The best things to do in Oslo

Oslo is a city founded on January 3, 1040. Characterized by having 15 boroughs (bydeler), which are further subdivided into a total of 100 neighborhoods and have a population of 700,000 inhabitants.

This metropolis of tall buildings has Oslo-Gardermoen Airport (OSL) located in Gardermoen, 47 kilometers north of downtown Oslo, and Oslo-Torp Sandefjord Airport (TRF) if you wish to travel by plane. It also has three bus terminals, namely Oslo Bus Terminal (Oslo Bussterminal), Galleri Oslo Bus Terminal (Galleri Oslo Bussterminal), and Vippetangen Bus Terminal if you prefer to arrive in Oslo by bus.

It also has five transportation systems called Oslo Metro (T-bane), Oslo Tramway (Trikk), Oslo Bus (Buss), Oslo Commuter Train (Ruter), and Oslo Ferry. Additionally, there are 400 kilometers of bike paths (designed to promote the use of bicycles as a sustainable and safe means of transportation in the city) for cycling around the city.

Oslo is a city worth living in Norway because, in addition to offering essential places to visit, it is known for being a city full of Viking history, impressive natural landscapes, and a vibrant cultural scene.

It is also famous for its traditions such as the Oslo Music Festival in August, the Oslo International Film Festival in November, and the Oslo Literature Festival in September. But especially for its welcoming climate, as Oslo's climate during most of the year is temperate oceanic with an average annual temperature of approximately 7 degrees Celsius.

Now, regarding the beautiful places in Oslo, they have many facets, and you can enjoy different types of tourism. For example, something very attractive about historical tourism is exploring beautiful places in Oslo where you can take photos without any problem. Some of the main ones are the Royal Palace of Oslo, Vigeland Park, Oslo Opera House, Akershus Fortress, Oslo City Hall, Oslo Cathedral, Ekeberg Sculpture Park, Oslo Market Square, Grünerløkka District, Bygdøy Island, Kistefos Sculpture Park, and KODE 4 Sculpture Park.

Another great plan in Oslo for a day is to walk through landscapes or parks like Oslo Fjord, Jotunheimen National Park, Folgefonna Glacier, Dovrefjell-Sunndalsfjella National Park, Lake Mjøsa, Rondane National Park, Hvaler Islands, Hardangervidda National Park, Vøringsfossen Waterfall, and the Oslo Archipelago. Most of these tourist sites in Oslo require little money to explore.

Other attractions in Oslo that you must visit for a day are the museums, some of the most important ones being the Munch Museum, Viking Ship Museum, National Gallery, Norwegian Folk Museum, and Astrup Fearnley Museum of Contemporary Art.

If you prefer nighttime plans in Oslo and enjoy traveling alone or as a couple, you should visit some iconic places in Oslo at night. Some recommended ones are Oslo Opera House, Vigeland Park, and Grünerløkka District. But if you prefer to travel with family, some beautiful places in Oslo for children are Vigeland Sculpture Park, Viking Ship Museum, and TusenFryd Amusement Park.

Before traveling to this wonderful city and experiencing some of the tourist attractions in Oslo, we recommend learning about the richness of Oslo's customs and some curious facts about the metropolis. Some important ones are:

• Oslo is known as the "Green City" due to its abundance of parks and green areas.
• The Munch Museum houses the famous painting "The Scream" by Norwegian artist Edvard Munch.
• The Oslo Opera House, with its modern and avant-garde design, is located on the waterfront and offers panoramic views of the city.
• The Royal Palace of Oslo is the official residence of King Harald V and Queen Sonja of Norway.
• Vigeland Park is one of Oslo's major tourist attractions, with over 200 sculptures by the renowned sculptor Gustav Vigeland.
• The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded annually at Oslo City Hall.
• The Viking Ship Museum houses three original Viking ships, as well as other historical artifacts related to Viking culture.
• Ekeberg Sculpture Park features an extensive collection of contemporary sculptures and offers stunning views of the city.
• The Oslo Jazz Festival is one of Europe's most important jazz festivals and attracts internationally renowned musicians.

As one of the important cities in Norway, Oslo is a center of trade for gastronomy, so one of the many essential things to do is to eat in areas like Grünerløkka, Aker Brygge, Mathallen Oslo, Torggata, Vulkan, Majorstuen, and Karl Johans Gate, which are favorites among foodies. You'll find the best restaurants and bars for all tastes and budgets, perfect for trying some of the local specialties like Rakfisk (fermented fish served with bread and butter), Fårikål (lamb stew with cabbage and potatoes), and Lutefisk (dried cod); some recommended restaurants are Maaemo, Kontrast Restaurant, Statholdergaarden, Schrøder Restaurant, and Lofoten Fiskerestaurant.

As for accommodation, if you want to stay in one of the most exclusive and safe areas of Oslo, we recommend Karl Johans Gate, Aker Brygge, Grünerløkka, Rogner, Majorstuen, and Gamlebyen (Old Town), as that's where the most recommended famous hotels in Oslo are located, such as Grand Hotel Oslo, The Thief, Hotel Continental Oslo, and Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel.