A Cosy Winter Weekend in Oslo: Christmas Lights, Fjords & Unexpected Adventures

Kirsty McDiss
Dec 6, 2025
6 min read

Oslo in winter feels like stepping into a Scandinavian snow globe — twinkling lights, calm streets, beautiful winter skies and that quiet Nordic magic you can’t quite describe. Our long weekend in the city was exactly that: festive, scenic, relaxing and full of little surprises.

Here’s how our winter getaway unfolded, and everything we loved along the way.

Getting to Oslo From London: Smooth, Easy & Surprisingly Stylish

We travelled from London to Oslo with British Airways, and for such a short flight it was blissfully smooth. We landed around 2pm and hopped straight onto the airport train.

Now, I’m just going to say it: Norwegian trains are on another level. Clean, modern, comfortable — genuinely a pleasure to use. We rode directly to Nationaltheatret, which was only a seven-minute walk from our hotel, taking us past the National Museum and the Royal Palace. Not a bad way to arrive in a new city.

Staying at Smarthotel Oslo – Compact, Modern & Perfectly Located

Smarthotel Oslo is exactly what a city-break base should be: simple, stylish, smartly designed and in a brilliant location.

Self check-in made the whole process easy, and you can even skip a physical key entirely and use your phone to access your room (we loved the option to choose). We stayed in a superior room on the 8th floor — small, yes, but in a very “Scandinavian intentional design” kind of way.

A comfortable bed, clean modern décor, and a surprisingly large walk-in shower made it everything we needed.

First Evening: Christmas Market Magic in the Centre of Oslo

With the daylight disappearing early (thank you, Nordic winter), we headed straight to Jul i Vinterland, Oslo’s Christmas market.

Imagine:

the smell of warm gløgg (mulled wine),
lights draped everywhere,
people skating in front of glowing tunnels of fairy lights,
food stalls giving off clouds of delicious steam…

It was festive, cosy and the perfect introduction to the city.

Saturday in Oslo: Snowy Waterfront Walks & a Very Rock ’n’ Roll Evening

We started the day with a brilliant hotel breakfast — lots of fresh bread, cheeses, Scandinavian favourites, eggs, vegetables, smoothies, juices… the full spread.

Afterwards, we walked down to the waterfront where Oslo was covered in a delicate layer of snow. People were dipping into the icy fjord after sauna sessions like it was nothing. Only in Norway!

We:

rang the Crybaby Bell (because how can you not?)
booked a fjord boat tour for the next day
wandered through snowy streets with coffees in hand
stopped at a couple of bars for drinks and people-watching (it was match day, so plenty to see!)

Dinner at Proud Mary

For dinner, we headed to Proud Mary, which honestly feels like stepping inside a festive fever dream — in the best way. Even without Christmas decorations, the place is full of personality: satirical portraits of world leaders, neon artwork, quirky touches everywhere, and a lively buzz.

The burgers were brilliant, too.

Live Music at Vulkan Arena

After a quick rest at the hotel, we went out again — this time to Vulkan Arena for a night of rock. We saw Tuk Smith & The Restless Hearts supporting Danko Jones, and the venue was absolutely packed. A proper sweaty rock show, just how it should be.

We ended the night with a final drink at Last Train, a very cool, slightly gritty little rock bar in the centre of town.

A perfect Saturday.

Sunday in Oslo: A Relaxing Fjord Cruise & the Coolest Street Food Market

After another excellent breakfast, we bundled up and headed for our fjord boat tour, which lasted about two hours.

Imagine drifting past tiny islands, wooden houses, snowy forest edges and soft winter skies while wrapped in blankets with something warm to drink. It was peaceful and beautiful — one of the highlights of the trip.

Afterwards, we walked through town and made our way to the Oslo Street Food Market. If you love food halls, this one is fantastic. There were a dozen cuisines to choose from, seating tucked into repurposed tuk-tuks, hanging gardens, cosy corners and a great atmosphere.

Like most things in Oslo, it’s not cheap — but it is delicious and very fun to explore.

