5 Ways to Enjoy Oslo Like a True Local
One of our Norwegian Destination Specialists grew up in Oslo and knows the city the way only a local can. Here are the five places she returns to again and again, from a quiet lake walk in the forest to the waterfront streets where the city really comes alive.
Going to Norway's capital Oslo as part of your Norway tour and have your CityPass organised? Take advantage of the easy and well-built public transport system to experience the sights just like a true local:
1. Hike around Lake Sognsvann
Growing up in Oslo myself, Lake Sognsvann was the destination for annual school sports days, end-of-year BBQs and hikes. And no wonder. The magnificent beauty of Oslo lies in its close proximity to nature. The lush forest surrounding the capital is lovingly referred to as 'Marka' (the 'Field') by the locals who make the most of it rain, hail or shine.
How to get there: Lake Sognsvann is easily accessible by catching the northbound 'Number 5 Sognsvann' T-bane (metro) from the city. Ride it to the final stop, get off and follow the path down to the walking trail that goes around the lake. The hike is a scenic and easy 3.3 km. In summer, locals bring their bathers for a dip in the refreshing water, or simply wade in the shallows. Refreshments are available at the kiosk by the lake during summer.
2. Enjoy a picnic in the Vigeland Sculpture Park
Most tourists visiting Oslo schedule a visit to the famous and spectacular Vigeland Sculpture Park. This gorgeous park has to be seen to be believed: locals love and use it frequently, and for good reason. I highly recommend you take the trip and stroll around the park in your own time if your Oslo itinerary allows for it. While a guided tour is interesting and gives you the story behind sculptor Gustav Vigeland's vision, this park is best enjoyed slowly. There are many areas, gardens, sculptures and fountains to explore. Have your pick from the many steps and benches, sit down and take in the view. We always stop by a nearby supermarket or bakery for provisions to enjoy in the park.
Travelling with kids? They'll love the enormous adventure playground located near the main gates inside the park.
How to get there: Tram 12 or bus 20 stop right in front of the main gates. You can catch either from the city centre.
3. Take a stroll along Aker Brygge, Tjuvholmen and Akershus Festning (Medieval Fort)
Aker Brygge is where the action is during the spring and summer months in Norway's capital. The shopping centre along the inner part of the Oslo Fjord is buzzing with life from morning through to the small hours: it's the place to see and be seen. Aker Brygge is much more than just another shopping strip; it offers bars, cafés, restaurants, speciality shops, an upmarket supermarket, and a fantastic opportunity to spend a few hours people-watching by the pier. If fjord-watching is more your thing, Aker Brygge has you covered: it's a lovely spot to sit and watch boats, ferries and cruise ships pass by.
Continue to walk along the pier to the very end, cross the narrow walking bridge, and you will find yourself in the newly constructed borough called Tjuvholmen (translates to 'The Thief Islet'). Home to art installations, sculptures, world-class restaurants, the trendy Thief Hotel, coffee, the acclaimed Astrup Fearnley Museum and its very own inner-city sea baths (bring bathers and a towel), the current version of Tjuvholmen is a far cry from the shipping container dock we used to walk past in the early 90s.
You can't miss the striking medieval fort Akershus Festning directly across the fjord from Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen. The stone castle was built in the late 13th century and is located at what was once the edge of Old Town Oslo. Walking around the castle grounds is relaxing, if steep at times. The magnificent view over the harbour is well worth the hills.
How to get there: Several buses and trams will take you to the square called Vestbaneplassen in front of Oslo Town Hall, which marks the start of Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen to your right, and Akershus Fort to your left (if you face the fjord). It is also a very short walk from the Nationaltheatret railway, subway and tram stops.
4. Visit the beaches on the Bygdoy Peninsula
You probably don't associate Oslo with beaches, and neither do I, but let's embrace the concept: we Oslo locals flock to the Bygdøy Peninsula during the summer school holidays or on any sunny day for that matter. It's a gorgeous area west of the city. The peninsula is also home to some of Oslo's finest museums, including the Kon-Tiki Museum, the Fram Museum and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History.
Note that the Viking Ship Museum is currently closed for a major rebuild and will reopen in 2027 as the Museum of the Viking Age. In the meantime, Viking Age artefacts can be seen at the Historical Museum in central Oslo.
Museums aside, Bygdøy offers cliffs, rocks, small sandy beaches, volleyball courts, forest, walking tracks and plenty of lush grass where we can embrace nature and those unpredictable warm summer days. The two beaches are called Huk and Paradisbukta (Paradise Bay). Bring a rug and good company and make the most of the long, light summer evenings. It's hard to find a lovelier spot to enjoy our capital.
How to get there: Catch the number 30 bus from the city and get off at the very last stop (it's a large car park). There are clearly marked signs to both Huk and Paradisbukta.
5. Walk from The Majorstua Building to Oslo Central Station
While Oslo is the biggest city in Norway, it is still small in comparison to most capital cities worldwide, and small does not mean boring. Oslo offers amazing shopping and sights, especially if you decide to tackle the city centre on foot. Start your inner-city walk from the main hub of the inner west, The Majorstua Building (also a major T-bane stop). It marks the very beginning of Bogstadveien, the main shopping strip of the inner west.
Full of shops with the latest in local design, fashion and homewares, it offers something for everyone. Follow the road until it changes to Hegdehaugsveien, a street known for its bustling cafés, restaurants and nightlife. When you reach the very end of Hegdehaugsveien you will find yourself across the road from the Royal Palace and its surrounding gardens. Walk the path through the relaxing castle grounds, watch the National Guards on duty, and look ahead past the statue of Karl Johan: Oslo's car-free main street, Karl Johans Gate, lies ahead of you.
The main street continues all the way down towards the east of the city, ending in front of Oslo Central Station. While the street and its side streets are always buzzing with life, it's particularly busy in summer, when people flock outside to catch up over cold drinks under the trees in the many cafés, pubs and restaurants.
Christmas/ Winter bring a different kind of charm. The large water feature outside the Paleet Shopping Centre turns into an ice-skating rink from November through to March, free to use with skates available to hire at the venue. Karl Johans Gate dressed in seasonal lights against the darkness of the short Nordic days is a sight worth coming for on its own.
How to get there: Depending on the location of your accommodation, you can either walk to The Majorstua Building and head south towards Oslo Central Station, or flip it around and start south, walking towards Majorstua instead. Both starting points are centrally located and easy to reach.