What could be better just a few days before Christmas than leaving gloomy and very rainy weather to rediscover the spirit of the Scandinavian holidays during a long weekend in Oslo?
Here are the spots not to be missed but also ideas for walks and my favorites off the beaten track.
Oslo's must-sees
Oslo city center is relatively small for a capital city. However, it concentrates a good number of centers of interest to visit during a 2/3 day weekend. It's easy to walk around and honestly it feels really safe.
Another advantage of this city: It is one of the cleanest I have visited!
The opera
It is a building with very modern architecture on the banks of the fjord. We have a lovely view of the city from the white marble canvas terraces accessible on foot.
On the other hand, be careful, in winter it becomes a real ice rink... on a slope! Do not hesitate to use the access ramps. My tailbone still remembers my recklessness 
!
From there, take a look behind the opera house at Sørenga . It is a new district reclaimed from the sea. It is located around the brand new Munch museum.
The buildings in this modern district have access….by kayak on the fjord!
On this side, the water was frozen. We watched, taken aback, as the Norwegians took a quick bath… while we were next door wrapped up in our down jackets with gloves and hats. Contrasts in temperature and culture guaranteed!
There are also pretty clothing shops, bars and restaurants on the ground floors of the buildings in this area.
Karl Johans Street
It is the main shopping street which joins the royal palace from the station. You will find a large number of shops there (sports, souvenirs, clothing). Try Cubus . It's a brand that you won't find in France for modern, typically Scandinavian fashion at prices equivalent to chains like Zara.
In terms of 'on the go' food, don't miss the food truck : thin flower-shaped waffles filled with sweet or savory fillings (personally, I found the one with salmon and cream cheese excellent).
Spikersuppa Square
Christmas market throughout December The pool which transforms into an ice rink from December to April is found in the center of the market. But you may be disappointed if you plan to take advantage of it. They don't rent skates here. It's ultimately relatively normal. Every Norwegian has a pair of ice skates!
There is also a carousel and a Ferris wheel for young and old in this market.
craft stalls . You can bring back gloves, socks, hats…
When it comes to food, the choice is also important: burgers, raclettes, pancakes, cheeses, salmon, pralines, candy apples, etc.
A Christmas market without mulled wine ? Impossible ! I love glögg decorated with raisins and pieces of flaked almond. On the other hand, in Norway, the sale and use of alcohol are highly regulated. Thus, in the center of the market is the area reserved for consumers of alcoholic beverages. And they're not kidding about that! A smiling elf is stationed at the entrance to this area and will not let you leave until your drink is finished!
This is the ideal place to take a short break on one of the benches arranged around the large wood fires. The reindeer Alfred and Rodolphe (pretty puppets) enliven this space with Christmas carols.
A little kitsch? Not even! I would rather say that it is a magical atmosphere for those who have retained a little of their childish soul.
Vigeland Park
A little out of the way, this park northwest of Oslo houses a magnificent collection of more than 200 statues by sculptor Gustav Vigeland (Norwegian artist from the beginning of the 20th century). These statues all represent nudes at different ages of life.
Scattered throughout the park, the visit offers the opportunity for a beautiful stroll in this wooded garden.
Be careful if you come here in winter, wear good shoes! As in most green spaces in the capital, the snow quickly transforms into a thick layer of ice which does not always make walking easy.
To get there, the easiest way is to take bus 12 (25 minutes from the central station stop).
On foot, it is also possible but you will take almost 1 hour and will pass through areas that are not necessarily the prettiest in the capital.
The pedestrian docks of Aker Brygge
This is the opportunity for a lovely stroll on the quays along the fjord. On the sea side, in the winter season you can observe the osloborgers (city residents) enjoying the benefits of a sauna in the small wooden cabins placed along the quay. They frequently end with a very refreshing bath in the waters of the fjord.
If you prefer to enjoy a shopping session, the large and elegant shopping center located on the same quay awaits you.
Then you can continue to the end of the quay ( Tjuvholmen ). We have a very beautiful view of the fjord and you can walk in the park with some statues and a small beach.
Akershus Citadel
This medieval fortress, built high up on the edge of the fjord, dates from the 13th century. You can walk for free on the paved paths between the different buildings forming the citadel. Don't miss the breathtaking view of the quays and the fjord from the ramparts.
It is also possible to visit the interior of the castle but access is subject to a fee.
A little further outside the city center
As soon as you walk a little further from the city center, you quickly find yourself in very quiet neighborhoods where nature is omnipresent.
Ekebergparken
2km from the city center, you can gain height and have a magnificent view of Oslo.
In the setting sun it is truly magnificent!
It is a little more difficult, however, to observe the fjord because we are quickly hampered by the numerous trees, but by continuing up the hill (near the sports field) we find a clear photo spot.
The park is dotted with sculptures which give another dimension to the visit. You may come across a garland of white underwear in the pine branches, a marble angel with visible muscles and organs, a hiker larger than life except for her imposing size, a multicolored bird-woman... and many more other works.
Access from the city center is possible on foot although the route which runs along the railway tracks or a main avenue is not the most pleasant.
