Oslo is a totally exciting metropolis for a city trip in Northern Europe. From large palaces to museums, gardens and activities, there is a lot to explore in the city centre of #oslo. The medieval fortress Akershus will take you back in time, the opera house into the future of the Norwegian metropolis and in the Viking ship museum you will experience how the wild people from the north once conquered the oceans. There are also many free things you can do in Oslo. This is good, as Norway is generally a quite expensive country.

General facts

Oslo is the largest city in the country with a population of around 975,000 - around three-quarters of Norway's population live in the region around the capital. In #norway you pay with the Norwegian Crown (NOK). The city can be VERY expensive and the cost of going to a restaurant can be significantly higher than in other European cities. Credit cards are generally accepted, but may not be accepted in all grocery stores.

Our tip: Save time and money with the Oslo Pass - The Oslo Pass is the city ticket for visitors to the city. It allows you to travel free of charge on the city's public transport. This includes ferries to the islands in the Oslofjord. The pass also gives you free admission to more than 30 museums and sights.  On top of that, you get many discounts, for example for renting bicycles or eating in restaurants.

Many routes in Oslo are easy to cover on foot. Or even more comfortably by bicycle. Rental stations can be found at many places in the city. 

Some of the suggested sights are located just outside the city centre. The best way to get there is by public transport. The public transport system in Oslo is well developed. The light railways here are called Trikks and run every 20 minutes between 5:00 and 24:00.

Best travel time for Oslo

Oslo is also worthwhile for a flying visit, during which you can discover the most important highlights in the city centre. If you want to feel more of the city's flair, you should plan a long weekend to explore trendy Grünerløkka, browse the small galleries, boutiques and second-hand shops and watch the hustle and bustle over a coffee in one of the many bars. If you have a week or more to spare, the #nature around the capital will tempt you. The summer in Oslo is full of cultural events such as music festivals, medieval festivals and open air events. Temperatures are pleasant with an average of 20 degrees and seven to eight hours of sunshine a day are ideal for exploring the city. Around midsummer in mid-June it does not get dark at all in the whole of Norway. Winter sports fans are drawn to the Norwegian capital from November to February: the mountains around Oslo, especially the Holmenkollen, are then a magnet for skiers and snowboarders.

Some of the highlights

A great place to start your exploration of the Oslo sights is Karl Johans Gate. This street is named after King Charles III John and leads from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace. Along the way you will find shops, cafés, restaurants, street performers and a variety of the attractions we have listed.

The Opera House is the new landmark of the city. Not only is it certainly the most spectacular building in Oslo, it is also one of the most extraordinary opera houses in the world. The opera house looks like a huge iceberg floating in the fjord. This is due to the generously used snow-white marble and the many glass surfaces. The most unique aspect of the building is probably that you can actually climb it and stand on it!

Oslo City Hall is known worldwide for the annual award of the Nobel Peace Prize. Every year on December 10th it comes into the public eye.

Important Norwegian artists of the early 20th century decorated the interior with motifs from Norway's history, culture and working environment.

The Munch Museum is an art museum and houses more than half of Edvard Munch's paintings. In a generous act he donated many of his paintings to the city of Oslo in 1940. If you are interested in art, we recommend a visit. 

In Grünerløkka there are many young people and also many small cafés, restaurants and bars. If you like second-hand shops, you will love this area, as there are some of them here.

We have compiled these and many other great spots for you in our Oslo City Guide below.