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Modern buildings in Oslo by the water, some with glass facades.
Modern buildings in Oslo by the water, some with glass facades.

Oslo

Published: 05 August 2022, 17:00

Trendy capital on the fjord

Relaxed, casual and incredibly innovative: The Norwegian capital offers an exciting mix of urbanity and rural charm. Nestled in deep forests, mountains and the Oslo Fjord, Oslo presents itself as a vibrant trendy city with unconventional architecture, cultural diversity and idyllic nature. With an area of 454 square kilometres, Oslo is half the size of Berlin. Half of it is forest, there are more than 300 lakes. If you want to combine an exciting city trip with adventures in nature, this is the place to be.

Facts and figures

  • Time difference: none
  • Population: 700,000
  • Official language: Norwegian
  • Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)

Oslo is considered one of the most architecturally interesting cities in the world: the opera resembles an ice floe, the skyline a barcode and the new Munch Museum has a kink. A special eye-catcher with a transparent façade is the Deichmann public library. All this is wonderful to take in on a walk along the harbour promenade. 

10 Photos, 10 Highlights

Illuminated Oslo Opera House at night with reflection in the water.
Oslo’s landmark: the opera house, which opened in 2008, looks as it was built on an ice floe and is therefore a real eye-catcher. © vichie81 / Adobe Stock
Silhouette of Bjørvika in Oslo mirrored in the calm water.
Unusual architecture: The Barcode in the Bjørvika district consists of 12 high-rise buildings that resemble a barcode from a distance. © William Perugini / Adobe Stock
Astrup Fearnley Museum in Oslo by the water.
Modern not only from the outside: The Astrup Fearnley Museum houses a collection of contemporary art that is among the most important in Northern Europe. © dudlajzov / Adobe Stock
Ekebergparken sculpture park in Oslo
Art, history and picturesque nature all in one: The Ekebergparken sculpture park is just a few minutes from Oslo city centre. © edita / Adobe Stock
Oslo’s downtown with the modern Munch Museum in the background.
This is a great place to linger: View of Oslo’s downtown from the opera house and the Munch Museum, opened in 2021 and dedicated to the painter Edvard Munch. © Stasys / Adobe Stock
Akershus Fortress in Oslo with trees in the foreground.
A beautiful contrast to modern Oslo: The medieval Akerhus Castle was built in 1299 and modernised over the centuries. © Dreamnordno / Adobe Stock
Deichman Library in Bjørvika brightly lit in the evening.
More than just books: The Deichman library in Bjørvika, which opened in 2020, also houses a cinema, lounges and a restaurant. © Robson90 / Adobe Stock
Holmenkollen ski jump in Oslo seen from afar with forested slope.
Trip to Holmenkollen ski jump: The oldest ski museum in the world shows the 4000-year history of skiing. © Aleksandr Bazin / Adobe Stock
Historic stave church in open-air museum with wooden façade and steep roof.
Oldest open-air museum in the world: The imposing Stave Church is one of the 155 buildings that take visitors back to times gone by. © Alex Castellon / Adobe Stock
Island in the Oslofjord with colorful wooden houses and barren terrain.
Island hopping in the Oslofjord: The offshore Oslofjord and its small islands can be easily discovered by public ferry. © Arndale / Adobe Stock

Norway – The land of great adventures

The cities of Bergen, Oslo and Trondheim are ideal starting points to discover the homeland of Henrik Ibsen, Roald Amundsen and Edvard Munch. Majestic fjords and glaciers, picturesque coastal towns with Viking charm and adventures under the midnight sun: a trip to Norway promises many highlights. The incredibly beautiful nature is especially inviting for outdoor activities such as hiking, climbing or kayaking. No fewer than nine Norwegian places and traditions are on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Art and culture occupy an important place in Norway. With renowned museums, architectural masterpieces and a diverse festival culture, Norway has much more to offer than breathtaking nature.

Norway from BER

Aircraft shortly before touching down on the runway

Norwegian

SAS

Bergen

Oslo

Trondheim

Five travel tips for …

  1. Travelling to the spectacular white water area on the Sjoa River for raftin
  2. Fly through the air in the village of Flåm on Norway’s longest zipline
  3. Discover ancient rock formations on the cave hike in Grønligrotta
  4. Join climbing tours from the mountaineering capital Åndalsnes
  5. Experience the magic of winter in summer at the Stryn Summer Ski Centre

  1. Try roller coasters and water slides at Dyreparken amusement park
  2. Book a farm holiday and walk with alpacas
  3. Discover whales, musk oxen and moose on a wildlife safari
  4. Race along the trails in the middle of nature at Trysil Mountain Bike Park
  5. Discover the beautiful nature while horseback riding or dog sledding 

  1. Visit Bryggen, the first Norwegian World Heritage Site in Bergen
  2. Marvel at the ancient wooden stave church Urne in Sognefjord
  3. High up in the north, admire the petroglyphs (rock paintings) in Alta
  4. Count the pristine islands of the Vega Archipelago from the Vega Trappa trail
  5. Experience the breathtaking nature of Geiranger and Nærøyfjor

  1. Cycle leisurely through Trondheim and take the bike lift up to Kristiansten Fortress.
  2. Put together your own tour along the coastal route from Svinesund to Kirkenes, Norway’s longest cycling route.
  3. Cycle the Fjords and Mountains cycle route, covering the magnificent natural wonders of the west coast
  4. Discover the “eighth wonder of the world”, the Telemark Canal, on the canal route
  5. Seek out famous shrines on the pilgrimage route from Halden to Trondheim

  1. See world-famous paintings such as “The Scream” at the Munch Museum in Oslo
  2. Admire street art in Bergen and Stavanger
  3. Visit the new Deichman Bjørvika Library in Oslo
  4. Experience a very special ambience at one of the many music festivals
  5. Attend a guided tour and event at the Oslo Opera House
Rapidly flowing Sjoa River with rocks in inland Norway.
Pure adventure: The river Sjoa in the inland offers ideal conditions for white water rafting. © Dmitry Naumov / Adobe Stock
Red farm by a fjord in Norway seen from a distance.
Where dreams come true: on holiday with the family on a Norwegian farm. © TINTINIAN / Adobe Stock
Deep Geirangerfjord with steep cliffs and a waterfall.
One of the most beautiful: In 2005, the 15-kilometre-long Geirangerfjord was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List. © Andrey Armyagov / Adobe Stock
Cyclist on Norwegian country road with mountains in the background.
The journey is the reward: Norway offers an extensive network of cycle paths with varying degrees of difficulty. © alexpermyakov / Adobe Stock
Street decorated with colourful umbrellas in Bergen, Norway
Norway’s urban space is colourful: like here in Bergen, you can always discover unusual open-air art while walking around. © Zhanko / Adobe Stock

Title picture: © Stasys / stock.adobe.com

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