Have you been wondering about visiting Oslo in winter? I’ve got you covered!
Easily one of the most beautiful cities I’ve ever visited, Oslo is an incredible destination year-round, but it really comes to life in winter. There’s truly something magical about a city filled with snow-covered streets, incredible Christmas markets, and fantastic winter sports. It may be cold, and the days may be (very) short, but it’s all part of the charm that comes with visiting Oslo in winter.
So, whether you’re looking for tips to surviving Oslo’s winter chill or the best things to do in Oslo in winter, here’s everything you need to know!
The Best Things to Do in Oslo in Winter
Known for its art, culture and museums, there’s truly no shortage of incredible things to do in Oslo. When you include a visit during the winter months, this becomes even more true. Between snow sports and deliciously indulgent food, the city is packed with activities that will be the highlight of your winter travels.
Read on to find out the best things to do in Oslo’s winter months, as well as some tips to making the most of the trip. You might be surprised to find that Oslo isn’t as expensive as you think!
1. Visit Vigeland Sculpture Park
With over 200 sculptures, created by Gustav Vigeland, made from bronze, granite and cast iron, Vigeland Sculpture Park is a highlight of the city – and it’s easy to see why.
Whilst it’s stunning year round, seeing the sculptures against a snowy backdrop is a beautiful sight!
Not only is entry totally free, making it a great option for people on a budget, but Oslo’s late winter sunrises allow you to experience the park in golden hour.
Stop at Kafe Vigeland to enjoy the stunning view over a hot chocolate (a winter necessity!) or opt to visit the on-site museum to learn more about the history of Gustav Vigeland.
2. Experience the beauty of the Oslo Fjords
Oslo’s fjords are most often associated with sunny weather, blue skies and warm days, but it’s even more magical in winter. Covered with a thin layer of ice, the fjord landscape provides a stunning backdrop to the quaint and colourful houses. It’s well worth braving the frigid weather to experience!
Take a boat trip around the fjords and enjoy the beauty from inside the warmth. The public ferries will take you island hopping and tickets are completely free if you’ve purchased an Oslo Pass.
Make sure to time your trip well. Although the ferries run all day in summer, they only depart for the fjords 7-8 times per day in winter.
3. Visit The Fram Museum
The Fram Museum is home to the strongest wooden ship ever built, and it holds an impressive record of sailing the farthest north and farthest south of the world.
The museum itself has free entry with the Oslo Pass and is filled with interactive exhibits and movies. Whether you’re travelling with kids or as a group of adults, this is a guaranteed hit.
It’s amazing to learn about the treacherous trek to the Arctic and see how the crew lived on board during their expeditions.
My absolute favourite part was the ‘polar simulator’. It gives you a taste of what it’s like to brave the cold and dangers of polar expeditions. Once you’ve experienced this, I guarantee you won’t complain about Oslo’s winter chill – at least for the rest of the day!
4. Enjoy the beauty of the city
Between its stunning lakes and incredible sunsets, Oslo is a staggeringly beautiful city. Take the time to truly enjoy it. Whether that’s with a coffee at an outdoor café or by sitting at a pier, watching the sun set outside of the Fram Museum.
One of the best parts of visiting Oslo in winter is the short days. The sun rises between 9-10am, and will set around 3pm. Since you’re always awake, you can really the make the most of the opportunity and capture a stunning sunrise and sunset.
5. Go sledding in Korketrekkeren
Oslo is worth visiting for the winter sports alone! Embracing the variety of activities is one of the best parts about Oslo’s winters, and sledding was a total highlight of my trip.
Although terrifying, sledding is also a ridiculous amount of fun. And don’t think it’s just for kids; this is definitely for adults, too!
Korketrekkeren is Oslo’s most popular toboggan run. At over 2,000 metres long, it takes around 8-10 minutes end to end. You can then take a train back to the top to do it all over again. Trust me, you’ll want to!