Otherwise trams 13 or 19 drop you off at the bottom of the hill in 10 minutes. It will just take a little courage to climb to the top.
Akerselva
Starting from the city center, behind the station, you reach the Akerselva river Its edges are landscaped for kilometers to allow a beautiful walk in nature. All along the route, we encountered ducks, swans and seagulls as well as some pretty waterfalls . They were totally frozen! However, it was not very cold (2/3 degrees) but a few days before the temperatures had dropped below -10 forming these magical landscapes.
You should also plan stops to visit the surrounding neighborhoods, some of which are really worth the detour.
Grünerløkka : This is a former working-class neighborhood whose red brick factories have been renovated and converted. Bohemian atmosphere, street art , waterfront cafes: I found a lot of charm there and a calm and soothing atmosphere.
We stopped to warm up. Yes, even though it's very mild weather for a winter day in Oslo, it's a little more complicated for us. The Mathallen food court is the perfect place for a warm snack!
The much-photographed streets of Telthusbakken and Damstredet are only a few minutes' walk from the river. It's true that they are very pretty with their very typical old and charming colorful wooden houses... but it remains a restricted area where you come across a lot of tourists looking for the perfect Instagram photo!
In conclusion, if you have a little time and want to get away from the city center and take a breath of fresh air in magnificent rural landscapes, this walk is for you!
Even further from the city center
By moving a little further away, walks or sporting activities in the great outdoors are possible.
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Oslo's ski resort, Skimore Oslo , is just 30 minutes from the city center.
We took the metro early in the morning (line 1 to Voksenkollen station). It's very surprising to see in a train both people going to work and others going skiing with all their equipment!
The resort still has around fifteen alpine ski slopes in a beautiful mountain setting with a multitude of fir trees.
package: €42 (December 2023)
Holmenkollbakken Ski Museum
When returning by metro to Oslo, be sure to stop at Holmenkollen station for a quick visit to the Holmenkollbakken Ski Museum . What impressed us the most was the climb to the top of one of the oldest ski jumps in the world. It was used for the 1952 Olympics.
From up there you have a panoramic view of the entire city and a feeling of dizziness when imagining the athletes using the ramp.
Sognvann lake
If you prefer cross-country skiing, walking or don't visit Oslo during the winter, another alternative is to go to Sognvann Lake.
We were charmed by this place: a large lake surrounded by hills, fir trees and surrounded by cross-country ski trails, hiking trails, mountain bike trails... and a huge natural ice skating trail traced on the lake!
This Sunday morning we encountered quite a few people on land,… or on the ice 😉 but the atmosphere remained extremely peaceful.
The big kid in me loved walking on the ice in the center of the lake, just like in the movies! We shared the track with children, real sporty skaters, a couple on skates pushing a pram!
Atypical images for us: A family was preparing a barbecue on the edge of the lake. A young woman in a swimsuit jumped into a hole in the ice... to take a quick bath!
Access in 25 minutes by metro T5 near the central station
Lake tour: approximately 5 km
What we didn't have time to do
– Visit the new and very stylish Munch museum built on the edge of the fjord. (you can admire the famous painting: 'The Scream')
– A cruise on the fjord (from €35 and much more if you choose the dinner cruise option): The very overcast weather during our stay did not really lend itself to this.
– The Norwegian folk museum on the Bygdøy peninsula and the reconstruction of a typical village with these pretty wooden houses. It's very fun to do with children.
In practice
Transport in Oslo
Be careful, even if you take a non-low cost airline, if you don't pay attention, you risk landing at Oslo trf airport in Sandefjord , 110km from the capital!
And if like us you are unlucky enough to fall on a day when the trains are canceled due to technical problems….it will cost you €250 in a taxi!
Enough to finally lighten your wallet at the end of your Norwegian stay!
The REAL airport is Oslo Gardermoen
In this case, an express train takes you in 20 minutes to the central station for…€
The Ruter is Oslo's transport app. It allows you to buy a ticket directly on your smartphone and scan it when boarding the bus, tram, metro or boat. It's quick and convenient.
€4 for a metro/bus ticket valid for 1 hour or 1 day package: €12
Where to sleep in Oslo
Choose accommodation near the station: you are right in the city center.
This location is also perfect if you want to hike or ski in the surrounding area as all metros and buses are nearby.
We stayed in an Airbnb : comfortable apartment between the central station and the opera. (Contact me if you want the address)
Where to eat in Oslo
cafe cathedral restaurant and food truck : 9 and 13 NOK waffles
mathallen food hall : This is a good place for a quick bite to eat. This riverside market is home to a large number of food stalls from Norway but also from all over Europe. The choice is vast: bowl, hamburgers, dim sum, pad thai, pastries, tacos, tapas, crepes….
It's also a nice place for a drink in one of the 3 bars.
Shopping in OSLO
Do your shopping : kiwi or rema1000
What to bring back ? :
Smoked salmon
Clothing for cold weather (much more choice than in France and oddly enough at prices that are often more affordable. There are quite a few sports shops in the center. Try xxl for example)
Change: use the Revolut app. You will not have any exchange fees (if you remember to do your currency conversions outside the weekend!)
1nok = 11.3 eur in December 2023.
