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 Hotels (5-Star): The Grand Hotel Oslo (historic landmark since 1874, royal warrant holder, exquisite spa and multiple restaurants), Hotel Continental (luxury hotel near Parliament with stunning art collection and Nobel Peace Prize connection), Thon Hotel Opera (modern luxury near Oslo Opera House with fantastic rooftop bar), Hotel Bristol (legendary luxury since 1920 with beautiful façade and excellent service), Clarion Hotel The Hub (modern luxury near central station with incredible views and lively lobby), Scandic Victoria (luxury hotel with beautiful waterfront location and excellent spa), Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel (luxury hotel near city center with fantastic facilities and lovely breakfast), Hilton Oslo (luxury hotel near Nobel Peace Center with excellent service and lovely views), Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz (lovely boutique hotel in historic building near Karl Johans gate), Hotel Savoy (luxury hotel with elegant interiors and excellent location near Royal Palace)
  • Boutique & Character Hotels (4-Star): Hotel Christiania (charming boutique hotel near Oslo Cathedral with lovely courtyard), Thon Hotel Astoria (lovely hotel near central station with excellent facilities and lovely breakfast), Scandic Holmenkollen (iconic hotel near ski jump with stunning forest views and lovely spa), Hotel Oslo (modern boutique hotel with excellent location near Aker Brygge), Clarion Hotel Providence (lovely hotel near Grünerløkka with excellent restaurant and lovely atmosphere), Zoku Oslo (innovative hybrid hotel/apartment with fantastic city views and lovely common area), Hotel Monsen (lovely boutique hotel in historic building with lovely terrace and excellent service), Anker Hostel (already mentioned but worth noting for its lovely location and helpful staff), Punk Hostel Oslo (trendy hostel with lovely common room and organized events), Citybox Oslo (already mentioned but lovely self-service concept with excellent location)
  • Well-Located Mid-Range (3-4 Star): Scandic Oslo City (lovely hotel near central station with excellent facilities and lovely breakfast), Thon Hotel Gyldenløve (lovely hotel near Royal Palace with excellent service and lovely courtyard), Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget (modern hotel near Youngstorget with excellent facilities and lovely bar), Quality Hotel Expo (lovely hotel near exhibition center with excellent facilities and easy airport access), Radisson Blu Scandinavia Hotel (lovely hotel near Vikaholmen with excellent facilities and lovely fjord view), Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo (lovely hotel near Karl Johans gate with excellent service and lovely breakfast), Saga Hotel Oslo (lovely boutique hotel with excellent location and lovely staff), Ibis Oslo Centre (lovely budget option with excellent location near city center), Thon Hotel Oslo Airport (lovely hotel near airport with excellent shuttle and fantastic facilities for early flights), Clarion Hotel & Congress Oslo Airport (lovely hotel near airport with excellent conference facilities and lovely restaurant)
  • Budget-Friendly (Hostels/Guesthouses): Anker Hostel (lovely hostel with fantastic common room, bar, and organized city walks), Norwegian Hotel (lovely budget hotel near central station with clean rooms and helpful staff), Citybox Oslo (innovative self-service hotel concept with lovely locations and excellent value), Sondre Hostel Oslo (lovely hostel with excellent location and lovely common room), Oslo Hostel Central (lovely hostel near Karl Johans gate with fantastic social atmosphere and lovely basement bar), HI Oslo Hostel (lovely hostel affiliated with Hostelling International with excellent facilities and lovely garden), Freddy Hostel (lovely hostel with lovely common room and organized pancake mornings), Spektrum Hostel (lovely hostel near Grünerløkka with excellent facilities and lovely vibrant atmosphere), BaseCamp Oslo (lovely hostel with excellent location near central station and lovely rooftop terrace), Greenland Hostel (lovely hostel with lovely atmosphere and excellent kitchen facilities)

