Places to Visit in Europe

City Guide

Oslo, Norway

Oslo sits at the head of the Oslofjord, surrounded by forest-covered hills and islands. Norway's compact capital is a progressive city — Viking history, world-class museums, excellent food, and immediate access to nature via the fjord and surrounding forests. It feels genuinely different from other European capitals: more nature-focused, cleaner, and significantly more expensive.

Best Places to Stay

  • Luxury: The Grand Hotel Oslo (historic landmark), Hotel Continental, Aker Brygge waterfront
  • Mid-range: Hotel Christiania, Thon Hotel Opera, Scandic Holmenkollen
  • Budget: Anker Hostel, Norwegian Hotel, Citybox Oslo

Best Places to Eat

  • Fine dining: Kontrast (Michelin-starred), Maaemo (3 Michelin stars, locally sourced)
  • Casual: Mathallen food hall (Oslo's best food market)
  • Hot dogs: Narvesen stands — Norwegian hot dogs with crispy onions are a local institution
  • Markets: Torget (fish market at Rådhusplassen)

Best Sites to Visit

Viking Ship Museum: Viking longships from the 9th century — extraordinary woodwork and craftsmanship.

Fram Museum: The actual polar exploration vessels — stand inside the ship that reached the North Pole.

Kon-Tiki Museum: Thor Heyerdahl's balsa raft that crossed the Pacific in 1947.

Munch Museum: Edvard Munch's home — The Scream and a vast collection — in a stunning new waterfront building.

National Museum: Norway's largest art collection, recently opened in a new building. Excellent.

Oslo Opera House: Marble slope you can walk up for fjord views and city panorama — a civic symbol.

Holmenkollen ski jump: View over the city and fjord, and a ski museum below.

Frogner Park and Vigeland installation: 212 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland — remarkable, completely free.

Akershus Fortress: Medieval castle in the city centre, with park grounds by the fjord.

Sample 3-Day Itinerary

Day 1: Bygdøy Peninsula

Morning: Bygdøy peninsula — Viking Ship Museum, Fram Museum, Kon-Tiki (allow 3-4 hours total). Afternoon: Walk to Oslo Opera House, climb the marble roof. Evening: Aker Brygge waterfront for dinner.

Day 2: Museums and Vigeland

Morning: Munch Museum (allow 2-3 hours). Afternoon: National Museum, then Frogner Park (Vigeland sculptures). Evening: Grünerløkka neighbourhood — trendy, bohemian.

Day 3: Islands or Ski Jump

Option A: Hovedøya island (15 min ferry) — monastery ruins, beaches, forests. Option B: Holmenkollen ski jump and trails — spectacular views.

Getting There and Around

  • By air: Oslo Airport Gardermoen (OSL) — major hub. Flytoget express train to city centre (20 min, €20).
  • By train: Oslo S (central station) — direct to Copenhagen (8h), Stockholm (6h), Gothenburg (4h).
  • By ferry: Color Line from Copenhagen and Kiel. Major cruise port.
  • Getting around: Excellent metro, tram, and bus network. Buy a 24-hour pass. City centre is walkable.

Travel Tips and Practical Info

  • Extremely expensive: Budget €120–180/day minimum. Norway is one of the world's most expensive countries.
  • Best time: May–September for outdoor activities and long days (midnight sun in June and July).
  • Free: Frogner Park, Akershus Fortress, waterfront walking, islands by ferry.
  • Oslo Pass: Covers all public transport + free museum entry — worth it if you visit 2+ museums.

Where to Next?

  • Bergen (7h by train — spectacular, UNESCO wooden houses, Flåm railway)
  • Stockholm (6h by train)
  • Tromsø (1.5h flight — Northern Lights, Arctic expeditions)
  • Stavanger and Pulpit Rock (1.5h flight)