24 Hours in Oslo, Norway on a Budget

Wondering what to do with 24-hours in Oslo?

Oslo can be a great hub when trying to get to neighboring cities within Norway or within the rest of Europe. Though the southern European countries are portrayed to be more glamorous, the Nordic countries shouldn’t be overlooked!

This post is all about Oslo, Norway on a budget!

When did we go to oslo?

We traveled to Oslo in late September and it was a fabulous experience. The city wasn’t packed, the crisp air added to the Nordic experience and of course shoulder season discounts are a bonus!

Though we didn’t spend too much time in Oslo we really enjoyed the time we spent there. We sandwiched our Norwegian journey with an overnight in Oslo on both the front and back end. This way we could experience two different 24 hour experiences in Oslo.

Where we stayed during our 24 hours in oslo

First Stay: We stayed in the Citybox Oslo for a very reasonable price. The location was incredibly convenient and walking distance to everything we wanted to see and do in Oslo.

The accommodation was the perfect balance when factoring in cost, cleanliness and amenities.

They also offer a 10% discount at the breakfast restaurant next door called Spor Av Nord. Their Norwegian breakfast buffet is complete with an assortment of smoked fish, cheese, fruits, pastries, seeded breads, juices, coffee and tea.

Second Stay: We stayed at the Vika Atrium hotel which is part of the Thon collection chain. We found that they offer wonderful student deals that allow you to get the perks of a hotel at the cost of a hostel! We definitely preferred the Citybox location, but the Thon hotel served its purpose as a place to sleep before our early morning flight.

What we CONSUMED during our 24 hours in oslo

Bites:

In true Exploren Lauren fashion, we immediately embarked on a tasty treat upon arrival. Norwegian waffles with brown cheese were the perfect introduction to Norwegian food. Although I was a bit hesitant to try this Norwegian delicacy, we were blown away by the fun flavor combinations and we highly recommend trying if you make your way to Oslo.

Another wonderful stop was the Fiskeriet Youngstorget restaurant. Fresh fish market by day turned restaurant by night. We came in and were immediately welcomed by fellow backpackers at a shared table. We indulged in delicious fish and chips with the best remoulade with capers that I’ve had to date. The fish and chips are definitely heavy, but they pair it with cornichons and pickled red onions. We also ordered oysters that the waiter eloquently told us about. Unfortunately, they did forget our order, but the waiter comped us our beer, oysters and extra fish for the fish and chips, so we couldn’t be too upset!

Sips:

One of our favorite things to do in a new city is grab a beer/glass of wine or cup of tea/coffee. The Schous Pils is one of the famous beers of Oslo with the brewery still standing since 1800. Though it stopped operating in 1981, you can still see the trademark logo on the outside of the building and be sure to try one of their beers in any of the surrounding bars or pubs.

WHAT WE did during our 24 hours in oslo

Sights:

Walking around Oslo is beautiful. I would say that it’s a very walkable city. Part of the city is on the water and there are fjord cruises that allow you to get out on the water. They also offer saunas right in the bay The city has a comprehensive public transportation system and has to be the quietest city we’ve ever visited. The people are quiet, the public transportation is quiet and rarely will you see a car.

The Edvard Munch Museum is also nice to visit. His most famous or recognizable piece of art is, “The Scream”. The museum is nicely designed and has many beautiful displays of his artwork – I particularly enjoyed that he worked with differing mediums.