Best Places to Eat

  • Fine Dining (Michelin-Starred): Kontrast (Michelin-starred innovative Nordic cuisine in lovely setting near Aker Brygge), Maaemo (three Michelin stars, world-renowned for exceptional New Nordic cuisine using hyper-local ingredients, booked months ahead), Statholdergaarden (Michelin-starred historic restaurant since 1795 with exquisite Norwegian cuisine in lovely setting), Malort (Michelin-starred creative Nordic cuisine in lovely intimate setting), Gamle Raadhus Restaurant (lovely restaurant in historic Oslo City Hall with excellent traditional Norwegian fare and lovely atmosphere), Restaurant Eik Annen Etage (Michelin-starred modern Norwegian cuisine in lovely setting near Majorstuen), Lodge (Michelin-starred fantastic modern Nordic cuisine in lovely setting near Vulkan), Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant (Michelin-starred seafood restaurant on floating pier with incredible views and exquisite dishes), Maaemo (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its three-Michelin-star excellence), Kontrast (already mentioned but essential for innovative Nordic tasting menu)
  • Modern Nordic & Contemporary: Filippa K Restaurant (lovely restaurant with excellent modern Scandinavian cuisine and lovely setting), Fjord Restaurant (lovely restaurant with excellent seafood and stunning fjord views), Vippa (lovely food market concept with incredible variety of street food vendors and lovely atmosphere), Mathallen Food Hall (already mentioned but worth repeating for its incredible variety of Norwegian food producers and lovely restaurants), Lille B (lovely tiny restaurant with exceptional modern Nordic cuisine and lovely intimate setting), Lofoten Fiskerestaurant (lovely seafood restaurant with excellent fresh catch and lovely waterfront setting), Betrieb (lovely restaurant with excellent modern Norwegian cuisine and lovely industrial-chic setting), Spiseriet (lovely restaurant with excellent traditional Norwegian fare and lovely setting near Aker Brygge), Fiskeriet Youngstorget (lovely seafood restaurant with excellent daily catch and lovely bustling atmosphere), Halvards Sjømat (lovely seafood restaurant with excellent fresh fish and lovely traditional preparations)
  • Traditional Norwegian & Cafés: Café Engebret (legendary café since 1857 with excellent traditional Norwegian fare and lovely historic setting), Schouskjelleren Mikrobryggeri (lovely brewery restaurant with excellent house beers and lovely traditional Norwegian dishes), Lorry (lovely restaurant with excellent traditional Norwegian fare and lovely setting near Youngstorget), Frognerseteren (lovely restaurant high in Nordmarka with incredible views and excellent traditional Norwegian fare), Café Mono (lovely café with excellent coffee and lovely pastries near Grünerløkka), Tim Wendelboe (legendary coffee roaster and café with incredible coffee and lovely minimalist setting), Solberg & Hansen (lovely coffee roastery with excellent coffee and lovely café near Grünerløkka), Café Lorry (lovely café with excellent sandwiches and lovely setting), Bagler & Bageri (lovely bakery with excellent bread and lovely pastries near Grünerløkka), Konditori La Glace (lovely pastry shop since 1870 with exquisite cakes and lovely traditional setting)
  • Seafood Specialists: Fiskeriet Youngstorget (lovely seafood restaurant with excellent daily catch and lovely bustling atmosphere), Maaemo (already mentioned but exceptional for seafood courses), Cornelius Sjømatrestaurant (Michelin-starred seafood restaurant on floating pier with incredible views), Lille B (already mentioned but worth highlighting for its incredible seafood preparations), Fiskeriet Tjuvholmen (lovely seafood restaurant on Tjuvholmen with excellent fresh catch and lovely waterfront setting), Sjømatbaren (lovely seafood bar with excellent daily catch and lovely lively atmosphere), Fiskeriet Grünerløkka (lovely seafood restaurant in Grünerløkka with excellent daily catch and lovely cozy atmosphere), Hav (lovely seafood restaurant with excellent modern Nordic seafood and lovely setting near Aker Brygge), Fiskeriet Karl Johan (lovely seafood restaurant on Karl Johans gate with excellent daily catch and lovely traditional preparations), Fiskeriet Aker Brygge (lovely seafood restaurant on Aker Brygge with excellent fresh fish and lovely views of the harbor)
  • Casual & Food Halls: Mathallen Food Hall (Oslo's best food market with incredible variety of Norwegian food producers, lovely restaurants, and lovely atmosphere), Vulkan Food Market (lovely food market near Akerselva river with incredible variety of street food and lovely indoor/outdoor space), Grünerløkka Cafés (lovely area with fantastic cafés, bakeries, and lovely vintage shops), Youngstorget Market (lovely square with excellent food vendors and lovely weekend market atmosphere), Aker Brygge Restaurants (lovely waterfront area with incredible seafood restaurants and lovely views of the fjord), Tjuvholmen Dining (lovely area with excellent seafood restaurants and lovely views of the harbor), Sørenga (lovely area with fantastic restaurants and lovely beach baths), Hafslund (lovely area with excellent traditional Norwegian fare and lovely setting near the river), Lillegrensen (lovely area with excellent food halls and lovely lively atmosphere), Grønland (lovely multicultural area with incredible food variety and lovely bustling markets)

Best Sites to Visit

Viking Ship Museum: Houses three remarkably preserved Viking longships from the 9th century — the Oseberg ship (incredible woodcarvings and burial chamber), the Gokstad ship (sturdy ocean-going vessel), and the Tune ship. Extraordinary woodwork and craftsmanship that reveal the sophistication of Viking shipbuilding and seafaring culture.

Fram Museum: Dedicated to Norwegian polar exploration, featuring the actual polar exploration vessels — Fram (the strongest wooden ship ever built, used by Nansen and Amundsen), Gjøa (first vessel to navigate the Northwest Passage), and Maud. Stand inside the ships that reached both poles and learn about the incredible endurance of polar explorers.

Kon-Tiki Museum: Thor Heyerdahl's famous balsa raft Kon-Tiki that crossed the Pacific in 1947, plus exhibits on his other expeditions (Ra II, Tigris). See the original raft, fascinating artifacts, and learn about Heyerdahl's revolutionary theories on ancient seafaring and cultural diffusion.

Munch Museum (MUNCH): New waterfront museum dedicated to Edvard Munch, housing The Scream, Madonna, and a vast collection of over 28,000 works. Stunning architecture with incredible views of the fjord, offering deep insight into Munch's turbulent life and expressionist masterpieces.