You can bring your own sled if you have one, otherwise rental is pretty budget friendly, ranging from 100-150 NOK for the day.
6. Visit the Oslo Opera House
Built in 2007-08, the Oslo Opera House (or Oslo Operahuset) is easily one of the most distinct and recognisable pieces of architecture in the city. It’s stunning in winter, when the white stone pavers blend with the fresh snow and provide a backdrop for the striking blue glass panes.
Surprisingly, you are allowed to walk on the roof of the Opera House. If you can brave it, you’ll be greeted by stunning views over the fjord. But be careful, it can be pretty icy and very slippery in winter.
7. Indulge in some delicious food at Mathallen
From hearty stews and fresh seafood dishes to delicious pastries and cheeses, Norway has a great food offering – and one pairs perfectly with a chilly winter day.
Oslo’s Mathallen Food Hall is a market place with over 30 specialty cafés, restaurants and food stalls. Easily one of the largest and most diverse food halls in the city, this is definitely one to visit!
Take a chance to try some traditional Norwegian dishes, such as lutefisk (dried cod soaked in lye), reindeer meatballs, and smørbrød (open-faced sandwiches – my personal favourite!). Wash it down with a glass of aquavit, a traditional Scandinavian spirit, or a glass of gløgg.
Mathallen is indoors and has plenty of seating, making it the perfect place to warm up over lunch when in Oslo in winter!
8. Test your ski skills at Skimore Oslo
With over 18 slopes, Oslo Vinterpark (now called Skimore) is Oslo’s largest ski resort. Whether you’re an amateur or a pro, there’s plenty of choice.
Unlike most other ski resorts in Europe, it’s incredibly convenient to get to. Easily accessible by train and just 30 minutes outside of the city centre, it’s a great way to embrace winter in Oslo!
We were surprised to find just how reasonably priced this was. Day passes start from 400-470 NOK, and the Oslo Pass gives you a discount on ski rental.
9. Explore Akershus Fortress
Dating back to the 14th Century, Akershus Festning (or Akershus Fortress), is one of the oldest parts of Oslo. Wander round the castle and get an idea of what Royal life was like for those who called it home.
An area of the fortress was used as a prison for a number of years, and the remains of this history can still be seen in a number of the rooms.
If you want to learn more about the original owner of the fortress, King Håkan V, visit the Visitor’s Centre.
10. Warm up with a sauna in the Oslo Fjords
Once you experience the cold of a winter in Oslo, it’s easy to understand the Scandinavian love for saunas. There’s no feeling quite like escaping the winter chill to relax in a hot sauna – pure bliss!
Oslo have a number of fjord-side saunas, giving you a chance to embrace this cultural activity in front of a truly stunning backdrop. Here are a few of the most popular options:
- KOK – These floating, wood-fired saunas are found right in the Oslo fjord, meaning you can jump straight in to the icy water to cool off. When there’s no ice on the fjord, KOK also offer sightseeing trips – turning the solar-roofed sauna into boat, so you can relax whilst enjoying a tour of the fjords.
- SALT – With six different saunas seating between 6 and 100 people each, SALT have a huge range of options to suit you. You can also have a private sauna inside their huge wooden barrels; quite a once-in-a-lifetime experience! During the Christmas holidays and throughout other special dates, they run the concept “Badstubonanza” where you can try all the different saunas under the same ticket, so you can test and find your favorite. SALT also have live music and great food inside charming cafés and bars, making it a great visit even without the sauna.
- Oslo Badstuforening (‘Oslo sauna association’) – This ridiculously charming raft floats in Bjørvika, not far from the Oslo Opera House. It was built by a group of sauna enthusiasts from recycled materials and driftwood that were rescued from the fjord. The sauna can house twelve people at a time, and there is even a hatch in the middle of the floor that leads straight down into the water.