We spent the rest of the evening relaxing with food and drinks before calling it a night.

Departure Day: A Quiet Breakfast & A Smooth Journey Home

Monday was much quieter, with most weekend visitors already gone. We enjoyed one last lovely breakfast, packed up, checked out and took the train back to the airport.

Our flight was slightly delayed but nothing dramatic.

And just like that, our winter weekend in Oslo came to an end.

So, Should You Visit Oslo in Winter?

Absolutely — especially if you love:

✨ cosy winter atmospheres

✨ festive markets

✨ modern Scandinavian design

✨ scenic fjord landscapes

✨ relaxed, friendly cities

✨ and a little surprise adventure here and there

Oslo is calm, beautiful and incredibly easy to navigate. It’s the kind of place where you can stroll, eat, drink, explore — and feel completely at ease the whole time.

A perfect winter city break.

Practical Tips & Recommendations for Visiting Oslo in Winter

If you’re planning your own winter weekend in Oslo, here are some tips we picked up along the way — a mix of things we learned, things we wish we’d known sooner, and little tricks that made the trip even smoother.

1. Getting Around: Oslo Is Very Walkable

Most of the main attractions — the Royal Palace, the waterfront, shopping streets, museums — are surprisingly close together.We walked almost everywhere, even in the snow.

Tip: Pack good shoes with grip. Oslo pavements can get icy!

2. Use the Airport Train (Flytoget)

It’s fast, clean and drops you right in the centre.

Why it’s worth it:

Much quicker than a taxi
More comfortable than most city trains
Drops you near several major hotels

It’s the perfect stress-free start and end to the trip.

3. Embrace the Winter Weather

Oslo winter temperatures are cold but fresh. If you’re dressed well, it’s actually lovely to explore.

Bring:

Warm layers (merino if you have it)
A proper coat
Gloves, hat, scarf
Waterproof boots

You’ll be comfortable the whole weekend.

4. Book the Fjord Tour Early

Fjord cruises run year-round, but winter departures can fill up — especially on weekends.

Tip: Morning tours have softer light and fewer crowds.

5. Try Local Winter Treats

You’ll see these everywhere in December and they’re worth tasting:

Gløgg (Norwegian mulled wine — delicious and stronger than you expect!)
Kanelbolle (cinnamon buns)
Brunost (brown cheese — very Norwegian and a bit divisive, but iconic)

Sampling local food is half the fun.

6. Oslo Is Expensive — Budget Accordingly

This is something you notice quickly. Food, alcohol and activities are pricier than many European cities.

Money-saving tips:

Choose hotels with breakfast included
Use the street-food market for a cheaper lunch
Walk as much as possible (the city is made for it)
Buy drinks before going into bars, if your hotel allows it

7. Visit the Christmas Market in the Evening

The Oslo Christmas market is lovely in the day, but it becomes truly magical after dark when everything lights up.

Don’t miss:

The Ferris wheel
The skating rink
The tunnel of lights
The gløgg stands

It’s festive without being overly busy, which makes it even nicer to wander around.

8. For Nightlife, Explore the Vulkan Area

If you enjoy live music, alternative bars or anything a bit gritty-cool, the Vulkan district is fantastic.

Our favourites:

Vulkan Arena — great for live bands
Last Train — small, iconic rock bar

It’s a fun contrast to Oslo’s otherwise calm personality.

9. If You Like Design, Oslo Will Make You Very Happy

From hotel lobbies to cafés to the street-food hall, the city is full of clever Scandinavian design touches.

Tip: Pop into the National Museum or Nobel Peace Center for an easy cultural fix between meals or walks.

10. Don’t Overplan — Oslo Is Best Enjoyed Slowly

One of the nicest surprises about Oslo is how relaxed it feels. You don’t need to rush between attractions.

Some of our favourite moments were:

wandering through the snowy streets
watching boats come and go in the harbour
sipping drinks while locals geared up for the football match
discovering little bars by accident

Let the city set the pace.