Oslo tours and tickets
Oslo books by season. In June to August, buy timed tickets for the Munch museum a few days ahead and reserve a fjord sauna a day or two before. The Opera House roof, Vigeland Park and Akershus are free or simple. Fjord boats run all day and can be bought at the quay. Check the Viking Ship Museum's status, since it is being rebuilt.
Book these first
- Fine-dining restaurants
- 4 to 8 weeks ahead. The best tables fill up well in advance, particularly on weekends.
- The Munch museum in summer
- a few days ahead. Timed entry helps on busy days and avoids a queue.
- A fjord sauna session
- a day or two ahead. Sessions are limited and the best slots go at weekends and in the evening.
Nobody pays to be on this page. The Viator buttons are partner links: if you book through one, Viator may pay us a commission, at no cost to you. Where the official site sells the ticket, we link it too. How we rank
Museums and galleries
Munch Museum
A tall waterfront museum with a large collection of Edvard Munch's work, including versions of The Scream, over several floors. Tickets are timed, with sunset and late openings in some months.
Which to pick. Buy a timed ticket a few days ahead in summer, and choose the first slot. Take the top-floor view of the fjord.
A few days ahead in summerVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorNational Museum
The largest art museum in the Nordic region, with Munch, Norwegian landscape painting and design. Tickets are sold online and at the door. A visit takes two to three hours.
Which to pick. Buy at the door. It is a good wet-day plan, and the Munch room is on the top floor.
On the day is fineVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorFram Museum and Kon-Tiki Museum
Two museums on Bygdøy, one with the polar ship Fram and the other with Thor Heyerdahl's balsa raft. They are close, and a ferry or bus links them to the city.
Which to pick. Go in the morning on the ferry from the City Hall pier in summer. Buy tickets at the door.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorViking Ship Museum
The museum with the Oseberg and Gokstad ships has been closed for a rebuild into a new Viking museum. Check the official site for the opening date before you plan a trip.
Which to pick. Check the opening status a few weeks before you travel. Plan the Fram and Kon-Tiki museums as the alternative.
Check the opening dateVisitor guideOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
Monuments and landmarks
Vigeland Park
A large park with more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, including the Monolith and the fountain. It is free and open all day, all year. Guided walks explain the figures.
Which to pick. Go early in the morning or late afternoon for the light. A guide is optional.
Not needed, entry is freeOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorAkershus Fortress
A medieval castle and fortress on the harbor, with a park, a museum of resistance and a royal mausoleum. Grounds are free, and the castle interior can be visited with a ticket or guided tour.
Which to pick. Go in the afternoon. Take a guided tour of the castle in summer for a deeper look.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorHolmenkollen
A ski jump and a ski museum above the city, with a view over the fjord. The museum and the jump tower have tickets, and the metro runs to the top.
Which to pick. Take the metro up and try the simulator if you like. Pick a clear day for the view.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
On the water
Oslofjord cruise
Boats leave from the City Hall pier for two-hour cruises past islands, with commentary. Options include silent electric boats and sailing ships, and some cruises serve a meal.
Which to pick. Pick the electric boat for a quiet trip. Buy at the pier, and check the sailing times.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorFjord island ferry
Public ferries link the islands of the inner fjord, such as Hovedøya and Gressholmen, with beaches, paths and ruins. Buy a public transport ticket, and bring a picnic.
Which to pick. Take the boat on a sunny afternoon. No tour is needed, but check the last return.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on ViatorFjord sauna
Floating saunas on the fjord offer sessions with a plunge in the water, in small groups. Sessions last about two hours, and they are popular all year.
Which to pick. Book a morning or evening slot. Weekends fill up quickly, and you should bring a swimsuit.
A day or two ahead, longer at weekendsTours and tickets on Viator
Day trips
Fredrikstad old town
A fortified old town on a river, about an hour by train, with cobbled lanes, a moat and a ferry to the other bank. It is an easy day.
Which to pick. Go by train and walk the old town. Buy a ferry ticket on the quay.
On the day is fineTours and tickets on ViatorDrøbak
A wooden-house village on the Oslofjord, about 40 minutes by bus, known for its Christmas house and a fortress at Oscarsborg. Boat trips run in summer.
Which to pick. Take the bus, and walk the harbor. Combine it with a boat to Oscarsborg if the season allows.
On the day is fineOfficial siteTours and tickets on Viator
City and museum passes in Oslo
- Oslo PassA pass with free entry to many museums and sights, plus free public transport, valid for 24, 48 or 72 hours. It pays off if you plan several paid museums in a short time. Official page
Booking tours and tickets in Oslo
Do I need to book the Munch Museum?
Not always, but timed tickets sell out in summer. Buy a few days ahead and take the earliest slot, or go late for fewer people.
Is the Oslo Pass worth it?
It is worth it if you plan three or four paid museums and use public transport a lot in one or two days. For a relaxed trip, single tickets cost less.
Can I see the Viking ships?
Check the Viking Ship Museum's opening status on the official site, since it has been closed for rebuilding. The Fram and Kon-Tiki museums are open on Bygdøy.
Is a fjord sauna worth it?
Yes, for a different side of the city. Book a session a day or two ahead, bring a swimsuit and expect a cold dip in the fjord.
What is free in Oslo?
The Opera House roof, Vigeland Park, the Akershus grounds and many harbor walks are free. Museums have fees, apart from some on certain days.
What can wait until I arrive?
The National Museum, the fortress, boats and the Vigeland Park can all be done on the day. Book Munch in summer, a sauna and any fine-dining table first.