Norway is notorious for being one of the most expensive countries in Europe. As a backpacker and budget traveler, I look for inexpensive and free activities in each place I visit. Oslo has a lot to offer, including many attractions for the budget minded traveler. I have created a list of some of the best free and cheap things to see and do in the Norwegian capital.
Oslo Opera House
The Oslo Opera House is one of the top attractions in the city and it also happens to be free to visit. The Oslo Opera House opened in 2008 and houses the Norweigian National Opera and Ballet. The exterior is made of Carrara marble and has a metal structure with a glass window facade. The building features a modern style design and stretches over the waterfront. You don’t have to be an opera aficionado or architect to appreciate this stellar building. The angular design allows visitors to climb along the building’s exterior. If you have the time, be sure to attend one of the shows. You won’t be disappointed.
Frogner Park
A visit to Oslo isn’t complete without a visit to Frogner Park. The park, often referred to as Vigeland Park because it contains sculptures by artist Gustav Vigeland, is open daily and is free to the public. This is one of the largest sculpture parks in the world and holds over 200 sculptures scattered throughout. The monolith, which is probably the most famous series of sculptures in Frogner Park, are located in the center of the park. The granite carvings depict different stages in life and display an array of human emotions.
City Hall
Be sure to stop by Oslo’s infamous city hall. This municipal building, designed by Arnstein Arneberg, was completed in 1950 and is an example of functionalism architecture. Oslo’s city hall is most notable as the setting for the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. The Oslo Rådhus, as referred to in its native Norweigian, is free to enter. The building houses a series of murals depicting Norweigian life. These colorful murals are in stark contrast to the monochromatic building’s exterior.
Oslo Street Food
If you’re looking for a reasonably priced place to eat, check out Oslo Street Food. This downtown enclosed market features dozens of international street food stalls. You can sample local dishes from Peru to Syria. Oslo Street Market also has a bar, which contains a variety of beers and cocktails from around the world. Prices for dishes average around $10-15USD. This is a bargain compared to city standards.
Akershus Fortress
Even if you’re not a history buff, be sure to check out the Akershus Fortress. This 14th century fortress is located along the coast near the city center. Here you can get great views of the capital city as well as the neighboring fjords. The fortress is open from 7:00am-6:00pm in the summer and 7:00am-9:00pm in the winter. Within the fortress walls, you can see the Akershus castle and old canons. The best part is that it is open daily free of charge.
Karl Johans Gate
Karl Johans Gate is one of the central streets of Oslo. It runs from the Oslo Central Station to the royal palace. If you’re like most tourists, you will likely pass through this street on the way to or from the train station during your time in Norway. This street connects to some of the city’s most famous attractions and is a worthwhile stop. I recommend passing through this street and exploring the local shops and restaurants.
Ekebergparken Sculpture Park
If you have some extra time, be sure to check out Ekebergparken Sculpture Park. This park is located on the outskirts of Oslo and features a wonderful panoramic view of Oslo, which makes it a worthwhile visit. Ekebergparken Sculpture Park contains over 30 sculptures from a variety of notable artists, including Fernando Botero, Damien Hirst and Salvador Dali. The sculpture park is a nice alternative to the city’s many art museums and is free to enter. Meander around and keep an eye out for sculptures scattered throughout the park.
Oslo Cathedral
You can find Oslo Cathedral nestled in the heart of downtown Oslo. This 17th century church has a baroque interior. The church’s most memorable design features are it’s original altar, organ, and pulpit. These pieces are some of the earliest examples of acanthus leaf imagery in Norway. The cathedral is open from 10:00am-4:00pm every day but Friday. It is open 4:00pm-11:30pm on Fridays. There is no fee to enter and it is a nice quiet place to stop in the bustling city.
Royal Palace
The Royal Palace is hard to miss when exploring Oslo. This large estate is situated on a small hill at the end of Karl Johans Gate. The Royal Palace houses the country’s current monarch and serves as a meeting place for the Council of State and foreign dignitaries that visit Norway. Tours of the interior are only available in the summertime, from the end of June to mid-August. While there is a cost for the guided tour, it is free to explore the palace grounds. Be sure to stay long enough to watch the changing of the guards!
Parliament Building
You’ll find the Storting or Norweigian parliament along Karl Johans gate. The parliament building was designed by Swedish architect Emil Victor Langlet in the historicism style and functions as the current meeting place of the members of parliament. The Parliament runs tours at 10:00am Monday-Friday in the summer months. Tours don’t require an advance booking and are available by first come first served basis. If you plan on taking a tour, make sure to arrive early and be prepared to undergo a security screening.
As you can tell, many of the top attractions in Oslo are inexpensive or free. This can be a huge moneysaver for travelers on a budget. While I can’t list everything that is free or cheap to do while in Oslo, I would also recommend visiting the city’s botanical garden or the National Theater which is located up the street from the parliament building.
If you want to learn more about the city, check out Free Walking Tour Oslo or take one of the city’s ferries to a neighboring fjord. Regardless of what you choose to do in Oslo, I’m sure you will fall in love with Norway’s capital. Happy traveling!
