Trying to figure out where to stay in Oslo? As someone who used to live here (and still visits often), I totally get the struggle — Oslo might be compact, but each neighborhood has its own personality.
Whether you want to be in the heart of the action, near the fjord, or tucked away somewhere local and cozy, I’ve rounded up my favorite areas and some great hotels for every budget.
Article overview
Where to stay in Oslo
Oslo might not be a huge city, but each neighborhood has its own unique vibe. The best area for you really depends on what kind of trip you’re planning and how much time you have.
Of course, there are many more neighborhoods in Oslo than those I mention in this article, but these are the most central and of interest to visitors. If you have more than a few days, I highly recommend you stay outside the city center.
Like many cities, Oslo has a bit of an east–west divide. Traditionally, the west side (areas like Frogner, Majorstuen, Smestad and Ullern) has been considered more affluent, with elegant homes, leafy streets, and higher living costs.
The east side (including Grønland, Tøyen, and parts of Grünerløkka) was historically more working-class and diverse; some areas still face social challenges, but much has changed in recent years.
Sentrum (city center)
Sentrum is home to major landmarks like Karl Johans gate (the main shopping street), the Royal Palace, the National Theatre, and Oslo Central Station (Oslo S).
It’s a good place to stay if you’re short on time and want to be within walking distance of museums, restaurants, shopping, and public transport. The area has a mix of classic and modern hotels.
✅ Super central with lots of things to do.
❌ Can be noisy, prices are higher, and it lacks the cozy, local neighborhood feel you’ll find elsewhere in the city. I also find it quite dirty around Oslo S, and I stay away if I can. I’d say the western part is better.
My top picks >> Choose Citybox Oslo if you’re on a budget, Revier for great value or Amerikalinjen if you love grand, old architecture.
Grünerløkka
Grünerløkka is my favorite area in Oslo — and close to where I used to live — so I might be a little biased, but it’s truly one of the city’s most charming neighborhoods.
Once a working-class district, “Løkka” has transformed into Oslo’s creative hub, full of life, color, and great coffee. Think cobblestone streets lined with indie boutiques, vintage stores, cozy cafés, and some of the city’s best bars and restaurants.
The Akerselva River runs through the area, giving you beautiful walking paths and green spaces. On weekends, locals gather at flea markets, food halls, and in the many parks.
✅ Trendy and laidback vibe, packed with great cafés, restaurants, and bars, beautiful green spaces, and lots of character.
❌ Not the closest to major attractions (20–30 minutes on foot to the city center) and limited hotel options compared to more central areas.
My top pick >> Scandic Vulkan is a great value choice in a beautiful location.
Quick tip for my fellow foodies 😋
Don’t miss this food walking tour through Grünerløkka — my favorite neighborhood in Oslo. It includes 5-6 food stops, a brewery with beer tasting (4 beers) and a pizza snack. Get ready for some unique Norwegian flavors!
Bjørvika
Bjørvika, which includes Sørenga, is Oslo’s newest and most modern waterfront neighborhood, built where the old harbor once stood.
This is the city’s architectural showcase — home to the Oslo Opera House, the MUNCH Museum, and the striking Barcode skyline. It’s a fantastic area if you love modern design, culture, and easy access to the fjord.
In summer, Sørenga comes alive with outdoor restaurants and swimming spots that make you forget you’re in the middle of a capital city. It’s also a short walk to Oslo Central Station.
✅ Beautiful waterfront views, great for swimming and dining, walking distance to major attractions, and very modern accommodations.
❌ Prices can be high, and the area can feel a bit quiet or less atmospheric outside the summer season.
My top pick >> This modern apartment minutes from the MUNCH museum and opera house.
Grønland
Grønland is one of Oslo’s most multicultural neighborhoods — a place where you instantly feel like you’ve left Norway without ever leaving the city. Just a short walk from the Central Station, this area buzzes with energy, color, and food from all over the world.
You’ll find Middle Eastern bakeries, South Asian grocery stores, and some of the city’s best (and most affordable) restaurants. Grønland has a gritty, urban edge, and can at times feel a little overwhelming, but that’s also what gives it character.
✅ Super multicultural, amazing and inexpensive food, central location, full of local energy and character.
❌ Can feel a little rough around the edges, especially at night, and is not the quietest or most scenic part of Oslo to stay in.
