Last Updated on March 14, 2026
I’ve spent a lot of time in Oslo over the years since I moved to Scandinavia in 2012 and it’s one of my favourite cities to visit. Now I have here many friends and I am always happy to be back. It isn’t a surprise since it’s one of those cities that really rewards you for climbing just a little higher and I love hiking and exploring cities from above. What makes Norway’s capital special is how close nature, the fjord, and the city centre are to each other. In just one day, you can enjoy historical sights, sea views, forest hills, modern architecture, and cozy neighborhoods. In this article, you’ll find both my favourite Oslo viewpoints and scenic walks. These will bring you to the most important sights of the city as well as to the mountains around the city where you can enjoy both views and picnics. As always, I also add secret tips which you won’t find in any guidebook 😉
Which hotel offers the best view of Oslo?
Before I start presenting the best walks and viewpoints of Oslo, you might be wondering where it’s a good idea to book your accommodation. As I love views, I tested a few hotels in the city and these have the best views:
- Scandic Holmenkollen Park: This hotel stands nearby famous Holmenkollen ski jump and also offers similarly great views. As a bonus, it’s nearby hiking paths, running and cross country tracks. If you are a sporty person who loves viewpoints like me, this is a hotel number 1 for you in Oslo.
- The Thief: This is one of Oslo’s most stylish hotels, located right on the waterfront in Tjuvholmen. Many rooms, especially suites, offer panoramic views of the Oslofjord, and the rooftop bar/terrace (Thief Roof) is one of the most talked-about places in the city for sunset drinks with a view.
We will be talking about the Holmenkollen and Tjuvholmen area also later in this article. You will learn that they belong to the most popular and most expensive areas of the city and therefore, the hotel room can be pricey, especially during the high tourist season. Luckily, I have also a budget option for you. Book hotel Citybox Oslo to save money. Its rooms are smaller but comfortable and the hotel is located close to the train station and to all important sights of Oslo.
The Opera House – walk on the roof with a view
We have to start with one of Oslo’s most unique viewpoints which you can find in the city centre, just a 10 minutes walk from the main train station. If your time in Oslo is very limited and there is just one place to visit in Oslo, it should be the Oslo Opera House. It was built with a wonderful observation deck on its roof and you can easily walk up for free. From the top, you’ll have views over the fjord, the city centre, and the modern Barcode district. It’s especially beautiful early in the morning or at sunset.
Walk with the most important sights and viewpoints in Oslo
Do you have more time in Oslo? I created for you the ultimate walk in the city centre during which you’ll see all important sights and viewpoints. You can do this walk in just one day but if you have more time , I recommend to visit the recommended museums on the way. If you visit all of them, this walk can suddenly take multiple days as the museums offer a lot of entertainment. Ready for my tips? Let’s go!
- Start the walk comfortably at the main train station. From here, head towards the Royal Palace via Karl Johans gate. This is Oslo’s main street, connecting the Central Station with the Royal Palace. You’ll pass shops, cafés, historic buildings, street performers, and always lots of life.
- At the top of Karl Johans gate sits the Royal Palace, surrounded by a large park that’s perfect for a stroll. In summer, you can even join guided tours inside.
- Continue to Tjuvholmen. This area feels modern and stylish, with galleries, swimming spots, and great views back toward the city. Don’t miss here the first wonderful viewpoint of this walk – the observation tower Tjuvtitten.
- Tjuvholmen is connceted with Aker Brygge which is a lively waterfront area full of restaurants, cafés, and sea views. It’s especially nice in the evening or on sunny days.
- After the modern part of the city, we go back in time with a visit to the National Museum which is home to art, design, and architecture including the famous painting of Edvard Munch’s – The Scream.
- Your next steps will lead to Oslo City Hall built in 1950 which is famous for hosting the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony. From the outside it looks quite strict, but inside you’ll find impressive murals and artworks – and it’s free to enter. If you want to learn more about the Nobel Peace and its history, you can visit Nobel Peace Center located between the City Hall and the National Museum.
