Oslo in One Day: Ski Jump, Vikings, Artwork, and Cruise Port Options

Attempting to see the highlights of Oslo in one day, we disembarked our cruise ship in the capital of Norway. This is not the optimal way to see this beautiful city.

However, for us, it was our only option as it was the final port of our cruise through the majestic Norwegian Fjords before heading back to our starting point.

Unlike the other Norwegian cruise ports, Oslo is the country’s capital city and is loaded with options from historical to modern.

Honestly, attempting to see the highlights of Oslo in one day, we walked away wanting more.

Oslo cruise port – highlights of Oslo in one day

With limited time and lots of great options come some tough choices. Here are what we believe are the highlights you’ll have to choose from if you are trying to see Oslo in one day.

• Vigeland Sculpture Park
• Ski Jump and Museum (Holmenkollen)
• Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuse) – closed until 2026
• Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
• National Museum
• Munch (Museum)
• Vigeland Museum
• City walking tour

Vigeland Sculpture Park

A must-see, Vigeland Park is the world’s largest sculpture park with works made by a single artist. There are over 200 sculptures by the famed Norwegian sculptor Gustav Vigeland, all themed around the circle of life.

To preserve an air of timelessness, Vigeland chose to carve each of the sculptures (except one of himself) without clothes.

An enjoyable place for a stroll, the park itself is loaded with creativity. Even the mosaic tile pattern at the entrance creates a large labyrinth. As a result, the park is popular with both tourists and locals, and even the rainy day which we visited didn’t keep people away.

Entry is free.

Ski Jump and Museum (Holmenkollen)

This is the real thing, the ski jump used in the 2011 world championships. On a clear day, visitors are rewarded with a 360-degree panoramic view of the city. Unfortunately for us, we visited on a rainy and overcast day. We did get the exciting view of looking down and imagining what it would be like to do a jump. I assure you; this is NOT a sport for me! The attached museum offered history and was interesting, even with the language barrier.

Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuse) – closed until 2026

Historically, Viking ships remained with their royal owners on their passing to carry them to “the other side.” The Viking Ship Museum is home to the best-preserved Viking ships ever found, all buried more than 1,100 years ago in one of three royal burial mounds nearby the Oslo Fjord. Currently closed, the museum will reopen in 2026 as the Viking Age Museum.

More museums (attempting Oslo in one day, we choose to skip these)

• Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum)
  Often called the Norwegian Folk Museum, the highlight here is the Gol Stave Church, restored in the 1800s as a replica of the original built in the 1200s.
• National Museum
  This is the largest art museum in the Nordic countries. I am sure it will quickly be on every Oslo highlights list. As the National Museum’s grand opening was on June 11, 2022, we didn’t see this museum.
• Munch
  A museum focused on the life and art of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. His most well-known painting is “The Scream”.
• Vigeland Museum
  If you still want more after exploring the park, the museum houses both his apartment and workspaces.
  

Oslo in one day allows time to stroll past many fascinating sites

Don’t forget to walk around town and spot some of the fascinating and eclectic architecture. We strolled past several key buildings as well as walked along the dock admiring some of the tall ships.

• Royal Palace
  Home to the current monarchs, King Harald V and Queen Sonja, the palace was commissioned by King Charles III who passed before it was completed in 1849.
• Norwegian parliament buildings
  The Storting (parliament) building is the seat of Norway’s parliament. Its style was inspired by French and Italian architecture.
• National Theatre
  The theatre has been Norway’s main performing arts venue for over 100 years.
• Oslo Cathedral
  Built during the late 17th century, the cathedral is the main church for the Church of Norway Diocese of Oslo. The Norwegian Royal Family and the Norwegian government use it for their public events.
• Oslo Opera House
  A classic theatre mainly featuring ballet and opera, its design resembles a glacier rising out of a fjord.
• Akersush Fortress (Akersush Festning)
  A 13th-century fortress that has withstood every siege it faced. It can be seen behind the boats in the harbour photo.
• Nobel Peace Center (Nobels Fredssenter)
  Everchanging and permanent exhibits dedicated to prior Nobel Peace Prize winners.
• City hall plaza fountains
  An interesting brick building with two tall towers, it was the fountains in the seaside plaza that we enjoyed the most.

Save with an Oslo pass (can be used even with one day in Oslo)

While the Oslo pass is really designed for a bit more time than a cruise shore excursion will provide, we worked it out and it still would have saved us money. That’s because, for us, limited time means we spend less time in each location so we can at least see everything we are interested in.

The pass itself is available for either 24, 48, or 72 hours. It includes unlimited travel on the city’s public transportation as well as admission to over 30 museums or attractions, plus several tours.

Importantly – you need to pick up the actual pass at the Oslo visitor’s centre which is about 1.4km (0.9 miles) from the cruise port terminal or just outside the train station. Hours and rules are subject to change, so be sure to read the details before you purchase. Reserve your Oslo Pass here.

Recommended tours in Oslo

We had specific things we really wanted to see, and we couldn’t find a group tour that met our needs, so we hired a private guide.

Although Oslo is an easy town to get around with public transportation, our mistake was not hiring a guide with a car and driver as we had such limited time. In Norway, this requires a professional driver’s license.

Therefore, if we were a select a guide today, it would be a top-rated guide like Frida L from Tours By Locals. She offers several tours and is flexible to adjust to your needs. (Note that price is per tour).

If I wanted a less expensive option (in general, Norway is expensive), I would select an Oslo cruise excursion that includes the ski jump museum like this one: Reserve your shore excursion here.

What will you choose if you try to see Oslo in one day?

Olso is one of several Norway cruise ports we visited.

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