Essential Oslo, City Center Guided Walking Tour

*From 17 November to 30 December, the Christmas Walk will replace the Essential Oslo Tour.

Explore the major attractions of the vibrant Norwegian capital on our bestselling city tour. Meet our guide near the University of Oslo, in the city’s heart, and embark on a thrilling urban adventure! First, you will visit the modern Oslo Opera House, which quickly became the city’s icon after its construction in 2008. Our guide will tell you about this building and the radical transformation of the neighborhood, which occurred during the last two decades.

Next, you will stroll down Karl Johans gate, the city’s emblematic two-lane central street. That’s where you can truly appreciate Oslo's stunning 19th-century architecture. We will make the first stop on this street near Domkirke, or as the locals gently call this cathedral—the “Dom.” The city’s main church was built in the late 17th century and substantially reconstructed during the 19th century.

Follow our guide’s lead and see the other prominent buildings on Oslo’s main street. Stortinget, the Parliament building, was erected during the second part of the 19th century when Norway was in a forced union with Sweden. You will also notice the Grand Hotel building nearby—renowned playwright Henrik Ibsen used to frequent its café. A statue dedicated to Ibsen stands in front of the neighboring National Theater, not far from another one that depicts Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson.

The majestic Royal Palace of Oslo stands on a hill at the end of the street. Even though it was built for the very person this street is named after, Karl Johan has never got a chance to reside in this magnificent palace. Our tour guide will delve deeper into the story of the French general-turned-Swedish king and how he became the ruler of Norway.

Before the tour concludes, you will visit one more iconic building—the red-brick Oslo City Hall. Its construction took decades to finish, but today, this place embodies the spirit of Oslo (and Norway in general)—the walls of this building are painted with numerous frescoes depicting the history of this Scandinavian country.

Join our walking tour today to explore Oslo in a fun and exciting way!