No trip to Norway would be complete without visiting the country’s capital, Oslo. While we only had one full day in Oslo, we explored as much of the city as we could and quickly grew to adore it. Oslo is modern and historical all at once, with a warmth from its locals that is tangible on even the coldest of days. Here’s how we spent our day in Oslo!
Karl Johan Hotel
The Karl Johan Hotel is perfectly located in Oslo on Karl Johans gate, the main street of the city that connects Oslo Central Station and the Royal Palace. There is a large park across the street, and everything in central Oslo is within walking distance from the hotel. We truly could not have asked for a more centrally located place to stay in Oslo.
We booked a standard double room at the Karl Johan and were pleased with it. For only two nights, the quaint room provided modern, luxurious comfort in a historical setting. Breakfast at the hotel in the glass-ceiling atrium offered many options and was well-worth the value. But above all for the Karl Johan Hotel, it’s location, location, location!
We arrived in Oslo in the early evening, so after checking in to our hotel, it was on to dinner at Sentralen. A small plates restaurant, this spot is known for using Norwegian ingredients to create unique dishes. Honestly, we were not very impressed with much of anything we tasted other than the local Oslo beer. But the atmosphere was nice in a beautiful corner restaurant.
With only one full day in Oslo, we made the most of our first night and explored the city on foot. It was a chilly evening in the city that felt quiet and empty. Parts of the city were still decorated for the holidays with lights above the streets. We walked all the way down Karl Johans gate to the Oslo Central Station where the famous Oslo Tiger statue resides. Oslo has been known as “The Tiger City” for well over 100 years. Originally an insult to the city and its inhabitants, today Oslo and its inhabitants embrace the nickname.
We woke up to a cloudy and overcast Oslo the following morning and started out on foot after breakfast at the hotel. We stopped in a coffee shop, and Emily chose between the “blue” and the “pink” tea. Without making the connection, she chose the “blue” tea. A sign of things to come?
Next, we toured the city with Oslo Free Walking Tour. Always our favorite way to explore a new city and learn some of its history, we met by the Oslo Tiger statue and passed by the Oslo Opera House on our way to Christiania Torv, the historic square with many of Oslo’s oldest buildings. We walked by the entrance to Akershus Fortress then the port near the Aker Brygge neighborhood before stopping at the Oslo City Hall, known for hosting the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony each year. Finally, we walked by the National Theatre and down Karl Johans gate past the outdoor ice skating park Spikersuppa to the Norwegian Parliament where we ended the tour.
One detail that I won’t forget about our day in Oslo is how quickly and frequently the weather changed. A hazy morning gave way to some sun that then turned to a dense fog. Next thing we knew the sun was back and shining brightly. And then, once again, the fog returned.
We had one errand to run in Oslo, so we did so, somewhat begrudgingly, after our walking tour. Emily’s brother sent us on a mission outside the city center to Neseblod record store to pick up some Norwegian metal band shirts that are, evidently, somewhat of a big deal. We came, we conquered, and Emily was less than thrilled about it.
Once back in the city center, we walked to getting a closer look at the Royal Palace. Unfortunately, it is closed to visitors during most of the winter months, so, despite how much we love a good palace tour, we were unable to enter. We continued to explore Oslo on foot and made our way back to the Aker Brygge neighborhood. Located in a former industrial area adjacent to a former shipyard, Aker Brygge is popular for its many restaurants and shops. We chose Jarmann Gastropub for lunch and really enjoyed our food, although it was a far cry from Norwegian cuisine.
After lunch we walked to Akershus Fortress. Build during medieval times and later modernized to be a royal residence, Akershus Fortress is open year-round and is free to visitors. Guided tours are only offered during the summer months, but Akershus is still well-worth the visit. It offers some of the best views of Oslo, especially at sundown, and connects the dots between new, modern Oslo and its ancient, historic counterpart.
Oslo is a very walkable city. During the one day we spent in Norway’s capital, we walked all around the city centre in the chilly weather, and it was very manageable. After visiting the fortress, we continued by foot and did some shopping, including buying some decaffeinated tea for the newly-pregnant Emily at the upscale Danish tea company A.C. Perch’s. Then we returned to the hotel to freshen up for our last meal in Norway.
We chose Fiskeriet for our last meal in Norway because we could not get enough of the fresh, simply prepared seafood in the country. Fiskeriet is both a restaurant and fresh fish market located in the city centre of Oslo. The seafood platter that we ordered included some of the freshest fish we’ve ever tasted, including cold crab legs that left us begging for more. I’d highly recommend eating here, but be sure to book a reservation, as the restaurant is small and in a busy part of the city.
Overall, we found Oslo to be a wonderful city to explore. With only about 36 hours in the city, we felt like we made the most of our time, but we would love to return. Oslo just felt easy – walkable, laid-back, and friendly. We found plenty of options to keep us busy and plenty more that we did not have time to include in our itinerary. Thanks for the memories, Oslo!