One Day in Oslo: Where to Go, Eat and Stay

Oslo is one of those cities that’s easy to underestimate, and impossible not to like. Wedged between fjords and forests, Norway’s capital is compact, easy to get around, and perfect for anyone looking for both city and nature at the same time. If you’re arriving a day early or staying on after your trip, you’re in luck. One day here is enough to scratch the surface, and the surface is well worth scratching.

Our hosts know Oslo well. Here’s what they suggest.

The Well Spa

Around 20 minutes outside the city, tucked into the forest at Kolbotn, The Well Spa is exactly what it sounds like. Eleven pools, 15 saunas and steam rooms, a Japanese bathhouse, a Turkish Hammam, a Moroccan Rhassoul, and an outdoor sculpture park for good measure. Swimwear is not worn in the saunas and steam baths, it’s Scandinavia, they’re relaxed about these things, but check the website for more details. It’s a solid option if you want to do absolutely nothing strenuous before or after a week of doing lots of strenuous things.

Saunas on the Harbour

Saunas aren’t a wellness trend here, they’re just life. The tradition pairs a hot sauna with a cold plunge into the fjord, and yes, it’s as invigorating as it sounds. SALT is a good shout: saunas, art, live music, and a buzzy social atmosphere right on the waterfront. KOK does floating saunas you can rent for yourself or a small group, with Bluetooth speakers for your playlist. The plunge is optional, but honestly, you’ll want to try it. It’s easier than you think once you’re in.

Walks and Views

The best way to get a feel for Oslo is on foot. Wander the harbour at dusk, get lost in the neighbourhoods away from the tourist drag, and take in a view that’ll stick with you. If you want a bit more context with your wanderings, GuruWalk runs pay-what-you-want guided tours. They’re a great way to get under the skin of a city you only have a few hours in.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump

Jump on the T-Bane and head up to Holmenkollen. The views over the city and surrounding landscape are genuinely worth the trip, and the Ski Museum gives a solid bit of context on Norway’s relationship with snow (spoiler: it runs deep). There’s also a zipline if you fancy it. The T-Bane makes it easy to reach, with no faff and no car required.

The MUNCH Museum

13 floors and 11 gallery spaces dedicated to Edvard Munch, including The Scream, makes MUNCH worth more than a meander. The building, the Lambda, is striking on its own, with a transparent façade and sweeping views over Oslo and the fjord. Even if you’re not a huge art person, it’s hard not to be impressed.

Vigeland Park

Free, open year-round, and unlike anything else in the city. Over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland fill a beautifully designed park, with the layout planned by the artist himself. From the famously grumpy Little Hot-Head to the towering Monolith, the works are raw, expressive, and a bit odd in the best possible way. Pack a snack and take your time.

Smalhans Restaurant

In the St. Hanshaugen neighbourhood, Smalhans is a laid back eatery that you’ll want on your itinerary. Set up by three friends, one of them a Bocuse d’Or silver medallist, it’s a neighbourhood restaurant in the best sense: no fuss, no stuffiness and great food made with fresh, local ingredients. The menu changes weekly.

Oslo Harbour Cruise

A lap of the harbour by boat is a good call if you want to see the city from a different angle. You’ll pass the Opera House, Akershus Fortress, Tjuvholmen, and out towards the islands and Bygdøy peninsula. In winter, the light on the water is something else. Pack a layer as it gets cold on the water and definitely bring your camera.

Behind-the-Scenes Tour of the Oslo Opera House

The Opera House is worth seeing from the outside alone. Designed by Snøhetta, the roofline slopes right down to the waterline and you can walk straight up it. The guided tour, however, is something else. You’ll go backstage, see the stage technology, and hear the stories behind the building and the performances.

Book in advance at operaen.no.

Getting Into the City from the Airport

Oslo Gardermoen (OSL) is 50km northeast of the centre. Here’s what you need to know:

Flytoget Express Train: 19 minutes to Oslo Central Station. Trains every 10 minutes. Fast, easy, but more pricey than the local trains. Tickets via the app or at the station.

Vy Public Train: Around 25 minutes, trains every 30 minutes. Cheaper than the Flytoget and barely slower. Tickets via the Vy app or at the station.

Flybussen Express Bus: 45–60 minutes depending on traffic. Affordable and drops you at multiple central stops.

Taxi: Around 40 minutes to the centre. Fixed price agreed upfront and there’s an information desk in arrivals.

Once you’re at Oslo Central Station there’s free WiFi, charging points, and 24/7 luggage storage (around 50 NOK per day).

Where to Stay

If you’re stopping over for a night, it’s worth checking in with the WhatsApp group to see if anyone else has the same plans as plenty of guests share apartments or rooms to keep costs down.

Here’s a few options across the budget range:

Citybox Oslo (from around £90/night): Clean, central, self-service check-in, no unnecessary extras. Books up fast, so sort it early.

Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz (from around £120/night): Well-located mid-range option a short walk from the main boulevard and most key sights. Colourful rooms, good gym, strong reviews, and better value than most central options at this price.

Amerikalinjen (from around £230/night): Set in the former headquarters of the Norwegian America Line, this boutique hotel has real character. A short walk from the Opera House, with a cocktail bar inspired by the ships that once crossed between Oslo and New York. Worth every krone.

Sommerro (from around £160/night): Oslo’s most talked-about hotel right now. An Art Deco building in the Frogner neighbourhood, beautifully restored, with seven bars and restaurants, a rooftop pool and sauna. Surprisingly good value given what’s on offer.

Whether you’re arriving ahead of a cross-country ski and yoga weekend, a horse-riding holiday, or a hiking and yoga adventure, Oslo is a solid way to start or end things. One day is enough to make it worthwhile.