- Let’s dive even deeper in history. Continue your walk on the seaside and you’ll reach Akershus Fortress. This is a medieval fortress overlooking the fjord. Walk along the walls for scenic views, explore the grounds, or simply enjoy the calm atmosphere above the city.
- After the fortress we head to Oslo Opera where I already described that you can walk on the roof for free. But this isn’t the only view in the area.
- Head to the Munch museum nearby Oslo Opera where you will be able to learn about Munch’s art and enjoy wonderful views from the café on the last floor.
- The walk ends at another epic viewpoint of Oslo at Ekebergparken. Located on a hill southeast of the city centre, this park offers panoramic views over Oslo, the fjord, and the surrounding islands. Besides the view, you’ll find walking paths, sculptures, and quiet spots perfect for a picnic. There is also a restaurant nearby where you can end up your day with a tasty dinner.
Holmenkollen – the must see Oslo viewpoint
We have covered the most important sights of the city centre so it’s time to move to the mountains around Oslo. Let’s continue with the most majestic view over the city which you will have from the iconic Holmenkollen Ski Jump. From the top, you can see the entire city, the fjord, and on clear days even to Sweden. If you buy a ticket to the ski jump, there’s also a ski museum visit included in price and it’s worth spending there some time too. The museum is very interactive and you can learn about the history of skiing in Norway.
You can reach Holmenkollen easily by metro line 1 from the city centre. It’s a smooth 26 minutes long journey from the main train station and there are actually beautiful views already from the metro. I recommend to sit by the left window on the way up and you won’t regret it.
If you want to spice up your visit to the Holmenkollen ski jump, don’t take the elevator down. Instead, pump up your adrenaline and use the zip line. It’s much quicker and you’ll never forget this experience.
Hidden gem at Holmenkollen – Secret view from another ski jump
As I promised, I have a secret tip for you and it’s also from a ski jump. If you want to save money on a ticket to the main Holmenkollen ski jump and want to enjoy another view in a more private atmosphere, you can visit a smaller ski jump which also offers a wonderful view. It isn’t far from the main ski jump and there is no fee or restriction to enter it.
See a map below how you reach it from the Holmenkollen metro station. Try to follow this map exactly since there are many cross country skiing tracks on the way and you might be tempted to use them. But be careful: They are used both in summer and winter by skiers and it’s forbidden to go there for pedestrians. It’s for a reason, they go very fast and it’s very hard to stop, especially on the roller skies in summer. You will have to pass a cross country skiing track at the point 5 on the map. Be careful there and skip the final loop on the map below. You can actually just pass the tracks and go to the ski jump which is marked as public toilet on the map.
Vettakollen – a local favorite hike
If you like hiking and want something a bit more local, head to Vettakollen. It’s a nice hike and the reward is one of the best natural views over Oslo. It’s a popular spot among locals, especially on weekends. Bring some snacks, maybe a thermos if you head up on a cold day, and enjoy the calm atmosphere above the city.
To reach Vettakollen, you have multiple options and I recommend to make a trip from point A to B so you experience more of nature around Oslo. The easiest way to start your hike is to take metro line 1 to the last stop Frognerseteren. From there, follow the map below to the top of Vettakollen. On the way down, I recommend to go to metro station Sognsvann. On the way, you will see the popular local lakes Båntjern and Sognsvann where you can take a swim on a warm sunny day.
KOK – sauna, sea, and skyline
At the end of this article, I have for you one more local tip. Be like a Norwegian and book one of local saunas. You’ll realize that viewpoints can also be relaxing. There are many saunas in the Oslo city centre and most of them have wonderful views. My favourite one is called KOK. Here, you can sit in a sauna right by the water and enjoy views of the fjord and the city skyline including Oslo Opera.
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For more tips in Scandinavia, check out my other articles.
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