National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet): Norway's largest collection of art, architecture, and design, recently opened in a spectacular new building facing the harbor. Highlights include Edvard Munch's The Scream and Madonna, Christian Krohg's works, incredible Norwegian romantic nationalism collection, stunning international collection, and magnificent architecture and design exhibits.

Oslo Opera House (Operahuset): Iconic marble-clad building that slopes like an iceberg into the fjord. Walk on the roof for breathtaking panoramic views of Oslo, the fjord, and the surrounding hills. Home to the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, with guided tours available to explore the incredible backstage areas and magnificent main auditorium.

Holmenkollen Ski Jump & Museum: World-famous ski jump tower offering incredible views over the city and fjord. Below the jump, ski museum traces over 4,000 years of skiing history. The area includes excellent cross-country ski trails in winter and lovely hiking paths in summer, plus the Holmenkollen Chapel with lovely views.

Frogner Park and Vigeland Installation: Oslo's largest park featuring the incredible Vigeland sculpture installation — 212 sculptures in bronze, granite, and wrought iron by Gustav Vigeland depicting the human life cycle. Remarkable, completely free to visit, and includes lovely gardens, the magnificent Monolith plateau, and the lovely Wheel of Life.

Akershus Fortress (Akershus festning): Medieval castle from the 13th century guarding the Oslofjord, with impressive renaissance fortifications, lovely park grounds by the water, and the Norwegian Resistance Museum. Explore the magnificent castle halls, dungeons, and lovely chapel, plus enjoy stunning views of the harbor and city.

Bygdøy Peninsula: Lovely museum island south of city center housing multiple world-class museums in a beautiful natural setting. Besides the Viking Ship, Fram, and Kon-Tiki museums, also houses the Norwegian Maritime Museum (incredible exhibits on Norway's seafaring history) and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum) with incredible open-air museum of historic buildings and farmsteads from across Norway.

Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art: Stunning Renzo Piano-designed museum on Tjuvholmen housing an incredible international contemporary art collection. Features works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons, Gerhard Richter, and wonderful Norwegian modern art, plus lovely sculpture park and incredible views of the harbor.

Ekebergparken Sculpture Park: Lovely hilltop sculpture park southeast of city center with incredible views over Oslo and the fjord. Features works by Salvador Dalí, Auguste Rodin, Pierre-Auguste Renoir, and fantastic Norwegian sculptors, plus lovely walking trails, lovely restaurant, and incredible picnic spots.

TusenFryd: Norway's largest amusement park located about 20 minutes south of Oslo, offering incredible roller coasters, lovely family rides, and lovely water park in summer. Perfect for families or thrill-seekers looking for a fun day trip from the city.

Oslo Cathedral (Oslo domkirke): Lovely baroque cathedral dating back to 1697, serving as the main church for the Church of Norway diocese of Oslo. Features lovely interior with incredible altar, lovely organ, and beautiful stained glass windows, plus lovely churchyard and lovely location near Karl Johans gate.

Karl Johans gate: Oslo's main street connecting Oslo Station to the Royal Palace, lovely pedestrian thoroughfare with incredible shopping, lovely cafés, and beautiful historic buildings. Lined with lovely statues, lovely outdoor seating, and wonderful atmosphere for people-watching and exploring the city center.

Royal Palace (Slottet): Lovely neoclassical palace dating back to 1849, official residence of the Norwegian monarch. Features lovely changing of the guard ceremony (daily in summer), lovely guided tours of the magnificent state rooms, and lovely palace gardens with incredible views over the city.

Grünerløkka: Lovely trendy district northeast of city center with incredible vintage shops, lovely cafés, beautiful street art, and lovely parks along the Akerselva river. Features lovely antique stores, lovely independent boutiques, lovely bar scene, and lovely atmosphere for exploring Oslo's creative side.

Aker Brygge: Lovely former shipyard turned modern waterfront district with incredible restaurants, lovely shopping, beautiful architecture, and lovely views of the Oslofjord. Features lovely beach area, lovely marina, lovely concert venue, and wonderful atmosphere for enjoying Oslo's maritime heritage.

Tjuvholmen: Lovely former naval area turned exclusive waterfront neighborhood with incredible art museum (Astrup Fearnley), lovely hotels, lovely restaurants, and lovely sculpture park. Features lovely views of the harbor, lovely residential architecture, and lovely connection to Aker Brygge via lovely bridge.

Sørenga: Lovely reclaimed sea area southeast of city center with incredible beach baths, lovely housing, lovely parks, and lovely cultural venues. Features lovely seawater pools perfect for summer swimming, lovely sauna complexes with incredible fjord views, and lovely restaurant scene with excellent seafood.

Oslofjord: Lovely inlet stretching south from Oslo with incredible islands, lovely beaches, and lovely summer homes. Explore by ferry to lovely islands like Hovedøya (lovely monastery ruins and lovely forests), Gressholmen (lovely beach and lovely picnic spots), or Langøyene (lovely beach and lovely camping), or take lovely boat tours for incredible scenery and lovely seal watching.