C.H, Visitnorway.com

Oslo

The tranquil and picturesque capital of Norway.

Oslo lies at the inner reaches of the Oslo Fjord and is a tranquil and picturesque capital. Oslo is home to the Kon-Tiki and new National museums, as well as the famous Holmenkollen ski jump and the statue park of Gustav Vigeland.

A stroll along the harbour with its many old wooden tall ships followed by a cold beer in the evening sun along Aker Brygge is well worth it. Oslo is also one of the capitals in Europe with the largest number of bars and restaurants per capita, and night life is plentiful.

The history of the city can be traced back over 1,000 years. Oslo was founded in 1048, by the King Harald Hardråde. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some kilometres west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus. The city was renamed Christiania, after the Danish king Christian IV, a name that remained until it was officially renamed on January 1st 1925 to Oslo.

Oslo, with its approximately 453 square kilometres, is one of the largest capitals in the world by area. Granted, most of this is forest, making Oslo a city in close contact with the nature surrounding it.

Oslo is situated in an amphitheater-like setting, with the city centre in the bottom close to the Oslo fjord, and residential areas stretching uphill from there in all directions. Behind the residential areas, the forested area of Marka (Nordmarka, Østmarka, Lillomarka) extends, with flora and fauna that is quite extraordinary for a city of this size. Moose are commonplace (easily spotted in winter), and the whole of the capital is part of Norway's wolf reserve (even if they rarely come here). Polar bears are NOT common in the city centre, even some might think so, due to old stories about Norway.

The Oslo fjord is a lake in the Skagerrak bay, stretching inland from the North Sea towards Øresund and the Baltic Sea. Oslo has an impressive archipelago of islands, which in summer becomes the city's favoured playground.

If you are planning on travelling to Bergen on the Oslo to Bergen Train journey, read more about it here.

WALK: Skjennungstua

Take metro line No 1 from any subway station in central Oslo to the final stop at Frognerseteren. Then set off on foot, following the signposted paths towards Skjennungstua—a lovely 7km round-trip through the forested hills above the city. Stop for lunch at Skjennungstua, with its fantastic view over Oslomarka, Oslo’s green space; http://skjennungstua.no.

WINTER FUN: The Corkscrew
For an adrenalin kick, ride the Korketrekkeren (corkscrew) tobogganing track at Frognerseteren. Search for ‘‘The Madness—Korketrekkeren in Oslo’’ on YouTube to get the full picture.

BEACH: Huk
Bring your bathers, a packet of Leif Vidar sausages and a disposable barbecue and join the locals atHukon the Bygdøy peninsula in the city’s west. This is where Oslo folk spend their summer afternoons and long evenings, enjoying the warm water, having something to eat and sunbathing; http://visitoslo.com.

CITY TREASURE: Shrimps at Rådhuskaia. Pick up a loaf of white bread and some mayo, and head down to Rådhuskaia (the harbour in front of the town hall). Fishermen start selling their freshly caught and very tasty shrimps (an Oslo treasure) at 7am, so it pays to be early.

See our Norway tours that visit Oslo below:

Style
Season
Duration
Tour Standard
Cameron Benson

Scandinavian Capitals and Fjords escorted tour

16 days - Escorted summer tour from Bergen to Helsinki

  • 2025 open for bookings
  • Norway
  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Finland
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Norway In-depth Escorted Small Group Tour

17 days - Escorted summer tour of Norwegian Fjords from Oslo to Trondheim

  • 2025 open for bookings
  • Norway
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Visit Norway, Vidar Moløkken

Beautiful Norway

8 days - Independent visit to the mountains, fjords and valleys of Norway.

  • Oslo to Bergen
  • Norway
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Experience the Northern Lights

Experience the Northern Lights

15 days - Escorted Small Group tour to Norway and Finland with northbound Norwegian Coastal Voyage

  • Norway
  • Finland
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Maverix, Visit Norway

Best of Norway Escorted Small Group Tour

8 days - Escorted summer tour of Norwegian Fjords

  • 2025 open for bookings
  • Norway
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Scandinavian Capitals by rail & ferry - Independent

13 days - Independent tour with emphasis on city stays and some fabulous fjord scenery.

  • Best seller
  • Norway
  • Denmark
  • Sweden
  • Finland
  • Estonia
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Photo Didrick Stenersen

Oslo - Family Fun Long Weekend

4 days - Long Weekend designed for active families in Oslo with local, sustainable excursions.

  • Norway
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Ørjan Bertelsen

Beautiful Norway and Norwegian Coastal Voyage

14 days - Independent visit to the mountains and fjords of Norway with Boutique hotels and touring in our premium 50 Degrees North mini-coach

  • Norway
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Madeleine Landley

Sweden’s West Coast and Islands

5 days - Enjoy staying at boutique hotels and touring between Oslo and Gothenburg.

