This small French town on Noirmoutier island has narrow streets lined with white-washed houses, salt marshes, and a 12th-century castle overlooking the Atlantic coast.
Walk through Oslo's Vigeland Sculpture Park, where over 200 bronze and granite figures line winding paths. Explore the Viking Ship Museum to see 9th-century vessels preserved with axes and carved sleds. Take the metro to Holmenkollen Ski Jump for views of the city and fjord. In winter, rent cross-country skis from local shops near the trails that start at Sognsvann Lake. Stop by the Munch Museum to view Edvard Munch’s original The Scream alongside rotating exhibits of his prints.
Top Attractions in Oslo Vigeland Sculpture Park remains free to enter year-round and stays open until sunset. The sculptures depict human emotions and relationships, from children playing to elderly couples embracing. Nearby, the Oslo City Museum details the development of the capital since the 1300s through maps and photographs. For a different perspective, take the ferry from City Hall to Bygdøy Peninsula. The 20-minute ride passes islands and waterfront neighborhoods before arriving at the Norwegian Maritime Museum.
Getting Around Oslo Buy an Ruter transit pass for unlimited rides on trams, buses, ferries, and trains within zones 1 and 2. Trams arrive every 10 minutes on major routes like lines 11 and 12, which connect Grünerløkka to Majorstuen. Download the RuterBillett app to purchase tickets without cash. Many central areas, including Aker Brygge and the Royal Palace grounds, are walkable on paved paths. Taxis are expensive—expect to pay around 300 NOK for a 15-minute ride from the airport to downtown.
Local Food and Drink Try fårikål (lamb stew with cabbage) at Den Glade Gris, a restaurant near Akershus Fortress that sources meat from nearby Østfold. For seafood, the Vulkanfisk market in Grünerløkka sells shrimp sandwiches and smoked salmon on rye bread. Baker Hansen chain cafes offer affordable cinnamon buns and strong coffee. In summer, buy strawberries or cloudberries from roadside stands along Ekebergveien. Tap water is safe to drink, and public fountains are common in parks like St. Hanshaugen.
Where to Stay Citybox Oslo has compact rooms with self-check-in kiosks five minutes from the central train station. Thon Hotel Opera includes breakfast and faces the opera house’s angular marble exterior. Budget travelers can book dorm beds at Anker Hostel, which has shared kitchens and laundry machines. For quieter stays, consider the Smestad Hotel near the Holmenkollen trails—take tram line 1 to reach downtown in 25 minutes. Most hotels raise prices during ski competitions in March or Nobel Peace Prize events in December.
Practical Tips Pack waterproof shoes and a windbreaker—rain is possible even in July. Museums close early on Sundays, so plan visits to the National Gallery or Fram Polar Ship Museum before 3 PM. Learn basic Norwegian phrases like unnskyld (excuse me) and takk (thank you). Free Wi-Fi is available at libraries, including Deichman Bjørvika near the opera house. If hiking, stick to marked trails around Nordmarka Forest to avoid getting lost—maps are posted at trailheads.
