Weekday activities in Oslo

Get outdoors in Oslo

Hiking, or to ‘gå på tur' which translates to ‘go for a walk', is an all-time Norwegian favourite regardless of the weather. In fact, Norwegians even have a saying that there is no such thing as bad weather – there is only bad clothing. Come rain or shine, weekend or after work; you will be able to spot a Norwegian in the forest areas taking a walk. If they are short on time, most will settle for a stroll in a nearby park.

Oslo has an abundance of walking trails along the fjord and river. There are also many parks in Oslo with beautiful greenery and often, breath-taking views over the city. In wintertime, hiking shoes are traded for skis. Whatever the weather, remember to dress warmly and take along a Kvikk Lunsj, the official Norwegian hiking snack.

Indoor activities in Oslo

For those who aren't so keen on hiking in the rain, there is a wide range of indoor activities to choose from.

Museums

Here are some of the top-rated museums in the city:

• Munch Museum
• Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower
• International Museum of Children's Art
• Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
• The Kon-Tiki Museum
• Oslo Reptile Park

 Good to know:

Many museums offer free or discounted admission to children and discounted prices for students.

Other activities in Oslo

In recent years, new attractions such as mini-golf (that even has a bar for adults!), a trampoline park, indoor go-karting and an indoor skate park have sprung up around Oslo. There are also more common indoor activities such as a sauna session in fjord side modern facilities and shopping at one of Oslo's many shopping centres.

Looking for something out of the ordinary? Oslo even has a virtual reality gaming experience suitable for everyone from nine years of age and older.

Dining and nightlife in Oslo

Nightlife

Alcohol is expensive in Norway, so those looking to hit the clubs and bars will be in for a shock. When it comes to alcohol, it's best to do as the locals do: have a ‘vorspiel' or pre-party and head out to the clubs afterwards. Alcohol can be purchased at any Vinnmonopolet during operating hours – check online for opening times before you go as many of the shops have short opening hours, especially on Saturdays.

 Good to know:

Many clubs have an entrance fee. Try checking online for specific prices.

Dining

Finding budget eats at a food hall or grocery store in Oslo isn't too difficult, but going out for a romantic meal will cost you big bucks (really big bucks – a meal at an inexpensive restaurant costs upwards of 200 Norwegian kroner). Even fast-food chains like McDonald's are shockingly expensive.

Fine dining experiences are best reserved for special occasions; why not impress your significant other to a fancy home-cooked meal, or pack in a picnic for your family to enjoy on one of the many sprawling green lawns of Oslo's beautiful parks?

Read more about gastronomy in Oslo.