Flight Pantry

Some cities surprise you from the very first moment — and Oslo was definitely one of them. Modern and welcoming, full of nature and culture, it was the perfect setting for a long weekend with the family.

Since we live in different cities — we’re based in Frankfurt and my family lives in Portugal — this reunion in Oslo felt even more special. An unexpected but magical meeting point that gave us three days of discovery, walks, and happy memories.

We flew from Frankfurt with Lufthansa on a direct flight that took about 1.5 hours — quick and easy. The rest of the family flew in from Porto with Norwegian Airlines, which took just over 3 hours. We coordinated everything in advance and, despite the time difference, we ended up arriving at Oslo airport almost at the same time.

In this post, I’ll share everything we did on our first day in the Norwegian capital — from the scenic ferry ride to the open-air museum, to a delicious seafood dinner by the water. A city that welcomed us with open arms… and plenty of fresh salmon!

If you’d like to follow our full journey through Oslo, make sure to check out Day 2 — where we explored the city center, iconic landmarks, and vibrant street food — and Day 3, which took us across the beautiful Oslofjord islands for a perfect summer escape.

1. Friday Night: A Late Arrival and a Direct Ride to the Apartment

The flights went smoothly for everyone, even though we had booked late departures. It was a practical way to get the most out of the workday without having to take any time off — a well-used long weekend right from the start.

We landed in Oslo almost at the same time, coming from Frankfurt and Porto, which made things very easy. It was already late by the time we arrived, and since we were all tired and had our luggage with us, we decided to take a taxi straight to our apartment near Aker Brygge.

We used Uber, but Bolt is another reliable and convenient option in Oslo — both are popular and easy to use.

💡 Travel tip:

Need a discount on your next rides? Get €4 off your next 5 trips when you sign up using this Link!

For those who prefer public transport, the Flytoget express train connects Oslo Gardermoen Airport to the city center in just 19 minutes, with frequent departures throughout the day. It’s comfortable, punctual, and a great option during the day — especially if you’re not traveling late or feeling too tired.

2. Saturday Morning: Ferry to the Open-Air Museum

We started our day with a small adventure — a ferry ride from Aker Brygge to the Bygdøy peninsula, where some of Oslo’s most iconic museums are located. We boarded the B9 ferry line, which takes around 18 to 36 minutes, depending on the stop, and offers lovely views of the Oslofjord.

All of this was made even easier thanks to Google Maps — public transport in Oslo (including ferries!) is fully integrated in the app, which helped us plan everything smoothly.

Taking the ferry to Bygdøy is both relaxing and scenic — the perfect way to start a museum day surrounded by sea and sky.

🎫 Tickets and Discounts

We bought our ferry tickets on board — it cost us 75 NOK (around €6.50) per ride. That said, buying round-trip tickets in advance brings a small discount: 120 NOK (around €10) instead of paying two singles.

There are also discounts available:

– Advance online tickets are cheaper (around 64 NOK per ride)

– Travelers aged 67+ get reduced fares

– And if you have the Oslo Pass, the ferry is included in the pass

3. A Peninsula Full of Museums

Bygdøy is often called “the museum island” — and for good reason. It’s home to some of Oslo’s most famous attractions:

The Norsk Folkemuseum, the open-air museum we visited, the Fram Museum, the Norwegian Maritime Museum, and the Kon-Tiki Museum And the Viking Ship Museum, which was sadly closed for renovations during our visit (expected to reopen in 2027). A great excuse to return!

We chose to spend our day at the Norsk Folkemuseum, which was a highlight for the whole family — more about that below.

A Step Back in Time: The Norsk Folkemuseum

After the beautiful ferry ride, we arrived at the Norsk Folkemuseum, an open-air museum that feels like stepping into the past. Spread over a vast area, it features over 150 historic buildings, including turf-roofed houses and wooden stave churches — all carefully relocated from different parts of Norway.

🎟 Admission (2025)

Adults: 195 NOK (~€18)

Students: 145 NOK (~€13)

Seniors (67+): 150 NOK (~€14)

Children under 17: Free

Oslo Pass holders: Free admission

Explore, Learn, and Relax

The museum is designed like a small Norwegian village — perfect for wandering. We peeked into historical interiors, watched artisan demos (like weaving and woodworking), and even saw farm animals roaming the grounds. It’s both fun and educational — especially for kids and curious adults alike.

