Oslo
Oslo, the capital of Norway, was founded around 1040 and has grown from a medieval trading post into a modern Scandinavian city. It became Norway’s capital in 1814 after the country gained independence from Denmark and later entered a union with Sweden. Throughout its history, Oslo has been shaped by its Viking roots and its strategic location as a maritime hub along the Oslofjord. The city endured multiple fires and rebuilds, most notably after a great fire in 1624, when it was rebuilt and renamed Christiania under Danish rule. Oslo’s development has been shaped by its Viking history, maritime heritage, and strong ties to nature. Today, it is known for its blend of historic sites, modern architecture, and vibrant cultural scene. In the 20th century, Oslo grew rapidly as Norway’s political, economic, and cultural center, playing a key role in the country’s modernization.
💡 Oslo: Good to Know
🛂 Visa: Canada, Australia, the US, Korea, and Japan are visa-exempt for a stay of up to 90 days
✈️ Closest Airport: Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL)
💬 Language: Norwegian, but English is widely spoken
🏷️ Price Level: Generally, the price level in Norway is significantly higher than in the US
🍔 Big Mac Index: US: US$5.69 / Norway US$ 6.77
💰 Currency: Euro (EUR)| 1 USD = ca. 10 NOK)
☀️ Best Times to Visit: The best time to visit Oslo is during the late spring and summer months, from May to August
🚘 Transportation: Local trains, trams, subway, city buses, ferries and taxis
🔌 Adapter: Norway uses type C and F plugs. No adapter is needed if you are from Europe but it is needed when coming from the US
🛜 WiFi: widely available
🏧💰ATM and “Cash or Card”: In Norway, debit and credit cards are the primary and most convenient way to pay, with cash use being minimal
💸 Tipping: Tipping is not necessary, as wages are high and service charges are included. Locals may round up the bill or leave 5–10% for excellent service.
🚢 Cruise Terminal Address: Akershusstranda 15, 0150 Oslo, Norway (docked)
✈️ 🚇🚕 Getting There and Around
🎟️ In Oslo, public transport fares can be paid using the Ruter app, physical tickets, or a travel card. For single bus or tram rides, tickets can also be purchased directly from the driver, though this option is more expensive. The Ruter app not only lets you buy tickets but also helps you plan your trips. Physical tickets are available at Narvesen, 7-Eleven, and Mix kiosks, as well as at Ruter’s customer service center
✈️ Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is located about 29 miles (47 km) north of the city center. The fastest and most convenient way to reach downtown Oslo is via the Flytoget Airport Express Train, which departs every 10 minutes and reaches Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) in about 20 minutes. Tickets cost around 210 NOK. Alternatively, regular NSB (Vy) trains run slightly slower (23–25 minutes) and cost less. Airport buses and taxis are also options but take longer and cost more.
🚇 Getting from the cruise terminals to central Oslo is straightforward. If your ship docks at Søndre Akershuskai or Revierkaien, you are within easy walking distance (5–15 minutes) of Oslo’s main attractions including the Opera House, Karl Johans Gate, and the Royal Palace. For ships at Sydhavna (Sjursøya), about 6 km from downtown, public buses (lines 60 or 87) connect the terminal to the metro and tram networks at Helsfyr or Tøyen stations, taking about 25–30 minutes total to reach the city center.
🚌 In Oslo, two different companies (Gray Line Hop-on Hop-off and City Sightseeing) offer hop-on-hop-off buses that connect the main sights throughout the city.
⭐️ Top Sights in Oslo
"Oslo built the world’s first 'bee highway' to support urban biodiversity."
📸 Akershus Fortress: Akershus Fortress is a medieval castle and fortress located in central Oslo, overlooking the Oslofjord. Built in the late 13th century to protect the city and royal residence, it has served various roles, including military stronghold, royal palace, and prison. Today, it is a popular historical site open to the public, featuring museums, guided tours, and beautiful grounds, blending Norway’s rich history with scenic views.
📸 Oslo Opera House: The Oslo Opera House, opened in 2008 and designed by the Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, serves as the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Situated in the Bjørvika district at the head of the Oslofjord, its striking white marble and glass exterior slopes directly into the water, inviting visitors to walk up its roof for panoramic views of the city and fjord.
📸 Vigeland Sculpture Park: The Vigeland Sculpture Park in Oslo is the world’s largest sculpture park created by a single artist, featuring over 200 sculptures by Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. Located within Frogner Park, the collection includes notable works such as The Monolith, The Angry Boy (Sinnataggen), and The Wheel of Life, all crafted from bronze, granite, and wrought iron. Vigeland also designed the park's layout, which comprises five main sections: the Main Gate, Bridge, Fountain, Monolith Plateau, and Wheel of Life.
📸 The Viking Ship Museum: The Viking Ship Museum in Oslo, located on the Bygdøy peninsula, displays three of the world’s best-preserved Viking burial ships—the Oseberg, Gokstad, and Tune—dating back to the 9th century. These ships, found in burial mounds along the Oslofjord, are exhibited alongside grave goods such as tools, textiles, sledges, and human remains, offering deep insights into Viking life, craftsmanship, and burial customs.
📸 Fram Museum: The Fram Museum in Oslo, located on the Bygdøy Peninsula, is dedicated to Norway’s polar exploration history. Its main attraction is the original ship Fram, used by famous explorers like Fridtjof Nansen, Otto Sverdrup, and Roald Amundsen in Arctic and Antarctic expeditions. Visitors can walk aboard the ship and explore its interior, while interactive exhibits and polar simulators bring the extreme conditions of polar travel to life. The museum also displays the Gjøa, the first ship to navigate the Northwest Passage.
