Scandic Holberg Hotel

Freshly renovated rooms, a real gym, and a location that puts you within walking distance of everything central Oslo without the tourist-strip feel.

The gym has a squat rack and free weights. That's not a joke. In a city where most hotel "fitness centres" consist of a dusty treadmill and a yoga mat, Scandic Holberg went and installed equipment you'd find at an actual gym. If you travel with lifting shoes, this is your place.

The hotel sits on Holbergs plass, a five-minute walk from the Royal Palace in one direction and Karl Johans gate in the other. Nationaltheatret station, where the airport express train stops, is about 500 metres away. The neighbourhood feels like Oslo going about its business, not a tourist corridor. Walk two minutes to Lorry, a legendary bar with 200-plus beers and the kind of eccentric decor that Instagram was invented for.

Rooms got a renovation in early 2025, so everything feels clean and current. Minimalist Scandinavian decor, parquet floors in some rooms, functional furniture. The bathrooms, though, are tight. Shower water gets everywhere. Standard for mid-range Oslo, but don't expect to spread out.

The tram line runs directly outside the front door. Street-facing rooms catch every rumble, starting early morning. Ask for a courtyard-facing room when you book. This is not optional if you sleep light. The ventilation system can also be noisy, or struggle to cool rooms in summer. 


Star rating
3

Hotel category
Mid-Range

Best Breakfast
Best Gym
Crowd Pleaser

Ask specifically for a courtyard-facing room. Street-facing rooms sit right on the tram line, and you'll hear every pass starting at dawn.


Holbergs plass is an intersection between the upscale Bogstadveien shopping street and the city centre. Local cafes, tram stops, and the Royal Palace park within a few minutes on foot.

What to do nearby


0.4km
A compact ceremonial forecourt that provides the classic axial view along Karl Johans gate and direct access to the Royal Palace and Palace Park.
0.5km
The working residence of Norway's King and Queen through lavish 19th-century state chambers during summer, or year-round you can watch the daily Changing of the Guard ceremony.
0.6km
Watch classic Norwegian drama (such as Ibsen with English subtitles) in the 125-year-old gilded auditorium, or tour the Golden Hall and backstage areas where Norwegian cultural history has been performed for over a century.

Other hotels nearby


0.1km
Upper-floor fjord views that rival any hotel in Oslo. One of the few central Oslo hotels with an indoor pool and sauna.
0.2km
Rooms with kitchenettes at mid-range prices, five minutes from the airport train.
0.2km
A central, no-nonsense base where you can reach most major sights on foot in under 15 minutes.