Harry Hole’s Oslo: A Guide to the places behind Jo Nesbø’s Detective
Explore Harry Hole filming locations in Oslo. Discover real places from the Netflix series and see the city behind the story.
6 min readUpdated: Apr 17, 2026By: Anouk Appelman
It’s a cold, rainy night in Oslo. The streetlights flicker against wet pavement, tram bells echo through quiet streets, and somewhere between the neighborhoods, Grünerløkka and Frogner, a lone detective is chasing a truth no one else wants to face.
Welcome to Jo Nesbø’s world of Harry Hole. The Netflix original series Detective Hole (released 26 March 2026) brings Norway’s capital, Oslo, to life as a central figure in the crime story, even if a few details are dramatized for our enjoyment.
The Netflix series Detective Hole, based on Jo Nesbø’s novels, was filmed in Oslo and brings real locations across the city into the story.
If you’re planning a trip or just curious about the filming locations, this is your guide to stepping inside that world where fiction meets real streets, real cafés, and real Nordic atmosphere.
Who is Harry Hole?
Harry Hole is a character in Scandinavian crime novels and is now also on screen. He’s a brilliant but deeply flawed detective in Oslo’s police force. He drinks too much, trusts too little, but solves cases no one else can.
Behind the character is author Jo Nesbø. He’s Norway’s most internationally celebrated crime writer and a key figure in making Nordic noir a global phenomenon. Harry Hole (Norwegians say it more like: “HAH-ree HOO-leh”) isn’t based on a real person, or at least, not directly. Nesbø has said the character is inspired by real police work, real Oslo life, and human flaws.
From page to screen: who plays Harry Hole in Detective Hole?
In the Netflix series Detective Hole, Harry is brought to life by Tobias Santelmann. And just as the producers cast the Norwegian Tobias, they mainly stayed within the Nordic sphere for the other characters, too.
Many Norwegians will recognize the actors, as Norway's small population means the same talented performers often appear in various movies and series.
Jo Nesbø books in order (Harry Hole series)
Harry Hole has existed as a fictional character in Jo Nesbø’s book series long before screen adaptations. If you want to read before you watch, here’s the core series:
- The Bat
- Cockroaches
- The Redbreast
- Nemesis
- The Devil’s Star
- The Redeemer
- The Snowman
- The Leopard
- Phantom
- Police
- The Thirst
- Knife
Where was Detective Hole filmed?
The Detective Hole series was mainly filmed in Oslo, Norway. Production used real locations across neighborhoods like Bislett, Frogner, and St. Hanshaugen, including Restaurant Schrøder, Frognerbadet, and the Royal Palace Park.
The show’s version of the city isn’t postcard Oslo. The show features Oslo as a city of contrasts where you’ll see quiet neighborhoods hiding dark secrets, elegant parks with quite disturbing histories, or even familiar streets seen through a different lens.
Jo Nesbø has often described Oslo as inseparable from Harry himself. The city shapes him, and he, in turn, reveals Oslo’s hidden layers.
Harry Hole Filming locations in Oslo (real places you can visit)
The show features many real filming locations in Oslo that you can visit yourself - they’re not a film set but part of daily life for locals. Some of these locations come directly from Jo Nesbø’s novels, while others were used as filming locations in the Netflix series.
Here are some of the most recognizable Harry Hole filming locations in Oslo:
1. Restaurant Schrøder (St. Hanshaugen)
This old-school Norwegian restaurant is Harry’s go-to spot. Imagine classic Norwegian dishes, local beer, and a timeless atmosphere.
2. Sofies gate (Bislett)
Harry’s fictional apartment is set along this street. If you visit, you will find that it’s a quiet residential street, but you will recognize it instantly.
Harry’s fictional apartment is set along this street. If you visit, you will find that it’s a quiet residential street, but you will recognize it instantly.
3. Frognerbadet (Frogner Park area)
An open-air swimming complex featured in a chilling murder scene. In summer (and real life), it’s full of locals enjoying the sun and going for a swim.
An open-air swimming complex featured in a chilling murder scene. In summer (and real life), it’s full of locals enjoying the sun and going for a swim.
4. The Royal Palace Park (Slottsparken)
A park by the palace that plays a role in the TV show. It’s peaceful by day, quietly eerie by night.
A park by the palace that plays a role in the TV show. It’s peaceful by day, quietly eerie by night.
5. Vigelandsparken statue park
Besides the Royal Palace Park, some scenes were shot in the Vigeland Park, an interesting park featuring 200 statues by Gustav Vigeland.
Besides the Royal Palace Park, some scenes were shot in the Vigeland Park, an interesting park featuring 200 statues by Gustav Vigeland.
Oslo and Norway more broadly have become increasingly popular as filming destinations. If you’re curious about more cinematic landscapes, explore more filming locations in Norway.
How accurate is Harry Hole’s Oslo?
The show grips you, but how much of it is actually real? Let’s have a look.
What’s real
- The locations are real and easy to visit, either on foot or by trams
- The neighborhoods reflect Oslo’s true character
- The café and bar culture is spot-on
What’s exaggerated
- Oslo isn’t constantly dark and rainy (yes, not even in winter)
- Crime rates are much lower than the series suggests
- Distances are shorter than they appear; Oslo is very walkable
- The permanent-feeling “noir” atmosphere; Oslo is a vibrant and modern city
In short, Oslo is a safer, brighter, and more relaxed city than the show suggests.
Step into Harry Hole’s footsteps in Oslo
Got 24 hours in Oslo? Here’s how to spend your day in Oslo, Harry Hole-style, by visiting the real filming locations from the Harry Hole Netflix series.
Morning
Start near Sofies gate in the Bislett neighborhood to visit his home street. Grab coffee at one of the many local cafés that line the streets here. Norway takes its coffee culture rather seriously!
Start near Sofies gate in the Bislett neighborhood to visit his home street. Grab coffee at one of the many local cafés that line the streets here. Norway takes its coffee culture rather seriously!
Midday
Walk through Frogner Park, including the Vigelandspark sculpture park, and visit Frognerbadet. During the summer months, it’s lively, but in colder months, it feels… less lively.
Walk through Frogner Park, including the Vigelandspark sculpture park, and visit Frognerbadet. During the summer months, it’s lively, but in colder months, it feels… less lively.
Afternoon
Head toward the Royal Palace Park. Walk around, sit on the bench, and people-watch. Oslo reveals itself quietly.
Head toward the Royal Palace Park. Walk around, sit on the bench, and people-watch. Oslo reveals itself quietly.
Evening
End your day at Restaurant Schrøder and order something traditional. Stay longer than planned.
End your day at Restaurant Schrøder and order something traditional. Stay longer than planned.
Local tip: Reserve your table in advance to guarantee a spot. We recommend trying the “house special” for a true Norwegian food experience.
Oslo is more than just a city break. From here, you can easily board the Bergen Railway to explore the Nærøyfjord, high mountain plateaus, and iconic scenery that define Norway far beyond the city lifestyle. You can explore our tours to experience some of Norway’s most spectacular landscapes in just a few days.
Ready to walk Oslo like Harry Hole?
Oslo’s streets are waiting for you! Explore the famous sights of Norway’s capital, going further than the Harry Hole filming locations.