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Oslo - Wikitravel
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Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia. Oslo is also the demographic, cultural, economic, and political center of Norway.
The history of the city can be traced back over 1,000 years. Oslo was founded in 1048, by King Harald Hardråde. The city became the 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 kilometers 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. Traces have been found close to Ekeberg indicating settlement as far back as 10,000 BC.
Stortinget, the parliament
After the devastating 1624 fire, Old Oslo (around the mouth of the Aker River) was largely abandoned and the ruins were converted to farmland. Today, a few church ruins are still visible under Ekeberg Hill (across the water from the new Opera House, located between the E18 road and the railway). Beyond these ruins, virtually nothing of medieval Oslo remains. Ironically, the new city Christiania was established outside the borders of Oslo, and 'Oslo' remained the name of the small, surviving settlement outside the new city borders. During Christiania's rapid expansion in the 19th century, as the capital of a new state, the site of the original Oslo (Old Oslo, or 'Gamlebyen') was included in the city. Due to the rapid inclusion of surrounding agricultural areas in the 19th century, a large number of remnants from the city's farming history are still clearly visible in place names and farmhouses. Remnants of historical pastures, such as St. Hanshaugen, are now used as a recreational park for Oslo's residents.
Oslo, with its approximately 453 square kilometers, is one of the largest capitals in the world by area. 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 center at the bottom close to the Oslofjord, 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 are 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 (a breeding couple is thought to have settled in Østmarka). However, polar bears are non-existent in Norway proper, even though some might think so, due to old stories about Norway.
The Oslofjord is an inlet of the Skagerrak Bay, stretching inland from the North Sea. In the reverse direction, the inlet runs towards Øresund and the Baltic Sea. Oslo has an impressive archipelago of islands, which in summer becomes the city's favored playground.
The inner city center is bounded by Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) to the east, the Royal Palace (Slottet) to the west, and the seafront (from Akershus fortress to Aker Brygge) to the south. It is fairly compact and easily walkable. Karl Johans gate, the mostly pedestrian main street connecting Oslo S and the Palace, is the main artery of downtown Oslo. However, several of the neighborhoods close to the center hold interesting sights and entertainment offerings, so to explore these you should make use of the city's comprehensive and modern public transport system.
Although well into the northern latitudes, Oslo's climate is fairly temperate thanks to warm air being wafted across the Atlantic from the Gulf Stream. Summer weather in Oslo is usually mild and pleasant, with frequent hot spells and plenty of long sunny days. In winter temperatures hover just above or below freezing, with occasional cold spells. Snow is most often plentiful in the forested areas, making Oslo a great winter sports venue. Rainfall is spread across the year, the rainiest month being August.
Oslo has a population of 1,064,235 people including its extra-municipal suburbs (such as Bærum and Lørenskog). It has the highest population growth of any European capital, with exorbitant real estate prices to match. The Oslo metropolitan area has a population of around 1.5 million. The diverse population includes some of Norway's wealthiest celebrities. About a quarter of the population is of non-Norwegian origin, the majority hailing from Sweden, Poland, and Pakistan. This has made Oslo an ethnically and culturally diverse city. Accompanied by a large influx of people from all around Norway, Oslo is thus often referred to as the "melting pot" of Norway. Cultural differences have affected Oslo's society and cityscape in matters of cuisine and shopping, which have all blended into the everyday life of Oslo's population. Some areas of Oslo, especially around Grønland and Tøyen, and some suburbs east of the city center have majority-immigrant or majority-non-ethnic Norwegian populations. Oslo has been an extremely segregated city for centuries, and there are still significant differences between different parts of the city and attempts to reduce this divide have been futile. There are notable immigrant communities of Pakistani, Somali, Swedish, Sri Lankan, Iraqi, Polish, Romanian, Vietnamese, Iranian, Ex-Yugoslavian, Moroccan, Turkish, Albanian, Filipino, Thai, and Danish origin. Polish immigrants form the largest minority group in Oslo.
Oslo Visitor Center, Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo, ☎ +47 23106200, [x].
Youth organization (Unginfo), Møllergata 3d, 0179 Oslo, ☎ +47 24149820, [x]. The Youth Information runs an independent information desk in Møllergata aimed at budget travelers. This service is free and they also provide free internet access. On their web page, there is an online guide to Oslo for budget travelers.
Following the latest reform of January 1, 2004, the city is divided into fifteen boroughs (by dealer) that are to a considerable extent self-governed. Each borough is responsible for local services not overseen by the City Council, such as social services, basic healthcare, and kindergartens. For convenience, the city can be divided into six larger districts.
Sentrum (Sentrum) Central downtown area.
West (Bygdøy) "The Museum Peninsula" and the poshest area in Norway
Inner West (St. Hanshaugen, Frogner, Majorstua)
Inner East (Sagene, Grünerløkka, Gamle Oslo)
Outer West (Ullern, Holmenkollen, Vestre Aker, Nordre Aker)
Outer East (Alna, Bjerke, Grorud, Stovner, Nordstrand, Søndre Nordstrand, Østensjø)
Oslo is served by two airports: Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) and Sandefjord Airport (Torp). Oslo Airport is the largest of the two and is the main international gateway to Norway. Rygge Airport (Moss) used to be an option but closed in November 2016.
Be aware that most Internet flight booking sites will show flights to all mentioned airports when searching for Oslo Airport. Make sure to check the actual airport from the search results before booking. If you don't want to land in an airport that is far away from Oslo, Gardermoen Airport is your best choice.
Oslo Airport, Edvard Munchs veg, 2061 Gardermoen, ☎ +47 64812000, [x]. (IATA: OSL, ICAO: ENGM) is Norway's largest, and Scandinavia's second largest airport, located in Gardermoen, 47 kilometers northeast of Oslo. Direct flights are available to a multitude of Norwegian and European airports, as well as several intercontinental destinations. The largest airlines in Norway, Scandinavian Airlines (SAS) [1] and Norwegian Air Shuttle [2], operate most of the flights. Flights by about 30 other airlines make this airport easily accessible from most of the world. There is free Wi-Fi access at the airport.
To travel between the city and the airport:
Flytoget[4], operates high-speed express trains which depart every 10 minutes and generally take about 19 minutes to reach Oslo Central Station (Oslo S). Every other train is express to Oslo S, and the next train will service stations located west in and out of Oslo city, terminating at Drammen. Tickets (to Oslo S) cost NOK 240 when bought from a ticket machine or in the Flytoget app (NOK 98/retired, kids, youth up to 20 years old, and students up to than 31 with a student ID; tickets are not valid for transfer in Oslo).
Vy[5] (previously known as NSB) operates trains southbound via Oslo to Drammen, then on to Kongsberg or Skien. The train station is linked to the airport via free shuttle buses. You can change to any train from Oslo S (central station). Northbound trains are also offered from the airport directly to Eidsvoll, Lillehammer, and Trondheim. This is the more popular and cost-effective way to get into Oslo - trains depart from the adjacent platforms to the Flytoget Express. The trip takes 23 minutes, and trains depart three times per hour. Tickets cost NOK 118 (NOK 69 with a valid Oslo public transport ticket, valid for transfer in Oslo). Tickets are sold at ticket machines, or on board, but be sure to board the right carriage. For more details check: Local Trains. If you prefer apps, you can buy tickets in the Vy app. Strongly recommend using this option; economical and convenient. The last Vy train to the city may be about 11:30 PM; the first train on weekends to the city is around 6:40 AM. If you arrive late, Oslo airport is sleep-able and safe on the land side. The main train station in Oslo has all the amenities you can think about including Starbucks with free Wi-Fi (upstairs) and there is live information assistance during daytime hours at the ground level if you need it.
Flybussen[6] operates buses to Oslo city center which take roughly 45 minutes to reach the city center and cost NOK 179. A return ticket valid for 1 month is also available for NOK 260, cheaper if bought online or in the Flybussen app. This is valid for transfer in Oslo. There is also a 50% discount for all Flybussen tickets (NOK 95 one way if bought online) for different groups, including students younger than 31. Flybussen also operates several other bus lines to other places in Oslo (and Akershus). Please refer to the website for more details.
Taxis can, and should, be ordered in the booth inside the terminal for different fixed prices from approximately NOK 700+ to Oslo city center. Leaving the terminal to flag one from the queue is almost always more expensive. You won't get scammed by taxi drivers as you might in many large cities, but getting the fixed airport price is crucial. Recently when arriving very late (midnight) there is only a taxi from the company “By Taxi” and prices to the city center run at 1700-1800, and scams known from other cities are back. If you can’t order a taxi in the terminal there are apps e.g. Oslo Taxi and you will save significantly if you order online rather than falling from the “By Taxi” line and scam. Most people with a destination in Oslo will be far better off getting the Flytoget, Flybussen, or local train to Oslo S, as it is both cheaper and faster. Uber Black is also available in Oslo, and possibly from the airport, but with limited availability. Rentals are another possibility if you are staying outside OSLO city proper (and nearby cities such as Lillehammer, Moss++, and the rental car companies' apps are often the most cost-effective setup.
To travel between the city and the airport by bus or taxi:
PKS OSLO[7] door-to-door transfer can pick you up from any address in Oslo for NOK 230 per person. (As of 2023, This is the cheapest option, but it's pretty slow - the exact time depends on the pickup/drop locations of everyone else on the bus).
Taxis are very expensive; a taxi to Oslo costs around NOK 800.
Torpekspressen[8] operates between the airport and Drammen and Oslo (1 hour 45 mins) and costs NOK 240 for a single ticket, NOK 420 for a return (discounts for students (NOK 340), ISIC Card Holders and senior citizens). Torpekspressen buses are scheduled to accommodate arriving flights, so after you get off the plane, most likely there will be a bus to Oslo waiting for you. If you miss the bus scheduled for your flight, you may end up waiting a long time for the next bus.
Oslo Central Train Station (Oslo Sentralstasjon/Oslo S, T-bane Jernbanetorget), Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo, ☎ +47 81500888, [x]. Station is at the eastern fringe of the city center, by the end of the main pedestrian street Karl Johans gate. Oslo S is at the center of Norway's railway, all lines (including the airport express train) terminate at Oslo S, making Oslo S the supreme gateway to Oslo. The major express buses go to the bus station next door to the train station.
Internationally, there are three daily services to Gothenburg (Sweden) (4 hours). Four daily Swedish semi-high speed X2000 trains travel in the direction of Stockholm (Sweden) (4 hours 50 minutes), one of which will require a change in Karlstad (schedule [9]). There are no international night trains to or from Oslo. For Copenhagen (Denmark) and beyond, you will have to change trains in Gothenburg.
Tickets for the Gothenburg line are cheaper when bought at the Vy website. Tickets for the Stockholm line are cheaper if you buy them from the Swedish train company SJ's website, where the tickets can be cheaper. Tickets are released for sale 3 months ahead of departure, and the sooner you buy them, the cheaper they will be. Both Norwegian and Swedish prebooked train tickets can be picked up at ticket machines in Oslo Central Station (Norwegian tickets also at other stations).
Norwegian state rail operator Vy runs fairly frequent and semi-efficient, though not fast, domestic services to Stavanger, Kristiansand, Bergen and Trondheim, as well as a relatively comprehensive local and regional service around Oslo.
Flytoget (the Airport Express Train) also operates from Oslo S in its own little area clearly marked with signs. See details in the Oslo Airport section.
Long-distance trains heading south- or westwards also stop at Lysaker station at the western city border. Those heading north and east make their first call at Lillestrøm station, outside of the city.
For people using Oslo as a point of transit, it is good to note that Oslo S has two "attached" buildings, both of which can be used to pass through to the trains. Østbanehallen (or Ø) has been recently renovated to include fancy restaurants. Just walk through the escalator to get to the station. Also, Byporten, a narrow shopping mall is also there to be used. Just walk ahead to get to the trains. Each of these also contains a hotel.
It has lockers for rent, a huge variety of cafes and restaurants, and a few hotels. The small lockers are NOK 30, the medium lockers are NOK 40 and the large lockers are NOK 60. The medium lockers also come in two shapes, cubic and thinner but taller, making them useful for storing luggage that would not normally fit (like skis).
