Month guide · Oslo · Norway
Oslo in January
What January is really like in Oslo: weather, crowds, prices, events and what to pack.
Updated By the AMZBooking editorial team
Photo: Tore Storm Halvorsen, CC BY-SA 4.0
Quick answer
January is a quieter month with trade-offs. Expect average highs of 0°C (32°F), lows of -6°C (21°F), about 10 rainy days and roughly 6.7 hours of daylight. Cold and dark, with about six hours of daylight; snow often covers the forest trails, and cross-country skiing starts at the metro stations.
Key facts
- Average high / low
- 0°C (32°F) / -6°C (21°F)
- Rainy days
- About 10
- Daylight
- About 6.7 hours
- Sea temperature
- 3°C (37°F)
- Crowds
- Very quiet
- Hotel prices
- Low
Weather in January
January is the 10th-warmest month in Oslo: days average 0°C (32°F) against a yearly average high of 10°C (50°F), and nights fall to about -6°C (21°F). Rain falls on roughly 10 of its 31 days. Compared with December (0°C (32°F)), January is about as warm; by February highs stay near 0°C (32°F).
- Sunrise (15 January)
- About 09:04
- Sunset (15 January)
- About 15:48
- Daylight
- About 6.7 hours
- Sea
- 3°C (37°F)
Winter (December–February). Cold, dark and often snowy, with ski trails reached by metro, Christmas markets and quiet museums.
Crowds and prices
On a 1–5 scale, January rates 1 for crowds (the peak is July at 5) and 2 for hotel prices (highest in June). That makes January one of the better-value months to book.
Events in January
January has no major recurring festival in Oslo, which usually means easier bookings.
What to do in January
With cold days, plan around indoor sights and keep outdoor time flexible.
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Museum · Bjørvika
MUNCH
Check which version of The Scream is on display when you arrive, and finish with the view from the top floors.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Iconic
- Art
- Rainy day
- Views
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Museum · Aker Brygge
National Museum
Norway's National Museum moved into its stone-clad building beside City Hall in 2022, uniting the national collections of art, architecture and design.
- Time needed
- 2–3 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- Art
- Iconic
- Rainy day
- Architecture
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Architecture · Sentrum
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
Museum · Bygdøy
Fram Museum
The museum is built around Fram, the wooden ship used by Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup and Roald Amundsen on Arctic and Antarctic expeditions between 1893 and 1912.
- Time needed
- 1.5–2 hours
- Cost
- Mid-priced
- History
- Kids
- Rainy day
What to pack
For highs near 0°C, lows near -6°C and 10 wet days: a warm coat, hat, gloves and thermal layers; shoes with good grip for icy pavements; a packable rain jacket for showers; comfortable walking shoes.
Is January a good time to visit Oslo?
A quieter month with trade-offs. If your dates are flexible, May–September are better overall. Compare every month.
Oslo in other months
Questions travellers ask
+Is January a good time to visit Oslo?
It is a quieter month with trade-offs. Cold and dark, with about six hours of daylight; snow often covers the forest trails, and cross-country skiing starts at the metro stations.
+How warm is Oslo in January?
Average highs are around 0°C (32°F) and lows around -6°C (21°F).
+Does it rain a lot in Oslo in January?
Expect rain on about 10 days of the month.