On holiday with children in Oslo

Oslo has lots of exciting spots to explore and activities to enjoy, especially during the summer.

The entire family can visit the Viking Museum, paddle down the Akerselva river, ride along a zipline and eat at some of the country’s best pizza restaurants.

When planning a family holiday and overnight stay in Oslo, it’s a good idea to consider the right location. Although Oslo has a compact city centre, many of its activities are found outside the city centre.

With a hotel room close to the Royal Palace and National Theatre, it’s easy to get around by public transport, whether you want to swim at Bygdøy, play frisbee golf in Holmenkollen or enjoy waffles in Grünerløkka.

Stay in the heart of the city centre with metro, tram, bus lines and city bikes nearby to take you where you want to go quickly and easily. With a hotel room near the National Theatre, you're never far from a child-friendly restaurant or spacious green park.

Oslo Sommerpark

Tryvann is home to Oslo Sommerpark, a climbing park in the woods with fun challenges for climbers of all ages. It is one of the largest and most popular climbing parks in the Nordic region and can best be described as an amusement park in the woods with zip-lines, suspension bridges, tunnels and ladders.

Paddling in Akerselva

Paddling is a relaxing way for the entire family to explore Oslo. Mad Goats offers kayaking and packrafting tours along the Akerselva river. Float along the peaceful banks of Grünerløkka all the way down to the Oslo Opera House. The kayaks are easy to manoeuvre and suitable for anyone over the age of ten.

Holmenkollen DiscGolfPark

Holmenkollen DiscGolfPark is located right next to Holmenkollen National Arena. Here you can throw frisbees on the 18-hole frisbee golf course while enjoying views of Oslo. There is no fee to play, but you need to bring your own frisbees.

Sørenga Bathing Pier

Swimming at Sørenga is popular with both young and old – and for good reason. Here you will find a swimming pool with seawater, jetty with diving tower, lifeguards and toilet facilities. Sørenga also has numerous restaurants.

Pole hunting

With this activity, you 'hunt' for poles using a map (on paper or in an app). The poles are located at various locations throughout Oslo and paper maps are available at different Deichman library branches.

Oslo Reptile Park

The Oslo Reptile Park is home to snakes, lizards, turtles, crocodiles, spiders and marmosets. Visitors can watch the animals be fed and even pet the snakes. 

Deichman Bjørvika

The new library, Deichman Bjørvika, has something for children and adults alike. Here you will find not only thousands of books, but also cafés, workshops, a cinema and a large area to relax with a good book.

Tusenfryd

Norway’s largest amusement park is only half an hour by bus from Oslo or ten minutes by car from Thon Hotel Ski.   It has everything from a log ride and bumper cars to roller coasters and a water park.

Mamma Pizza Osteria Italiana

Mamma Pizza, an informal Italian restaurant, is located near Karl Johans gate. The restaurant is run by brothers Luca and Davide Zannini from Bologna and their pizza and pasta dishes are made from family recipes.

Oslo Street Food

Located right next to Youngstorget, Oslo Street Food has something for everyone. Here you'll find food stalls from all corners of the globe, offering everything from tacos and burgers to Indian and Thai cuisine. Food is ordered via a QR code, which is found on all tables. You are then sent a text message when the food is ready. There are lots of long tables where you can pull up a chair.

Haralds Vaffel

Right next to Birkelunden Park in Grünerløkkathere is Haralds Vaffel, an eldorado for all those who love waffles and fun desserts. Here you'll find everything from traditional waffles with jam to hot dogs wrapped in waffles, as well as ice cream and donuts.

Syverkiosken

Syverkiosken is Oslo’s most famous hot dog stand. This small stand on Aleksander Kielland Square has served the city’s best Vienna sausages for years, perfect for a snack while walking to your next activity.

Villa Paradiso Tivoli

Villa Paradiso Tivoli is located in a quiet, green area in the district of Lilleborg in northern Oslo. Here you can enjoy traditional Italian pizza in a large and colourful pizzeria, with the Akerselva river running right outside the window. Villa Paradiso also has pizzerias in Grünerløkka, Majorstuen and Frogner.