Last updated on November 6th, 2024 at 03:46 pm
Wondering what to do in Oslo? If you’re visiting Norway’s capital with children, you’ve come to the right place! In this post, I’ll share the top things to do in Oslo with kids and my 2-day Oslo itinerary to help you plan the perfect family trip.
Oslo was our third Scandinavian city stop on our Northern Europe trip, following 2 days in Stockholm and 2 days in Copenhagen, and just before our visit to Amsterdam.
Famed for its Viking history, Norway’s capital is surprisingly clean, modern and easy to get around. It oozes artistic and cultural charm and has loads of green spaces – plus access to the water and islands nearby too.
Read on for your 2 day Oslo itinerary:
Overview: Two Days in Oslo, Norway – What To Do
Day 1: Nobel Peace Center, Vigeland Park, Oslo Reptile Park, Aker Brygge
Day 2: Munch Museum, Oslo Opera House, Flam Museum and Oslo Fjord Cruise
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NORWAY QUICK FACTS:
LANGUAGE: Norweigan
CURRENCY: NOK (Norweigan Krone)
FLIGHT TIME FROM UK: 2 hours
FLIGHT TIME FROM US: 7.5 to 11.5 hours
NATIONAL ANIMAL: Moose
POPULATION: 5.5 Million (1.1 million in Oslo)
Use the Oslo map below to help plan your itinerary. I’ve included all the key attractions, hotels, and some great dining spots for families.
Getting to Oslo
Norway’s capital and largest city is easily accessible by plane from Europe and the USA. You can also get there by train from Sweden, or by ferry or ship from Denmark (as we did).
Oslo’s main and international airport is Gardermoen Airport, which is 47km from the city centre. You can get the Flytoget Airport Express train from the airport to Oslo Central Station (these go every 10 minutes and the journey takes around 20 minutes).
You can also get a public train (Vy). It’s a bit slower than the airport express train, and not as regular – but it is much more cost-effective so it’s worth considering if you’re not in a rush.
In addition to trains, there’s the Flybussen Airport Express Bus (40-50 minutes to the city centre), and the OSL Express bus (30-65 minutes). Taxis are best arranged via the machines just outside Arrivals as fares can be agreed in advance that way.
Getting Around Oslo
Oslo has an efficient public transport system which includes buses, trams, and the metro. It’s all pretty easy to navigate and very reliable. You can purchase tickets at metro stations and kiosks, or use the Ruter app on your phone.
For families, children under the age of 6 travel free on public transport.
Alternatively, Oslo is a very walkable city, especially if you’re staying centrally. We walked the majority of the time, hopping on a tram or two when needed.
The Oslo Pass
Is the Oslo Pass worth it? Oslo has its own city pass, which can be a great way to save on transport and attractions (it includes free access to many museums, experiences and public transport within the city). Once purchased, just download the Oslo Pass app on your phone and scan it at the entry point to attractions or on transport.
Here are some of the benefits:
- Unlimited free travel on public transport (buses, trams, subway, and public ferries).
- Free or discounted entry to over 30 museums and attractions.
- Discounted tickets on fjord sightseeing tours and concerts plus a 20% discount on certain restaurants (including Kaffistova, mentioned below).
Prices:
24 Hours: Adults 520 NOK, Children (6–17 years) 260 NOK
48 Hours: Adults 760 NOK, Children 380 NOK
72 Hours: Adults 895 NOK, Children 450 NOK
Whether it’s worth purchasing depends on how many museums and activities you plan to do. We liked to pack them in, so the Oslo pass was very worthwhile for us.
It was also helpful in terms of learning what was on offer in the city and the best things to see in Oslo for families. Plus, Norway can be expensive – so it’s pretty likely you will save money if you decide to go for it.
✅ Purchase your Oslo Pass HERE
What To Do in Olso: Day 1
We recommend you start your 2 days in Oslo with one of the city’s top cultural sites and move on to some time outdoors and a bit of reptile fun.
Nobel Peace Center
How to Get There: The Nobel Peace Center is centrally located at the Oslo waterfront, just a short walk from Aker Brygge.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
It might seem quite a serious place to take the kids. However, the Nobel Peace Center is not only a beautiful space, it’s also a great way to introduce your kids to the importance of peace and speaking up in order to help others.
Nobel Peace Prizes were first awarded in 1901, after Swedish chemist Alfred Nobel left his fortune for this purpose. Nobel chose for the committee and ceremony awarding the prizes to be based in Norway (possibly because it was considered a more neutral country at the time).
The exhibitions are engaging, with interactive displays and short films, so even younger children will find something to enjoy.
My kids knew of some of the recipients of the awards – Barrak Obama, Malala Yousafzai (the youngest ever recipient at 17 years old) and Nelson Mandela for example, but many other names and faces were new to us all.
We enjoyed the interactive screens where you can learn about past laureates, and there’s a chance to see one of the awards too.
The most recent recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize is Narges Mohammadi who has fought against the oppression of women in Iran and is currently in prison as a result. There’s a section downstairs dedicated to her – if you don’t know much about her, this is so worth exploring. I was blown away and felt quite emotional after reading about her.
