norway and neighboring countries. This ferry trip from Oslo to Copenhagen, Denmark, is an example, a visit to Tromsø, Norway, or a stop at the coastal town of Ålesund, Norway. And, as always, it’s easier to travel when you can use points and miles.

For more information on things to do in Oslo, check out the city’s tourism site.