Oslo is well served by bus from most of Europe. The biggest operators of international buses are the Swedish company Swebus [10] and the Norwegian company Nettbuss[11]. Both run inexpensive services to and from Stockholm, Gothenburg, Malmö and Copenhagen several times a day.
On domestic services, Nor-Way Bussekspress [12] is the biggest operator, with several buses to tons of other Norwegian destinations, primarily. These are very useful for reaching along-the-way destinations, as outside of the central parts of Eastern Norway they stop at every single stop along the way, but are tedious for traveling very long distances also covered by train.
Lavprisekspressen [13] has buses to Trondheim (Friday/Sunday) and Kristiansand/Stavanger (daily), with cheap fares (Internet booking only).
International highways E6 (from Malmö and Gothenburg) and E18 (from Saint Petersburg, Helsinki and Stockholm) meet in Oslo. E16 (from Gävle and Torsby) runs some 40 km north of Oslo, passing the airport, with a branch to the E18 from Hønefoss to Sandvika just west of Oslo. June 1, 2019, a new system of road tax will be implemented, creating 83 "road tax stations" which are basically just cameras that read your license plate. Pricing will change if there are rush hours and based on your car's fuel (gas, diesel, electric, or hydrogen). Rental car companies will just charge you whatever you drive for automatically. Be aware that understanding this road tax system can be complicated for an outsider, and that there is currently political pressure in Norway to reduce the impact of it which could change the outcome of current changes. The road tax company in the Oslo/Akershus area is Fjellinjen.
The E6 is the main north-south road of Norway and continues north to Trondheim, Alta, and Kirkenes, with branches to most Norwegian cities. The E16 runs east to Kongsvinger and west to Bergen, the E134 to Haugesund and the E18 run south-west to Drammen, Grenland (Skien/Porsgrunn) and Kristiansand. Other notable roads into Oslo include Rv4 from Gjøvik and Rv7, an alternative (and shorter) road to Bergen passing Gol and Geilo.
Driving in Oslo city areas is getting harder as more roads close or become one-way drives, popular places in the city center are not accessible and parking spots are being more regulated (2-hour rule in many places, high fare). The city is very accessible by public transport, city bikes and walking.
Oslo is connected to Denmark and Germany by car ferry. Color Line [14] runs services to Kiel (Germany) daily. DFDS [15] runs daily services to Copenhagen (Denmark), and Stena Line [16] provides service to Frederikshavn (Denmark).
You may also want to consider Color Lines high-speed boats from Larvik (2 hours south of Oslo on E18, or easily reachable by hourly NSB train) or Kristiansand (4 1/2 hours south of Oslo on E18, or reachable on five daily trains or near-hourly buses) to Hirtshals (Denmark). They both take some 3 1/2 hours to reach Denmark.
The port for cruise lines is near Akershus Festning, a short walk from downtown. The train station in Kristiansand is close to the ferry quay, while in Larvik the quay has been moved to a location that is a bit of a trek from the station.
There is a comprehensive public transport system in Oslo, consisting of buses, trams, trains, metro (T-bane) and boats. The public transport is planned and coordinated by Ruter [17].
Ruter Help Center (formerly known as Trafikanten is the information centre for public transport in Oslo. It is temporarily situated at the main entrance of Oslo Central Station as well as at Aker Brygge and a few other locations. They hand out free maps, give information, and sell all kinds of tickets. The Ruter website has timetables, maps, route planners, and search engines for all city transport in Oslo, as well as all transport in the nearby counties of Akershus, Østfold, Oppland, Hedmark, Buskerud, Vestfold, and Telemark. The Oslo Tourist Information Centre is in the same office at Jernbanetorget, at the rear counters.
There are two main hubs for public transport inside the city center: Oslo Central Station (Oslo S)/Jernbanetorget and National Theatre (underground). All metro lines pass these stations, all trains pass Oslo S and most trains (including the Airport Express Train (Flytoget)) pass Nationaltheateret. National Theatre is most convenient for key buildings such as the Royal Palace, the National Gallery, the Parliament, Oslo Concert Hall, and Oslo City Hall.
The Oslo and Akershus public transport utilizes a zone system[18] in which the price for a trip is calculated based on how many zones you pass through. It's likely that most tourists will only use Zone 1, therefore ticket prices listed below are for Zone 1 only.
All public transport runs on the same scheme and your tickets are valid for all Ruter metro, trams, buses, and ferries, and on Vy's trains in Oslo. A ticket must be stamped or activated (validated), the single ticket is valid for one hour of free travel in the zone(s) the ticket is valid for. You can also get a Travelcard where you load pay-as-you-go-credit.
Period tickets are also available; 24-hour ticket, 7-day ticket, 30-day ticket and 365-day ticket.
Student discounts for 30-day tickets are also available, but only if you are studying in Oslo or Akershus area. Read more about other discounts here: [19]. For a short visit, one additional option is to buy a Oslo Pass which includes free admission to many tourist attractions and other benefits.
All tickets can be bought digitally on either the Ruter or EnTur[20] app using a credit or debit card. Physical tickets are available at Ruter Customer Center outside of Oslo S and at most 7-Eleven, Deli De Luca, Mix and Narvesen stores in Oslo and Akershus. There are also ticket machines at all metro stations and a few of the tram stops. All tickets are also valid on night services, running every Friday and Saturday night after the regular service has shut down.
Make sure that you have a ticket with you when traveling and that it is validated before boarding public transport. Most physical ticket types and digital ticket types are not valid until they are not activated (validated). On a bus or tram, physical tickets are activated (validated) when you board by holding the card next to a card reader, or occasionally by the driver. On the metro and the large railway stations, you activate the ticket at the platform before entering the train. It is rare that someone will check your ticket when boarding and departing transport. Ticket checks are carried out at random and are fairly common. Being caught without a valid ticket leads to an on-the-spot fine.
Note: General public transportation tickets are not valid on the Airport Express Train (Flytoget), the Airport Coach (Flybussen) services, or VyExpress services. They are however valid on Flybussen's service FB2 and FB5.
Local trains cover certain areas of the city, and run out to the neighboring municipalities and towns. The local train network spans across the city limits to neighboring cities and towns.
Some of the cars on local trains have orange doors, with the notice "Ubetjent" (Unserved) and "Carriage without Conductor". These cars are usually not visited by the conductor, and you can use these cars only if you have a ticket that is stamped or pre-validated and does not need to be stamped by the conductor. You may be fined if you use one of these carriages with, say a single ticket, and a conductor does come to check your tickets. If you are unsure about the rules, play it safe and take one of the carriages with black doors and notices marked "Betjent" and "Carriage with Conductor".
In the center, the main station is Oslo Sentralstasjon (Oslo S), which connects to the metro station Jernbanetorget through a direct link (escalators down by track 1/exit to Oslo City shopping center/bus terminal) and most bus/tram lines above ground. The second downtown station, served by most local trains and several regional ones, is the underground station Nationaltheateret, which is located immediately below the metro station of the same name. Most westbound buses also stop just outside the station.
Punctuality, especially in the winter, can be an issue as the train system is quite run down. However, things have improved since a big program of refurbishment was started in 2010. Please note that regular tickets are valid on the Vy trains, but not on the Airport Express Train (Flytoget).
Oslo has one of the largest metro systems in Europe. It is known as the Tunnelbane or mainly just T-bane in Norwegian.
To find a T-bane station, just look for the blue and white logo with a "T" within a circle. There are six lines, but the network is easy enough to figure out: all lines merge together into one single tunnel through the city center, from Majorstuen through Jernbanetorget (Oslo S/Oslo Central Station) to Tøyen, and then spread out into the suburbs. A loop line runs in a circle from northern Oslo city center to the center and back. The loop line is called "Ringen" (the ring) in Norwegian.
With rolling stock from the 1960s, the Oslo metro used to be one of the most run-down in Europe, but it has now been fully replaced with new metro trains engineered by Siemens and designed by Porsche. The carriges are called MX3000 and are all modern looking, accessible for wheelchair and stroller users, and clean.
When entering a T-bane station, make sure to pick the correct platform: all stations except three on the loop line (Sinsen, Storo and Nydalen) have separate entrances and separate platforms for trains going west and trains going east. If you have a paper ticket, make sure that it is validated before entering the train.
Trams and buses complement the metro network, and use the same tickets. They cover most of the city and run from approx. 5AM to past midnight, on some lines up to 1 AM. Two bus lines, 31 and 37, run all night, every day.
All tram lines run every 10 minutes during the day, and every 20 minutes at night and early morning (30 min on weekend mornings). The main lines cover parts of the city with no metro and are an efficient way of getting around. The main, central tram terminal is at Jernbanetorget, where all lines converge.
Bus lines cover the rest of the city, as well as several ring lines. Nearly all central bus lines converge at Jernbanetorget. The most useful bus lines for visitors are buses 30, 31, 32, 34, 37, and 54, passing by Jernbanetorget and covering parts of the city with no tram or metro lines. Buses 20 and 21 provide central ring-line service, while buses 23 and 24 cover the highway ring road further out. Some services complement metro stops in the outskirts of Oslo.
Nights after Fridays and Saturdays, buses cover parts of the city with varying frequency. All regular tickets are valid. Most of these start or pass by the bus stops close to the Parliament Building (Stortinget) and Jernbanetorget (Oslo Central Station/Oslo S).
Taxis are expensive, so if public transport still runs, use it. Taxis in Oslo as in most of Norway are frequently new, large, and comfortable cars like Volvo or Mercedes. Most taxis wait for customers in a line in front of hotels or train stations, or you can order one by phoning one of the handful of taxi companies (for an extra charge). You can also flag one from the street, or go to a taxi stand.
Several companies compete to have the most incomprehensible price structure. All taxi companies have a starting fee and a fee per kilometer. These fees vary by taxi company and time of day. Usually, there's three different rates: The lowest one is the day rate, usually between 06.00 and 18.00. The next is the evening and night rate, usually 18.00-06.00 M-F and 06.00-18.00 Sa. The last rate is usually for Saturday after 18.00 till Monday 06.00, but different companies do have different time frames. Beware that some companies will operate with a special holiday rate (helligdagstakst) on public holidays, including the night before, which will result in staggering rates.
Taxi drivers in Oslo aren't a particularly jolly breed, but they usually do not speed too much, and taxi crime towards customers is almost non-existent (towards tax authorities, however, is a different matter). Sometimes a taxi driver will attempt to charge you extra for luggage, and some companies do have a surcharge for this. The price structure should be shown on a sticker inside the car but is always in so small print, and with an overwhelming amount of details, you can't possibly decipher it. Another thing that often disturbs visitors is that the taxi driver's name and license are not printed inside the car itself, but this is legal. If you encounter any problems, ask for a receipt which will help you identify the car later, or make a note of the taxi license number on the car roof.
All taxis accept Visa and Mastercard, and the card can be swiped into the meter at the start of the journey for card validation. The driver will usually keep the card on top of the meter so that you can keep an eye on it. If you are uncomfortable with this, it is possible to ask to get the card back, but the card needs to be swiped again when you arrive at your destination. Most meters are just swipe and sign, but some companies have EMV chip terminals where you'll need to authorize the charge with your PIN. There have been no known scams connected to credit card fraud in taxis.
Some people tip taxi drivers or round the bill up to the nearest NOK 10, but taxi drivers do not generally expect a tip - most people pay the exact amount by card anyway.
For general information on driving in Norway, see Norway.
The major roads entering Oslo are also used for travel inside the city. In the eastern suburbs, road E6 is the main north-south corridor. East-west transport can be done on road E18 as well as Ring 3 running from E18 at the western city border to E6 in the eastern suburbs. The smaller (and slower) Ring 2 connects Skøyen in the west via Majorstua, Ullevål General Hospital, and Carl Berners Plass to E18 east of the center. The ring roads (as well as other main roads) are great for navigation.