📸 Karl Johans Gate: Karl Johans Gate is the main street in Oslo and one of the most famous streets in the country. It stretches from Oslo Central Station to the Royal Palace, passing key landmarks such as the Parliament (Stortinget), the National Theatre, and the University of Oslo.
Named after King Karl III Johan (also Charles XIV John of Sweden), the street is a central hub for shopping, dining, and public events. It's a popular destination for both tourists and locals, known for its vibrant atmosphere, historic buildings, and wide pedestrian-friendly walkways.
📸 The Royal Palace: The Royal Palace in Oslo is the official residence of the King of Norway. Located at the end of Karl Johans gate, it was completed in 1849 and is home to the reigning monarch and the royal family.
The palace is surrounded by the scenic Palace Park (Slottsparken) and features daily changing of the guard ceremonies. While it serves as a working royal residence, parts of the palace are open to the public for guided tours during the summer.
📸 Munch Museum: The MUNCH Museum in Oslo is a modern art museum dedicated to the life and work of Norwegian artist Edvard Munch, best known for The Scream. Located in the Bjørvika waterfront district, the striking 13-story building opened in 2021 and houses the world’s largest collection of Munch’s works. In addition to iconic paintings, it features exhibitions, a rooftop restaurant, a cinema, and panoramic views of Oslo, making it a major cultural landmark in Norway.
🍽️😋 Regional Specialties
Oslo’s cuisine is a vibrant mix of traditional Norwegian flavors and modern Nordic innovation. Classic dishes often feature fresh seafood like salmon, cod, and shrimp, along with game meats and locally foraged ingredients such as berries and mushrooms. The city’s food scene embraces sustainability and seasonality, with trendy restaurants offering creative takes on traditional recipes alongside international influences. From cozy cafes serving smørbrød (open-faced sandwiches) to high-end Michelin-starred dining, Oslo offers a rich culinary experience reflecting Norway’s natural bounty and evolving tastes.
🍽️ Fish Soup (Fiskesuppe): Fish Soup (Fiskesuppe) is a classic Norwegian dish, especially popular along the coast and in Oslo. It’s a creamy, often slightly sweet soup made with a base of fish stock and cream, filled with chunks of fresh white fish (like cod or haddock), shrimp, and vegetables such as carrots, leeks, and potatoes. Sometimes it's flavored with herbs like dill or parsley and a splash of white wine or lemon juice. Fiskesuppe is warming, hearty, and showcases Norway’s deep connection to the sea—making it a favorite comfort food in colder months.
🍽️ Brunost (Brown Cheese): Brunost (Brown Cheese) is a uniquely Norwegian cheese made from caramelized whey, giving it a sweet, slightly tangy flavor and a smooth, fudge-like texture. Despite its name, it's not technically a cheese but a dairy product created by boiling down whey until it turns brown. Often sliced thin and served on bread or waffles, brunost is a staple in Norwegian households and a must-try for visitors wanting a taste of authentic local flavor.
🍽️ Lutefisk: Lutefisk is a traditional Norwegian dish made from dried white fish—usually cod—that is rehydrated and soaked in a lye solution, then thoroughly rinsed and cooked. The result is a soft, gelatinous texture with a very mild flavor. Typically served with boiled potatoes, green peas, bacon, and mustard or white sauce, lutefisk is most popular during the Christmas season. It’s considered a festive delicacy and a cultural tradition, especially in Oslo and other parts of southern Norway.
🍽️ Fårikål: Fårikål is Norway’s national dish, a hearty stew made from lamb (with bone) and cabbage, slow-cooked with whole black peppercorns and a little flour to thicken the broth. It’s traditionally served with boiled potatoes and is especially popular in autumn, when it’s celebrated with a national “Fårikål Day.” Simple yet flavorful, it reflects Norway’s rustic cooking traditions and love for seasonal, locally-sourced ingredients.
🍽️ Rakfisk: Rakfisk is a traditional Norwegian delicacy made by fermenting freshwater trout or char in a salt brine for several months. The result is a soft-textured, strongly flavored fish that’s typically eaten raw, served with flatbread, sour cream, onions, and potatoes. While its pungent aroma can be challenging for newcomers, rakfisk is a beloved seasonal dish, especially enjoyed in the fall and early winter, with roots dating back hundreds of years in rural Norway.
🍽️ Kjøttkaker: Kjøttkaker are traditional Norwegian meatcakes made from ground beef mixed with breadcrumbs, onions, and spices. They are larger and flatter than Swedish meatballs and are typically served with brown gravy, boiled potatoes, stewed peas or cabbage, and lingonberry jam. A comforting staple in Norwegian home cooking, kjøttkaker are especially popular in Oslo and are often found in both family kitchens and classic local restaurants.
🍽️ Waffles with Sour Cream and Jam: Waffles with Sour Cream and Jam are a beloved Norwegian treat, often enjoyed as a snack or dessert. Unlike American waffles, Norwegian waffles are thin, heart-shaped, and slightly sweet. They’re typically served warm and topped with a dollop of sour cream (rømme) and a spoonful of berry jam—often strawberry or raspberry. Popular at cafés, festivals, and even roadside stops, these waffles are a cozy, nostalgic comfort food for many Norwegians.
🥤 Akvavit (Akevitt): Akvavit (Akevitt) is a traditional Scandinavian spirit that has been enjoyed in Norway for centuries. Distilled from grain or potatoes and flavored with herbs and spices—most commonly caraway or dill—it has a distinctive, savory taste. In Norway, akvavit is often served chilled in small glasses and is especially popular during festive occasions like Christmas, weddings, and national holidays. It’s considered a cultural drink and is often paired with traditional Norwegian food such as pickled herring or cured meats.
📍🗺️ Maps, Apps & Links
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour Oslo I
🌐 Hop On Hop Off Sightseeing Tour Oslo II
🚕 Uber
🚕 Bolt