✅ BOOK HERE for tickets for the NOBEL PEACE CENTRE
Vigeland Park
How to Get There: Take Tram 12 from Aker Brygge to Vigeland Park.
Opening Hours: Open 24 hours
After the Nobel Peace Centre, head to Vigeland Park, one of Oslo’s most famous outdoor attractions. It’s an enormous sculpture park filled with over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (in bronze, granite and wrought iron), all set within beautiful gardens.
The fountain and the steps are particularly impressive. Kids will love the quirky, statues and exploring the different areas.
Vigeland Park is free to enter and a perfect spot for a picnic if the weather’s nice! There’s also a visitors centre here if you want to grab a coffee and a snack.
Lunch at Kaffistova
Where is it?: Kristian IVs gate 2, 0164 Oslo
If you’re interested in sampling some traditional Norweigan fare, Kaffistova is a great place to do so. It’s an open cafeteria-style restaurant with just a few dishes to choose from. This includes open sandwiches (the Norweigan prawn sandwich is a favourite), meatballs and burgers.
Portions are substantial and will keep you going for the afternoon!
NOTE: You’ll get 20% off your bill at Kaffistova if you have the Oslo Pass.
Oslo Reptile Park
How to Get There: It’s a short bus or tram ride from Vigeland Park to the Reptile Park or a 15-minute walk from the city centre. It’s a short walk from Kaffistova if you choose to stop there for lunch.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
For something a little different, take the kids to Oslo Reptile Park, home to snakes, lizards, turtles, and even crocodiles! The ‘park’ is fairly small (it’s indoors despite the name), but it’s perfect if your kids are animal lovers or you’re looking for an indoor rainy day activity.
We spent about 40 minutes here, and the kids loved getting up close to the reptiles. It is a quick visit though, particularly if your kids tend to rush.
Tickets for the Reptile Park are included in the Oslo Pass or you can purchase them upon entry (there’s no need to book in advance).
Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen
How to Get There: It’s an easy walk from Oslo Reptile Park or the Nobel Peace Center.
Finish your first day in Oslo with a walk along Aker Brygge, Oslo’s waterfront area lined with restaurants, shops and museums. There are several ice cream kiosks along the waterfront and some lovely cafes where you can sit and people-watch for a bit.
Tjuvholmen is a newer neighbourhood in Olso, located on a peninsula connected to Aker Brygge. The architecture is a particular draw here and it’s a great place for a wander.
Both Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are great places to have dinner at the end of your first day in Oslo.
A fantastic way to really get to know this part of Oslo is to join a walking tour.
✅ Book HERE for Walking Tours in Olso
Day 2 in Oslo
Your second day in Oslo is all about art, history, and the stunning Oslo Fjord.
Munch Museum
How to Get There: The Munch Museum is located in Bjørvika, a short tram or bus ride from the city centre.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
The Munch Museum is a must do in Oslo, whether you’re an art lover or tend to prefer other activities. The museum showcases the works of Edvard Munch, including several versions of Munch’s famous painting The Scream.
The ‘original’ is in the National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet) and I hear this is also a fantastic place to visit. Sadly it was closed on the day we wanted to go (Monday).
The version of The Scream on show on the 4th floor of the Munch Museum is rotated every 45 minutes or so – they have an ink, oil and pastel version (we saw two of the three). The ink version shows up twice as often as the others as it’s more durable.
It gets busy in this small section of the museum, but there are plenty of other fantastic artworks to see (such as the one in the photo above) – make sure you spend time walking around.
There’s a great interactive children’s area in the museum where kids can get creative and make their own art, similar to the etchings and lithography Munch created in the late 1800s.
Tip: Take the kids up to the rooftop for amazing views of the Oslo Fjord.
✅ BOOK HERE for your tickets to the MUNCH MUSEUM
Oslo Opera House
How to Get There: The Opera House is located right next to the Munch Museum, making it easy to combine the two.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 6 pm
After visiting the museum, take a stroll over to the nearby Oslo Opera House.
The building itself is an architectural masterpiece, and, while you can go inside, a more popular thing to do here is walk up the sloping roof for amazing views of the city and fjord.
Fram Museum (by boat)
How to Get There: The Fram Museum is located on the Bygdøy Peninsula. We took a ferry from Aker Brygge to Bygdøy (they go between the months of April and October and take around 15 minutes). You can also take Bus Number 30 from the city centre.
Opening Hours: 10 am to 5 pm daily (4 pm in the winter months)
The Fram Museum tells the story of Norway’s history of polar expeditions and the explorers who ventured into those extreme environments. Norweigan explorer Roald Amundsen was the first person to reach the South Pole (ahead of Brit Captain Scott).
There’s an introductory video you can watch, as well as lots of information and exhibits. However, the highlight has to be the fact you can explore the fully restored Fram ship (both above and below deck).
The Fram is the strongest wooden ship ever built, used between 1893 and 1912 to reach both the Arctic and Antarctic. I loved being able to explore beneath the deck to see where the explorers would have slept, rested and eaten together. Everything is set up as it would have been over a hundred years ago during the expeditions.