Beware to always give way to trams and pedestrians, unless overridden by signs or traffic lights. Never challenge the tram, they have a long braking distance and will in any case give a loud, clear warning if you are obstructing. In some roundabouts the tram is driving straight through the island while cars must circle, be extremely careful in this type of roundabouts. Trams are not obliged to yield to pedestrians, while cars must. Park your car at a safe distance from the rails so as not to obscure the tram (ask locals if unsure).
Dronningen and Kongen. The two piers in Frognerkilen.
View of Bygdøy
At Aker Brygge, you can catch boats to different destinations:
B1-B4 services run to the small, cozy islands just outside Oslo. Locals use these to get a little escape from the city (and from the tourists).
B10-B22 services run to other places on the west and east coastline in Oslofjord, including Nesodden.
Bygdøyfergen service is a tourist boat that runs to the Bygdøy peninsula where you can see several museums. This boat is not covered with a standard Ruter ticket but is included in Oslo Pass. If you want to save money and ride with your Ruter ticket, just take the 30 bus service from Nasjonalteateret instead (takes maybe a few minutes more).
Cycling in Oslo is a great way to experience the city as a tourist. Many of the city’s streets have separate bicycle lanes and Oslo as a cycling city gets better and better every year.
Where there are not clearly marked cycling instructions, bicycles in Oslo must follow the same traffic rules and road signage as cars under Norwegian law. Cycling on the pavement/sidewalk is allowed, but speed should be greatly reduced and priority and care should be given to pedestrians.
There is a city-wide bike rental system called Oslo Bysykkel[21] and you can find many of these bikes in stations the 250+ dedicated stands around the city center and the surrounding inner suburbs. Rental can be purchased for 60 minutes, 24 hours, 30 days, or 365-day periods. Also, on the Oslo Bysykkel app, you will be allowed to find and unlock bikes and purchase the pass with a credit or debit card.
Oslo Bysykkel bikes are generally in good condition, but always check the lights, brakes, and other parts before cycling. During busy periods, you may find stations empty when you want to find a bike or full when you want to return one. The company works to transfer bicycles between the stations to match demand. The standard city bikes are available from April to November. After that, it is available only a reduced number of winter bikes.
Lime, a private company, has also started to provide an electric bike rental service in Oslo. You can see these bikes situated free-standing around the city and not in any designated bike stand. These bicycles are motor-powered to help riders easily climb hills and speed up the journey time. You can download the Lime app[22] to find a vehicle and scan the QR code on the e-bike to unlock it.
There are several electric scooter companies that operate in the city: major ones are Voi[23] and Tier[24]. These can be used by downloading their respective apps, adding a payment card, and using the app to find and unlock bikes.
Architecture in Oslo may at first seem dull. Unlike for instance its Swedish counterpart, Stockholm, downtown Oslo has only scattered monumental buildings where in particular the Parliament-Palace axis (upper part of Karl Johan Street) has a certain Parisian grandeur. The charm of Oslo can also be found in the affluent inner-city suburbs of for instance Frogner and Fagerborg as well as above St.Hanshaugen Park. Northern Europe has a distinct wooden house tradition. Wooden houses are not allowed downtown, but these charming houses can be found in large numbers in villa suburbs such as Bygdøy and Holmenkollen, or former workers' areas such as Rodeløkka, Kampen, Vålerenga, Damstredet, Hellerud, or Telthusbakken. Oslo also has many exciting building projects and a huge part of the city's waterfront will in a few years have changed.
Akershus Fortress (Akershus Festning), 0150 Oslo (Tram 12 to Rådhusplassen, bus 60 to Bankplassen), ☎ +47 23093917, [x]. A medieval castle and fortress built in 1299, located close to the city center. There are several excellent viewpoints to the Oslofjord and surrounding areas. The stone walls create an exciting atmosphere, and you are free to roam around in tight passages and staircases. There are two museums here, both related to Norwegian military history.
City Hall (Rådhuset), Rådhusplassen 1, 0037 Oslo (T-Nationaltheateret, tram 12 to Rådhusplassen, bus 70-74 to Vika, located by the waterfront, with Fritdjof Nansens plass on the inland side). Open to the public, with a spectacular main hall featuring huge murals with typical Nordic social democratic themes. There are also some displays of historical artifacts in the side rooms upstairs. This is where the Nobel Peace Prize is presented to the winner every year. Although there is no public lift, disadvantaged visitors only have to ask and they can use the staff lift.
Kirkeristen. The old bazaar surrounding the church is now used by artisans and craftsmen and holds a couple of cafes and restaurants.
Opera House (Operahuset Oslo), Kirsten Flagstads Plass 1, 0150 Oslo (all trams and buses to Jernbanetorget or Oslo S then take the footbridge from the seaside exit of Oslo central station, next to the Airport Express train terminal), ☎ +47 21422121, [x]. Norway's first entry into the top league of modern architecture. Awarded the 2008 prize for best cultural building at the World Architecture Festival in Barcelona, and the prestigious Mies van der Rohe award for best European contemporary architecture in 2009, its appearance is stunning. Shaped as a glacier or a ship, the amazing building seems to float by the inlet Bjørvika, giving a stunning impression. Climb the building on the marble slopes (summer only) for a unique Oslo view. Be careful when temperatures go under 5 degrees as the roof may be very slippery! The main highway, which used to pass just between the Opera and Oslo Central Station, is now moved to a sub-sea tunnel under Bjørvika. The huge road crossing Bispelokket, which has marred the seafront of Oslo for 50 years, is currently being dismantled.
Oslo Cathedral (Oslo Domkirke), Karl Johans gt. 11, 0154 Oslo (tram 11-17-18 or bus 37 to Stortorvet, between T-Jernbanetorget and Stortinget). is none too impressive, but recently refurbished. After the terrorist attacks on Oslo in July 2011, the square Stortorget, in front of Oslo Cathedral, became the center for afterthought and compassion. The square was fully covered by roses, greetings, and mourning messages for weeks.
Parliament (Stortinget), Storting building, Karl Johans gt. 22, 0026 Oslo (located on the main street, Karl Johans gate, in the city center (T-Bane, any line, Stortinget station, exit Egertorget). It has free guided tours in English and Norwegian lasting about 45 minutes, which assemble outside the back door of the Parliament (on Akersgata). There is a limit of 30 people per tour, so it is advisable to be there at least 10 minutes prior to the start of a tour.
Royal Palace
Royal Palace (Det kongelige slott), Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo (T-Nationaltheateret, tram 13-19 to Slottsparken. Located at the end of KarlJohans gate, the city's main avenue.), [x]. Tours inside the palace are arranged in the summertime, this year from June 21. The tickets for the tour must be bought in advance from a post office. If there are vacant spots in a tour, they sell the remaining tickets at the Palace itself to people waiting in line who don't already have tickets. Don't count on getting tickets on the spot unless you are quite ahead in the line since a lot of people buy them at the post offices. There are about 2 tours in English on weekdays.
University in Oslo
University of Oslo (Universitetet i Oslo), Problemveien 11, 0313 Oslo (between the Royal Palace and Stortinget on the Karl Johans gate), ☎ +47 22855050. The building is currently only housing the Faculty of Law, the rest of the university is situated at Blindern. Occasional concerts will be arranged in the magnificent Universitetets Aula, housing 11 of Edvard Munch's pictures. The room is only occasionally open for the public but is one of the most magnificent rooms in all of Norway.
Wooden housing areas, (Kampen (bus 60), Vålerenga (bus 37), Rodeløkka (tram 17, bus 31 to Sofienberg) and Telthusbakken (bus 34/54)). They are a "must" for lovers of old wooden townhouses. These areas were likely to be erased from Oslo in the seventies by eager town planners who wanted highways for cars rather than living areas for the citizens, but luckily they were stopped by idealists who really loved their city. Their effort made these parts of Oslo into something special, even though other Norwegian cities have bigger wooden areas. Still, these areas are a plus for Oslo and its inhabitants as well as for tourists. They are not commonly visited by tourists, and may not be mentioned in your guidebook, but some of the areas have cafes/restaurants worth a visit. In Kampen, you can find a very cozy Elvis café by the church, and in Vålerenga Restaurant Smia is also located by the church.
Oslo has a large number of museums. If you are planning on seeing several of the expensive attractions in a short period of time, then you may consider an Oslo Pass[25]. It includes unlimited entry to most of the museums and the Holmenkollen ski jump (but not the Royal Palace), free travel on Oslo's quite expensive public transport, and even limited discounts on some restaurants and other attractions. Whether the Oslo Pass is truly cost-effective will depend on the range of activities planned and the time period involved. Students get a 20% discount on the Oslo pass, as well as discounts for Children and Seniors; However, museums and transit passes offer similar discounts. You could also buy a travel card allowing unlimited travel on public transport (no student discount on this). You can buy 24, 48, or 72-hour Oslo passes or travel cards. They can be purchased at Tourist Information Offices in Oslo and through the Ruter app (in the App Store and Play).
Somewhat outside the city center is a peninsula called Bygdøy. You can get there by bus (number 30) or, in summer months (Apr-Sep), by ferry departing from Pier 3 at Aker Brygge outside the city hall (you'll see a big sign that says Bygdøy). Day tickets are not valid on this ferry. At Bygdøy, you will find two groups of museums within walking distance of each other.
Center for Studies of the Holocaust and Religious Minorities (Senter for studier av Holocaust og livssynsminoriteter), Villa Grande, Huk Aveny 56, 0277 Oslo, ☎ +47 22842100, [x]. is also located at Bygdøy, in the former residence of the Norwegian World War 2 collaborator and nationalist leader, Vidkun Quisling. The center houses exhibitions and provides research on the Holocaust and the plight of religious minorities. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Emanuel Vigeland Museum, Grimelundsveien 8, 0775 Oslo (T-bane line 1 to Slemdal), [x]. Only open a few hours every Sunday afternoon. Among Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not-so-well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926 but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door. The main attraction in this museum with no windows is the 800 square meters fresco "Vita", (Italian for "life"), showing the human life from conception till death, but other examples of his art are also on display. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Oslo The Fram Museum
Fram-Museum (Frammuseet), Bygdøynesveien 39, 0286 Oslo, ☎ +47 23282950, [x]. Features the vessel Fram, the worlds first ice breaker and the last polar expedition ship made of wood, and presents a history of polar exploration (with a strong Norwegian focus!). Included in the Oslo Pass.
Henrik Ibsen Museum, Henrik Ibsens gate 26, 0255 Osl (Tram 13-19 or bus 30-31 to Slottsparken. Located in the crossing between Arbins gate and Henrik Ibsens gate.), ☎ +47 400 23 580, [x]. This museum has just re-opened and is a treat. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Kon-Tiki
Kon-Tiki Museum, Bygdøynesveien 36, 0286 Oslo, ☎ +47 23086767, [x]. Displays Tor Heyerdahl's balsa raft Kon-Tiki, and Ra II, as well as some other artifacts from Easter Island. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Oslo Munch Museet (entry)
Munch Museum, Edvard Munchs Plass 1, 0194 Oslo (T-bane, bus 20-60-67 to Tøyen), ☎ +47 23493500, [x]. Features paintings by the Norwegian painter Edward Munch. Be aware that some of Edvard Munchs more famous pictures may actually be shown in the National Gallery, so don't complain that "The Scream" is not on display! Included in the Oslo Pass.
Oslo National Museum (Munch)
National Museum (Nasjonalmuseet), Kristian Augusts gate 23, Oslo, ☎ +47 21982000, [x]. featuring Norwegian art from the national-romantic period, as well as some art by international artists. Included in the Oslo Pass.Free to all on Thursdays.
Nobel Peace Centre (Nobels Fredssenter), (Tram 12 to Aker Brygge, bus 70-74 to Vika or walk from T-Nationaltheateret), ☎ +47 48301000, [x]. Includes some confronting exhibitions as well as an exhibit for every winner of the Nobel Peace Prize. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Norwegian Maritime Museum (Norsk Maritimt Museum), Bygdøynesveien 37, 0286 Oslo, ☎ +47 24114150, [x]. Houses a huge collection of ships and boats and records the impact of Norway's seafarers on their own country and the world. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Woodstore, Museum of Cultural History
Norwegian Museum of Cultural History (Norsk Folkemuseum), Museumsveien 10, 0287 Oslo, ☎ +47 22123700, [x]. 10-18. A large open-air museum featuring typical buildings from various periods in Norwegian history. This includes a city building that shows living conditions from the 1850s to the 1980s. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology & The Norwegian Telecommunications Museum (Norsk Teknisk Museum), Kjelsåsveien 143, 0491 Oslo (Tram 11 or 12 to Kjelsås, bus 22, 25 or 54 or infrequent local train to Kjelsås stasjon), ☎ +47 22796000, [x]. A fun and very interactive place for both children and adults. Contrary to information in the common tourist brochures this building.