11. Have a glass of mulled wine at the Christmas Markets
If you’re visiting Oslo in November or December, it’s prime time to get into the Christmas spirit. And there’s few things more festive than a Christmas market!
Oslo does them fantastically, and you’ll be spoilt for choice with most markets open daily in the lead up to Christmas.
Not only are they a wonderfully quaint way to spend an evening, but you’ll find mulled wine and local delicacies in abundance. Stroll around, soak up the atmosphere, and grab a souvenir of woolen gloves or Christmas tree ornaments to remember your trip.
Unfortunately, if you’re visiting Oslo in January, you may find that the majority of Christmas markets are starting to close. But don’t let that stop you from finding a glass of mulled wine elsewhere!
12. Learn some Viking history at the Viking Ship Museum
Oslo has some incredible museums, but the Viking Ship Museum (to be renamed the Museum of the Viking Age) often tops the list of must-gos – and for good reason.
It does an impressive job at transporting you back to the era of the Vikings as soon as you step inside. The museum exhibits the world’s best preserved Viking ships, and over 8,000 other objects from the era including weapons, jewellery and clothing.
Unfortunately, the museum is currently closed for renovation until 2026/27 at the earliest, but keep it on your list! In the meantime, you can visit Viking exhibitions at the Historical Museum in Oslo city centre.
13. Go ice skating in the city
Ice skating is a ridiculously fun way to enjoy Oslo in winter.
There are a few ice skating rinks in the city, with the most popular being Spikersuppa, close to the National Theatre in the city centre, and Froger Stadium, right next to Vigeland Park.
Both rinks are open well into the evening, with music and bright lights creating an incredible festive atmosphere. You can also rent skates – no need to bring your own!
If you are lucky enough to visit Oslo during a particularly cold spell, where the waters and lakes have frozen over, you may be able to go skating in the Oslo forests. The most popular places to experience this are Sognsvann, Bogstadvannet, Nøklevann, Østensjøvannet and Maridalsvannet. Take caution though – the ice needs to be at least 10cm (4 inches) thick to be safe to stand on!
What to Pack to Survive Winter in Oslo
Oslo’s winter can be very cold, with temperatures at or below freezing from December through to February. Layer your clothing and wear appropriate footwear to make sure you stay warm and comfortable whilst exploring the city.
A few of my Oslo winter essentials are:
- High quality thermal layers: The key to staying warm starts with the first layer of clothing against your skin. I recommend investing in a few pairs of merino wool thermals – they’ll keep you cosy through the coldest of winters in Oslo, and the cost per wear will be a bargain.
- Well-insulated snow boots: I highly recommend purchasing a pair of waterproof, fluffy-lined boots with thick soles, before travelling to Oslo in winter. They are an absolute must when it comes to exploring the snow-lined streets without feeling like you’re about to lose a toe to frostbite.
- Crampons: Experienced ice walkers won’t need these. But, if you’re anything like me, I imagine you are not. Whilst Oslo has heated sidewalks in the city center, it can become pretty perilous outside of that. I didn’t bring these for my trip and I sorely regret it. It was only after asking some locals how they stayed upright whilst we were slip-and-slide to the bus stop that we even realised these existed. Don’t be me, bring crampons.
- Sunglasses: Hear me out! I know it sounds crazy at first, but Oslo is surprisingly sunny. The bright sun reflects against the crisp white snow and is absolutely blinding. For those 5-6 hours of daylight you get, sunglasses are an essential.
Final Thoughts: Oslo in Winter
And that’s everything you need to know about spending (and surviving) winter in Oslo!
It’s an incredible city with so much to offer. Between the incredible and indulgent food, fun (and surprisingly inexpensive) winter sports, and the delightfully diverse sauna offering, you are bound to have a great time exploring the city!
For more similar articles, check out my recommendations below:
- Hiking the Vidden Trail in Bergen
- Exploring the Lofoten Islands by caravan
- Visit the Lofoten Islands in winter
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