One Day in Oslo: The Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary

Q: Is one day enough to see Oslo?

Yes, one day in Oslo will give you enough time to explore the cities highlights ! This will leave you with a good idea if you want to come back and take longer to explore!

Q: Can you walk around Oslo in a day?

Yes! Oslo is pretty compact and many of the main attractions in the city centre are walkable. The itinerary I designed above is completely walkable with public transport available if needed.

Q: Where is the best area to stay in Oslo for one night?

For a short stay, my recommendation is Oslo City Centre. It's very conveniently located for the train to the airport and all the main attractions.

Only have one day in Oslo? Don’t worry, you can still see a surprising amount of Norway’s capital in just 24 hours!

Oslo is a great city to explore in a short amount of time. A lot of people stop here at the start or end of their trip before heading on to other parts of Norway. For me, I visited Oslo after my time in Bergen as I didn’t want to leave Norway without exploring its capital.

In this one day in Oslo itinerary, I’ll take you through exactly how I’d spend 24 hours in the city, from where to start your morning, the best sights to see, where to eat, and how to make getting around as easy as possible.

So, if you’re wondering what to do in Oslo in one day, here’s everything you need to know!

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Oslo at a Glance:

Best Time to Visit: May-September
Currency: Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Language: Norwegian
Airport: Oslo Airport (OSL)
Best Area to Stay: Oslo City Centre for a short visit
Time Zone: Central European Time (CET)
eSIM: I love Saily! Use code “OLIVEGRACE” for $5 off your first data plan!
Plug Type: Type C & F
Driving: Right-hand side of the road
Top Tour: Best tour is this Oslo fjord cruise!

Dramatic sky over Oslo Opera House, showcasing modern architecture by the waterfront.

Captivating cityscape featuring illuminated buildings, a bridge with light trails, captured at twilight in an urban setting.

Is One Day in Oslo Enough?

Oslo is a fairly compact city. I found it was easy to get around on foot, making it possible to see much of the city in one day.

With a well planned out day, you can see the historic heart of the city, explore the waterfront, visit a museum or two, and enjoy some of Oslo’s food and coffee scene (my favourite part!)

That said, one day in Oslo is enough for a taste of the city, but not enough to see everything.

If you have the flexibility, I’d recommend spending 2-3 days here, but for a short stopover or a quick city break, 24 hours is plenty of time to get a feel for Oslo!

If this is your first visit to Norway, make sure to read my 15 Norway Tips I Wish I Knew before your trip!

Olive’s Tip: Don’t try to check off every attraction in 24 hours. Pick a few experiences that interest you most and give yourself time to actually enjoy them! Consider this a taste of Oslo, you can always come back and explore more.

Vibrant city skyline at dusk showcasing modern architecture and skyscrapers under a dramatic sky.

A warm, inviting coffee cup with a newspaper on a wooden table in a cozy cafe setting.

One Day in Oslo: The Perfect 24-Hour Itinerary

With only 24 hours to see Oslo, the best way to experience the city is to focus on the central sights and explore mostly on foot.

This route takes you from the historic Royal Palace through the historic centre and down to the waterfront, with plenty of opportunities to stop for coffee along the way!

Morning: The Royal Palace & Karl Johans Gate

Start your day at The Royal Palace, one of Oslo’s most recognisable landmarks. Take some time to wander around the gardens here. I loved sitting back and watching the artist paint the palace! When you’re ready, head towards Karl Johans gate, Oslo’s main street.

As you walk toward the city centre, you’ll pass several important landmarks, shops, and cafés. A great first café stop is Kaffebrenneriet, located on Universitetsgata, just a short walk from the palace grounds.

Historical Museum

One of my favourite things I did in Oslo was visiting the Historical Museum! After your coffee, make your way to the museum to learn a bit about Norway’s history.

As you only have one day in Oslo, I wouldn’t focus on seeing everything in the museum. Instead, pick what interests you most. For me, that was Viking history! I loved learning about Norway’s early history. I’ll leave the link to the museum’s opening hours and tickets here.

Rådhusplassen

After the Historical Museum, head toward Rådhusplassen, Oslo’s City Hall Square.

This large open square sits directly beside the harbour and is a great place to pause and grab some lunch. I would recommend heading to Aker Brygge to find lunch. This is a harbour area with a lot of great restaurants, including Yokoso Restaurant, Der Peppern Gror, and Døgnvill Burger Tjuvholmen.

Afternoon: Oslo Opera House

Once you finish lunch, it’s time to head to the Oslo Opera House in Bjørvika.

Arguably one of Oslo’s most recognisable landmarks, the Opera House offers great views of the harbour and city. You can even walk up the sloping roof!

Even if you don’t have time to see a performance, I definitely think it’s still worth including on a one day in Oslo itinerary.

Explore Bjørvika

This waterfront neighbourhood feels quite different from the historic Oslo you spent the morning exploring.

Bjørvika is a more modern side of Oslo with great cafés, a waterfront walk, and cool architecture. This is a great time to stop for a sweet treat at Talormade! Sit back, relax, and soak in Oslo’s buzzing culture.

