Oslo in Winter | Norway’s Cultured Capital

Castles dusted in snow and sports to thrill everyone are just the tip of the proverbial iceberg during winter in Oslo, Norway. At any time of year, the walkable capital attracts art lovers and history buffs to world-class museums and galleries. Parks and gardens deliver natural shows in all seasons, while cultural events and festivals fill the yearly calendar. 

But it’s extra special to warm up in saunas and spas during the winter months after ice skating or sledding. Charming restaurants and market stalls serve scrumptious comfort food and spicy mulled wine to warm you up. And from handmade Christmas baubles to designer fashion, fantastic shopping opportunities mean you’ll need plenty of room in your suitcase for souvenirs. 

Oslo Winter Weather 

Oslo winters mean packing for a snowy wonderland with warm layers and waterproof snow gear if you’re planning to enjoy outdoor adventures around the city.

Oslo in December

December usually brings snow for a magical white Christmas with sparkling decorations across the city. Average highs are 1°C with lows of -4°C.

Read more: Best Places to Visit in Europe in December

Oslo in January 

It’s definitely time to hit the nearby ski slopes in January with blankets of snow towards the end of the month. High temperatures hover around zero degrees and nights can be freezing, so pack accordingly.  

Oslo in February

It’s Alpine skiing and cod fishing season in February, with high temperatures rising a little towards 1°C by the end of the month. 

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Best Things to do in Oslo in Winter

Dream about what to do in Oslo in winter from cosy cafes in trendy neighbourhoods. Then hit the slopes, spas, saunas, museums and snowy walking trails of Norway’s exciting capital city. 

Try Tobogganing and Ice Skating

As long as there’s snow, Oslo’s Korketrekkeren toboggan run at Frognerseteren is ready and raring to go. At 2,000 metres long, a speedy ride down takes about 10 minutes. If you can’t get enough of it, take the metro back up for as many rides as you like. You can hire sleds and take sledding classes near the Frognerseteren Café.

In the heart of the city, zip around on the Spikersuppa ice skating rink for free if you have your own skates, or you can hire a pair onsite. It’s also the exciting hub of Jul i Vinterland Christmas market, where traditional stalls blend with international street food vendors and rides, including a Ferris wheel and a carousel. 

Take Winter Walks

Oslo is a walker’s paradise and the city’s dedicated trails are clear and easy to traverse in winter. Set out along the banks of the Akerselva River to cross bridges with fairytale sculptures leading to frozen waterfalls and warm, welcoming restaurants on your way to the Oslo National Academy of the Arts. 

For spectacular street art, wander around the Tøyen neighbourhood near the metro stop. To get your heart rate pumping, hike the steep hills up to Grefsenkollen in time for panoramic sunset views over the snow-topped city and the fjord. Start early in the morning to explore the forest trails surrounding the restaurant at the top. 

Along the Oslo waterfront, you’ll find many colourful floating sauna rafts. Pick your favourite to join in with the sauna culture of socialising while heating up and cooling down for wellbeing – a key winter experience here.

Keep it simple at Oslo Fjord Sauna, where a hot tub comes with scenic views. Or make a day of it at SALT with private saunas to rent, cold freshwater pools and a bar for drinks. KOK floating saunas feature huge windows with wood-fired stoves like Norwegian cabins. 

Hit the Slopes

Can’t wait to launch into thrilling winter activities in Oslo? Skimore Oslo is just 30 minutes from the city. Choose from 18 slopes across a variety of terrains to suit your skiing and snowboarding skills. Speaking of which, it’s easy to take courses or private lessons for adults and kids.

When it’s time for a break, grab a takeaway waffle or settle in at restaurants with views and roaring fireplaces. 

If you’re serious about cross-country skiing, trails run through the forests surrounding Oslo. Evening tours are available, or you can embark on long trips and stop at overnight cabins en route.

Take weather out of the equation for easy adventures at SNØ. The indoor, year-round complex features a thrilling jump along with downhill slopes and a cross-country track. Plus, the lighting system makes it extra fun with disco balls or Northern lights overhead.

