Does Oslo have the world's coolest

HARBOUR PROMENADE?

The Harbour Promenade in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Marit Dale Aal / Visit Oslo

The harbour promenade in Oslo .
Photo: Marit Dale Aal

Enjoy everything from world-class art, culture and museums to hot saunas and delicious eateries, where the big city meets the Oslofjord.

Have your camera ready because you now have …

… 9 kilometres ahead, full of surprises!

Havnepromenaden Oslo .
Photo: Maverix / Visit Oslo

The harbour promenade in Oslo .
Photo: Marit Dale Aal

Oslo's harbour promenade stretches from Frognerkilen in the west to Kongshavn in the east.

But if you want to enjoy a shorter stroll ...

Morningrun at Frognerkilen in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Maverix / Visit Norway

...choose a quick walk that snakes through some of the trendiest new neighbourhoods.

These orange information towers will show you the way!

Information tower at Sørenga in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Maverix / Visit Norway

Head straight for the harbour promenade's hotspots – or continue your stroll together with us!

1. Sørenga

Our walk begins in one of the newest parts of the Harbour Promenade, with an early morning coffee at Sørenga, where restaurants, cafés and swimming jetties line the shore like pearls on a string.

What can be more fitting than …

Sørenga in Oslo .
Photo: Wanja Sandø / Visit Norway

Sørenga mobilversjon .
Photo: Wanja Sandø

… a morning dip?

Afterwards, you can heat up in one of the many saunas along the promenade, like Oslo badstuforening.

Tjuvholmen, Oslo .
Photo: Fredrikke Wiheden / Making Waves / Visitnorway.com

Three friends diving at Tjuvholmen .
Photo: Edit: Marit Dale Aal

Although we just got started, we can recommend a little detour here...

...just behind Sørenga lies the lush, somewhat hidden jewel Losæter, with its unique architecture. This urban farming centre is a communal farm where vegetables and herbs are cultivated (it even has its own artisanal bakery). Everything here is produced and consumed by locals.

However, if you stop by on Wednesdays between 12:00-20:00 during the summer season, you can taste some of its produce yourself!

The city farm Losæter at Sørenga in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Maverix / Visitnorway.com

"Everything we grow and make here is consumed on site by people like me and you. Yesterday we made a fantastic communal six-course dinner for a big group of people."

Øystein Hvamen Rasmussen, urban farmer

City farmer Øystein at the Loseter city farm .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway

Loseter city farm .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

2. Bjørvika

Continue across the pedestrian bridge across the water, to the newest and hippest neighbourhood in Oslo, Bjørvika.

Ride the lift to the top of...

Bjørvika and Oslobukta in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Maverix / Visitnorway.com

… the amazing new home of the works of Edvard Munch. Enjoy majestic views over the vibrant Oslofjord and Vannkunsten, the capital city's “Little Venice”, with its many small canals.

From the roof of the Munch Museum .
Photo: Christine Baglo / Visit Norway

When you're back on the ground again take a little break on adjacent Operastranden beach or indulge in some street food at Sukkerbiten.

The Munch pier .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

Or how about an SUP or kayak trip?

There are rental companies along the entire promenade.

SUP-boards for rent .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

Continue on to the iconic roof of Oslo Opera House.

The Oslo Opera House .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

"The Opera House is really nice. We like the harbour area and all the houses with balconies."

Paula and David

Young couple visiting The Oslo Opera House .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

After that, you should definitely stop by the Deichman Bjørvika library, which has been named one of the best in the world.

It's a building full of surprises, and was completed in the same year as ...

Oslo main library Deichman Bjørvika .
Photo: VisitOSLO / Tord Baklund

… Oslo was named European Green Capital – 2019.

Oslo has also been listed as one of the world's best cities in which to live in numerous rankings.

SALT in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway

3. SALT

You will quickly notice the vibrant culture when you visit Vippetangen and stop off at SALT.

This culture venue has both one of Oslo's biggest open-air cafes, and offers saunas, swing dancing and concerts all in one place!

Are you starting to get hungry now?

Salt kulturarena .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

4. Vippa

Head to Vippetangen, and the urban food and culture centre Vippa, which has both indoor and outdoor seating – with panoramic views of the fjord.

Vippa in Oslo .
Photo: VisitOSLO / Didrick Stenersen

Vippa in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

Here, you can sample street food from all over the world!

Afterwards, set a course for…

Friends eating food at Vippa in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway

Eating at Vippa .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

5. Akershus Fortress

Follow the cobblestone path past the ramparts up to Akershus Fortress, one of the most important fortress complexes in Norway's history.

The Akershus Fortress in autumn .
Photo: Visit Oslo

Enjoy the view of the Oslofjord from the historic fort, which has protected Oslo's inhabitants for more than 700 years.

Some of the city's best open-air cafes are located down by the water. They are a bustling spot when the sun is shining!

View from the Akershus fortress .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

On Wednesdays and Saturdays, there are ghost tours of the old castle.

Come along, if you dare...

The Akershus fortress .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visitnorway.com

6. Rådhusplassen

More history awaits at our next stop: Rådhusplassen, outside Oslo City Hall.

Maybe you'll catch a concert or festival while you're there!

Visit Oslo City Hall and experience its impressive interior which features work by famous artists, including Edvard Munch.

You can experience even more art and culture at the Nobel Peace Centre and the new National Museum (opening in 2022).

The Oslo City Hall Square .
Photo: Marit Dale Aal / Visit Norway

The Oslo City Hall Square .
Photo: Marit Dale Aal /Visit Norway

7. Aker brygge

Thirsty? There are plenty of places to get a drink at Aker Brygge, a popular boardwalk area with lots of pubs, restaurants, and shops!

Behind its facade this building contains a big shopping centre – full of treasures great and small.

Aker Brygge .
Photo: Marit Dale Aal / Visit Norway

Aker brygge people .
Photo: Sverre Koch

"There are many people here at our age, and it's a good place for young people."

Marianne

Girls eating ice cream at Tjuvholmen .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

8. Tjuvholmen

Continue on to Tjuvholmen, where you can admire innovative architecture, see fantastic contemporary art at the Astrup Fearnley Museum, and visit some of the premiere galleries in the country.

Sleep well (in style) at the five star hotel The Thief!

The Astrup Fearnley museum .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen / Visit Norway

9. Filipstadkaia

This adjacent waterside area is still under development, with big plans for the future.

Take a picture of the 14-metre-high art installation the Oslo Tree, which is lit by a myriad of lights, go for a run in Tufteparken, or stop by Skur 13 to test your skills in the skate hall.

The Filipstad pier .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen

10. Kongen Marina

Your legs might be tired by now, so hop on an electric scooter or city bicycle and head for a cocktail and a bite to eat in tropical surroundings at Kongen Marina!

The Kongen Marina in Oslo .
Photo: Fredrik Ahlsen