Evening: Dinner in Oslo

After a full day of exploring, finish your 24 hours in Oslo with dinner in the city centre.

Rather than trying to squeeze in another attraction, I’d use the evening to slow down and enjoy Oslo. Grab dinner, have a drink or dessert, and if you still have some energy, take an evening walk through the city or along the waterfront!

If you want a nice dinner, you can check out Vaaghals, The Salmon, or Elias mat & sånt.

This gives you a full day of sightseeing without making the itinerary feel like you have to rush from one attraction to the next!

Olive’s Tip: Whether this is your first day in Norway or your last, if you prefer to be in nature or see the fjords, I would do this fjord cruise! It’s a great way to see Oslo from the water.

If your whole goal in Norway is to see the fjords, like mine was, make sure you read My Bergen Guide where I talk about my favourite fjord experience in all of Norway!

Where to Stay in Oslo for One Night

With only one day in Oslo, I would focus on staying centrally so you can male the most of your time in the city. Below are three of my top recommendations for Oslo City Centre, Bjørvika, and Aker Brygge.

Charming cobblestone street lined with colorful historic houses on an uphill slope.

Hobo Oslo – 4.6 ★

Why I’d stay here: Hobo Oslo has some of the coolest interior design I’ve ever seen! Located in the heart of the city centre, this would truly be my first pick for a one-night stay in Oslo.

Best For: Location & Experience – Book Here

Savoy 1918 – 4.7 ★

Why I’d stay here: With only one night in Oslo, the Savoy 1918 offers a great experience, with a fitness area, sauna, and gorgeous bar/lounge. It’s the perfect way to start or end your trip!

Best For: Luxury & Experience – Book Here

Captivating view of Oslo Harbor with city skyline and yachts at sunset.

City Centre Apartment – 4.6 ★

Why I’d stay here: If you want more space and an apartment to yourself, check out this cute 2 bed/1bath apartment. It even has a balcony! Located right on the waterfront, it’s perfect for a peaceful evening.

Best For: Waterfront & Space – Book Here

Don’t know where you want to stay yet? This map will let you compare prices and locations to find the best fit for your needs! You can even adjust the dates/times or book directly through the map.

Vibrant harbor with yachts and glowing buildings at night, perfect for travel themes.

How to Get Around Oslo

I’ll cut to the chase here. Getting around Oslo is super easy! I arrived into the city super late, (you can read about my big mistake here.) From there, I walked everywhere on this itinerary, but just so you can know all your options…

Walking: This central itinerary is very walkable. This is my personal favourite way to explore the city!
Public Transport: Oslo has trams, buses, the metro (T-bane), and ferries, which are all useful if you want to venture farther from the centre.
Airport: Oslo Airport is connected to the city by train, making it super straightforward to get into central Oslo.
For This Itinerary: You shouldn’t need a car at all. A combination of walking and public transport is much more convenient!

Tips for Spending One Day in Oslo

You are only in the city for one day, so everything should be pretty straightforward, but here are some quick tips while you plan for your 24-hour visit to the city!

Wear good shoes: Keep in mind you will be walking a lot! Make sure you wear shoes you can walk in comfortably and that won’t hurt your feet.
Plan around opening hours: For example, if the Historical Museum is priority, make sure you check its current hours before setting off in the morning.
Leave some flexibility: Don’t book every minute of your day. There are so many places in Oslo you might want to slow down a little. For me, it was the cafés and waterfront!
Bring Layers: Oslo’s weather can change quickly, especially if you are visiting outside the summer months like I was.
Use public transport when needed: Don’t be afraid to jump on a tram if needed! This itinerary is very walkable, but if you are getting tired, Oslo’s transport is quite easy to figure out.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, one day in Oslo will give you enough time to explore the cities highlights! This will leave you with a good idea if you want to come back and take longer to explore!

If you’re short on time, I would prioritise the Royal Palace, Historical Museum, and Rådhusplassen! These are the places I felt I learned the most and enjoyed the most with my time in Oslo.

Yes! Oslo is pretty compact and many of the main attractions in the city centre are walkable. The itinerary I designed above is completely walkable with public transport available if needed.

For a short stay, my recommendation is Oslo City Centre. It’s very conveniently located for the train to the airport and all the main attractions.

Oslo can be an expensive city, I’ll just make it plain and simple. However, you can cut costs by booking things early, walking, and traveling in off season. This is what I did and was able to visit Oslo for a reasonable price!

The best time to visit Oslo depends on what you want from your trip!

Summer is great for longer daylight hours and milder weather. Spring and autumn can be quieter and a bit cheaper. While winter offers a completely different experience with shorter days and the possibility of snow.

I visited in March and found that to be the perfect time for me!

Final Thoughts

Spending one day in Oslo may not be enough to see everything the Norwegian capital has to offer, but it’s more than enough to get a feel for the city!

I ultimately spent two days in Oslo and found that to be more than enough for me. I really enjoyed the city, but I couldn’t wait to visit places like Bergen on the west coast of Norway.

If you are also travelling to Bergen, make sure to check out my 17 Best Things to Do in Bergen or my 2-Day Bergen Itinerary!

As always, I wish you safe travels! – Olive Grace