How many days · Oslo · Norway
How many days do you need in Oslo?
A straight answer, then what each trip length really gets you.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Gislus, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick answer
3 days is the sweet spot for Oslo, and 2 days is the minimum to see the main sights. Two days covers the waterfront, the Opera House, MUNCH or the National Museum and Vigeland Park. A third day adds the Bygdøy museums or Holmenkollen; with four or five you can take island ferries, hike from Sognsvann or visit Drøbak or Fredrikstad.
Key facts
- Ideal
- 3 days
- Minimum
- 2 days
- Day trips available
- 6
- Daylight
- 5.9 h (Dec) to 18.8 h (Jun)
What each trip length gets you
| Trip | Pace | What you can see |
|---|---|---|
| 1 day | Rushed | Oslo Opera House, MUNCH, National Museum and Vigeland Park |
| 2 days | Good | Vigeland Park, Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Ski Museum and Akershus Fortress |
| 3 days | Ideal | Royal Palace and Palace Park, Oslo City Hall and Fram Museum |
| 5 days | Relaxed | The highlights plus a day trip to Drøbak |
| 7 days | Plenty | A slow trip with day trips such as Drøbak and Fredrikstad |
How long the top sights take
The 12 best-known sights in Oslo add up to roughly 16–22 hours of visiting time — about 2–3 days at seven sightseeing hours a day, before travel between them and meals. The biggest time commitments are MUNCH (2–3 hours), National Museum (2–3 hours) and Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (2–3 hours).
| Sight | Time needed | Area |
|---|---|---|
| Oslo Opera House | 45 minutes, more with a tour | Bjørvika |
| MUNCH | 2–3 hours | Bjørvika |
| National Museum | 2–3 hours | Aker Brygge |
| Vigeland Park | 1–2 hours | Frogner |
| Holmenkollen Ski Jump and Ski Museum | 2 hours | Holmenkollen |
| Akershus Fortress | 1–2 hours | Sentrum |
| Royal Palace and Palace Park | 45 minutes | Sentrum |
| Oslo City Hall | 45 minutes | Sentrum |
| Fram Museum | 1.5–2 hours | Bygdøy |
| Norwegian Museum of Cultural History | 2–3 hours | Bygdøy |
| Kon-Tiki Museum | 1 hour | Bygdøy |
| Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen waterfront | 1–2 hours | Aker Brygge |
By type of trip
| Trip | Days | Why |
|---|---|---|
| First visit | 3 days | The main sights at a comfortable pace |
| Short break / repeat visit | 2 days | Focus on Oslo Opera House and MUNCH |
| With children | 4 days | Slower days and time for Vigeland Park |
| With day trips | 5 days | Add Drøbak and Fredrikstad |
Daylight changes the maths
Sightseeing days are much shorter in December (about 5.9 hours of daylight) than in June (about 18.8 hours). In winter, allow an extra day or plan museum-heavy afternoons.
Ready-made itineraries
Combining Oslo with other destinations
| Destination | Distance | Suggested stay |
|---|---|---|
| Stockholm | About 416 km | 4 days |
| Copenhagen | About 483 km | 4 days |
| Helsinki | About 787 km | 3 days |
Questions travellers ask
+Is 2 days enough in Oslo?
It covers the main sights at a brisk pace; 3 days is more comfortable. Two days covers the waterfront, the Opera House, MUNCH or the National Museum and Vigeland Park. A third day adds the Bygdøy museums or Holmenkollen; with four or five you can take island ferries, hike from Sognsvann or visit Drøbak or Fredrikstad.
+Is a week too long in Oslo?
No — a week leaves time for day trips such as Drøbak and Fredrikstad.