Upon Arrival: Oslo

However exciting it may be to have reached your destination, the first day of a trip can be taxing. Long flights are tiring, and hotels don’t always have rooms ready for check-in before mid-afternoon. Few travelers care to leap into their trip bleary-eyed, embarking on a full-day excursion, nor do they want to waste the day completely. In the spirit of finding a happy medium, we have outlined an ideal arrival day in Oslo, customized to where you are staying.

Hotel: The Thief

• Late Breakfast: Scandinavia is known for its breakfast, so enjoy the sprawling breakfast spread at the Thief before heading out for some sightseeing.
• Restore: Treat yourself to a pampering hammam treatment or massage at the nearly 9,000-square-foot Thief Spa, the best in the city.
• Perfect Lunch: Dine at Hanami, a waterfront sushi spot that draws a glamorous crowd, or Olivia, a family-friendly pizza restaurant.
• Culture Moment: Visit the Astrup Fearnley Museum, which boasts works from one of the largest private art collections in Norway, including Jeff Koons’s iconic Michael Jackson and Bubbles. (Guests of the Thief get free entry with their room key).
• Shop Around: Navigate the boutiques in Aker Brygge, and don’t miss home decor mecca Milla.
• Caffeinate: Fuel up with coffee and baked goods at the café at the Astrup Fearnley Museum, Vingen Bar, which offers stunning views of the Oslofjord.
• Lovely Stroll: Amble along Oslo’s seven-and-a-half-mile-long waterfront promenade, with many spots to lounge in the sun or stop for a photo.

Hotel: Hotel Continental

• Late Breakfast: Grab a bite to eat at the famed Fuglen Café, a coffee shop in the morning and buzzing cocktail bar in the evening.
• Restore: Enjoy a massage from the comfort of your hotel room (there is no spa, but the concierge will happily arrange a treatment for you).
• Perfect Lunch: Have your first meal in Oslo at the foodie-adored Sentralen, which is housed in two former bank buildings that have been merged and now contain concert halls and food and beverage outlets.
• Culture Moment: Acquaint yourself with Oslo with a visit to City Hall. The building’s interior is almost entirely covered in murals that tell the story of Norwegian history.
• Shop Around: Visit Norway Designs, a two-story emporium filled with Scandinavian-style, sleek furnishings and all things design-focused.
• Caffeinate: Duck into Mesh Food & Drink Bar for coffee and a light bite (and to observe the city’s hipster set).
• Lovely Stroll: Walk down Karl Johan gate, the partially pedestrian-only main promenade that is home to luxury designer outlets and beloved chocolate shop Freia.