Tramway Museum (Sporveismuseet Vognhall 5), Gardeveien 15, 0363 Oslo (metro, tram or bus to Majorstuen), ☎ +47 48429409, [x]. Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro.
Viking Ship Museum
Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset), Huk Aveny 35, 0287 Oslo, ☎ +47 22135280, [x]. In addition to two 1100 year old Viking-ships (apparently the best preserved in the world), it also contains various other Viking artifacts and a Viking burial chamber, complete with ancient skeletons. Included in the Oslo Pass.
Oslo is a very green city. Lots of parks are scattered around town.
Birkelunden. The eastern Oslo park. On Sundays, there occures a second-hand market.
Botanical Garden (Botanisk hage (Naturhistorisk museum)), Sars' gate 1, 0562 Oslo (tram 17 or bus 31 to Lakkegata skole or t-bane to Tøyen, walking distance 200 meters), ☎ +47 22851630, [x]. 1 Apr-30 Sep: Sa-Su 10AM-8PM, M-F 7AM-8PM, 1 Oct-31 Mar: Sa-Su 10AM-5PM, M-F 7AM-5PM. Large botanical garden with themed groupings of international species, ponds & a cafe. Located just south of Tøyen Park, the garden is a wonderful and relaxing area.
Ekeberg, (Southern neighborhood in the city of Oslo). It is the steep, green hill east of the center. An important place for soccer tournaments. From the wide hairpin bend at road Valhallaveien, there is a great view of the city. This point is assumed to be the background for 'Scream', Edvard Munch's famous picture.
The monolith in the Frognerpark.
Oslo Vigeland Sculpture Park
Frogner Park (Frognerparken), Kirkeveien, 0268 Oslo (T-bane, tram 11-19, bus 22-25-45-46 to Majorstua, tram 12 or bus 20 to Vigelandsparken), ☎ +47 21802180, [x]. This park together with the Vigeland Sculpture Park is a large green area about 10 minutes by subway from the city center. In addition to being a nice green recreational area, it is also decorated with hundreds of sculptures by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. There is a wonderfully relaxed atmosphere here, although the sculptures are a little depressing. If your children want to climb the statues, nobody will even bother to look twice at you. Between June and August Frognerparken is one of the main places the young in Oslo meet during the daytime to barbecue and sunbathe. Buy an "engangsgrill", a pack of sausages, and a couple of beers and you'll fit right in. Neither using the barbecue nor drinking in public is completely legal, but as long as you sit among others and don't get rowdy, you will have no trouble. There is also a cafeteria, and two museums, the City Museum of Oslo and the Vigeland Museum. If you fancy an outdoor swim, Frognerbadet is situated next to the Frognerpark with 3 pools, several diving towers, and a water slide.
Olaf Rye's Park (Olaf Ryes plass). It is situated in the Grünerløkka, a so-called Greenwich village look-alike area. The park's name was received from the military leader in the 19th century.
Oslo Reptile Park, St. Olavs Gate 2, 0165 Oslo, ☎ +47 41021522, [x]. Tu-Su 10:00-18:00. Small, with an assortment of nonvenomous snakes, some venomous spiders, lizards, frogs, beetles, two small monkeys and a Cayman.
Our Savior's Cemetery (Vår Frelsers Gravlund), Akersbakken 32, 0172 Oslo (Bus 33-37-46 to Nordahl Bruns gate), ☎ +47 22133180, [x]. From the north of the city center towards of Ullevålsveien are the graves of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, two important cultural figures in Norway's history. It is also the burial site of a host of reputed Norwegian individuals and families.
Palace Park (Slottsparken), Slottsplassen 1, 0010 Oslo, ☎ +47 22048700, [x]. It surrounds the Royal Palace at the top of Karl Johan Street. Oslo's most central park is a pleasant grass-covered area with majestic old trees. Wide walkways crisscross the park.
St.Hanshaugen (Sankt Hanshaugen), Oslo (bus 37 to St.Hanshaugen). The park is known for its elegant apartment buildings with mature trees and hilltop views across Oslo and the fjord. It is a delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan Street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund (cemetery). The park has also given name to this popular neighborhood as well as to the larger administrative district (borough) that includes major parts of central Oslo.
Stensparken (Stensparken), Stensgata, 0354 Oslo (It is close to Bislett Stadium (trams 17 and 18)), ☎ +90 5395670821. This charming park has an old church and a café on the top and is your best bet if St. Hanshaugen is too crowded (only a few minutes walk away).
Alternativ Oslo on foot and bike, Anne-Cath, Vestlys plass 0150, 0150 Oslo, ☎ +47 95559377, [x]. A local guide takes you along all of Oslo’s highlights. In a few hours, you will get familiar with the city and afterward, you could rent a bike and explore the city on your own.
Beaches. Hovedøya, Gressholmen, or Langøyene are wonderful places to spend a sunny day. There is also a bathing bus (number 87) running from mid-June to mid-August from Jernbanetorvet to the brilliant beaches of Hvervenbukta, Bestemorstranda, and Ingierstrand. Ingierstrand is a 1930s bathing resort with very special functionalist architecture. Also at Bygdøy, Snarøya, and further out towards Asker, you will find several great beaches. During the summer months, the water temperature will, perhaps surprisingly for many foreigners, be very pleasant and beaches will be packed. Outdoor swimming pools can be found at Frognerparken and Tøyenbadet.
Biking. Discover the city and its major tourist sites by bike, from April through October.
Blå (Live music venue), Brenneriveien 9C, 0182 Oslo (in the artsy/alternative place close to Akerselva called Hausmania), [x]. Be sure to check their event calendar, every week they have concerts with a variety of international and Norwegian bands and/or DJs. Each Sunday there is a free jazz/blues/soul concert. Walk up the river from the center and you'll find it. Old factory-style houses with lots of graffiti.
Boat tour (Norway Yacht Charter AS), Rådhusbrygge 3, 0160 Oslo, ☎ +47 23356890, [x]. Explore Oslo with a historic vessel or spend a summer evening in the Oslo Fjord.
Canoeing & kayaking (Mad Goats), Bjørvika, Operagata, 0194 Oslo, ☎ +47 40080440, [x]. Kayaking & packrafting tours, courses, and paddleboarding. Also, Mad Goats are available to introduce the floating saunas.
Cross-country skiing. The area around Holmenkollen (T-bane 1) is well suited for cross-country skiing, but also a nice area for hiking during summertime. While you are there, you can also visit the ski museum which is located close to the ski jump.
Electric Boat Tours (Brim Explorer), Aker Brygge (Stranden 30), ☎ +47 77 65 11 00, [x]. Silent Oslo Fjordcruise, Oslo Dinner Cruise, Brunch & Bubbles, Morning Yoga Cruise and Electric afterwork.
Fresh water swimming. Akerselva is considered clean north of Nydalen. The best spot may be at Frysja (bus 22-25-54 to Stillatorget). Don't forget that many of the lakes in "Oslomarka" are for swimming and recreation, but a couple of the major lakes (Maridalsvannet in particular) are drinking water for the city. Buy a map and bring your swimming gear!
Hiking. Nice gateways to the beautiful nature are T-bane to Frognerseteren (line 1), Sognsvann (line 6), Romsås (line 5), Bogerud (line 3), Skullerud (line 3) or Ellingsrudåsen (line 2), or the train to Movatn or Snippen (local trains towards Hakadal, Roa, Jaren and Gjøvik). Also, bus 56 from Storo (tram 11, 12, 13 and T-bane) to Solemskogen or bus 51 from Nydalen (bus 37, T-bane 4, 5 and 6) to Maridalen offer fantastic possibilities for walks and rural life, everything less than half an hour from the city center. Bring something to drink and a chocolate bar (and do a bit of planning, buses 51 and 56 and the train seldom run more than once every half hour, less on weekends). Be prepared for some muddy sections of the trail as they take you through some pretty thickly wooded areas. The forest is dense enough that any damp areas of the trail don't dry out. This isn't helped by the multitude of small run-offs flowing down the mountain.
Miniature underground golf course (Underground Golf Club), Industrigata 36, 0357 Oslo, ☎ +47 23651160, [x]. Two courses with 9 holes Crazy Minigolf. This is a challenging and fun experience you won't soon forget. Try them. On the way, you will be served something good in a glass. Team up with your friends or colleagues for play. It is approx. 45 minutes to play through 9 holes.
National Theatre, Johanne Dybwads plass 1, 0161 Oslo, ☎ +47 22001400, [x].
Oslo Concert hall
Oslo Concert Hall (Konserthus), Munkedamsveien 14, 0115 Oslo, ☎ +47 23113111, [x]. If you are interested in classical music or jazz check the program of this hall.
Rockefeller Concert hall, Badstugata 2, Mariboes gate 3, 0183 Oslo (Short walk from Brugata tram and bus stop (line 11, 12, 13, 17, 30, 31, 54)), ☎ +47 22203232, [x]. Some of Oslos best stages for music. Rockefeller houses three stages while Sentrum Scene houses a fourth and larger stage. Mostly concert stages but they also show the odd football match or cinema. Both Norwegian and international artists.
Salt water swimming. There are plenty of islands perfect for relaxing and swimming. Ferries depart from Vippetangen and Aker Brygge in the city center. There are beaches at Huk, Bygdøy as well (Bus 30 to Bygdøy), as well as Katten and Ingierstrand. A new harbor bath opened in 2015 in Sørenga, the new development just south-east of the Oslo S/Opera-area.
Ski jumping (Holmenkollen), (T-bane 1 towards Frognerseteren.). The ski jump located on the west side of Oslo, which was rebuilt for the World Ski Championships in 2011. It first opened in 1892 and has been rebuilt many times since then. It had more than 1 million visitors every year and was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. There is also the oldest ski museum in the world, opened in 1923. Walking and mountain bike riding are popular activities here during the summer.
Sledding (Korketrekkeren), Holmenkollveien 201, 0791 Oslo, ☎ +47 90896186, [x]. For the fun buy a cheap sled or "akebrett", or rent a proper one from Frognerseteren, and sleigh down from Frognerseteren to Midtstuen station. This was actually the venue of the sleighing competitions in the 1952 Winter Olympics, and the hill is referred to as "Korketrekkeren" (the corkscrew). If you buy a day card for the subway, you can race all day long, but make sure you are well dressed, as you are going to get wet.
Sofienberg Park (Sofienbergparken), Sofienberggata 14, 0558 Oslo, ☎ +47 21802180, [x]. One more park in the eastern Oslo. A lot of activities all day long and especially on the weekends there; ball play, pick-nick, public barbecue, especially nice area for children. Be somewhat careful walking through here at night if you're drunk and dressed lightly.
Vålerenga Fotball, Innspurten 12, ☎ +47 23247800, [x]. Vålerenga is a multi-sports club from the eastern part of Oslos inner city. Their football department is one of the major teams in Norway, with a new stadium opened in 2017 after more than 100 years in exile playing at different venues in the city. Tickets can be bought online at ticketmaster.no, or at the club shop currently located at the stadium at Intility Arena, near Helsfyr T-bane station.
Water park (Badefryd), Unnamed Road TusenFryd, 1407 Vinterbro, ☎ +47 64 97 64 97, [x].
Ekebergsletta (Ekebergsletta), (bus 23, 34 or 74). during the Norway Cup (beginning of August every year. It is billed as the world's biggest football tournament (about 25,000 participants). Lots of fun and football. Held annually at the beginning of August.
Island festival (Øya), [x]. A major music festival taking place each August in Tøyenparken.
