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One of the oldest capitals in Scandinavia, Oslo has experienced tremendous growth in the past decade thanks in part to increased tourism. Just 20 or 30 years ago, the intrinsic beauty of the area was the major draw for most visitors. Today, Oslo also has eclectic attractions, museums, performing arts venues, dining and nightlife — and nature remains as riveting as ever.
For its tremendous geographic size (about 3,400 square miles make up the greater metropolitan area), the city has only about 550,000 inhabitants. The region is heavily forested and surrounded by glaciers and mountains. While the scenery alone would still be reason enough to visit, Oslo is more diverse than that. In addition to urban attractions and natural attributes, the city is a gateway to places to hike, ski and explore.
Adventurers, culture enthusiasts and nature lovers all have plenty of reason to spend time in Oslo. The hills and lakes of its outlying countryside are a paradise for lovers of winter sports. And the city itself boasts a sophisticated, yet cozy charm, with a blend of 19th- and 20th-century buildings, many decorated with woodcarvings and bright frescoes, and wide avenues dotted with public squares and parks.
The Kunstindustrimuseet is a museum of applied art. Constructed in 1876, it is one of the oldest museums in Norway and houses extensive collections and exhibits. Among the highlights are a collection of glass and silver from the 18th century and superb Scandinavian crafts and furniture. One of the most impressive works in the Kunstindustrimuseet is the Baldishol tapestry from the 13th century. Concerts, guided tours and lectures are all held here. For the greatest insight into the museum and its exhibits, stroll through the galleries with a docent.
Taking a ferry to Bygdøy is a popular activity for visitors to Oslo. The Bygdøy is a peninsula with, among other things, Viking shipwrecks. Rich in history, this area has notable museums and a scenic sailboat harbor. The Norwegian Folk Museum is home to several medieval buildings and exhibits and features indoor spaces as well as an open-air museum. In all there are some 230,000 artifacts within this collection of smaller museums. All aspects of Norwegian life are explored, including the heritage and culture of Oslo and Norway as a whole. There are outstanding works of art and woodcarvings, great tapestries and an ornate church that dates to the 1200s. Forestry and agriculture are big business in Norway, and these industries are showcased and explained in depth. This is Norway's largest museum of cultural history.
Also on the peninsula is the Viking Ship Museum, which provides an intriguing look into these ancient vessels of the high seas. Visitors can marvel at spectacular and ornate ships preserved for more than 1,200 years. Nearby is the Kon-Tiki Museum where the famous Kon-Tiki raft is on display, along with Polynesian artifacts and relics collected during the travels of Thor Heyerdahl.
Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo is a tribute to the work of Gustav Vigeland, Norway's most celebrated sculptor. Here you can stroll through a park and view more than 200 sculptures on display.
Norwegians take great pride in their ski-jumping heritage and success. The first ski jump competition took place in 1892 at the Holmenkollen ski jump facility in Oslo. Visit this fascinating athletic center, home to the 1952 Winter Olympic ski-jumping competition.
Drobak is one of the best beaches in the area and Hovedøya has its attributes as well. Be sure to stay away from the inner harbor; swimming there is discouraged due to pollution. And though jumping into the water from rocks along the shore is popular among locals, it's not advisable for tourists. Other popular beaches include Langøyene and Gressholmen. Keep in mind that all beaches south of Langøyene are nude beaches. If that's your thing, head over to Standskogen where you can wear your birthday suit in style.
David-Andersen is a century-old jewelry chain that features many exquisite items, perhaps most notably silver designs influenced by Viking and Norwegian folklore. Hadeland Glassverk is the place to see glass shaped and blown, and there's a shopping complex that sells unusual and inventive glasswork.
Billettsentralen (81/53-31-33) is the place to see ballet, opera and theater in Oslo; performances are typically held weekly. Smuget is located at Rosenkrantzgate 22 (22/42-52-62) and is the hottest dance club in Oslo. Food is served until 3 am, the dance floor is active and the cocktails are potent.
Klosteret features French and Norwegian cuisine with such specialties as rack of lamb and boiled halibut, all in an inviting setting. The vegetarian dish of the day is also a good choice, and in the fall, be certain to ask about the game dish of the day. Other fine options include Castelle Restaurant, for flavorful steak and meat dishes, and Solsiden Tapas, for tapas with a Norwegian twist.
Although well into the northern latitudes, Oslo's climate is fairly temperate thanks to warm air wafting across the Atlantic from the Gulf Stream. Summer weather in Oslo is mild and pleasant, with frequent hot spells and plenty of long, sunny days. In winter, temperatures hover just above or below freezing. Snow is plentiful in the forested areas and in the city itself, making it a great winter-sports venue. Rainfall is spread across the year, the rainiest month being August.
Cruise ships dock at the Port of Oslo, a full-service port with transportation readily available and shopping nearby.
For a $28 fee, you can purchase an Oslo Pass, which allows for free travel on all modes of public transportation, including subway, tram and bus systems. Best of all, the Oslo Pass provides free admittance into museums and other sites. Taxis are available 24 hours a day (23/23-23-23).
Documents: U.S. and Canadian citizens need a valid passport.
Language: The most widely spoken language is Norwegian.
Currency: The Norwegian kroner (crowns)
Safety: Oslo is generally a safe city, but as in any metropolitan area, some caution is warranted. Keep an eye on your belongings and don't take any unofficial public transportation, such as "pirate taxis."
How about you? Have you been to Oslo or Norway? We'd love to hear about your experience or see your photos!
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“What Oslo lacks in signature sights or Old World magic is made up for by some of Northern Europe’s best museums and a cutting-edge cultural scene that has become the envy of Scandinavia. Fueled by money from North Sea oil reserves, Norway is a prosperous country of five million citizens, and in the last decade its cosmopolitan capital has emerged as a trend-setter in cuisine, design, and art and architecture.”
“A new five-and-a-half-mile waterfront promenade, Havnepromenaden, runs from a sea-fed outdoor pool, across a High Line-inspired park, to a year-old indoor skatepark with hyper-colorful facades by the local artist Pushwagner.”
