What to do in Oslo in Winter
Compared to other European Capitals, Oslo appears rather small and assessable. Nevertheless, it is “Europe’s fastest-growing city” (Lonely planet, Norway,2018) and is well worth visiting for city and nature lovers.
You could easily spend weeks in Oslo by either visiting all the museums or by enjoying the nature around the city. Oslo is also a good destination for skiing holidays. So, maybe instead of visiting the Austrian Alps, you rather speed down the mountains while overlooking the Oslo-Fjord next time?
Read below, what four activities you should not miss, when visting Oslo in Winter.
Table of Contents
- Walkingtour through Oslo in Winter
- Visit the “Jul i Vinterland” at the city center
- Visit the Holmenkollen Ski-Jump and the surrounding area
- Visit the Museums at the peninsula of Bygdoy (See next Article).
Join a Free Walking Tour or just explore the city on your own. Oslo wants to be explored on foot. Start your day at the “Aker Brygge” or the “Festung Akerhus” watching the sunrise over the Oslo Fjord.
Further spots for a walking tour through the city:
- Det kongelige slot (Oslo palace)
- Nationaltheatret (National theatre)
- Oslo Domkirke (Oslo Church)
- Operahuset Oslo (Opera House Oslo)
- Munch-Museum Oslo
- Akerhus and Aker Brygge (Oslo Harbour and Oslo Fjord)
- Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
Or you can join a free walking tour. That kind of tours are usually executed by locals and they will not just show you the main spots, but also some local insider tips. As the name says: the tours are free, but it is common to give a small tip.
Every year around Christmas the “Jul I Vinterland” – the Norwegian version of a Christmas market can be found at the city center of Oslo. Close to the national theatre, various small stalls open up; offering food, drinks and crafts of all kinds.
Stroll around the Spikersuppa rink to soak in the christmas-ish atmosphere and get carried away by the fairy lights, which are hanging in the trees. Or simply go for some ice-skating on the rink in the middle of the Christmas market.
There is also an absolute photo highlight set-up here; a tunnel full of small fairy lights. Get yourself a photo for your Christmas or New Year’s Eve Instagram post.
How to plan a visit to the Jul i Vinterland at Oslo?
The vinterland usually starts in the middle of November and ends around New Years Day. You do not have to pay any entrance for the market itself, but of course you have to plan a budget for food, drinks and activities. The light tunnel is for free. It can be found in the south corner of the Christmas market.
Opening hours of the Jul i Vinterland (December -January):
Monday to Thursday: 12 p.m. – 8 p.m.
Friday: 12 p.m. – 9 p.m.
Saturday: 10 a.m. -9 p.m.
Sunday: 10a.m. – 8 p.m.
The Holmenkollen is a 371 m high mountain north-west of Oslo. When visiting the Holmenkollen area you will get some of the best views of Oslo.
When chasing sunrises, you should also give it a try at the Holmenkollen. Especially in winter, when the sun rises late, you have the chance to experience wonderful, candy–cotton sunrises up here.
The Ski jump “Holmenkollbakken” itself can also be visited including the adjacent Ski Museum. Furthermore, you will find various activities up here, which will entertain your for almost a whole day.
If you want to get the best views of Oslo and the Oslo fjord, I recommend to visit the viewing platform towering over the ski jump.
After shooting your Oslo panoramas, you can still visit the skiing museum, which is also included in the entrance fee. The museum is the world’s oldest museum specialized in skiing. Here you can experience 4.000 years of exciting ski history through various exhibitions.
Close to the ski jump you will find another typical Norwegian-styled church. The “Holmenkollen Church” is a must-see and a great alternative, if you do not have enough time to visit the Norsk Folkemuseum.
Do not miss to explore the area around the Holmenkollen. There are plenty of things to discover; especially during winter: frozen lakes, chances for sleding and ice-skating. During summer, there is also a lot of other adventurous activities such as ziplining, frisbeegolf and the possibility to do some “abseiling” from the skijump.
How to plan your Holmenkollen Skijump and Museum Visit?
The ski jump and the museum are open to visitors all year around. Opening hours vary each month, therefore please check the Holmenkollen website for the latest information.
How to get there?
Take the Oslo T-Bane No. 1 (e.g. from Station “Nationaltheatret”) in direction of “Frognerseteren” and get of a “Holmenkollen” Station.
From the station it is about 10 minutes walking distance to the skijump and museum and about 15 minutes to the Holmenkollen Church.
Tickets:
Ticket prices differ between weekdays and weekends. Check the Website for up-to-date information on prices and special events: Website Holmenkollen.
