Oslo Through Time

Oslo Through Time is an atmospheric walking tour through Oslo as the city was shaped – by brilliant minds with big egos, workers with little to spare, artists permanently short on cash, and a river that has always kept the city moving.

The walk begins at Our Saviour’s Cemetery, surrounded by old linden trees and birdsong, where some of Norway’s greatest cultural figures rest side by side. Ibsen, Bjørnson, Collett and Munch set the tone with stories of genius, rivalry, poverty and grand lives lived on empty pockets.

From there, the route continues to Telthusbakken and Damstredet – postcard-perfect streets that feel like stepping into another century. Colourful wooden houses, cobblestones and tales of labourers, washerwomen, bohemians and artists who traded paintings for coffee and cigars. The pace slows, the city exhales, and history feels close.

The walk then leads down to the Akerselva river – Oslo’s backbone. Once black with industry, now green and lively. Stories of factories, noise and hard labour blend seamlessly with today’s cafés, creativity and urban life.

• Walk among Norway’s cultural giants at Our Saviour’s Cemetery
• Explore Telthusbakken and Damstredet, two of Oslo’s most charming streets
• Follow Akerselva, the river that powered Oslo’s industrial rise
• See the transformation from factories and mills to cafés and culture
• Visit Vulkan and Mathallen, symbols of modern Oslo’s food and craft scene

What to bring:

Camera
Dress according to the weather
Good shoes
NOTE: uneven terrain and cobblestone streets

• This is a walking tour rich in stories, contrasts and dry humour. An easy pace, well-timed stops, and just the right length to leave you feeling you’ve truly met the city – and the people who made it.