A free self-guided walking tour in Oslo? Want to see Oslo from a different angle? Do you want to see the tourist spots but also discover the offbeat areas? Taking in the atmosphere of Oslo’s very diverse neighborhoods? Then keep on reading, you came to the right article.
Anther Nordic City has nice architecture but feels a bit cold. If you have traveled to multiple East-European cities, you might know what I mean. I was missing the spirit of Oslo. All seemed so clean, and structured, … I miss the loud outgoing vibes. However, it is not like this in every corner of the city.
Let me take you for a self-guided walking city tour that includes not only tourist sights but also neighborhoods that might not be that popular. This walking tour takes the whole day. If you stay longer in Oslo, I recommend splitting it. The route covers about 13 kilometers / 8 miles. No worries, extensive breaks are also included 😉 Are you ready?
Opera House, Domkirke and Royal Palace – the first stop of the sightseeing excursion
The tour is going to start at the main train station. From there you can easily walk to the Opera house, which you can walk up to, take in the first glance of the city and sea view. Hint: go there in the early morning. It’s less busy. At around 9 am the number of people was pleasant. Not too busy at all.
The next stops on this walking tour, still touristy, are the Oslo Domkirke (Oslo Cathedral), Oslo Parliament, the Radhuset (City Hall), and the Royal Palace. You can walk up to the Royal Palace from the bustling shopping street, Karl Johans gate. Along this street are also the National Theatre and the University. Strolling along the Karl Johans gate gives you the first glimpse of Oslo’s city center.
To reach the Royal Palace, you walk a little uphill. Don’t forget to turn around and have a little view of the city center. The park around the Palace is beautiful, with lots of flowers, a meadow, and a small pond. You can also visit the Botanical Garden with Green House, Museum, and Café. The entrance fee is around 15€.
Now you made most of the touristy stuff. So, in case you need a little coffee break. The Espresso House is just around the corner, a Scandinavian chain that has free refills for a standard coffee.
Manthallen Food Market and Oslo’s Street Art district
After the break, you are hopefully refreshed for a little longer stretch of walking, 30 minutes. The way continues to the Manthallen Oslo, a food market. On the way, you come across a very diverse neighborhood and atmosphere compared to the packed touristy shopping streets. Arrived at the Manthallen Food Market, you can have a look at exotic (European 😉) meals and grab a bite, have lunch, or treat yourself to ice cream. Or if you are on a budget and can’t handle Oslo prices, you can just take another rest at the nearby park, Grünerhagen, if the weather is nice. The great thing about a self-guided walking tour is that you can be more independent and make longer or shorter breaks.
Søndagsmarkedet i Ingensgate: The art quarter in Oslo is tiny, but at least there is some street art here. Not only graffiti but also sculptures, art galleries, art schools, music venues, bars and nightclubs.
Residential and Hipster neighborhood of Oslo
The next district you are entering is the hipster neighborhood. Young adults meet in cafes, secondhand stores line the streets, and the streetcar street with few cars gives it a chilled atmosphere. For all the library lovers or low-cost travelers in this area of Oslo is also a library called Deichman. It looks unique in the pictures on the web.
Immerse yourself in the cultural diversity of Oslo – Grönland
The Oslo walking tour continues to the possible last stop: Grönland. At the Grønland Fruit and Vegetables Market, you can get products at a lower price. While walking through the pedestrian zone of this neighborhood in Oslo, you will probably realize the cultural aspect of it. Here all kinds of cultures meet. On every corner, you can find a kebab shop, some coffee shops, or various clothing stores. If you are interested in integration and immigration history in Norway, there is also the Intercultural Museum. After walking through so many parts of the city, you can clearly see the diversity of this city.
From here, it is not far back to the train station. But in case you still have time, and your feet are still able to take you around Oslo there are some more sights I haven’t covered yet.
The Bar Code – Oslo’s newest quarter
Dressed up, businessmen and women. Welcome to the high-end neighborhood – Bar Code. First, I thought it was just an unofficial name of this district. But these new skyscrapers have really attained this name. It was unique to walk through this modern landscape, after seeing all these down-to-earth neighborhoods of Oslo.
Deichman, is not a shoe shop that some European travelers might think, no it is a library. Not any library, it is huge, modern and has a huge selection of books. It has 3 or 4 floors and a big section of books in any language, from Finnish, Swedish, German to Urdu, Arabic and much more.
The sea side of Oslo
It is also a nice place to have a rest and give your legs a break from walking. But if you are looking for a place for a snack, right at the water is the outdoor bar/restaurant area SALT Langhuset. This is also a place in Oslo where can enjoy events, like concerts, theatre, and stand-up comedy. Having to say that the restaurants do not offer a great selection of snacks.
From here it is not far from the Fortress, Norwegian Armed Forces Museum, and the Memorial to the Deported Jews of Norway. In case you are not interested in visiting the museum, then there is not so much to see except the fortress walls and two panzers. The highlight was seeing a cruise ship departure from here. It’s quite a controversial city. Since it is full of e-cars and the government is strongly supporting that and then the huge cruise ship that is not at all sustainable. At the end of the day, I guess it is just about money. 🤷🏻♀️
Last stop – Ekebergutsikten view point
For everyone whose legs are still working after this extensive walk, has one more stop to make. The Ekebergutsikten viewpoint. A little walk towards the hill (15 minutes from the Opera House) and then another 10-15 minutes uphill. Not too bad. From here you can not only have a view of the city but also over the Oslofjord.
The author of the blog
Lisi is an adventurous, mostly solo traveler from Austria. She likes to travel slowly, discover underrated countries/regions, and of course, learn about cultures. She has been traveling the world and creating travel content since 2016. With a degree in tourism management and a passion for travel and cultures, she wants to tell stories that inspire her readers and help them travel more consciously.
Really love your article, but it will be more perfect with a map as well… Thank you
Thank you. I’m glad to hear that 🙂