Free things to do · Oslo · Norway
10 free things to do in Oslo
Oslo without the ticket prices: sights, walks and views that cost nothing.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Premeditated, CC BY-SA 4.0
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Quick answer
You can fill at least 3 days in Oslo without paying an entry fee: Oslo Opera House, Vigeland Park, Akershus Fortress and Royal Palace and Palace Park are all free. Many top sights are free: the Opera House roof, Vigeland Park, City Hall, Akershus Fortress grounds, the Deichman library and Ekebergparken.
Key facts
- Free sights in this guide
- 10
- Low-cost extras
- 2
- Cost level
- Very expensive
- Lowest hotel prices
- January–March and November
Free sights and experiences
Architecture · Bjørvika
1.Oslo Opera House
Walk the roof at sunset, then cross the footbridge to Sørenga for dinner by the water.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes, more with a tour
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Architecture
- Views
- Photo spot
- Couples
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Park · Frogner
2.Vigeland Park
Come early on a summer morning or in soft evening light, when the bridge statues are free of tour groups.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Iconic
- Free
- Art
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Photo spot
Castle · Sentrum
3.Akershus Fortress
Walk the ramparts on the harbour side at sunset, then drop down to the waterfront promenade towards Aker Brygge.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Views
- Outdoors
Palace · Sentrum
4.Royal Palace and Palace Park
Stand by the palace front just before 1:30pm for the guard change, then walk downhill along Karl Johans gate.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Kids
- Outdoors
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Architecture · Sentrum
5.Oslo City Hall
Combine it with the National Museum next door and the harbour promenade; it is a good free stop when it rains.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- History
- Art
- Rainy day
- Architecture
Waterfront · Aker Brygge
6.Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen waterfront
Walk the promenade in the evening and swim or dip your feet at the Tjuvholmen beach in July and August.
- Time needed
- 1–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Couples
- Food
- Views
Architecture · Bjørvika
7.Deichman Bjørvika library
Climb to the top floor for the view over the Opera House, then rest on the window benches with a coffee.
- Time needed
- 45 minutes
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Architecture
- Rainy day
- Views
Nature · Grünerløkka
8.Akerselva river walk
Take tram 11 or 12 up to Kjelsås and walk back downstream; the stretch between Nydalen and Grünerløkka has the best waterfalls.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Outdoors
- Nature
- Off the beaten path
- Active
Park · Ekeberg
9.Ekebergparken Sculpture Park
Take the tram from Jernbanetorget up Ekebergveien, walk the park downhill and finish at the viewpoint above the Opera House.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Art
- Views
- Outdoors
- Off the beaten path
Nature · Nordmarka
10.Sognsvann lake
Walk the loop anticlockwise and stop at the beach on the far side for a swim or a picnic.
- Time needed
- 1.5–3 hours
- Cost
- Free
- Free
- Nature
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Active
Free sights by area
| Area | Free sights | Time needed |
|---|---|---|
| Bjørvika | Oslo Opera House and Deichman Bjørvika library | 45 minutes, more with a tour + 45 minutes |
| Frogner | Vigeland Park | 1–2 hours |
| Sentrum | Akershus Fortress, Royal Palace and Palace Park and Oslo City Hall | 1–2 hours + 45 minutes + 45 minutes |
| Aker Brygge | Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen waterfront | 1–2 hours |
| Grünerløkka | Akerselva river walk | 2–3 hours |
| Ekeberg | Ekebergparken Sculpture Park | 1.5–2 hours |
| Nordmarka | Sognsvann lake | 1.5–3 hours |
Worth a small ticket
Market · Grünerløkka
Mathallen Oslo
Ask cheese counters to let you taste different brunost styles, from mild to the darker goat's-milk versions.
- Time needed
- 1 hour
- Cost
- Low cost
- Food
- Rainy day
- Shopping
Island · Oslofjord
Oslofjord islands
Pack a picnic and swimsuit; island cafés are few and close early outside high summer.
- Time needed
- Half a day
- Cost
- Low cost
- Outdoors
- Kids
- Nature
- History
- Couples
More ways to save
- Many top sights are free: the Opera House roof, Vigeland Park, City Hall, Akershus Fortress grounds, the Deichman library and Ekebergparken.
- The Oslo Pass pays off if you visit two or three paid museums a day, especially on Bygdøy.
- Supermarkets sell sandwiches, salads and hot food at a fraction of café prices; picnics by the fjord are a local habit in summer.
- Buy duty-free wine or spirits on arrival at Oslo Airport if you plan to drink; prices in town are much higher.
- Regional Vy trains from the airport cost less than the airport express and take only a few minutes longer.
- Look for 'dagens rett' (dish of the day) and lunch buffets rather than à la carte dinners.
Questions travellers ask
+Is Oslo expensive to visit?
Oslo is very expensive for most visitors, but 10 of its best-known sights are free, which makes a tight budget workable.
+What is the best free thing to do in Oslo?
Oslo Opera House: Walk the roof at sunset, then cross the footbridge to Sørenga for dinner by the water.