Oslo Travel Guide - Activities

Beach: most visitors to Oslo don’t immediately think of the beach, but are pleasantly surprised to find that there are a number of areas along the water to take full advantage of the brief summer. Oslo residents also love to be out in the sun and absorb as much of it as they can during this short period.

An Oslo beach may not be awash with golden sand, but you will find plenty of people soaking up the afternoon sand as well as sellers, music and entertainment. Several beaches are accessible directly from the city, adding even more of a unique touch to the experience.

You’ll also find excellent beaches on the island of Hovedoya, reachable by boat from the Vippetangen pier. This rocky island is the closest to the mainland and is a popular summer place for walks and picnics. At most of the city’s beaches, you’re likely to see Norwegians sunbathing in the nude as nudity is a socially acceptable practice here.

Park: in addition to the city’s smaller parks, Oslo is surrounded by a thick forested area known as the Marka. In the summer months, the Oslomarka is a favourite place for hiking while in the winter, it is popular for skiing. The Oslomarka is easily reached by tram from the city centre, in just 20 minutes. In the Marka you’ll find a number of mountain huts that provide shelter if the weather happens to suddenly change for the worse.

Along Karl Johans Gate and the streets branching off it, you’ll find many larger stores as well as boutiques. Best buys in the city include sportswear, traditional handicrafts, silver and enamelware, pewter and glass by Hadeland Glassverk. Most shops are open Monday to Friday from 09:00 to 17:00 and Saturday from 09:00 to 15:00. Department stores and malls keep longer hours, in general: Monday to Friday 09:00 to 20:00, and Saturday from 09:00 until 18:00.

Winter sport: a 20 minute tram ride will take you from the city centre to the outdoor sporting wonderland at Oslomarka. In the winter months, the Marka is transformed into a massive ski area, with more than 1500 miles of trails.