Oslo

Great architecture in a green capital optimized for an active and healthy life.

Norway's capital blends urban life and nature, with attractions ranging from the Oslofjord and Holmenkollen ski jump to the Munch Museum.

4.2

out of 5

Architectural marvel at Bjørvika

Oslo Opera House is a modern building by the sea, known for its accessible roof and excellent acoustics.

Boat tours and island hopping

Explore Oslofjord: Norway's picturesque waterway with historic islands, museums, outdoor fun, and cultural spots.

Edvard Munch's art collection

Visit Oslo's Munch Museum, with the largest collection of Edvard Munch's work including 'The Scream.'

Historic fortress and military museum

Visit Akershus Fortress in Oslo for tours of royal areas, military sites, and fjord views.

Preserved ancient Viking ships

Visit Oslo's Viking Ship Museum for well-kept Viking ships and old Norse relics.

Iconic ski jump and museum

Oslo's Holmenkollen Ski Jump has a museum, zipline, and views of the city and fjord.

Open-air cultural history museum

Experience the Norwegian Folk Museum in Oslo: an open-air museum with over 150 historic buildings and a view into Norwegian traditions.

Sculpture Park by Gustav Vigeland

Vigeland Park in Oslo has over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland, including the famous Monolith.

Map page

Oslo, the capital of Norway, sits at the head of the 100-kilometer-long Oslofjord, combining city life with outdoor activities. It is the nation's political and economic center and a hub for Norwegian culture, home to the National Museum and the Munch Museum.

Oslo's climate is mild due to the Gulf Stream, despite its high latitude. Winters are great for skiing in Holmenkollen, which features a ski museum and a famous ski jump. Summers are good for exploring the city's parks, such as Frogner Park and its Vigeland sculpture installation.

The city promotes walking with a renewed waterfront area and the impressive Oslo Opera House with its accessible roof. Efficient public transport connects travelers to Bygdøy Peninsula's museums, like the Viking Ship Museum, which honor Norway's maritime history.

Oslo's cuisine includes a variety of local and international dishes, with seafood being a notable option because of the country's coastal location. Dining ranges from street food to high-end restaurants, but visitors should be aware of the high prices.

History enthusiasts will appreciate Akershus Fortress for its insights into Oslo's past, while the Tjuvholmen district features contemporary art and architecture, showing Oslo's mix of historical and modern elements.

With a population of just over 700,000, Oslo maintains ease of movement. For a break from city life, the surrounding Oslomarka forest offers trails for hiking and cross-country skiing, covering about 1,700 square kilometers of woods and waterways.

In short, Oslo provides an experience of urban living along with convenient access to nature, valuing both its historical roots and its modern developments.

Average temperatures during the day in Oslo.

May

17°

Jun

21°

Jul

22°

Aug

20°

Sep

16°

Oct

11°

Nov

5°

Dec

2°

Jan

0°

Feb

1°

Mar

5°

Apr

10°

What people say about Oslo

4.2

People

Food

Spaces

Value

Safety

Samuel

If you're going to Norway do NOT go to Oslo bro this place is pure ass apart from the historical buildings like the palace.

Peter Teider

The city has alot of charming parks. Visit the one with all the statues. The city is surrounded with great nature and you can also take the subway directly up to the skislopes.
If you want to grab a beer, Grynelukka is one of many great bar streets.
If you're into rockclimbing they have one of the best climbinggyms i've ever been to (Oslo kletre centre).

Jan Otto

Zachary Fisher

Skip Oslo and get into the nature!

Anders

I have been to Oslo many times over the years. Both for fun and for work. It is a pretty nice city with some interesting architecture downtown, like the opera house and the new buildings along the waterfront. The city is great for walking around town on a nice summer day. The food is OK, but kind of disappointing for a larger city. People are pretty friendly, as most Norwegians are.

The very best thing about Oslo is its surroundings, the nice green areas around the city where I love to play disc golf in the forest, and the Oslofjord giving much of the city views of the water.

eirik

Oslo is very big and very hard to find stuff bur also its very cool there

Alexander E

Been to Oslo many times for both work and leisure. Very clean and well organized as well as extremely safe.

It's easy to get around via the tram and buses.

The food offers a selection from all of the world but a mixed big in terms of quality versus prices. Everything in Oslo is expensive, even for fellow Scandinavians.