Norwegian Wood festival, Fjellveien 5, 1366 Lysaker. Another annual music festival arranged next to Vigeland park. The name of the festival refers to the Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood".
BI Norwegian Business School, Nydalsveien 37, 0484 Oslo, ☎ +47 46410000, [x]. It is a private business school offering a range of courses and degree programs (bachelor, master, PhD
OsloMet Stockholm University, Clara Holst's house, Pilestredet 46, 0167 Oslo, ☎ +47 67235000, [x].
University of Oslo, Problemveien 11, 0313 Oslo, ☎ +47 22855050, [x]. It is the biggest university in Norway.
Oslo is the capital and the most populated city in the country, the administrative, economic, and cultural center of Norway. The city has grown so much in recent years, that it has completely devoured the region's territory. Almost 25% of the population in Oslo comes from abroad. Norway is famous for its incredible level of equality, tolerance, and acceptance. The city region is growing and building up a new positive reputation - a hub of innovation, a major international business player, and a place of concentration for the most talented experts. Since Oslo invests a lot in the training of knowledge corridors, technology parks, city quarters general business infrastructure, and coworking spaces, the city is considered a future-proof location. If you're looking for work check out the website of the governmental agency NAV[26] or other sites that can easily be found online, specially geared towards workers from outside of Norway. Even though Oslo is considered an expensive city for companies currently located in the capital of Norway and those companies that would like to locate in Oslo, the city itself provides a number of beneficial solutions. Coworking Oslo is one of the most popular solutions among sole proprietorships, medium-sized companies, and Start-Ups. Flexibility, reasonable price, free and fast internet connection, close distance to public transport stops, 27/7 access, administrative support, telephone system, security, cleaning, and other benefits are what modern office Oslo workspace offers to arrive in Norway companies, people who have a working trip to Norway and even digital nomads.
In 2010 Oslo was ranked the most expensive city in the world. Still, there are possibilities for getting bargains in Oslo during the big sales. The prices of famous brands are not higher in Oslo than in London or Paris, often lower even if they are not on sale. The big sales are in January and August.
If you are out to shop there's plenty to choose from. The main pedestrian street Karl Johans Gate has plenty of shops of dubious quality. The street Bygdøy allé (which is locally famous for its chestnut trees) (bus 20, 31) has regained its reputation of being a shopping street in the past few years through establishments that focus on kitchens, kitchenware, interior designs, exclusive Norwegian furniture, light design, and others. The street Møllergata (downtown, public transport from stops Stortorget and Møllerveien at either end of the street) was earlier known as the furniture street. You will still find a few good, but rather expensive shops for Norwegian furniture on this street. You can easily find this street close to the Christiania Glasmagasin and the street Torggata which contains a few home interior shops like KID, Hemtex, and Åhlens (with a Muji department in the basement). Akersgata is famous for several exclusive shops as well as the high-end shopping center Eger at Egertorget. Bogstadveien is a high-end shopping street. Good for non-chain stores, focus on clothes and accessories.
Aker Brygge, Støperigata 2, 0250 Oslo (Tram 12, bus 21, 33 or 54 to Aker Brygge/Bryggetorget/Vika Atrium), ☎ +47 22832680, [x]. A seaside shopping and nightlife center with high prices, but lots of glam and fun.
Byporten Shopping, Jernbanetorget 6, 0154 Oslo (T-bane to Jernbanetorget), ☎ +47 92614480, [x]. Byporten is connected to the Central station. This shopping mall is focusing on everything. The traveler's choice! A lot of designer stuff, branded clothing, travel stuff, and more.
Glasmagasinet, Stortorvet 9, 0155 Oslo (tram 10-11-17-18 or bus 37-46 to Stortorvet), ☎ +47 23080810, [x]. dates back to the 18th century, where you can find souvenirs, crystal, china, fashion, kitchenware, interior design and much more. The department store is famous for its large area of cosmetic sales.
Oslo City Shopping Mall, Stenersgata 1, 0050 Oslo (T-bane to Jernbanetorget), ☎ +47 40007370, [x]. a big shopping center just across the street from the Central station. The shopping center is focused on the young people.
Paleet, Karl Johans gt. 37 - 43, 0162 Oslo (T-bane to Nationaltheateret, Close to the National Theatre (Nationalteateret) and Royal Palace.), ☎ +47 23080811, [x]. an upmarket, central shopping center.
Steen & Strøm, Nedre Slottsgate 8, 0157 Oslo (situated on a side street of KarlJohansgate.), ([email protected]), [x]. One of Oslo's oldest department stores and is newly renovated and very stylish with a number of clothing shops with famous brands as well as a cosmetic and an interior design floor. On top, you will find an outdoor cafe with a view all over the city center and the surroundings.
7-Eleven Schous plass, Thorvald Meyers gate 71, 0552 Oslo, ☎ +47 22805408, [x]. Convenience store, but it has many other activities.
Baby Shop AS, Ullevålsveien 11 (bus 33, 37 or 46 to Nordahl Bruns gate), ☎ +47 22209966, [x]. 10-18. One of Oslo's oldest and most traditional baby stores. It is famous for its celebrity shoppers like the Princess of Norway Märtha Louise and the Crown Princess Mette-Marit.(37.0625,95.677068)
XXL Living Large, Storgata 2, 0154 Oslo, ☎ +47 24084025, [x]. A store for both tall and solid men, sizes range form 3X to 9X with decent formal and informal clothes.
There are a lot of both expensive and cheap places to eat in Oslo. The cheapest restaurants are Asian restaurants which in many cases serve good food at low prices. Check the menus on the door.
Buy at least one Hot dog. They are referred to as "pølse" and they are great for keeping the low blood sugar troll at bay and increasing your weight! Other street snacks are also available throughout the city, but it's usually more expensive than in comparable cities elsewhere.
Aker Brygge (tram 12, bus 21, 32, 33, or 54; stops Aker Brygge, Vika Atrium or Bryggetorget) is a waterfront located south of the city hall. During summer the area is very noisy and vibrant. There are outdoor restaurants and bars almost everywhere. Be sure to get some tasty seafood (or whatever else you like to eat) while you are there, or just enjoy your cold beer in the summer sea breeze. Be advised that this is also the most expensive area in Oslo to dine or drink, so unless the weather is good, you can just as well stay indoors somewhere else.
Sven's, located near Vika Atrium, offers a fast food version of a traditional dietary staple - lutefisk. Sides include herring, pickled vegetables, and salted meats. Because of the amount of lye used to treat the food, be prepared to sign a waiver upon entry.
You are also close to most of the restaurants, bars, or nightclubs located within the city center. A key reference point will be Stortingsgaten, running parallel to Karl Johans gate, both running eastwards from the Royal Palace (this is also the main shopping area). While both of these streets have a few restaurants and nightclubs, most will be found in one of the side streets running out from them, or parallel to them. It doesn't matter much where you start, you will find restaurants, bars, and nightclubs almost anywhere from the subway station National Theatre on the west, to far beyond Oslo Central Railroad Station on the east. There are several other areas, such as Grünerløkka (tram 11-12-13 to Nybrua, Schous plass, Olaf Ryes plass or Birkelunden), Majorstuen (T-bane, tram 11-12-19 or bus 20-22-25-45-46 to Majorstua), and Grønland (T-bane to Grønland, bus 37 to Tøyengata or bus 60 to Norbygata) that are worth checking out. Be advised that nearly all bars and nightclubs close at the same time, so if you want to get a taxi back to your hotel, try to leave a few minutes before the rush starts.
Torggata is getting more upmarket. However, you may still find budget dining, like cheap Vietnamese, Thai, and Chinese restaurants and even cheaper kebab joints and pizzerias, as well as other offerings. It's close to the center, but you can get bus 34 or 54 to Jacob kirke/Calmeyers gate or tram 11-12-13-17/bus 30-31 to Brugata or Hausmanns gate. The closest T-bane station is Grønland (then walk north along Brugata) or Jernbanetorget (then walk northeast).
Some great offerings in this area include:
Bari Pizza & Grill, Torggata 23, 0183 Oslo, ☎ +47 22111965. The best pizza joint in the area also does decent kebabs.
Dalat Kafe Vietnamese cuisine, Torggata 27, 0183 Oslo (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke/Calmeyers gate), ☎ +47 22112064, [x]. Vietnamese. Simple interiour but very popular among people who appreciate authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes and beverages at affordable prices.
Lille Saigon Vietnamese cuisine, Bernt Ankers gate 7, 0183 Oslo, ☎ +47 40016446, [x]. The first of the Vietnamese bargain offerings are still going strong. Although the food in Vietnam is known to be tastier, you'll need a plane ticket to Hanoi to get it this cheap! (at least it feels like that when you're used to Norwegian food prices).
Rice Bowl Thai Cafe, Kirkegata 20, 0153 Oslo, ☎ +47 22412006, [x]. Seems to be packed with locals at all times. Thai food is OK but a bit bland.main courses for about NOK 125.
Gronland is full of cheap eating joints, shops selling fabrics and jewellery, Indian and Pakistani sweet shops, cheap beer and more. Some of the best treats are:
Ali Baba Turkish Grill & Steak, Trondheimsveien, Oslo, ☎ +47 21919101, [x]. A Turkish cafeteria with no-frills, decent food. Meals are pricier and less exquisite than they used to be.
Punjab Tandoori, Grønland 24, 0188 Oslo (just by Grønland T-bane eastern exit), ☎ +47 22172086, [x]. The friendliest Sikh in the world dishes out cheap, tasty Indian food from the microwave or stove. No real tandoor here.
Sushi Deluxe, Schweigaards gate 50 (Gamlebyen. Take tram lines 18 or 19 eastwards from Jernbanetorget, get off at at the Munkegata stop, or take the metro to Grønland (about 5-10 minutes walk eastwards along Grønlandsleiret)), ☎ +47 22171122, [x]. Great tasting sushi meals. Also have small daily specials (fried rice, fried noodles etc.).
Tandoori Curry Corner, Grønland 22, 0188 Oslo, ☎ +47 22179906. The neighboring Pakistan cuisine restaurant of the Punjab Tandoori is even cheaper, but the helpings are smaller and packs less of a punch.
Most cafes and restaurants serving traditional food are upmarket, but there are a couple of good spots to get stuffed on meat cakes and brown gravy, lutefisk and other delicacies:
Dovrehallen Restaurant, Storgata 22, 0184 Oslo (Storgata near Jernbanetorvet (T-Jernbanetorget or any tram to Jernbanetorget or Brugata).), ☎ +47 22172101, [x]. Old-style beer hall serving delicious meat-and potato-dishes. Tuesdays are Eisbein day, be there!
Schrøder Restaurant, Waldemar Thranes gate 8, 0171 Oslo (bus 21-33-37-46 to St. Hanshaugen), ☎ +47 22605183, [x]. Dark drinking den with delicious, traditional, cheap and fattening Norwegian food.
BKH Bislett Fast food restaurant, Hegdehaugsveien 2, 0167 Oslo (tram 11, 17 and 18 to Høyskolesenteret), ☎ +47 22468044, [x]. Voted Oslos best kebab many times, not the cheapest place, but good value for money. There are several other branches across town. However, if you want authentic kebab try Torggata or the beginning of Trondheimsveien.
Burger King Oslo Central Station, Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo, ☎ +47 41251823, [x]. Net of Fast food restaurants.
Curry and Ketchup restaurant, Kirkeveien 51, 0368 Oslo (near Majorstuen station), ☎ +47 22690522, [x]. Cheap and popular indian restaurant, often full during the weekends. Cash only.less than NOK 100 for a feed.
Kaffistova, Kristian IVs gate 2, 0164 Oslo, ☎ +47 23214100, [x]. Opened in 1901, this is a cafeteria-style eatery with coffee and homemade cakes. A great place to try an authentic Norwegian meal, without spending an enormous amount of money.
L'Oasis Mazze Falafel restaurant, Trondheimsveien 14, 0560 Oslo (Tram 17 or bus 31 to Lakkegata skole, then walk towards the city center), ☎ +47 22373166. Beduin-style restaurant run by Palestinians. Falafels, tagine, etc. Good for lunch or dinner. Friendly staff and low prices.
