2D1N Itinerary in Oslo
This blog post will look at an itinerary for a 2-day trip to Oslo, focusing on the best restaurants and a few must-see attractions in Oslo.
Table of Content
- 2D1N Itinerary in Oslo
- How many days to spend in Oslo?
- Get from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) to Oslo City Centre
Day 1
- Start your day with coffee at Erlik Cafe
- Visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park
- Explore the Royal Palace Oslo
- Enjoy seafood at Fiskeriet Youngstorget
- Cool down with gelato at PARADIS Gelateria
- End the day with dinner at Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro
Day 2
- Starting your day with Michelin star-worthy coffee tasting; Tim Wendelboe Cafe
- Mathallen Oslo
- Take a stroll and snap photos at the Oslo Opera House
- Dinner at Nepalese’s Restaurant Kathmandu
- Places that we missed out
How many days to spend in Oslo?
In most cases, two days are sufficient. Our focus was mainly on food.
However, if we wanted to squeeze in more attractions, we could have done so with less breaks.
Read on so we can share our (mostly food) travel itinerary in Oslo.
Is 2 days in Oslo enough?
Yes, 2 days in Oslo is more than enough to explore the city’s major attractions.
You can visit iconic landmarks like the Royal Palace and the Oslo Opera House.
You can make the most of your time because of Oslo’s efficient public transportation and compact city layout.
Is Bergen or Oslo better?
We visited both Bergen and Oslo on our visit to Norway.
Oslo is relatively developed, with more modern buildings in the city. Bergen, on the other hand, is focused on maritime trade and has more nature.
I would recommend spending time in both of them. However, if you do not have enough time, I would say that I would pick Bergen.
Get from Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) to Oslo City Centre
If you are arriving at Oslo Gardermoen Airport, you can read my guide on how to get to the city from the airport cheaply and efficiently.
Without further delay, here’s an itinerary for your first day in the city.
Are fjords better in Oslo or Bergen?
Day 1.1. Start your day with coffee at Erlik Cafe
We arrived early in the morning and decided to start our day with coffee. After checking in to our AirBnb near Oslo Sentral station, we took the public train to Erlik Cafe. The decor was minimalist, with wooden tables and chairs and a nice place to shelter from the cold weather.
We ordered drinks (Sorry, I can’t find the price), Raisin Snegle/Rolls (NOK 44) and Chicken Curry Sandwich (NOK 99). They were delicious for a cheeky little breakfast.
Day 1.2. Visit the Vigeland Sculpture Park
Next, we headed to Vigeland Sculpture Park. This park is a unique outdoor sculpture park featuring over 200 sculptures by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland.
We spent several hours walking around the park, admiring the sculptures, and enjoying the beautiful surroundings.
For people who are interested in history and sculpture, perhaps this would be for you.
Tips to note:
Take public tram No. 12 to Vigelandsparken. You will enter the park and be graced by its beauty. We followed Google Maps, which led us to walk an extremely long way from a residential area behind. You can watch our YouTube video to see what went wrong in our adventure through the unbeaten path.
Day 1.3. Explore the Royal Palace Oslo
After Vigeland Sculpture Park, we headed to The Royal Palace Oslo by tram.
The palace is located in the heart of the city and is the official residence of the Norwegian Royal Family.
The palace is a beautiful building with stunning gardens open to the public during the summer. We did not spend much time here as we did not book the guided tour of the palace.
Day 1.4. Enjoy seafood at Fiskeriet Youngstorget
We headed to Fiskeriet Youngstorget for lunch, a popular seafood restaurant in Oslo. You MUST visit this restaurant in Oslo, but be prepared to empty your pockets.
We had Fine de Claire Oysters, Fish & Chips, Seafood Casserole, and Fish Soup w Bread. The casserole did not come warm, which wasn’t the most pleasant.
However, the fish & chips and fish soup made up for this shortcoming. Be sure to order the Fish soup and fish & chips here!
We were full after a heavy lunch, so we returned to our Airbnb for an afternoon nap!
Day 1.5. Cool down with gelato at PARADIS Gelateria
After a restful afternoon nap, it was evening time. We decided to go check out Aker Brygge.
We learned on the internet that it is a popular waterfront district located in Oslo, known for the restaurants in the area.
While we were there, the wind was extremely strong, and barely any people were on the streets. It could be due to the winter, but I am not sure!
Despite the strong wind and freezing weather, we still went for gelato at PARADIS Gelateria.
OH MY GOD, I’VE NEVER HAD SUCH DELICIOUS PISTACHIO GELATO IN MY LIFE.
I strongly recommend it if you are a pistachio lover. They have several locations throughout the city, so you’re never too far from a sweet treat.
Day 1.6. End the day with dinner at Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro
Finally, we came across the Kain Neo-Filipino Bistro while going to a brewery. This restaurant serves delicious Filipino cuisine with a modern twist.
We had Sisig, Pork Adobo, Prawn Ginataan and some great cocktail to wash the greatness down.
IF YOU HAVE MISSED ANY OF THE RESTAURANTS BEFORE, YOU ABSOLUTELY CANNOT MISS KAIN, HANDS-DOWN THE BEST RESTAURANT WE HAVE TRIED IN A WHILE.
The restaurant has a cosy atmosphere and friendly staff, making it the perfect place to end your first day in Oslo.
After the amazing dinner, we were full, so we returned to our Airbnb to rest up for the day.
Day 2.1. Starting your day with Michelin star-worthy coffee tasting; Tim Wendelboe Cafe
Starting our day (slightly later) at 10 am, we head to Tim Wendelboe, the trendy Grunerlokka neighbourhood.
We were treated to a Michelin star-worthy coffee tasting, where we sampled different types of coffee and learned about the roasting process.
The award-winning baristas were all knowledgeable and passionate about their craft.
Their attention to detail made the experience truly unforgettable.
Day 2.2. Indulge in finger-licking pastries and heartwarming food at Mathallen Oslo (food hall)
We went to Mathallen Oslo, a food hall located a stone’s throw away from Tim Wendelboe for lunch.
The food hall has a wide selection of food stalls, from Asian cuisine, to local Nordic cuisine and Mexican food.
Day 2.2.1 Finger-licking good pastries from Cupcake and Pie Co
While waiting for our lunch place to open, we ordered a Milk Chocolate Praline Donut and a Lemon Meringue Tart from Cupcake and Pie Co. It is a must-try in the food hall, especially after some savoury bites.
The doughnut is fluffy, the tart is crispy, and it has a balanced sweetness.
Day 2.2.2 Have a heartwarming lunch at Arepa Restaurant
We waited outside Arepa at 10.55 am and were there to grace the restaurant when they opened up for the day.
We ordered empanadas (flavours: Queso, Papa con carne, Pollo), Aioli dip, and platanitos con carne.
The food was all freshly made and warm, warming the soul from the cold weather outside.
The platanitos were crispy, and the meat was extremely tender and flavourful. The empanadas had a generous filling and went well with the aioli dip.
Day 2.3. Take a stroll and snap photos at the Oslo Opera House
We wanted to walk a bit to work off the calories we had just consumed. Thus, we decided to head to the Opera House as we had seen pictures of its marvellous architecture.
The Opera House is a stunning building designed by the Norwegian architecture firm Snøhetta.
Although it was around 0 degrees Celsius, we saw the (presumably) locals jumping into the ice water at the boats nearby and rushing to the sauna on the boat. ICE DIPPING IS TRULY A NORDIC SIGHT!
Day 2.4. Dinner at Nepalese’s Restaurant Kathmandu
After walking around for a while, we returned to our Airbnb for a short break. It was finally time for dinner. We went to Kathmandu Restaurant as we were craving Asian food.
The restaurant has a cosy and welcoming atmosphere, with traditional decor and Nepalese music playing in the background. The menu features a variety of dishes, including momos (steamed dumplings), curries, tandoori dishes, and more.
We ordered the Lamb Thali Set, Onion and Garlic Naan, Vegetable Samosas, and Steamed Chicken Momos (dumplings).
The lamb Thali set was beautifully presented, and the curry was awesome! The naan was great.
We recommend having the momos hot because we waited a while before having them, affecting our indulgence.
At the end of dinner, we were satisfied with the day and decided to rest for our next day of great adventure in Bergen.
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Places that we missed out
Of course, we would like to note that we are not big fans of museums, so our itinerary is food-focused. Oslo does have a significant history for tourists to learn. I have compiled some other top attractions that are highly rated.
Here are some additional top attractions in Oslo:
- Akershus Fortress – A medieval castle has served as a royal residence, prison, and military base throughout the centuries. The fortress offers stunning views of the Oslo Fjord and is a popular spot for picnics and outdoor concerts.
- Munch Museum – Dedicated to the life and works of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, this museum houses the world’s largest collection of his paintings, drawings, and prints. Highlights include iconic works like “The Scream” and “Madonna.”
- The Viking Ship Museum – Home to three of the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, this museum offers a glimpse into the lives of Norway’s seafaring ancestors. Visitors can also see a range of artifacts, including sledges, carts, tools, and textiles.
- Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower – A popular destination for winter sports enthusiasts, Holmenkollen is home to a ski museum and a 60-meter-tall tower that offers panoramic views of Oslo and its surroundings. Visitors can also try skiing or take a guided tour of the ski jump.
- Nobel Peace Center – Located in the former train station where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony was held until 1989, this centre showcases the stories of past Nobel laureates and their efforts to promote peace and human rights. Exhibits include interactive displays, films, and artifacts.
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