Five great things that you can do for free in Oslo this winter
Don't let the cold put you off, there's plenty to see and do in Oslo in the winter months. Here are our picks.
There's no escaping the fact that Norway is an expensive place to call home or visit as a tourist. Therefore one might think that a decent day out in Oslo might cost an arm and leg and leave your wallet trembling with fear.
However, that doesn't have to be the case, and there is plenty to see and do without paying a princely price.
Luckily, there's plenty to cater to everybody's needs too. So whether you want to get active, find somewhere warm to hunker down or soak up some culture, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained for almost nothing.
Ice Skating
A fun activity with others, there are plenty of skating rings in Oslo to choose from, and the vast majority are free for the public to use.
Spikersuppa is the most famous of these and is located between the National Theatre and Norway's parliament.
The rink is open for business every day, Sunday's included. If you don't have your own skates, you will have to pay for rental.
Another smaller spot, that weather depending, really lets you soak up some spectacular scenes is located by the Diechman Bjørvika library.
This rink is on the smaller side but offers views of the Oslo Opera House and Oslo Fjord. However, there are some downsides, as there are no rentals available, and if it's too warm, it'll be a puddle rather than an ice rink.
If you want to skate for completely free, then the Voldsløkka ice rink in Sagene offers free rental.
There are also other places you can borrow equipment for winter sports completely free (more on that below).
Toboggan run at Korketrekkern
If doing a few laps of an ice rink might be a bit too pedestrian for you, then you might want to take things up a notch.
The toboggan run at Korketrekkern is over 2km long and takes around 10 minutes to complete. Kokketrekkern is Oslo's most popular toboggan run for good reason. Once finished, you can ride the metro back up to Frognerseteren from Midtstuen for another go.
The toboggan run is, you guessed it, free, and you can bring your own sled. If you already live in Oslo, you'll either have your own or know someone willing to loan you one. If you don't have a sled, then you can rent one for 150 kroner.
Similar to ice rinks, the toboggan runs are weather dependent. Before heading out you will need to check the run is open as if it is too icy, the run will be closed as the sleds pick up too much speed.
Vigelandsparken
Home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal and the famous Angry Boy statue, Vigelandsparken is an essential destination all year round.
The park in Frogner, west Oslo, is at its best during the winter months after fresh snowfall. If it's icy or the snow has started to melt somewhat, then it may be worth postponing.
Vigelandsparken makes the perfect place to take in some crisp winter air while also being able to see some of Norway's most prized sculptures.
Deichman Bjørvika
If you are averse to the cold weather, then hunkering down in the Deichmann Bjørvika library may be an attractive proposition this winter.
The library, adjacent to the Oslo Opera House, boasts over six floors, a cinema hall, stages and workshops for people of all ages.
Each floor has a different atmosphere, and the library is a delight for fans of modern architecture.
The library regularly hosts free events too. Whether it's a children's cinema or practicing your Norwegian with others, there's plenty to do. You can see the library's list of events here.
Cross country skiing
There are more than 2,600 kilometres of prepared cross-country ski trails that run deep into Oslo's forests. For night owls, there is also 90km of floodlit tracks.
An added bonus is that you can take public transport to some of the best locations that Oslo has to offer.
You can take the number 1 metro line to Midtstuen, Holmenkollen, Voksenkollen or Frognerseteren. The number 3 line will take you to Skullerud or Mortensrud, and the number 5 line will get you to Songsvann.
You won't need to fork out a fortune when it comes to equipment, either. This is because you can rent equipment for free from your local BUA centre if you live in Norway.
There are several BUA, volunteer run orginisations that offer free equipment to locals, dotted around Oslo.
Comments
See Also
There's no escaping the fact that Norway is an expensive place to call home or visit as a tourist. Therefore one might think that a decent day out in Oslo might cost an arm and leg and leave your wallet trembling with fear.
However, that doesn't have to be the case, and there is plenty to see and do without paying a princely price.
Luckily, there's plenty to cater to everybody's needs too. So whether you want to get active, find somewhere warm to hunker down or soak up some culture, there are plenty of ways to keep yourself entertained for almost nothing.
Ice Skating
A fun activity with others, there are plenty of skating rings in Oslo to choose from, and the vast majority are free for the public to use.
Spikersuppa is the most famous of these and is located between the National Theatre and Norway's parliament.
The rink is open for business every day, Sunday's included. If you don't have your own skates, you will have to pay for rental.
Another smaller spot, that weather depending, really lets you soak up some spectacular scenes is located by the Diechman Bjørvika library.
This rink is on the smaller side but offers views of the Oslo Opera House and Oslo Fjord. However, there are some downsides, as there are no rentals available, and if it's too warm, it'll be a puddle rather than an ice rink.
If you want to skate for completely free, then the Voldsløkka ice rink in Sagene offers free rental.
There are also other places you can borrow equipment for winter sports completely free (more on that below).
Toboggan run at Korketrekkern
If doing a few laps of an ice rink might be a bit too pedestrian for you, then you might want to take things up a notch.
The toboggan run at Korketrekkern is over 2km long and takes around 10 minutes to complete. Kokketrekkern is Oslo's most popular toboggan run for good reason. Once finished, you can ride the metro back up to Frognerseteren from Midtstuen for another go.
The toboggan run is, you guessed it, free, and you can bring your own sled. If you already live in Oslo, you'll either have your own or know someone willing to loan you one. If you don't have a sled, then you can rent one for 150 kroner.
Similar to ice rinks, the toboggan runs are weather dependent. Before heading out you will need to check the run is open as if it is too icy, the run will be closed as the sleds pick up too much speed.
Vigelandsparken
Home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, designer of the Nobel Peace Prize medal and the famous Angry Boy statue, Vigelandsparken is an essential destination all year round.
The park in Frogner, west Oslo, is at its best during the winter months after fresh snowfall. If it's icy or the snow has started to melt somewhat, then it may be worth postponing.
Vigelandsparken makes the perfect place to take in some crisp winter air while also being able to see some of Norway's most prized sculptures.
Deichman Bjørvika
If you are averse to the cold weather, then hunkering down in the Deichmann Bjørvika library may be an attractive proposition this winter.
The library, adjacent to the Oslo Opera House, boasts over six floors, a cinema hall, stages and workshops for people of all ages.
Each floor has a different atmosphere, and the library is a delight for fans of modern architecture.
The library regularly hosts free events too. Whether it's a children's cinema or practicing your Norwegian with others, there's plenty to do. You can see the library's list of events here.
Cross country skiing
There are more than 2,600 kilometres of prepared cross-country ski trails that run deep into Oslo's forests. For night owls, there is also 90km of floodlit tracks.
An added bonus is that you can take public transport to some of the best locations that Oslo has to offer.
You can take the number 1 metro line to Midtstuen, Holmenkollen, Voksenkollen or Frognerseteren. The number 3 line will take you to Skullerud or Mortensrud, and the number 5 line will get you to Songsvann.
You won't need to fork out a fortune when it comes to equipment, either. This is because you can rent equipment for free from your local BUA centre if you live in Norway.
There are several BUA, volunteer run orginisations that offer free equipment to locals, dotted around Oslo.
Join the conversation in our comments section below. Share your own views and experience and if you have a question or suggestion for our journalists then email us at [email protected].
Please keep comments civil, constructive and on topic – and make sure to read our terms of use before getting involved.
Please log in here to leave a comment.