Go Museum Hopping

One of the best things to do in Norway in winter is to stay warm inside world-class museums – and Oslo’s pack a punch. Learn about daily life from the 16th century to now at the Norwegian Folk Museum, with traditional costumes from Sami culture and historical buildings at the open-air museum. Keep stepping back in time at the Oslo City Museum near the grand Frogner Manor House and Vigeland Sculpture Park.

For something a little quirkier, the Paradox Museum features science-based exhibits to blow your mind with optical illusions and mind-twisting activities (although a good rainy day activity, I’d skip this one if you’ve been to a Paradox Museum elsewhere).

Visit the Mini Bottle Gallery to see the world’s largest collection of miniature bottles, many of which are filled with weird and wonderful things. Museum hop for days if you like, including to the Munch Museum and the Holocaust Centre. 

See Winter Wonderland Gardens

Oslo’s gardens take on a different kind of magic with dustings of snow. Stroll through the Oslo Botanical Garden in Tøyen, with The Arboretum and gorgeous thematic gardens. The Victoria House opened in 1876 and showcases plants from around the world. In the Palm House, admire rare plants and even orange trees that are often in full bloom during winter. 

You’ll see the late Gustav Vigeland’s imaginative sculptures among the gardens at the Vigeland Museum and Park. Or take a private tour at Ekebergparken to learn about the sculptures created by renowned artists such as Louise Bourgeois and James Turrell. The park also features ancient rock carvings and ruins from the Stone Age. 

Visit Castles

The Royal Palace of Norway cuts a striking figure against it’s park surroundings. Reachable via a short walk from the main street, the royal residence has sat in this elevated position, overlooking central Oslo, since 1814. Although the Palace Park is open to visitors year-round, be careful to watch your step in winter, as not all the paths are gritted.

Like with the Palace, guided tours are only available at Akershus Fortress in the summer. But the medieval castle in the heart of the city makes for striking photos topped in snow. Pop inside to learn about Norway’s WWII history at the Norwegian Resistance Museum.

If you can’t get enough of snowy castles, take a drive or train ride to Tønsberg. The Castle Rock Tower looks like it’s straight out of a storybook and you’ll see everything from whale skeletons to Viking ships in the Slottsfjellsmuseet (museum). 

Step into a winter fairytale at Rose Castle, though this one’s a modern artwork scene. Five soaring gold monuments represent the five years of occupation in Norway during WWII. Wander around to admire sculptures and paintings highlighting history and the fight for freedom. Combine it with a trip to the nearby Holmenkollen Ski Museum and Tower. 

Experience a Biathlon at Holmenkollen

Speaking of Holmenkollen, its also home to the annual Biathlon World Cup. A shooting and cross-country ski racing event that takes place every year in March. It’s a heart-racing event that’ll have you sitting on the edge of your seat as the athletes whiz through the course.

Tickets have to be bought in advance, but we were still able to secure some a couple of months out from the event. It’s a great way to get involved in the local culture and enjoy the lively atmosphere. Just be sure to rug up warm!

Shop ‘Till You Drop

‘Tis the season to be merry and fill your bags with goodies during winter in Oslo. For luxury brands with a Scandinavian twist, there’s even the Promenaden Fashion District to find it all in one place.

Pop into Steen & Strøm, a historical department store, for more upscale retail therapy. For vintage treasures from clothes to books and boots, set aside a couple of hours to stroll around the charming Grünerløkka neighbourhood. 

Oslo’s Christmas markets at Spikersuppa feature lovely wooden stalls, gingerbread treats and handmade gifts beneath twinkling lights. Have your next cup of gløgg (mulled wine) at the Youngstorget Square markets and keep your eyes peeled for smaller markets across the city. 

Savour Comfort Food

You could spend an entire holiday just living out your foodie dreams in Norway’s capital city. Especially during winter travels, when hot chocolate beckons from cute cafes and Michelin-starred menus invite you to splurge on gourmet cuisine – such as 13-course tasting menus at glamorous Statholdergaarden.

But it’s the street food that tempts your taste buds around almost every corner. Find fish balls drenched in white sauce and waffles at hole-in-the-wall eateries. Make sure you’re hungry for a visit to Oslo Street Food Hall in the city centre. A range of vendors serve up snacks from around the world. If you visit on Friday and Saturday nights, you’ll eat to the tunes of live DJs.