Mathallen, (tram 11, 12, or 13 to Schous Plass, bus 34 or 54 to Møllerveien), [x]. Tu-W: 10-19, Th-F: 10-20, Sa: 10-18, Su: 12-17, Monday closed. Restaurants have separate opening hours.. It is an indoor food hall located in an old factory building in Maridalsveien 17. It's on the edge of Grünerløkka in an area called Vulkan. Here you can shop both local Norwegian produce and international food, go for a quick snack or two, have a drink in Norway's longest bar, or just hang out and enjoy the atmosphere.
Nam Fah Thai, Maridalsveien 21, Vulkan, Grünerløkka, 0175 Oslo, ☎ +47 22382990, [x]. Nothing fancy at all, but you get very tasty Thai food very fast very cheap. They also have a take-away only branch (and shop) in Nordre gate 15-17 at Grünerløkka.
Nam Sushi Viet Thai Restaurant, Bjarne Haugens gate 1, 1475 Finstadjordet, ☎ +47 48386286, [x]. The restaurant offers good sushi for a nice price. Featuring about 10 seats, the place could be considered more a take-away than an actual restaurant.
Nguyen Thi Thu Hang Sakana sushi, Prinsens gate 2, ☎ +47 22426750. Closed on Sundays.. Good sushi at low prices. Takeaway Vietnamese spring rolls.
Noahs Ark, Thorvald Meyers gate 23, 0555 Oslo (close to Birkelunden (tram 11-12-13)), ☎ +47 22376954, [x]. It has some excellent Turkish dishes. Burgers, pizza and breakfast are also available. A cozy place with occasional unexpected classical music played early in the day.
Prince Lunch Bar-shop, Kirkegata 20, 0153 Oslo (close to the department store Steen & Strøm), ☎ +47 22422067. The best baguettes downtown. Delivers lashings of filling on their allmighty subs. Also chicken breast, fish and beef burgers.
Rådhuset Canteen, Rådhusplassen 1, 0037 Oslo (In the cellar of the city hall), ☎ +47 23461200. noon-1PM. The canteen is open to the public, and offers good, sumptuous meals at even lower prices than the student canteens. Not many tourists know about the place, so it can be a very quiet place to have a meal. They sell salads, sandwiches, boiled potatoes, cereal bars and other snacks.
Tasty Thai, Pilestredet 64, 0354 Oslo (Tram 17-18 to Bislett). Just around the corner from the football pub Store Stå), ☎ +47 22460400. Oslo's best budget Thai offering.
Valkyrien Take Away, Bogstadveien 71B, 0366 Oslo (close to Majorstuen T-bane), ☎ +47 22469301. Their burgers are famous. Limited seating, but there is a very small park close to it where you can enjoy your food.
Arakataka, Mariboes gate 7B, 0183 Oslo ((Tram 11,12,13,17 or bus 30,31,32,34,54 to Brugata), ☎ +47 94165391, [x]. The most upmarket offering in Oslo's Bermuda Triangle of cheap eating, Arakataka manages to pull off decent French and Mediterranean cuisine at decent prices.
Delhi Tandoori Restaurant, Maridalsveien 4, 0178 Oslo (bus 34-54 to Møllerveien), ☎ +47 22201248, [x]. Looks scruffy from the outside, but don't let that fool you. A fantastic Indian restaurant with all the trimmings.
Eik Annen Etage Restaurant, Stortingsgata 24, 0161 Oslo (above the Hotel Continental in Stortingsgata; T-bane, tram 13-19 or bus 30-31-54 to Nationaltheateret), ☎ +47 21547970, [x]. When Eik took over the sadly missed gourmet Annen Etage, the food actually got better and cheaper.
Eik Restaurant, Universitetsgata 11, 0164 Oslo (tram 11-17-18 to Tullinløkka), ☎ +47 22360710, [x]. The least upmarket of the central gourmet offerings, Eik consintently get rave reviews and doles out a fine five-course gourmet menu for around NOK 400. Fantastic. Bib Gourmand award in the Michelin guide.
Elvebredden Catering, Myrerskogveien 12, 0495 Oslo, ☎ +47 22679180, [x]. Elvebredden has some fantastic lunch offerings as well as stunning, but fairly upmarket, main dishes in the evening.
Gate of India, Bogstadveien 66A, 0366 Oslo (next to Majorstuakrysset), ☎ +47 22690933, [x]. Good Indian restaurant.
Intermezzo Cafe, Bar & Restaurant, Trekantstubben, 1383 Asker, ☎ +47 66795760, [x]. East-Asian and sushi.
Japanese Dining Sato, Bygdøy allé 19, 0262 Oslo (Near Solli Plass (tram 12)), ☎ +47 47650333, [x]. Big, tasty portions and very reasonable prices.
Kampen Bistro, Bøgata 21, 0655 Oslo (T-bane 1,2,3,4 to Ensjø or bus 60 to Kampen Park), ☎ +47 22197708, [x]. Lovely neighborhood joint with brilliant food and occasional free concerts.
Mucho Mas Restaurant, Thorvald Meyers gate 36, 0555 Oslo (tram 11,12,13 to Olaf Ryes plass), ☎ +47 22371609, [x]. Cal-mex joint offering huge meals, but reports say quality has faded. Another branch near the crossing of Hegdehaugsveien/Sporveisgata in Homansbyen (tram 11-19 to Rosenborg) does little to redeem this.
Nam Kang, Fredensborgveien 22e, 0177 Oslo, ☎ +47 22201940, [x]. A friendly Japanese and Korean restaurant. They serve some tasty shabu shabu and bulgogi here.
Olympen bar & restaurant, Grønlandsleiret 15, 0190 Oslo (T-bane to Grønland, or bus 37 to Tøyengata (the stop is on the doorstep)), ☎ +47 24101999, [x]. One of the best known and largest places in east Oslo. Restaurant, beer Hall, nightclub, and roof terrace. Recently refurbished, with classic Norwegian food.
Oriental, Arbeidergata 2, 0159 Oslo (tram 11-17-18 to Tinghuset/Prof. Aschehougs plass or T-bane Stortinget), ☎ +47 22423738, [x]. Brilliant all-Asian restaurant with inventive dishes.
Pizza da Mimmo, Behrens' gate 2, 0257 Oslo (tram 12 to Niels Juhls gt or bus 21 to Lapsetorvet), ☎ +47 22444020, [x]. Vying with Oslo Ladegård and Villa Paradiso to have the best pizza in Oslo.
Smalhans, Ullevålsveien 43, 0171 Oslo, ☎ +47 22696000, [x]. A down to earth restaurant with tasty, honest European food on a menu which is changed three times a day. Highly recommended if you're looking for a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. For private parties they also have a separate 60s-style living room for rent.
Smia galleri, Opplandgata 19, 0657 Oslo (bus 20,37 to Galgeberg), ☎ +47 22195920, [x]. Atmospheric restaurant in an old wooden house area with tons of charm.
Südøst Restaurant, Trondheimsveien 5, 0560 Oslo (Bus 30-31, tram 17 to Heimdalsgata), ☎ +47 23353070, [x]. A short walk from the Anker hostel, this place has become quite fashionable. Lovely outdoor seating, great (but a tad expensive) food, and a marvelous dining room.
Tintin Sushi, Drammensveien 305, 1366 Lysaker, ☎ +47 67121210, [x]. Sushi and korean dishes.
Trattoria Populare, Trondheimsveien 2, 0560 Oslo (bus 30 or 31 or tram 17 to Heimdalsgata or tram 11, 12 or 13 to Nybrua), ☎ +47 40675231, [x]. Share great Italian food with your friends in this two story trattoria. Highly recommended.
Villa Paradiso Grünerløkka, Olaf Ryes plass 8, 0552 Oslo (tram 11-12-13), ☎ +47 22354060, [x]. Excellent pizza at Grünerløkka.
Dinner Restaurant, Stortingsgata 22, 0161 Oslo, ☎ +47 23100466, [x]. One of the finest Chinese restaurants in Oslo. Specializes in the Szechuan and Cantonese kitchen. Their Peking Duck, which must be pre-ordered the day before, is a true feast.
Ekebergrestauranten, Kongsveien 15, 0193 Oslo (tram 18,19 to Sjømannsskolen), ☎ +47 23242300, [x]. An architectural monument, this place offers gourmet dining and Oslo's best views. Hugely popular but the service can disappoint.
Hanami, Kanalen 1, 0252 Oslo (Tjuvholmen, Aker Brygge), ☎ +47 22831090, [x]. Great Japanese fusion restaurant where you can enjoy sushi, izakaya, and robata dishes by the seaside.
Happolati, St. Olavs plass 2, 0165 Oslo, ☎ +47 47978087 ([email protected]), [x]. Closed Sundays and Mondays.
Hos Thea, Gabels gate 11, 0272 Oslo (tram 13 to Skillebekk), ☎ +47 22446874, [x]. A small place with outstanding food, small seasonal menu.
Maaemo, Dronning Eufemias gate 23, 0194 Oslo, ☎ +47 22179969, [x]. This New Nordic Cuisine restaurant serving organic, local food jumped straight to two stars Michelin Guide Rouge at the earliest opportunity after opening, the first Nordic restaurant to do so. Getting a table here is hard, they literally disappear the same second they're available, so book as early as possible.
Palace Grill, Solligata 2, 0254 Oslo (just by Solli plass (tram 12,13 or bus 21,30,31,32 to Solli/Lapsetorvet)), ☎ +47 23131140, [x]. Highly recommended gourmet restaurant where the menu changes daily according to the chef's mood and available ingredients. A ten-course meal costs about NOK 850 per person. Only 23 seats and no reservations, but a good bar to while away the hours waiting for food.
Spisestedet Feinschmecker, Balchens gate 5 (tram 12 to Elisenberg or bus 30,31 to Frogner kirke), ☎ +47 22129380, [x]. A feast for everyone involved, except perhaps your wallet. Exquisite dining at corporate prices.
Statholdergaarden, Rådhusgate 11 (on the corner of Kirkegaten), 0151 Oslo, ☎ +47 22418800 ([email protected], fax: 22 41 22 24), [x]. M-Sa 6PM-12AM. Arguably one of Oslo's finest seatings. Set in a beautiful 1800-century mansion, the combination of very friendly staff and extraordinary dishes makes it well worth its one star in the Michelin Guide. Not one to miss.Expensive.
Theatercaféen, Stortingsgata 24 - 26, 0117 Oslo (inside Hotel Continental next to Nationaltheatret), ☎ +47 22824050, [x]. Pretending to be a classic upmarket Wiener Café with a continental menu. What you get on the plate may only have a passing resemblance to the description on the menu. Staggeringly overpriced and excruciatingly "culture-posh", you might just get better food from the Asian take-away in the removable kiosk across the street for a fraction of the price. However, being "the" classic Café in Oslo, the experience may just be worth it if your wallet is running thick.
Beer can be purchased in supermarkets for a 0.5l can. Supermarkets stop selling beer after 8 p.m. each day, 6 p.m. on Saturdays, and 3 p.m. on holiday weekends. It is not possible to buy beer in a shop on a Sunday. It is illegal to drink in public areas. You will usually only get a warning if spotted by a police officer, but if you behave impolitely or he/she is having a bad day you can get a fine. However, in public parks during summer, laws are not enforced as strictly. Good places to go for a park beer are Sofienbergparken and Kuba at Grünerløkka, Frognerparken in Majorstua, or the park at St. Hanshaugen, on a hill with a great view located between Grünerløkka and Majorstuen.
