We flew up to Oslo, the gorgeous Scandinavian capital of Norway - my 60th country visited - before we ventured even further north above the Arctic Circle to Tromsø and Sommarøy. Somehow, we had managed to time the trip to Oslo with the gorgeous end of the vibrant colours of autumn and the first snowfall of the winter season.
It was our first time in Norway, and so we began our trip through this magical Nordic country with a few days in Oslo. Oslo is located in southern Norway, on the coast of the North Sea, nearby neighbouring Sweden. Oslo is a wonderful destination year-round, with the heat of summer making this coastal spot a cool delight and a great starting point for hiking, while in winter, coziness descends on the city, with kanelboller and floating saunas to entice visitors to the cool Scandivanian air.
How to Get to Oslo
We flew to Oslo with Lufthansa, direct from Munich. From Oslo, we flew with Norwegian up above the Arctic Circle to Tromsø. Oslo is well-connected to nearby Stockholm by high-speed train (five hours) or by car (six and a half hours).
From Oslo Airport to Oslo Central, the R10/R11 Regional and L12 Local Trains run more than 50 times a day, every ten to twenty minutes between 6:00am and midnight. Ticket prices come in at about half the price of the touristy Flytoget train - avoid that one and just get on the normal commuter train!
Once in Oslo, we walked everywhere, but there are also local trams, buses and metros for faster travel across longer distances, if you wish.
Flying out of Munich
Flying into Oslo
Where to Stay in Oslo
While in Oslo for our autumnal-wintery weekend, we booked into the adorable Oslo Guldsmeden Boutique Hotel in a fantastic location in close walking distance to Oslo Havn and Oslofjord. The hotel was beautifully decorated in a cozy Scandinavian style, the bedding was lush, and the free bottomless tea and coffee was a perk (breakfast was not included, and so we opted for a daily kanelboller for breakfast instead).
Our bedroom
The nearby trendy neighbourhood of Tjuvholmen
What to Eat in Oslo
Apparently, according to a local friend of mine, "the singular most important thing to do on an October weekend in Oslo, is going for a cinnamon bun." So, we beelined it to the first bakeri we could find... and then made sure to stop at every other bakery we could find to ensure we sampled the best kanelboller Oslo has to offer.
Best Things to Do in Oslo
1. Go on a cruise of Oslofjord
We figured the perfect way to get acquainted with the city, spotting all the highlights, and photographing the exquisite fall colours was to board a 1917 Nordic sailboat for a cruise through the Oslofjord. There are plenty of tour companies offering a cruise from Oslo Harbour out into the fjord.
Check out my detailed guide to booking your own Oslofjord cruise here!
2. Visit a floating sauna
I reached out to a friend of mine based in Oslo and asked for some local tips on the best things to do during a weekend here. Many things were recommended but something he really encouraged during these cooler autumnal days was to make our way down to the harbour and find a floating sauna. Not only as these saunas beautiful, and not only are they floating on the harbour, but the best thing about them is that after you've roasted yourself in 90° wood-stove-fueled heat, you pad your way across the dock and dunk yourself for as long as possible in the icy cold waters of Oslofjord! Because that's what the Norwegians do, and you must do as they do when in Norway, of course.
Check out my detailed guide to visiting an Oslo floating sauna here!
3. Walk around the trendy Tjuvholmen neighbourhood
Spot bougie apartment buildings, sample the delicious bakeris and enjoy the little canal views.
4. Wander along the Oslohavn waterfront
You'll spot plenty of Oslo's famous floating saunas, the Akershus Fortress, the Oslofjord and lively restaurants along the way.
5. Visit the Akershus Fortress
Opened in 1300, this iconic medieval castle sits proudly on Olsohavn overlooking Oslofjord and has been the home of royalty and political seats throughout history.
6. Wander the streets of downtown Oslo
Quite honestly, one of our favourite things was just wandering the idyllic Nordic streets, complete with early Christmas lights and the last beautiful colours of autumn.
7. Climb the roof of the Oslo Opera House
Opened in 2007, the Oslo Opera House (Operahuset) is home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. It's one of the most well-known buildings in the city, and its angled roof welcomes visitors (be careful when it's snowy or rainy!) to climb up to the very top of the building for some of the best panoramic views of all of Oslo.
8. Spot the colorful wooden houses of Damstredet and Telthusbakken
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Hi! I’m Jana, a Dutch-German-British-Canadian with a dream of seeing every country in the world. I am a storyteller, photographer and adventurer passionate about documenting and sharing my travels.
