Explore Oslo

Oslo is a compact city, making it easy to combine conference activities with a few hours of sightseeing. Here are some suggestions for places and experiences worth exploring during your stay. For further, personalized recommendations, feel free to ask the ECOSS committee members during the conference.

City Centre & Waterfront

Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset)

One of Oslo’s most distinctive buildings, the City Hall is richly decorated with murals, sculptures and other works of art celebrating Norwegian history and society. It is also where the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place. **Entrance is free**,  although the building may occasionally be closed to visitors for events.

Oslo Opera House (Operaen)

One of Oslo’s architectural landmarks, the Opera House rises directly from the waterfront and has a distinctive roof that you can walk across. Climb to the top for panoramic views over the fjord and city centre, and have a look inside while you are there. The Opera Café offers relatively affordable refreshments, while opera and ballet performances are worth considering if tickets are available.

Deichman Bjørvika

Located between Oslo Central Station and the Opera House, this striking modern library is worth a look even if you have no intention of borrowing a book. Its open interior and waterfront location make it a pleasant place to take a break, read, or catch up on work.

Oslo Fjord Islands

For a quick escape from the city, hop on a local ferry (your Ruter ticket is valid) and explore Oslo’s small fjord islands. Hovedøya, Gressholmen and the smaller islands offer walking trails, beaches, historic sites and excellent views back towards Oslo. Bring a swimsuit if it is good weather.

Art, Museums & Culture

The National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet)

Norway’s largest museum for art, architecture and design, with an extensive collection spanning classical, modern and contemporary works. Highlights include important Norwegian art, including works by Edvard Munch, alongside international and applied art.

MUNCH

Dedicated to Norway’s most famous artist, the MUNCH museum houses an extensive collection of Edvard Munch’s paintings, prints and drawings. The striking waterfront building is itself worth seeing, and the upper floors offer excellent views over Oslo and the fjord.

Vigeland Sculpture Park (Vigelandsparken)

One of Oslo’s most distinctive attractions, this large park contains more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures range from playful to deeply contemplative and are particularly enjoyable to explore on foot. The park is free and open year-round.

Norwegian Museum of Technology

Located at Kjelsås, the Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology explores Norwegian technological and industrial history through hands-on exhibitions and historical objects. A good option for visitors interested in science, engineering and technology.

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)

An open-air museum on Bygdøy showcasing Norwegian life and architecture from the Middle Ages to the present day. Wander through historic buildings relocated from across Norway, including the famous 12th-century Gol Stave Church.

Kistefos

A little further outside Oslo, Kistefos combines contemporary art, architecture and industrial history in a beautiful riverside setting. The highlight is *The Twist*, an extraordinary gallery spanning the Randselva river. A good choice if you have half a day to spare.

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

A modern and contemporary art centre located by the Oslofjord, with changing exhibitions, a sculpture park and a scenic waterfront setting. It is a particularly good option for visitors interested in modern art and architecture.

Green Oslo

Botanical Garden & Natural History Museum

A peaceful green space in Tøyen, with botanical collections, gardens and historic greenhouses. The Victorian Palm House and rose garden are particular highlights.  The surrounding Tøyen and Grønland neighborhoods are also good places to stop for a coffee, drink or snack.

Ekebergparken

A sculpture park set among wooded hills overlooking Oslo and the fjord. Combine contemporary and historic artworks with a pleasant walk through the forest, with some of the city's best elevated views along the way.

Akerselva

Follow the Akerselva river northwards from the city centre through several of Oslo’s neighbourhoods. The route passes old industrial buildings, waterfalls, parks and cafés, offering a good way to experience a less polished and more local side of the city.

Nordmarka & Sognsvann

Oslo's extensive forested hinterland begins remarkably close to the city. Take the metro to Sognsvann and walk around the lake or continue into Nordmarka for longer hikes. An excellent option if you want a break from the city and some fresh air.

Frognerseteren

Take the metro uphill to Frognerseteren for spectacular views over Oslo and the fjord. The historic Frognerseteren café is a classic place to stop for coffee, cake or a traditional Norwegian snack. Combine it with a walk through Nordmarka.

Sauna & Swimming

Oslo Sauna / Badstuforeningen

Saunas have become an integral part of Oslo's waterfront culture. Several floating saunas around the fjord offer the quintessential Oslo experience: warm up in the sauna, then jump directly into the cold Oslofjord. Sukkerbiten and Langkaia are particularly convenient locations, while Sagene Folkebad offers a more historic setting with retro interiors and a swimming pool.

Where to Eat, Drink & Wander: 

Grünerløkka

One of Oslo’s liveliest neighborhoods, with cafés, bars, restaurants, small shops and parks scattered around its leafy streets. A good choice for an informal dinner, drinks or an afternoon wander. The nearby "Vulkan" area and "Mathallen" food hall offer a particularly broad selection of food.

Torshov

A quieter, more residential alternative to Grünerløkka, with neighborhood cafés, restaurants and bars around its parks and squares. A good option if you want to experience a more local side of Oslo.

Frogner

An elegant residential neighborhood with tree-lined streets, cafés, restaurants and bars. Combine a walk through the neighborhood with "Frognerparken" and Vigeland Sculpture Park.

Tøyen & Tøyen Torg

A lively and diverse neighborhood with a growing selection of restaurants, bars and cafés. "Tøyen Torg" is the natural focal point and is particularly pleasant to explore in the evening. The Botanical Garden is just next door.

Grønland

One of Oslo’s most multicultural neighborhoods, with an especially broad selection of inexpensive restaurants, bakeries, cafés and food shops. Worth exploring for a more informal and diverse food experience.

Torggata & Youngstorget

A central stretch of Oslo filled with restaurants, bars and cafés, particularly around "Torggata" and "Youngstorget". Convenient if you are already in the city centre and looking for somewhere to eat or have a drink without going far. If you are having trouble deciding, "Oslo Street Food" offer a broad selection of food and drinks.

St. Hanshaugen

A pleasant, hilly neighborhood north of the city centre with parks, cafés, bars and neighborhood restaurants. **St. Hanshaugen park** itself offers good views over the city and is a nice place for an evening stroll.

Majorstuen

A busy shopping and residential district with plenty of cafés, restaurants and bars. Less atmospheric than some of the neighborhoods above, but convenient and well connected by public transport.

Aker Brygge

For a more polished waterfront experience, head to "Aker Brygge". The promenade is lined with restaurants, cafés and bars, with plenty of outdoor seating overlooking the Oslofjord. It is generally more expensive than the neighborhoods above, but with hard-to-beat waterfront views.

Food halls:

For groups with different tastes, "Mathallen", "Oslo Street Food" and "Vippa" are useful options, offering a range of cuisines and casual dining under one roof.

Coffee

Oslo has a strong specialty-coffee culture, and good coffee is easy to find throughout the city. "Stockfleths" and "Kaffebrenneriet" are ubiquitous Norwegian chains and convenient, reliable choices. "Espresso House" is also everywhere, but is generally not the reason to seek out Oslo’s coffee scene.

For more specialized coffee, look for "Tim Wendelboe", "Supreme Roastworks" and "Fuglen", all well-known names in Oslo’s specialty-coffee scene. "Hakone" is another interesting option n the rise with several brick-and-mortars around the city (Grünerløkka, Tøyen, Majorstuen, city center)