Introducing Oslo
Hemmed by a ‘fjord’ and kilometres of woodland, Norway’s capital is an easy-going city with an eclectic architectural mix of old, new and just plain 1960s that is hard not to like. The perfect size for exploring on foot, the city boasts world-class museums, a lively nightlife and plenty of outdoor activities for the energetic.
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Most visitors will find themselves struggling to choose between Oslo’s numerous museums, which offer something for almost every taste: a face-to-face with the haunting image of Edvard Munch’s The Scream at the National Gallery, a chance to stand in the shoes of an Olympic ski-jumper at the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, or a window into history and culture at the unforgettable Viking Ship, Polarship Fram or Folk Museums on Bygdøy. And Oslo is certainly the cosmopolitan heart of Norway, with a rapidly growing café and bar culture, top-notch restaurants, and nightlife options ranging from world-class opera and jazz to indie rock.
But many Oslo residents, being avid hikers, skiers and sailors, will fondly tell you that what they love most about their city is how easy it is to leave the city life behind. Located at the head of the Oslofjord (which actually isn’t a fjord, but is pretty anyway), Oslo is one of Europe’s largest capitals in terms of area (450 sq km) but smallest population-wise. As a result, it is the only European capital that boasts cycling, hiking, ice-skating, kayaking, sailing and skiing, all within its city limits and a short train ride away.
Last updated: Feb 17, 2009
Tips & articles
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Top 17 experiences in Norway
1 June 2011
Norway is a once-in-a-lifetime destination and the essence of its appeal is remarkably simple: this is one of the most...
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The 10 best things to do in 2011
10 December 2010
Punctuate this year with meaningful experiences. Choose from options that girdle the globe – from cricket bats and birthday parties...
Thorn Tree forum discussion
Recent posts
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Re: From Bergen to Oslo: by car vs. by train?
by HanneB 27 May 2012
You can go by E16 to Gudvangen, and take the ferry to Lærdal. A wonderful trip, going on Nærøyfjorden, Aurlandsfjorden and then Sognefjor…
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Re: Night train from Stavanger to Oslo S (on June 18)
by Karl_Kristian 27 May 2012
Hey, First of all, the 199NOK is not stantard - its promotioaal (early booking). It may rise to 299, 399, 499 before it goes up to "stand…
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Norwegian Fjord Tour
by hochner 27 May 2012
Am looking to go an a fjord tour in July. I probaly won;t have a lot of time or money at this point in my trip. Is such a tour possible…
Oslo
Things to do
- All things to do (182)
- Activities (34)
- Entertainment (33)
- Restaurants (45)
- Shopping (19)
- Sights (49)
- Tours (2)
Make it happen
Our Top Picks For Oslo
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1 Grand Café
Walk in the footsteps of Henrik Ibsen down Karl Johans gate for coffee at the Grand Café
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2 City centre and national day
Eat ice cream as you stroll with the locals in the city centre and wave a Norwegian flag on 17 May, Norway’s national day
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3 Nordmarka
Pick summer blueberries and go winter skiing in Oslo’s Nordmarka
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4 Munch Museum and Grünerløkka’s cafés or bars
Come up with ways to cheat security at the Munch Museum then start the afternoon in one of Grünerløkka’s cafés or bars and find yourself still there early the next morning
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5 Vigeland Park
Reconsider parenthood while looking at the works of Gustav Vigeland at Vigeland Park
Our favourite Oslo Blogs (beta)
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Winter family fun in Oslo
Blog: Sophie's World - 20 February 2012
Want to get the kids away from the screens and out in the fresh air? Here are a few tips for some family-fun in the snow in the Norwegian capital. Nature is all around you here: the Oslo fjord and its islands, forests, lakes and parks – and the locals enthusiastically enjoy it all. Perhaps [...]Winter family fun in Oslo is a post from Sophie's World
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From the northpole with love
Blog: photito's blog - 10 January 2012
What? 4pm and time for bed? - what to do in Oslo in winter - Unless you’re equipped with a very stable circadian rhythm, I guarantee you will be thrown off balance if you go to Norway in winter. (For those of you who couldn’t be bothered to click the wikipedia link, circadian rhythm basically means [...]
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72 Hours in Oslo with Kids
Blog: Ciao Bambino! - 7 November 2011
Oslo, the oldest of the Nordic capitals, located between a fjord and the forest, is breathtakingly beautiful and offers a several parks and recreational activities. Add to that castles and its intriguing Viking history and you get a city where a family can easily wile away 72 hours. The Akerhus Castle has gone through many reincarnations, starting as a medieval castle in the 13th century, then becoming a fortress in the 16th century and finally being rebuilt in the 17th century as a renaissance castle.