Aker Brygge/Tjuvholmen
Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are two of Oslo’s sleekest waterfront neighborhoods — where the fjord meets city life in the most stylish way. These areas are packed with trendy restaurants, upscale shops, luxury hotels, and contemporary architecture
You can stroll along the boardwalk, enjoy waterfront dining, and visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art — or just relax by the marina with an ice cream in hand. In summer, locals love coming here to enjoy the sun, have a utepils (outside beer) and people-watch.
✅ Stunning fjord views, great dining and nightlife, ferry connections to the island, and within walking distance of the city center.
❌ One of the most expensive areas in Oslo, and it can feel a bit quiet in winter when the outdoor buzz fades.
My top pick >> This highly-rated seafront apartment.
Frogner (& Bygdøy)
Frogner is one of Oslo’s most elegant and historic neighborhoods — the kind of place that instantly feels a bit “old money.” Lined with grand townhouses, leafy streets, and one-of-a-kind boutiques, it is my second favorite area in Oslo.
You’ll find some of the city’s best museums here, including the Frogner Manor and the Vigeland Sculpture Park — one of Oslo’s must-sees with over 200 striking sculptures.
It’s also packed with cozy cafés, bakeries, and wine bars that locals love. Frogner offers a quieter, more refined base while still being within easy reach of the city center by tram or on foot.
Bygdøy is also included in the Frogner area. This green peninsula is home to several of Oslo’s top museums—like the Fram Museum, the Kon-Tiki Museum, and the Norwegian Folk Museum—plus quiet beaches and scenic coastal paths.
✅ Beautiful architecture, peaceful atmosphere, close to Vigeland Park, great cafés and boutique shopping.
❌ Accommodation and dining are on the pricier side, and nightlife options are more low-key.
My top pick >> Sommerro for the most beautiful hotel in the city.
Majorstuen
Majorstuen is one of Oslo’s most convenient and well-connected neighborhoods — a great choice if you want to stay somewhere local but still close to everything.
It’s best known for Bogstadveien, one of the city’s top shopping streets, lined with both high-street and Scandinavian designer stores, cafés, and restaurants.
The area has a relaxed, lived-in feel, with beautiful old apartment buildings and quick access to public transport (including the metro hub at Majorstuen Station).
✅ Excellent shopping, great public transport, close to Vigeland Park, plenty of dining options.
❌ Not many tourist attractions in the immediate area, and it can be busy during the day with shoppers and commuters.
My top pick >> These unique and affordable apartments in a gorgeous old building.
Best hotels in Oslo
Here are some of the best hotels and my favorite hotel experiences I’ve had in Oslo.
Revier
I recently booked a last-minute stay at Revier for $190 a night. It was the best value (comfort, style, price) I could find at the time, and it did not disappoint. I checked in myself using their app, which was super easy.
I’d say it is one of the most stylish yet affordable boutique hotels in Oslo. Every room and apartment is beautifully designed in light, neutral colors. And the bed was super comfortable.
They also had a tote bag for shopping and an umbrella for free use. You could even take it with you and just pay in the app. The location close to Akershus Fortress is also great, super central yet removed from the noise of Oslo S.
Scandic Vulkan
While Scandic Vulkan isn’t one of the most beautiful hotels I’ve stayed in, the value is great. Lovely staff, perfect location next to Akerselven and Mathallen (food hall) and the most delicious breakfast.
It is also quite affordable; I paid $250 for two nights in a superior plus room. The room was quite basic, but I very much appreciated the floor-to-ceiling windows. You can also use the fitness room for free or borrow a free bicycle to easily get around Oslo.
Amerikalinjen
You might know I’m a sucker for grand, old buildings, by now, so it shouldn’t come as a surprise that Amerikalinjen is one of my favorite hotels in Oslo. Built in the former headquarters of the Norwegian America Line, the building oozes charm and history.
The 122 rooms and suites mix modern comfort with elegant design. Yes, even the standard rooms feel exclusive, which I often find lacking in Oslo hotels. Location-wise, you couldn’t be more central. It’s right at Jernbanetorget, just steps from Oslo Central Station.
For food and drink, you’re spoiled: the Atlas Brasserie offers upscale dining, while Pier 42, the hotel’s own bar, channels a vintage transatlantic travel vibe. There’s even a cozy jazz club, Gustav, in the basement.
Sommerro
Sommerro is one of Oslo’s coolest newer hotels, and a true design lover’s dream. Set in the elegant Frogner neighborhood, it’s housed in the restored headquarters of Oslo Lysverker (the city’s old electricity company).
With 231 rooms and suites, you can enjoy beautiful, original Art Deco details — including murals by iconic Norwegian artist Per Krohg and reliefs by sculptor Asbjørg Borgfeldt. Believe me, you have to see it. It feels like you’re stepping back in time.
