72 hours in Oslo: how to plan a perfect trip

Oslo is the capital city of Norway and regarded as one of the most attractive cities in the world. It is safe to say that visitors will fall in love with Oslo. That said, Oslo was recently feted as a green city with the coveted European Green Capital award in 2019. More than half of Oslo’s land area is dedicated to public parks and urban forests. Oslo authorities encourage its citizens to travel by public transportation because its mass transit system has excellent connectivity and infrastructure. You can also walk or ride a bicycle. If you have three days in Oslo, you should try customizing your own travel program.

The Tiger is Oslo’s landmark sculpture located in front of the Oslo Central Station (Photo: Anya C.)

Day 1 – Visit Bjørvika and Karl Johans Gate

Explore Oslo’s bayside area of Bjørvika, an old harbor district that was developed into a cultural and community center in 2000. Large-scale construction work began with the National Opera, the Oslo Public Library or Deichman Library and the Munch/Stenersen Museum that showcases the artworks of Edward Munch, a world-famous painter who painted The Scream.

Munch/Stenersen Museum (Photo: iStockphoto)

The Scream by Edward Munch (Photo: Anya C.)

Art connoisseurs will want to spend at least half a day at the Munch/Stenersen Museum. There are 13 floors of exhibition space; and the Bistro Tolvte restaurant on the 12th floor has stunning views of the inner Oslofjord. For epicureans who want to eat at Maaemo, Oslo’s only three-star Michelin restaurant – it is about 300-meter walking distance from the museum.

You can navigate the bayside area and reach Karl Johans Gate, a famous 2-kilometer shopping street that leads to the Royal Palace at the other end. Do not forget to pay a visit to the Oslo Domkirke. After dinner, you can then go to a plethora of drinking spots and jazz bars in the Karl Johans Gate area as well.

Karl Johans Gate is a famous shopping street (Photo: iStockphoto)

Day 2 – Visit a World-Class Garden

It is recommended that you wake up early on Day 2. Start your day at Frogner Park which features the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the largest sculpture park in the world. There are more than 200 sculpture works by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland – his most famous sculpture is the Monolith, a single pillar with carvings of human beings clinging to each other. Other important masterpieces are the Wheel of Life, a sculpture representing the philosophy of life. Within Frogner park, there are other attractions such as the 200-year-old Frogner Manor House and the Oslo City Museum. The Frogner area is considered one of the most luxurious areas of the city – hence there are plenty of fashion boutiques, restaurants and Sawan, a famous Thai restaurant in Oslo.

Vigeland Sculpture Park (Photo: iStockphoto)

Monolith, the most famous sculpture in Vigeland Sculpture Park (Photo: iStockphoto)

Day 3 – Experience Traditional Norwegian Culture

We will take you to the other side of city called Bygdøy area to visit the Norsk Folkemuseum, a large open-air museum that exhibits traditional Norwegian life in one place. You will see houses, churches and various iconic structures which were collected from all over Norway before being reassembled and exhibited at Norsk Folkemuseum. A special highlight of the museum is an 800-year-old church dating back to the Middle Ages built entirely from wood. If you visit during the summer, there will be live folk music performances as well.

Ancient building inside Norsk Folkemuseum (Photo: Anya C.)

Horse drawn carriage service around Norsk Folkemuseum (Photo: Anya C.)

Ancient church inside Norsk Folkemuseum (Photo: iStockphoto)

Then go to the Fram Museum which showcases polar explorations, both the North pole and the South Pole. Inside the museum is a display of a real wooden ship used for polar explorations over 100 years ago. The museum also simulates weather conditions of the Arctic level for you to experience.