Classic Oslo Walking Tour: Central Station to The Akershus Castle and Fortress

(38 reviews)

Oslo audio tour: Classic Oslo Walking Tour: Central Station to The Akershus Castle and Fortress

This is a 1mi walking tour

It takes an average of 45 mins to complete.

Oslo

Norway

$7.99

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About the Tour

Welcome to Oslo’s downtown eastern waterfront district!

On this walking tour, you’ll hear vivid stories from one of Europe’s smallest capitals. Starting from the modern Oslo Sentralstasjon (the central station) and journeying to the 14th century Akershus Castle, I’ll reveal the history of this Norwegian city and show you its classic sites.

You’ll make your way through Christian Fredrik Square, where the rich merchant Christian Anker once built a single-story house in the middle of a built-up city as a demonstration of wealth. I’ll then guide you along the promenade to show you the magnificent Operahuset Oslo (the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet House) and the rock solid Havnelageret warehouse, which served as a shelter during WW2. You’ll walk alongside the same waters that lapped at Viking boats nearly two thousand years ago. Then, I’ll take you past Grev Wedels square to introduce you to the glamorous, and sometimes gritty side of Oslo’s nightlife. You’ll hear about dazzling banquets and balls in the old Den Gamle Logen lodge, and the illicit activities that unfolded in the Grev Wedels Plass park just outside its walls. Finally, we’ll enter Oslo’s military area where you can salute Michael von Sundt for preserving the city’s eight-hundred year-old castle. The tour ends with one of the best views over the bay, from the heart of Akershus Fortress itself.

En route, I’ll also introduce you to sights like:

Deichman Bjørvika, Oslo’s public library that has six floors filled to the brim with books
The old Oslo Stock Exchange, where trading took place before everything went online
She Lies, artist Monica Bonvicini’s sculptural requiem for the polar ice-caps
The Karpedammen Scene, where as many as 3,500 spectators can see plays by Peer Gynt, Shakespeare and more

This is the perfect tour for those who want a taste of the classic Oslo, while enjoying a glorious stroll downtown. All you need is 45-minutes to dig into the city’s history or you can go at your own pace and enjoy this scenic overview of the Norwegian Capital’s eastern waterfront district.

Tour Producer

Stormposten Lars Engerengen

31 tours

In the northern reaches of Europe, amidst the crisp air and breathtaking landscapes, resides an Arctic storyteller whose words weave magic into the frozen silence. Meet Lars Engerengen, a passionate narrator of the Arctic wilderness, a voice that carries the echoes of history and the whispers of untamed nature.

Living beneath the shimmering Northern Lights and the endless glow of the Midnight Sun, Lars discovered his fascination for the Arctic’s lore in childhood. Nights spent listening to age-old tales by the fireside sparked a curiosity that would shape his life’s journey. That spark grew into a flame as he ventured across icy tundras, sailed through fjords, and trekked along snow-laden paths, collecting stories etched into the land and its people.

His storytelling is more than words—it is an immersive experience. With a voice that soothes and inspires, Lars transports listeners to remote landscapes where ancient myths meet modern realities. Through his narratives, one feels the biting wind, hears the crunch of snow underfoot, and senses the resilience of those who carved out life in this harsh yet beautiful region.

Lars doesn't tell you everything, but he tells you enough to pique your curiosity. Enough to make you want to learn more. Enough to make you want to stay a while longer.

Join Lars on a journey beyond the ordinary—a voyage into the soul of the Arctic. Each tale is an invitation to explore a world where nature reigns supreme, and history lingers in every frozen breath. Step into the story, and let the Arctic speak through him.

Preview Location

Location 24

Towards Akershus Castle and Fortress

As we walk this paved path up the hill, you can see the main buildings of Akershus Castle and Fortress ahead. Keep going to the top.

This was originally built at the end of the 13th century as a medieval royal castle with a seat for the king's representatives, as a strategi... Read More

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Major Landmarks

Oslo Central Station
Paléhaven
Christian Frederiks plass
Deichman Bjørvika
The Norwegian Opera and Ballet
Oslo Stock Exchange
Havnelageret
She Lies
Grev Wedels Plass
Bjørvika
Gamle Logen - Banqueting Oslo
Michael von Sundts Plass (Oslo)
Karpedammen Scene
Akershus Fortress

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Getting There

Route Overview

VoiceMap tours follow a route from a set starting point. It’s how we give turn-by-turn directions and tell a story greater than the sum of its parts.

Start location
Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo, Norway
Total distance

2km
Final location
0150 Oslo, Norway
Distance back to start location

926.45m

Directions to Starting Point

The tour starts next to the Kiosk in the square outside The Central Station. The Kiosk is located under a large clock tower that says "Ruter" on it.

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Tips

Places to stop along the way

Along the tour, there are several places to make stops. If you are hungry, I would recommend to eat at Østbanehallen, shortly after the start. For rest, you have many options. Dockside in Bjørvika, in the park at Grev Wedel square, or several places by the Akershus Castle and Fortress.
If you are planning to take detours, I would recommend taking a closer look at the National Opera and Ballet.

Best time of day

All day is good for this walking tour - your choice!

Precautions

Oslo is a city with many types of people, and among them there are also pickpockets. Be careful and take good care of your items. It is also a fact that the sun isn't always shining, so check the weather forecast, and bring an umbrella if you see it's needed. If it is a hot day, a bottle of water might be smart.

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App Store Review

“Great app. walk around at your own pace, stop where you want, move on or speed up when you want. Read the script before you go or during the commentary, speed it up or replay it. Repeat the tour whenever you like.”