Parts of the city is beautiful, people are overall friendly and will communicate with you in English without any problems.

If you have to choose between Copenhagen, Oslo, Stockholm or Helsinki, Oslo is however on the bottom of that list while still being a overall nice city to visit - but missing the genuine and "big city"-feeling.

What to do in Oslo

Destinations with the best disc golf courses in the world

Article from November 2024 with 7 places

An up-and-coming disc golf destination

Oslo, Norway, has many large and beautiful parks that offer a variety of different terrains to play on. The city is full of well-rated disc golf courses designed to challenge even the most experienced players. The city’s beautiful scenery and natural areas make it a great place to relax and enjoy a round of disc golf.

Oslo offers both top quality, with Krokhol being the second best course worldwide, and volume, with more and more courses appearing each year. Many of them are ambitious, with plans to create world-class facilities. This destination seems destined to climb this list over the next few years.

As a city, Oslo might be lacking a bit compared to some of the other destinations on the list, but the Norwegian capital city is known for its access to stunning natural beauty, with Norway's fjords, mountains, and coastal landscape providing plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities. The best time to visit Oslo is between May and September.

The best disc golf courses in and around Oslo

Krokhol Disc Golf Course ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (#2 in the world!)

Holmenkollen DiscGolfpark ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Stovner Discgolfpark ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Bonus: Oslo is just a 2-hour drive from Gothenburg, another top disc golf destination on this list. And if you are ready for an adventure, you can take a 6-hour road trip to Øverås Diskgolfpark, ranked #17 in the world and located on the beautiful Norwegian coast. Maybe you make a whole thing out of it and visit Jotunheimen National Park, which is one of The most beautiful national parks in the world.

The 20 most bike-friendly cities in the world

Article from January 2023 with 20 places

Innovative traffic calming

Oslo offers extensive bike paths and pedestrian-only zones. The city has invested heavily in bike lanes and paths, making it easier and safer to bike. Oslo's bike infrastructure is innovative, including dedicated bike routes and traffic calming measures. There is also a tremendous bike-sharing system, making it easy for people to rent a bike for short trips around town.

Biking for visitors

Oslo is an excellent place for visitors, with many bike tours and bike rental shops making it easy to explore the green city and its surrounding areas. There are plenty of routes to try, from the picturesque Akershus Castle to the nearby forests and lakes.

The 20 happiest cities in the world

Article from November 2024 with 21 places

Why are people happy in Oslo?

There are a number of factors that contribute to why people in Oslo are happier than most. Firstly, Norway has a very high standard of living, with a strong economy, a generous welfare system, and a high level of social equality. Norway is also a very safe country with low crime rates, and the people of Oslo enjoy a high quality of life with access to an abundance of leisure and recreational activities as the city is surrounded by stunning natural scenery, providing many opportunities for outdoor recreation and relaxation. The Norwegian government has placed an emphasis on protecting the environment and promoting sustainable development. This has resulted in citizens having access to safe and clean air and water, as well as access to green spaces.

Bucket list-worthy places in the Nordics

Article from December 2023 with 11 places

Oslo is the capital and most populous city of Norway. It is found on the country's southern coast and is surrounded by hills, forests, and fjords. Oslo is a center of business and finance, and its diverse economy is based on shipping, oil and gas, technology, and finance. The city is considered one of the most expensive in Europe and is known for its stylish, modern architecture, parks, and urban landscape.

What to do in Oslo, Norway

Explore the Vigeland Sculpture Park: Stroll through the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the largest sculpture park in the world created by a single artist, Gustav Vigeland. Explore the incredible sculptures and learn about Norwegian history and culture.

Visit the opera house: The Oslo Opera House is one of the world's most beautiful and impressive opera houses, with a stunning exterior and interior. Take a guided tour to learn more about its history and architecture.

Take a boat tour: Enjoy a relaxing boat tour around the picturesque Oslo fjord to see some of the city's sights from the water.

Visit the Viking Ship Museum: Learn about Viking history and culture at the Viking Ship Museum, which houses three of the world's best-preserved Viking ships.

Take a trip to the Oslofjord: Spend a day exploring the Oslofjord, one of the most stunning fjords in Norway. Take a boat tour or rent a kayak and enjoy the spectacular scenery.