Hard liquor or wine can only be bought at international airport terminals or state-owned shops called Vinmonopolet [27]. Vinmonopolet outlets are open Mon-Fri till 6 PM, Sat till 3 PM, Sun closed. Some of the central Vinmonopolet outlets in Oslo are:
Oslo Central Station, beneath the staircase leading down to Trafikanten
In the basement of the Oslo City shopping center
In the Steen og Strøm shopping centre, close to Karl Johans gate
Rosenkrantzgate 11, close to Grand Hotel, Karl Johans gate
In the House of Oslo shopping centre, Vika (tram 12 to Vikatorvet)
Thereses gate, Bislett (near Bislett stadium, trams 17 and 18)
All bars, pubs, and restaurants in Oslo are smoke-free, which means you have to go outside to smoke. But since you can't drink on the street, you have to leave your drink inside, unless the bar/pub has a designated drink area that is still open (they always close earlier than the venues themselves). Closing hours are as late as 03:30 in the city center. National legislation says you can't serve any alcohol after 03:00. Oslo has a flourishing craft beer scene, mostly (but not exclusively) centered around Torggata. Oslo is generally expensive.
Areas with notable pub density are Grünerløkka (tram 11-12-13 to Nybrua, Schous plass, Olaf Ryes plass or Birkelunden), Aker Brygge (tram 12 to Aker Brygge or bus 21-32-33-54 to Vika Atrium or Bryggetorget), Solli/Frogner (tram 12-13 or bus 30-31 to Solli), Grønland (T-bane to Grønland, bus 37 to Tøyengata or bus 60 to Norbygata) and the city center especially Youngstorget or Grensen.
Andy's Pub, Stortingsgata 8, 0161 Oslo (T-bane Stortinget, tram 13-19 to Wessels plass/Nathionaltheateret, bus 31-32-33-54-70 stop nearby), ☎ +47 22426846, [x]. Shows most football matches on LCD TVs.
Beer Palace, Holmens Gate 3 (Aker Brygge), ☎ +47 22837155, [x]. A popular pub with a fair selection of Norwegian and foreign beers. In addition to enjoying good beer, it's possible to play darts and get a slice of pizza. Every Monday an international beer course is held here by Ølakademiet [3].
Bohemen (the Bohemian), Arbeidergata 2 (T-bane Stortinget, tram 11-17-18 or bus 33-70 to Prof. Aschehougs plass/Tinghuset), ☎ +47-22416266, [x]. The best place to watch football (soccer) and sports in general, and to have a cheapish beer. Owned by supporters of the Vålerenga Sports Association.
BrewDog Grünerløkka, Markveien 57, 0550 Oslo, ☎ +47 92311315, [x]. This is the Brewdog bar in Oslo.
Brygg Beer hall, Storgata 7 (Centrally located near Jernbanetorget and Karl Johans Gate.), [x]. Huge two story craft beer bar and café with a large number of tap lines and a good bottle selection. Two pop-up places for food, ping-pong, shuffleboards and more.
Crow bar & Brewery, Torggata 32 (Tram 11-12-13 to Olaf Ryes plass), [x]. Craft brewery with a good selection of their own and guest brews, both Norwegian and domestic.
Dr. Jekylls Pub, Klingenberggata 4, 0161 Oslo, ☎ +47 22413044, [x]. 15-03. Whisky bar with wide selection. over 500 whiskies, and several fantastic rums and over 60 beers on bottle. But the management and security do not show enough respect to the customers even they are regular.
Dubliner Folk Pub, Rådhusgata 28, 0151 Oslo (Tram 12 to Christiania torv), ☎ +47 22337005, [x]. A nice Irish pub a little off Karl Johans gate, does a good fish and chips (and a few rounds of Guinness with which to wash it down). In Norway: Good fish? Always! Good chips? Never! Except maybe here.
Fiasco Cafe, Schweigaards gate 4 (next to the train station), ☎ +47 47174000, [x]. Rock 'n Roll bar with a clientele ranging from metal fans to people waiting for the train. Excellent burgers and a decent craft beer selection. Sometimes has live music and DJs with cover charge.
Fired food & drink (Fyret Mat & Drikke), Youngstorget 6, ☎ +47 22205182, [x]. Intimate and lively pub and resturaunt which serves unpretentious, good food. There you will find not only sandwiches but also Skipperburger, the all-day breakfast Egg&Bacon & the soup of the day, always vegetarian - the day's variation varies. On the drinks menu, you will find plenty of delicious Norwegian beer, juices from local producers, and the largest of Norway's aquavit menu. They have an outstanding collection of akevitt (akvavit), the Scandinavian potato spirit that you should check out, though you won't necessarily love it unconditionally.
Hell's Kitchen, Møllergata 23 - 25, 0179 Oslo (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Kirkeristen/Nygata/Brugata), ☎ +47 40851145, [x]. pizza and music, lots of beer and cocktails. Brilliant place that once was the heyday of hipness, a reputation it has to leave to its own basement (The Villa) and Revolver, just down the street. Still a good corner to drop into.
Henry & Sally's Bar, Bernt Ankers gate 25, 0183 Oslo, ☎ +47 40074047, [x]. Strangely named due to Norwegian alcohol laws, this is the Mikkeller bar in Oslo.
Highbury Pub, Bogstadveien 50, 0366 Oslo, ☎ +47 22461771, [x]. Official Arsenal supporter pub in Norway.
Oslo Ocean Cafe & Bar, Trondheimsveien 20A, 0560 Oslo, ☎ +47 22376999, [x]. a neighborhood bar customers, mostly returning, at every time of the day (from 8 AM). The staff is great! The service is impeccable despite the low prices and the very unpretentious surroundings (and clientele).
Øst Gastropub, Intility Arena, Innspurten 16 (T-bane 1,2,3 or 4 to Helsfyr station, 5-minute walk from there.), ☎ +47 46 42 47 37, [x]. Gastropub and craft beer bar in the Vålerenga Fotball stadium, open every day. Descent selection of craft beer. On match days the area outside becomes a fanzone filled with happy families and loud fans. Try the burger.
RØØR Bar, Rosenkrantz' gate 4, 0159 Oslo, [x]. Craft beer bar with 70 tap lines of craft beer and mead, as a bottle room.
Sara Cafe, Hausmanns gate 29, 0182 Oslo (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke), ☎ +47 22034000, [x]. Conveniently close to Anker Hostel, Cafe Sara pours beer and dishes up tasty Turkish and tex-mex dishes for not too much money. Great outdoor seating. Very nice pub with a great atmosphere and is well known for its cheap but great food. Good selection of craft beer, and often something very rare on tap.
Stolen Cafe, Helgesens gate 32, 0553 Oslo (near Sofienberg park Tram 11-12-13 to Olaf Ryes plass), ☎ +47 22190000. Indian cuisine and cheap beer in an informal setting. No name on the door, just a chair hanging from above the door (hence the name 'the chair').
Teddy's Soft Pub, Brugata 3A, 0186 Oslo (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Brugata, T-bane to Grønland), ☎ +47 22173600, [x]. Established in 1958, this is the only bar in Oslo that's protected by cultural authorities, due to its true '50s setting with original interior. This is where the rockabilly cats and kittens hang out and low-key rock and film stars lurk in the corners. Teddy's brought milk shakes to Norway, but sadly they've stopped serving those. They do serve beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks, and various coffee drinks. And you can have lunch or late breakfast (omelets, eggs & bacon, sandwiches) or dinner (nice burgers, soups). Music provided by an original Wurlitzer jukebox with mostly '50s and '60s hits.
Tekehtopa Cafe, St. Olavs Plass 2, 0165 Oslo (Tram 17-18 to Tullinløkka or bus 37 to Nordahl Bruns gate), ☎ +47 47978089, [x]. Lovely cafe serving beer, wine, drinks and small dishes in a fabulous former pharmacy. (Tekehtopa spelled backward, apotheket, actually means "the pharmacy" in Norwegian.) One of the prettiest cafes around! Adjoined by Bar Babylon, an industrial-style club with wonderful backyard seating.
Tilt Bar, Badstugata 6, 0183 Oslo (Jerbanetorget T, 5 min walk. Near Rockefeller Music Hall.), [x]. Tilt is a retro game-themed bar with 80s arcade machines, shuffleboard, pinball, and memorabilia. A good selection of Norwegian and imported craft beer.
Oslo is ranked as one of the best coffee cities in the world and you will find cafés serving good coffee everywhere. Serious chains like Kaffebrenneriet and Stockfleths are worth a visit, but there are numerous other great places. To mention a very few:
Fuglen, Universitetsgata 2 (Tram 11, 17 and 18 to Tullinløkka), [x]. To enter Fuglen is like enter a living room from the 60s. Not only do they serve great coffee, but they also sell retro furniture and vintage design. In the summer of 2012 Fuglen also opened a branch in Shibuya, Tokyo.
Java Espresso & Kaffeforretning, Ullevålsveien 47 (Bus 21 and 37 to St. Hanshaugen), [x]. Great espresso bar located next to the St. Hanshaugen park.
Mocca Oslo, Niels Juels Gate 70 B (Tram 19 to Riddervolds plass), [x]. Good coffee in Briskeby, Frogner.
Tim Wendelboe, Grünersgate 1 (Tram 11, 12 and 13 to Olaf Ryes plass), [x]. Tim Wendelboe is a micro roastery and espresso bar in Grünerløkka serving what's considered by many the best coffee in the world. Tim Wendelboe means business. It's a tiny establishment and seating is scarce. If you want a simple black coffee you will most probably be pointed to a small lab-like room where the coffee will be made for you. So if you like great coffee this is an obligatory stop. They also arrange barista courses.
Last Train, Karl Johans Gate 45, entrance Universitetsgaten, ☎ +47 22415293, [x]. Sandwiched between a theatre and Hard Rock Cafe this gem is easily overlooked. One of the best (and longest-lasting) rock/punk/metal/indie pubs in Norway.
Revolver, Møllergata 32 (On the eastern fringes of Møllergata), ☎ +47 22202232, [x]. Rock pub with most of Oslo's hipsters lurking in the corners. Not too expensive, and quite an extensive choice of beers on tap.
Elsker Club, Kristian IVs gate 9 (Next to the Thon Hotel Bristol, one block from Karl Johan.), ☎ +47 45256042, [x]. Open Wed-Sat from 3 PM.
London Pub, C. J. Hamros plass 5 (Central Oslo, two blocks from Karl Johan on the corner of the Grand Hotel), ☎ +47 22708700, [x]. The largest gay and lesbian Venue in Oslo.
Getting a hotel in Oslo can potentially be difficult. In peak periods, when big fairs or conferences visit Oslo, tourists have been sent as far as Lillehammer (170 km, 2h 15 min by train) to find accommodation. It would be smart to reserve a room in advance. There are also relatively few youth hostels, etc., for backpackers and people traveling on a budget. During Nobel Prize week room availability will fall and prices may double.
If you bring or buy a tent, you can take public transport to for instance Nordmarka (forest area north of the city), and stay for free. See the Norway page for legislation details regarding camping.
Bogstad Camping, Ankerveien 117, 0766 Oslo (T-bane 2 to Røa, then bus 32, direction Voksen Skog, to Bogstad Camping. Or take bus 32 from the central station (bus stop P)), ☎ +47 22510800, [x]. Bogstad has cabins as well as tent space. Price - e.g. one adult, one child, one tent - NOK 185. Less than a stone's throw from the campsite there is a mini mart Kiwi (used by the locals), a petrol station Statoil with heat-up fast food options, and a fast food restaurant Jafs! which does pizzas, kebabs, and burgers.
Ekeberg Camping, Ekebergveien 65, 1181 Oslo (Bus 34, 46 or 74 to Ekeberg Camping. The trip takes 10 minutes from Central Station.), ☎ +47 22198568, [x]. checkin: 7.30 AM to 11.00 PM. Open June 1- September 1. The closest campsite to central Oslo. Beautiful view of the city. No cabins. Owned by the Norwegian Automobile Federation. Mini-golf and horse rental. Fully equipped sanitary facilities: showers with hot and cold water, toilets, kitchen, launderette.
Langøyene Island, (take ferry 94 from Vippetangen). Not an official campsite; however, Langøyene Island allows free camping (tents only). You may only stay for 2 days unless you have special permission. You must keep the island clean. Police have their own boats and enforce these laws via hefty fines.Free!.