This museum is one of the best things to do in Oslo for families with kids who love ships and the idea of exploring.
Next to the Fram is the Kon-Tiki Museum which tells the story of the Kon-Tiki Expedition in 1947 (a journey by raft across the Pacific Ocean from South America to Polynesia).
✅ BOOK HERE For your tickets to the FRAM MUSEUM
Oslo Fjord Boat Tour
If you have time on your last afternoon (or evening), book an Olso Fjord Sightseeing Cruise or an Evening Fjord Cruise (with seafood buffet included). They usually last a couple of hours. This is one of the best things to do in Oslo during the summer months.
You’ll usually be taken past the Oslo Opera House, and the ancient Akershus Fortress, plus some of the small islands nearby such as Hovedøya, Gressholmen, and Lindøya. You can even do a bit of island hopping on some of the cruises too.
✅ Book HERE for your BOAT TOUR OF THE OSLO FJORD
Where to Stay in Oslo
With only two days in Oslo, think about staying in the centre of town (Sentrum) or in the old town (Gamle). It is pricier to stay in these areas but it can be worth it for a shorter stay and in order to be closer to the action.
For the best fjord views and to be close to some great restaurants and cafes overlooking the harbour, the waterfront (Aker Brygge), makes a great choice.
- Budget Option: Anker Hostel – Centrally located and affordable, with family rooms available. Ideal for families looking for basic, budget-friendly accommodation. BOOK HERE
- Mid-Range Option: Thon Hotel Europa – Offers decent-sized family rooms and a great central location (close to the Opera House and Waterfront), with breakfast included. BOOK HERE
- Luxury Option: The Grand Hotel – A beautiful and historic hotel with luxurious family suites for those happy to pay a bit more. It’s centrally located. BOOK HERE
Must-Try Eats in Oslo
Looking to try some traditional Norweigan treats and find out the best spots to eat in Oslo? Here are our recommendations:
- Mathallen Oslo: A buzzing food hall in the central Vulkan area of Oslo, where everyone can choose what they want to eat – perfect if you’re travelling with picky eaters. From Tapas to Tacos, they have it all here. Closed on Mondays, open all other days from 10am to 8pm (apart from Sunday, when they close at 6pm)
- Vippa: A cool food court right next to the Oslo Fjord with street food from around the world and indoor and outdoor seating. The artwork’s pretty inspiring too. Open in the afternoons and evenings only, closed on Mondays and Tuesdays.
- Baker Brun: Head here for seriously yummy Norwegian pastries and coffee.
- Munch Museum: make sure you try one of the ‘Scream’ cookies in the cafe after you’ve admired the artwork.
- Vigeland Café: a great spot for families and to stop for a snack, coffee or light lunch before or after your visit to Vigeland park.
- Freia: this is the best place to head for a taste of the Norway’s renowned chocolate. You can visit their chocolate factory, Freialand, as well if you’re a real chocolate fan (there are guided tours, but only in Norweigan).
Traditional Norwegian Cuisine: Wondering what local dishes to try while you’re in Norway? Make sure you sample raspeballer (potato dumplings), moose patties and brunost (brown cheese). The latter is usually eaten on toast or waffles.
Oslo FAQ
Is Oslo worth visiting with children?
Absolutely! Oslo is clean, safe, and full of fun activities for all the family. Having visited recently, it’s now one of my top picks for a short European city break for families.
Is Oslo expensive?
Oslo can be pricey, but with a bit of planning, you can find budget-friendly options. The Oslo Pass is a great way to save on transport and attractions, and there are plenty of free parks and scenic spots to enjoy (such as Vigeland Park).
Can you do Olso in 2 days?
Oslo is a small, compact city and most of the main tourist spots are central and not far from each other. Visiting Oslo may be part of a wider trip to Norway for your family, or it may be a weekend city break. Either way, 2 days is definitely adequate.
Best Time to Visit Oslo
Summer (June to August): Our visit to Oslo was during the summer and we were lucky with the weather. There are no guarantees of sunshine and warm weather in Scandinavia, even in the summer months. You will, however, experience longer days and milder weather, which is perfect for outdoor activities like boat trips and exploring parks.
Winter (December to February): this is a great time to visit if you enjoy winter sports like skiing and ice skating, or you want to experience Christmas the Scandinavian way.
Spring and Fall: Spring and Autumn/ Fall experience fewer tourists and some fantastic scenery as the landscape changes. Oslo also has quite a few museums worth visiting and this is the perfect time to visit those.
2 Day Oslo Itinerary: The Verdict
Oslo is a fantastic option for a short family break, offering a mix of culture, history, and outdoor fun. With 2 days in Oslo, you can definitely experience the city’s highlights and leave with some fantastic memories. We hope this Oslo itinerary helps you plan an unforgettable trip with your kids!
Want to keep the kids occupied during your train, boat or plane journey? Our road trip trivia and trivia questions for teens are perfect for all the family!
