Is it worth to visit Oslo in the winter?
Of course! There are plenty of indoor museums and galleries to visit, saunas to heat up in and activities to take part in. And if you don’t mind the cold weather and like skiing or other winter activities, there are endless of possibilities for you here in Oslo.
Isn’t it cold in Oslo during winter?
How is the temperature if you visit Oslo in winter? Despite of what many believe, not all of Norway is super freezing in the winter. Oslo has its perks of being situated in a tiny fjord called the Oslofjord, salvaging the city from the harshest and coldest weather. In the middle of winter, the temperatures in Oslo can vary from -15 degrees to +15 degrees Celcius (5 degrees Fahrenheit to 59 degrees Fahrenheit). The weather conditions in the central part of Oslo fluctuates a lot between overcast, rain or snow. But in the mountain sides surrounding Oslo, the weather is usually more stable and snowy.
Average temperatures in Oslo in winter:
- Min. -15°C, Max. 13°C
- Average temperatures in Oslo in December: 1°C/-4°C
- Average temperatures in Oslo in January: 0°C/-5°C
- Average temperatures in Oslo in February: 1°C/-5°C
Enjoy a panoramic view of Oslo at Frognerseteren
At one of Oslo’s mountainside hills, Frognerseteren, you’ll find Kafé Seterstua. Here, you can take a break from the city’s hustle and bustle while you enjoy the view of Oslo and sit in front of the fireplace. With the right weather conditions, the panoramic view is amazing. The oldest part of the house was finished in 1891, and the details are remarkable. And just outside the door step, you can go for a walk in the forest called Marka, which surrounds Oslo. To get to Frognerseteren, you can either book a taxi or take the metro line number 1 to the final station with the same name “Frognerseteren”.
See the famous Holmenkollen ski jump and ski museum
Just a short walk away from Frognerseteren, you will find the famous Holmenkollen ski jump. The ski jump tower has Oslo’s best view of the city. The ski jump was first opened in 1892, making it one of the oldest ski jumps still in use. It was used in the Winter Olympics of Oslo in 1952 and has been rebuilt 19 times, last time during the World Championship in 2011.
The ski jump also has an integrated ski museum, which is the world’s oldest museum for skis and opened for the first time in December, 1923, which makes it 100 years old this year. On December 3rd, 2023 the freshly renovated and upgraded museum reopened. The museum was originally located at Frognerseteren and later relocated to Holmenkollen ski jump in 1951, right before the Winter Olympics. In the museum you can see, among many things, an exhibition about polar expeditions, ski history, and the oldest ski that has ever been found in Norway, the Drevja ski, that is over 5000 years old.
Go skiing or sledding in Oslo
Who said winter in Oslo needs to be boring? Keep yourself active! Close to Frognerseteren and the Holmenkollen ski jump, you will find a famous hill for sledding which is called “Korketrekkeren”. Here, you can bring your own sled or rent one. The sledding hill “Korketrekkeren” starts not far away from the metro stop “Frognerseteren”. Sleds can be rented from AFO (Akeforeningen i Oslo) or in English: The sledding association in Oslo. Their house is located just above the start of the sledding tracks.
Further up the mountain, you will find the ski center Skimore Oslo, also called Oslo winter park. The season usually starts in november or december and lasts until easter. The ski center also have snow cannons to make sure the snow conditions are ideal. Skimore Oslo has 11 lifts, 18 tracks and a maximum length/height of about 381 meters or 1250 feet. Here, you can go downhill skiing, carving, snowboarding, slope skiing and more. They even have a school to learn how to ski. The ski center rents out skiis and other equipment and also houses a café. Get more info on the website of Skimore Oslo, where you also can watch a live webcam stream to see the snow conditions for yourself before you head over to the ski center.
Ice bathing and floating saunas in the Oslo fjord
Ice bathing is not for everyone, but according to many theories, the immersion in cold water can help decrease inflammation in the body, and help the body heal. Some theories suggest that right after ice bathing, you should quickly rewarm the body again to increase circulation.
In the Oslo fjord by the harbor, just across the Oslo Opera House, you will find several floating saunas. These are very popular in the winter time. People will go for short ice baths for a few seconds, to quickly heat up inside the sauna, and then again repeat the process after a few minutes. Some prefer to skip the ice baths also, and just do the sauna. If any of this sounds tempting, you should check out either Oslo Badstuforening or KOK to book a spot in one of the floating saunas today.
Spikersuppa – Oslo Christmas market
Karl Johans gate also has a park located between the parliament and national theater, called “Spikersuppa“. In November and December, this is where you’ll find “Jul i vinterland” which translates to: “Christmas in winter land”. Here, you can go skating, try some burgers made from elk, shop souvenirs or take a ride on the ferris wheel.
We hope this guide has inspired you to get the most out of your stay here in Oslo. K7 Hotel Oslo welcomes you to our city, and we hope we’ll see you soon in our reception.
Stay central in Oslo
All the activities mentioned in this article are easily reachable by public transportation or walking from the city center. So if you wanna stay central at a fair price, you should check out our hotel K7 Hotel Oslo. It is centrally located in the Kvadraturen area of the city center, not far away from anything the city has to offer.
So, if you want to visit Oslo in winter, K7 Hotel Oslo is probably your perfect match. We also have dorms, which are perfect for backpackers and digital nomads looking for a hostel in Oslo. Book your stay now.