Sustainability is built into Sommerro’s bones: the hotel runs on 100% renewable energy. All seven restaurants (yes, seven) highlight seasonal and locally sourced ingredients. And even better, they track and reduce food waste using smart tools.
The Hub
I wasn’t sure whether to mention Clarion Hotel The Hub or not. It is not my favorite hotel, but the overall experience my family and I had here recently was excellent. Great service!
We had dinner at Norda, the rooftop restaurant/bar, and it was one of the best I’ve had all year. They grow vegetables in their own rooftop garden, GrowHub, and emphasize local, eco-conscious ingredients. Which I appreciate!
The rooms, however, are nothing special. They are modern and the bed was super comfy, though I’ll admit they’re pretty basic for the price. Then again, there are over 800 of them, so I understand they couldn’t go all out.
Right across from the hotel, you have Oslo S/Jernbanetorget, great if you have an early start. Trams and buses also stop right outside the door. However, if you have more than a few days in Oslo, I would not stay here as the area is busy and probably the least charming in the city.
Things to know before visiting Oslo
💳 Oslo is expensive — plan accordingly: Norway isn’t known for budget prices, and Oslo is no exception. Food, drinks, hotels, and transport can add up quickly. I don’t like to use the word expensive, because that is relative. However, compared to many other big cities in Europe, accommodation in Oslo is quite pricy.
A mid-range hotel typically ranges from 2,000–3,000 NOK (about $200–$300 USD) per night. Budget-friendly options exist, but they fill fast, especially in summer and December.
💵 Cash? You won’t need it: Oslo is almost completely cashless. Cards and mobile payments (especially Apple Pay and Vipps) are used everywhere — even at Christmas market stalls.
🪙 Tipping isn’t mandatory: Service workers are paid fairly, so tipping is optional. If you had great service, 10% is appreciated but not expected.
🗓 Sundays are very quiet: Most shops are closed on Sundays, except for a few convenience stores “kiosks” and some cafés/restaurants. Plan your grocery shopping ahead!
🍺 Alcohol is highly regulated: You can only buy wine and liquor at state-run shops called Vinmonopolet, which close early and are shut on Sundays. Supermarkets sell only beer/cider until 8:00 pm on weekdays and 6:00 pm on Saturdays. Alcohol is not allowed in public (beaches, parks, etc.).
⚠️ Oslo is safe, but: Violent crime levels are low; however, pickpocketing and robberies do happen. Use normal city awareness, especially at night, around the central station area and in parks. Several of my friends have been robbed in Slottsparken and along Akerselva late at night.
💦 Tap water is delicious: One of the best things about Norway is that you never have to buy bottled water. Oslo’s tap water is fresh, cold, and straight from the mountains.
👚 Dress for the weather — not the season: Oslo’s weather can swing wildly. Summers can be warm, but evenings are cool. This summer, we had 35°C+ for several weeks, which is crazy. But then it suddenly got pretty cold in the fall. Winter requires proper boots, layers, and a warm coat.
🗣️ Most people speak English: Language barriers simply aren’t a thing here. We learn English from an early age, so most Norwegians will switch to English without hesitation.
How to get around Oslo
Getting around Oslo is super easy — the city is compact, clean, and very walkable. Most major attractions are within 20–30 minutes on foot, but when you need to go farther, the public transport system is excellent.
Trams are great for short trips around the city, while the metro connects you quickly to outer neighborhoods and attractions like the Holmenkollen ski jump. Buses fill in the gaps, especially late at night when trams and metros run less frequently.
Oslo’s ferries are a fun and scenic way to get around — especially in summer. Regular Ruter-operated ferries connect the city center (Aker Brygge) with the small islands in the Oslofjord, like Hovedøya, Gressholmen, and Lindøya. It’s the cheapest way to enjoy a mini fjord cruise
📲 You can use the Ruter app to buy tickets and plan routes for trams, buses, metros, and ferries (all on one ticket!). A 24-hour ticket often saves money if you’re exploring a lot. Google Maps is also a great option for planning routes.
For shorter distances, Bolt is the go-to rideshare app, and Oslo also has a great city bike program that’s perfect in summer.
From the airport
From Oslo Airport (OSL), the easiest way to get to the city center is the Flytoget Airport Express Train, which takes about 20 minutes to Oslo Central Station. A slightly slower but cheaper alternative is the Vy regional train.
Looking for a unique experience in Oslo?
🌟 Read next >> Top 200 epic things to see & do in Norway (by a Norwegian)
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