A Fun and Irresistible Gift Shop

Right by the entrance is a lovely little gift shop filled with Norwegian crafts and souvenirs — postcards, wool accessories, hand-carved items, and Scandinavian design pieces. We couldn’t resist and ended up buying several gifts and keepsakes to bring home.

4. Lunch at the Museum: A Tasty Break at Café Arkadia

After a full morning exploring the museum, we stopped for lunch at Café Arkadia, located just after the main entrance. While technically outside the exhibition area, you can re-enter easily by showing your ticket, so there’s no problem if you leave for a bit.

The café is cozy and well organized. All the food is displayed in a glass case, which made it easy to choose visually. The names were in Norwegian, but the staff were super friendly and spoke fluent English — they kindly explained everything to us.

We especially appreciated the clear allergen information. Gluten, lactose, and vegan options were clearly marked, which was important for our group — one person is gluten-intolerant and two can’t have lactose.

We ended up choosing a mix of:

– Smoked salmon sandwiches with salad

– Lamb prosciutto sandwiches (surprisingly delicious!

– Vegan Sandwich with salad

– A light salad for something fresh.

To finish, we tried a few traditional Norwegian pastries — the perfect sweet touch to round out the meal.

5. Back to the City: Exploring Oslo’s Waterfront and City Hall

By late afternoon, after hours at the museum, we caught the ferry back to Aker Brygge. The sun was still high in the sky — in Oslo, it sets late in the summer — and although there were a few clouds, the weather stayed dry despite the rain forecast. Lucky us!

Back in the city center, we took our time strolling through Aker Brygge — a lively, modern waterfront area full of shops, restaurants, and contemporary architecture. We walked along the promenade, enjoyed the views of the fjord, and soaked up the relaxed atmosphere.

Before dinner, we sat at an outdoor café by the water for a drink. It was one of those small but perfect moments — just sitting together, chatting, enjoying the light and the fresh air with no rush.

We also visited the Oslo City Hall (Rådhuset) — a massive red-brick building overlooking the harbor. It’s famous as the venue of the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony, and entry is free. Inside, the halls are covered with grand murals depicting Norwegian history, culture, and values. A quick visit is definitely worth it.

6. Dinner by the Fjord: Fresh Salmon at The Salmon

To wrap up our first day in Oslo, we had dinner at The Salmon, a stylish waterfront restaurant in Aker Brygge. We had heard good things — and it more than lived up to the hype.

The restaurant has large windows overlooking the water, with a bright, modern interior and a relaxed vibe. The staff were welcoming, and the service was excellent — exactly what we needed after a full day of exploring.

The menu, as you’d expect, is centered around Norwegian salmon — served smoked, grilled, marinated, tartare-style… and all beautifully presented. The fish was incredibly fresh, and each dish was paired with light, tasty sides.

Some of us chose more classic preparations, while others tried something new — and everyone was delighted with their meal.

We also really appreciated that the menu clearly listed allergens like gluten and lactose — something very important for our group, since two of us are lactose-intolerant and one avoids gluten. It made choosing dishes easy and stress-free.

We had also a delicious creamy salmon soup — rich, comforting, and full of flavor. Each spoonful brought back memories of the traditional salmon soup we tasted in Finland, with its delicate balance of creaminess and fresh fish. It’s amazing how food can instantly transport us across borders. If you’re curious about the Finnish version, check out our post here: Finnish Flavors: A Culinary Adventure.

The restaurant also includes a small educational exhibit about the production and export of Norwegian salmon, which is surprisingly interesting for anyone curious about where their food comes from.

A delicious dinner, a quiet view of the fjord at sunset, and great company — the perfect ending to our first day in Oslo.

Ready for Day 2!

After a delicious dinner and a day full of discoveries, we returned to our apartment near Aker Brygge feeling tired but truly happy. Oslo had already won us over — with its peaceful rhythm, beautiful scenery, and that perfect balance of tradition and modern living.

The next day, a Sunday, we continued exploring downtown Oslo, discovering parks, bustling streets, and charming corners.

Had fun reading about our first day in Oslo? Then you’re going to Day 2 — packed with city sights, local eats, and museums — and Day 3, where we escaped to the calm and beauty of Oslo’s islands.