Anker Hostel, Storgata 53H, 0182 Oslo (tram 11-12-13-17, bus 30-31 to Hausmanns gate), ☎ +47 22 99 72 00 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 3; checkout: 11. Very centrally located, 5 minutes walk to the central station or Grünerløkka. Beds may be cheap but renting bedsheets is required, which costs 50 extra. Factor that in.
Haraldsheim Youth Hostel, Haraldsheimveien 4, Sinsenkrysset, 0587 Oslo (tram 17 or bus 23-24-31-33, 4 km from downtown Oslo), ☎ +47 22222965, [x]. The biggest HI hostel in Oslo. Not too far from the action (but it is hard to find), walking distance to the lively neighborhoods of Torshov and Grünerløkka. Located in a very quiet area of Oslo, this is a place you'd go to sleep, not to party. The breakfast is outstanding for a hostel and is vegan-friendly, although with reduced choice. It is advisable to reconfirm your booking before you come and inform us at what time you are going to arrive although the reception is open 24 hours.
Oslo Hostel Rønningen YMCA, Myrerskogveien 54, Rønningen (Metro 5 or tram 11, 12 and 13 go to Storo, and from there, bus 56 until Rønningen. Bus 56 only runs twice an hour, but every 20 minutes during rush hour), ☎ +47 21023600 ([email protected]), [x]. checkin: 15-18. Open June 1 - August 19. 7.5 km from the center.
Cochs Pensjonat, Parkveien 25, 0350 Oslo (tram 11 to Majorstua and 5 minutes walk or subway to Nationaltheatret and walk 10 minutes), ☎ +47 23332400, [x]. Centrally located, next to the Royal Palace and Slottsparken. Three types of rooms to meet all budgets. They don't serve breakfast but have an agreement with a nearby cafe.
P-Hotels, Oslo, Grensen 19, 0159 Oslo, ☎ +47 23318000 ([email protected]), [x]. Affordable hotel, centrally located with nice rooms. Simple breakfast delivered to your door.
Thon Hotel Astoria, Dronningensgate 21 (50 meters from the main street Karl Johan, a 5-minute walk from Oslo Central Station), ☎ +47 24145550, [x].
Thon Hotel Munch, Munchs gate 5, ☎ +47 23219600, [x]. A short walk to the main street, as well as easy walking distance to public transportation, airport shuttle bus and a vast variety of shops, restaurants, museums, and theatres.
Bristol Hotel, Kristian IV's gate 7 (right in the city center, near the National Gallery and the main shopping street KarlJohansgate), ☎ +47 22826000, [x]. As soon as you enter the lobby you will experience the unique style characterizing the hotel. An air of elegance has been maintained since its opening in 1920.
Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret, Storgaten 21-23 (tram 11,12,13,17 to Brugata or bus 30,31,31E,34,54 to Brugata), ☎ +47 22 00 57 00 ([email protected], fax: +47 22 00 57 01), [x]. Nice hotel with stylish rooms and an evening buffet that is included in the rate. Walking distance to the central station.
Radisson Blu Oslo Airport, Bogstadveien 20, 0355 Oslo (Located at the Oslo Gardermoen Airport), ☎ +47 63933000, [x]. Conveniently located at the Oslo Gardermoen Airport, making it an ideal hub for business and leisure travelers visiting Oslo
Radisson SAS Nydalen, Nydalesveien 33 (T Nydalen, 15-minute ride to center), ☎ +47-2326-3000, [x]. Choose from funky "Chilli" or more staid "Urban" rooms
Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel, Sonja Henies Plass 3, [x]. With 37 floors and breathtaking views of Oslo and the Oslofjord, the Radisson SAS Plaza Hotel is Northern Europe’s highest and Norway’s largest hotel. Suited 3 min walk from the train station.
Thon Hotel Gyldenlove, Bogstadveien 20, ☎ +47 23332300, [x]. Hotel with excellent location in Oslo's west quarter, right in the city's best shopping avenue, Bogstadveien.
Thon Hotel Terminus, Stenersgata 10, 0184 Oslo (downtown), ☎ +47 22056000, [x].
Continental Hotel Oslo, Stortingsgaten 24/26 (Located between the National Theatre and Aker Brygge), ☎ +47 22 82 40 00, [x]. Family-run hotel has a large Vienna-style cafe (Theatercafeen) which is the place to be seen in Oslo. Outstanding service and prices to match, still considered fair value for money. Nice quiet bar with original Edvard Munch lithographs.
Grand Hotel Oslo, Karl Johans Gate 31, ☎ +47 23 21 20 00, [x]. The hotel where Nobel Peace Prize winners stay when coming to Oslo for the award ceremony. Expensive and lots of services. Excellent view over main street Karl Johans gate. Grand Café, at street level, was Henrik Ibsen's daily watering hole and is Norway's answer to Vienna's Cafe Landtmann.
Most of the internet cafes are located in the eastern part of town or Grønland. Look for small shops selling telephone cards - they usually have internet terminals. If you carry your own laptop, WLANs will be easy to find at cafes, hotels, bars, and even in parks. There are several open Wi-Fi connections in the upper-level cafes at the train station Oslo Central Station and the subway station at Grønland.
Deichmanske Bibliotek (Library), Anne-Cath, Vestlys plass 1, 0150 Oslo, ☎ +47 23432900, [x]. Free wifi and 30 minutes of free use of computer terminals at all locations.
Oslo S Train Station, (next to Central Train Station). On the first and second floor, there is several automated stands alone computers setup for basic internet surfing, as well as an Internet cafe in the bus terminal next to the central station.
Unginfo, Møllergata 3d, 0179 Oslo, ☎ +47 24149820, [x]. Free use of computer terminal for 30 minutes for people 26 and under, although age is rarely checked. Also, get another information there.
Via best AS Internet cafe, Storgata 24, 0184 Oslo, ☎ +47 40951204.
Crime is not a big problem in Oslo, but as in any metropolitan area, some caution is warranted. Avoid getting into quarrels in taxi queues after the closing hours of bars. The police advise that the area along the Akerselva River from Grønland to Kuba is best avoided after dark falls. It is notorious for multiple instances of rape, muggings, and drug dealing.
There has been a relative increase of rape in Oslo. Authorities have increased the frequency of patrols and have made arrests. Women should remain highly vigilant at night, and when clubs and pubs are closing. Avoid walking alone through parks and poorly lit areas of the city. Do not, under any circumstances, use “pirate taxis” or other unofficial forms of transportation.
The lower parts of Karl Johan Street (down towards the Central station) are best avoided at night. Be aware of prostitutes approaching you; they often do pickpocketing by coming close to you, flirting, and trying to hold around you. And, for the record: buying sex is strictly illegal in Norway, and can result in a heavy fine.
Since some time back, drug dealers and addicts have now less prevalent than before around the Central Station (Oslo S). This is partly due to crackdowns by police. Currently, the drug trade has mainly moved to the area around Brugata, Hausmanns Gate, and Torggata. It is possible that drugs might be offered to tourists passing by, but the dealers will accept no for an answer and won't further hassle you. The area is also crowded at most hours.
Theft and pickpocketing is a relatively visible problem in some parts of Oslo. Police blame itinerant criminal bands from abroad for some of it. Normal precautionary rules apply:
Watch out for pickpockets in crowds. Especially packed trams and buses passing through the eastern part of the city (Grønland, Grünerløkka).
Do not leave your belongings unattended.
Avoid leaving your cell phone and wallet on café tables.
Homophobic crime is not a huge problem in the city as a whole, but LGBT persons should avoid physical signs of affection, at least in the districts of Grønland and Tøyen due to a large and fairly conservative Muslim immigrant population in the area - there have been cases of homophobic violence in this area in recent years.
Inner-city areas such as Grønland and Tøyen have smaller gangs operating locally, so be vigilant after dark. The chances that something might happen are very slim, but these areas top all statistics in Norway when it comes to crime, assault, and robbery.
Politics is a none-too-sensitive subject in Norway and is often discussed in public. Like in other Western countries, political views differ, and most people seem to tolerate this. There are both far-right and far-left opinions in the everyday crowd, but true extremism is rare. Pay normal attention when expressing your political opinions; violent and autocratic ideologies are generally not tolerated in Norway. In addition, being a highly diverse city, racism and sexism is generally not tolerated among most people in Oslo as in other European cities. In environmental policies, Norwegians have a fairly European-minded attitude when climate issues are discussed, but fewer people (including activists) will be vegetarian.
Cars are required to yield to pedestrians at marked and signed crossings and will be heavily fined if they don't. However, this rule does not apply to trams (streetcars); the trams have the right of way. Oslo has a web of tram lines downtown and as the trams are fast and heavy, you will certainly lose if you attempt to challenge one.
In recent years there has been a surge of electric scooters for rent around Oslo. Even if there are restrictions on the use of these, they are, unfortunately, not usually enforced. The result of this is that the streets are full of people driving around on the scooters, and unfortunately many show an utter disregard for traffic safety rules and fellow pedestrians. Be attentive and stay vigilant of the scooters when walking around downtown Oslo.
Oslo has one of the world’s cleanest drinking water supplies. It comes from lakes and rivers in Oslomarka and is treated at a waterworks before it reaches the tap. Drinking water from the tap is perfectly safe and is both cheaper for you and better for the environment.
In winter watch out for icy patches, and when wandering in the forest beware when crossing snowy clearings - they may well be frozen lakes with snow over them, which may look safe but could crack. Finally, beware of snow and icicles falling from the roofs in Oslo - there are usually red/yellow signs upwards, and some areas are occasionally cordoned off.
It is easy to get around in Oslo, and almost every Norwegian speaks English. Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some German or French.
A couple of mobile apps will make your stay incredibly more easy.
"RuterBillett" for buying single and period tickets for the mentioned services.
"RuterReise" to quickly find out what bus, metro, train, or tramlines to use.
"FinnPolet" to find the state-owned shops that have a monopoly on all alcoholic beverages exceeding 4.7%.
"Turdus" to locally download all the articles on Wikitravel. English version 68MB.
Drammen used to be a totally unremarkable industrial city dubbed "the biggest road crossing of Norway". Even if traffic is still rife, the city has gone through a facelift, and the center is as cozy as any. TIMEkspressen bus line 1 (every hour, day and night) and 10, and 3 trains an hour gets you there and away.
Drøbak is another of the picturesque, small seaside towns dotted all over southern Norway, and the closest to Oslo. A nice place to get away from the big city bustle, even if Drøbak also can become crowded in summer. Buses run at least hourly.
Fredrikstad is a very enjoyable city not far from Oslo, with a walled old town and lots of street life in summer. Trains run approx. every hour (taking 1h10min), and express buses run about 10 times per day (1h 30min).
Kongsberg is a beautiful city well-known for its silver mining history. The city is located about an hour and a half west of Oslo by train or bus. The Kongsberg International Jazz Festival is hosted here every year in early July.
Oslofjord is the 120 km long fjord on which Oslo is situated at the bottom of Oslo. The outer part of the fjord is the most tourist-friendly, with thousands of islands and hundreds of beaches situated near a line of cities containing 8 of the 20 largest urban areas in Norway. All of these cities are reached most easily by taking the Inter City-trains bound for Skien, Halden or boats from Vippetangen (+91-92-93-94), bus 60 runs to the quay). During the summer island hopping in the Oslofjord is recommended.
Oslomarka is the 20 to 40 km wide forest surrounding the city. This is an important recreational area for the citizens of Oslo, and quite unique for a capital. Take the T-bane to Holmenkollen (line 1), Frognerseteren (line 1), Sognsvann (line 3) or Skullerud (line 3 - in the opposite direction of Sognsvann), bus 41 from Røa T-bane to Sørkedalen or bus 51 from Nydalen T-bane to Maridalen. You can also visit the tourist association at Storgata (at Kirkeristen tram stop) for good maps and inexpensive accommodation alternatives in Oslomarka.
Son is also one of the coastal pearls. Take a local train to Moss, alight at Sonsveien station, and take the bus that meets most (but not all) trains.
Tønsberg is an attractive seaside town with an attractive city center. It's the oldest town in Norway, and even if this isn't instantly visible, there's lots of history to digest. Excellent highways will take you to the city in an hour from Oslo. The train takes around 1h 10min.
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