Enjoy Cultural Nights Out

Pack your bags to glam up for nights out at the theatre, with a dazzling winter season calendar of performing arts in Oslo. The grand Oslo National Theatre is worth a visit in itself. It’s decorated with statues of famous Norwegian writers, with a stage graced by famous artists for more than 100 years. 

Check the schedule at Chateau Neuf, a regular host of dramas and music concerts. Folketeateret was formerly the home of the Norwegian Opera and now features international musicals. These days, the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet rests by the harbour in the Oslo Opera House – an award-winning building with huge windows for views when you’re inside and out. 

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Best Day Trips from Oslo in Winter 

When you’re not day tripping to ski slopes, you’re spoilt for choice with quaint, snow-blanketed villages and vibrant cities home to iconic landmarks and cultural precincts – all within easy distance of Oslo. 

Fredrickstad

Drive to Fredrickstad in just over an hour from Oslo to arrive at Northern Europe’s best-preserved fortress town. It’s also a hub for winter activities, with an ice-skating rink and gorgeous Christmas markets in the Old Town. Stroll through the artistic centre to see incredible public art, such as huge sculptures of female heads overlooking the Glomma River. 

Take the kids to the Old Town Model Train Centre, which is the largest exhibit in Scandinavia complete with tiny cities, villages and animals. Pop into the Fredrikstad Museum to immerse in the stories of locals through the ages. As you walk around, you’ll stumble on an abundance of art galleries and tantalising restaurants. 

Bærums Verk

There’s a lot to do in historical Bærums Verk, but most people go for the shopping. So, it’s perfect for finding Christmas stocking fillers. The village was known for iron production hundreds of years ago and it continued with traditional crafts. Now, the tourist attraction features artisan workshops including glass blowers, woodworkers and blacksmiths in the main street. 

That’s not all though, with art galleries and modern boutiques amounting to around 40 shops. Wander to the river to see the sculpture park with artworks designed by the country’s top artists. You’ll find plenty of charming eateries, however, Værtshuset Bærums Verk is Norway’s oldest inn so it’s worth a visit. Take a bus, train or drive here in under an hour. 

Lillehammer

It’s about a two-hour drive or train ride from Oslo to Lillehammer, home of the 1994 Winter Olympics. Get straight into the action on the slopes at Hafjell Ski Resort, which is popular among families and professionals alike. Take a selfie at the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena and buy Olympic Park souvenirs at the shop. 

In town, shop for quirky gifts in stores framed by historical architecture. Or visit museums including the Lillehammer Art Museum and the open-air Maihaugen Museum with houses dating back to the 13th century. At Hunderfossen Theme Park, the Winter Park offers family-friendly magic with an ice cathedral and snowy activities among the carnival-style rides. 

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Where to Stay in Oslo

Staying central is often the best option for an Oslo winter break. You won’t need a hire car, as public transportation is available and not too hard to navigate. And the streets are endlessly walkable. Here are a few of the best places to stay in the Norwegian capital.

The Hotel Continental offers guests the 5-star treatment as they relax in the individually designed rooms and suites. Located opposite the National Theatre, you’ll be central to everything if you stay here.

Amerikalinjen hotel is located right by the Oslo Central Station, making it one of the most convenient places to stay in the city centre. The boutique property may also be one of the most comfortable. Each room is decorated with style and a nod to Oslo’s contemporary nature. And you’ll love the breakfast room!

This self-contained, modern 1 bedroom apartment is located in a trendy area of the city, where you can walk to the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, as well as restaurants and saunas within minutes. Oh, and the fjord views aren’t terrible either!

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Oslo delivers the snow-sprinkled scenes of dreamy winter wonderlands with turrets and Alpine slopes for skiing. When you’re not photographing enchanting castles, hop around to renowned museums to delve into the lives of Vikings and admire artistic masterpieces.

Perhaps best of all, you’ll find almost endless options for eating scrumptious cuisine and sipping mulled wine by cosy fires or twinkling market stalls when you visit Oslo in winter.