  • Norway
  • Sweden
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Per Pixel Petersson

Oslo to Gothenburg - self drive tour

6 days - Coastal driving along Sweden's west coast

  • Our favourite route
  • Norway
  • Sweden
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Aurland 292

Norway in a Nutshell® with Premium Accommodation

5 days - Independent self guided tour extended with more inclusions.

  • Premium
  • Norway
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Beautiful Norway Hike

8 days - Independent hiking tour to the mountains, fjords and valleys of Norway. Enjoy staying at boutique hotels with the convenience of our mini-coach transfers.

  • Norway
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Highlights of Scandinavia Tour

12 days - Independent tour with city tours, fjord stay and insider experiences.

  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Sweden
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Mountains, Fjords & Norwegian Coastal Voyage

13 days - Classic Norway in a Nutshell® tour, Oslo and Norwegian Coastal voyage through Norway.

  • Norway
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©Maja Grønholdt Jensen

Nordic Capitals Gourmet Tour

10 days - Classic independent tour plus food tours and special touches.

  • Food tours included
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Norway
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Image credit: Maren Solem

Norway in a Nutshell®

4 days - Independent tour by rail, bus and ferry.

  • Norway
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Norway in a Nutshell® in Winter

5 days - Independent with cosy historic hotels and winter adventures

  • Norway
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Vidar Moløkken - Visit Norway

Norway in a Nutshell® with Cycling

5 days - An active twist on the classic - CYCLE THIS ROAD!

  • Norway
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Aurland 29|2 Active

Norway in a Nutshell® with Finse and Aurland

6 days - An active summer twist on the classic - extended version

  • Norway
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Kviknes Hotel Norway

Norway's Classic Fjords

6 days - All the fjord favourites in one tour; Kviknes Hotel, Norway in a Nutshell® and Bergen.

  • Norway
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Marius Beck Dahle

Norwegian Coastal Voyage & Nordic Capitals Tour

23 days - Independent cruise and tour of Scandinavia's coast and capitals.

  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Norway
  • Finland
  • Estonia
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Norwegian Fjords Hike & Bike Tour

10 days - Let Norway live up to your expectations on this active adventure...

  • Norway
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Hotel Continental, Oslo

Oslo - Extravagant Long Weekend

4 days - Long Weekend designed for luxury travellers in Oslo with local, unique excursions.

  • Premium
  • Norway
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Pan Treetop Cabins

Oslo and the PAN Treetop Cabins

5 days - Stay above the treetops surrounded by the Norwegian forest

  • Norway
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Oslo Norway

Oslo Essentials Long Weekend

4 days - Long Weekend or minibreak in Oslo with local, unique excursions.

  • Norway
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Oslo to Bergen - self drive tour

6 days - Discover Hoven Loen, Fjærland, Flåm and Lom on this classic fjord route.

  • Norway
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Træna, Terje Rakke Nordic Life - www.nordnorge

Oslo, Bergen and Svalbard Express

14 days - Visit Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen then voyage to Svalbard

  • Norway
  • Svalbard
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Tommy Simonsen

Oslo, North Cape Express and Tromsø

13 days - Visit Oslo, Norway in a Nutshell, Bergen then voyage to Tromsø

  • Norway
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Scandinavian Family Fun luxury tour

9 days - Premium tour with emphasis on luxury city stays and family adventures

  • Premium
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Norway
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Scandinavian Gems - Luxury Tour

10 days - Premium tour with emphasis on luxury city stays and fabulous fjord scenery

  • Premium
  • Private Meet & Greets
  • Sweden
  • Denmark
  • Norway
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Sognefjord in a Nutshell®

4 days - Independent tour by train, boat and ferry.

  • Norway
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Telemark & the Norwegian Fjords self drive tour

7 days - Explore Southern Norway with boutique stays and fjords

  • Norway
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Accommodation
Image courtesy of First Hotel Grims Grenka
First Hotel Grims Grenka
Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret
Comfort Hotel Grand Central
Image courtesy of Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz
Clarion Hotel, Oslo
Clarion Hotel, Oslo
Restaurants
Image courtesy of Maaemo
Maaemo
Festningen | Norway Restaurant
Hotel Continental, Oslo
Restaurant options in Oslo
Vippa Oslo
Vippa Oslo
Highlights
Vigeland Park
Vigeland Statue Park
CH - VisitNorway.com
Scandinavian Christmas Markets
Visit Norway, C.H.
Ekebergparken
Oslo Opera House
Sørenga seawater pool Oslo
KOK floating sauna Oslo
Floating Sauna in Oslo
Borre Hostland
National Museum of Norway
Optional Add Ons
Summer night on Oslo fjord
Fjord Sightseeing
C.H, Visit Norway
Fishing in Norway
Oslo Food Tours
Oslo Food Tours