One of Oslo's best features is its setting. Located at the base of the Oslo Fjord, the city extends up the mountains that surround it on three sides. The cultural center of the city is downtown, right on the water. Oslo is easy to navigate and so compact that you can walk almost everywhere.
Oslo was once considered the sleepy cousin of Stockholm and Copenhagen, but it has finally come into its own, with cultural and entertainment possibilities that rival those of cities many times its size. A new opera house recently opened on reclaimed land in the fjord, and Oslo's existing Philharmonic Orchestra is world-class. A giant sports stadium has been built at Bislett, where many speed-skating and track records have been set in years past.
For those who love the outdoors, Oslo has more than 1,550 mi/2,500 km of hiking and skiing trails within the city limits, and there's a good view at almost every turn. Don't let the climate scare you: It's not as cold as you might expect. Norway's coast is bathed in warm water, thanks to the Gulf Stream, so Oslo experiences winter temperatures that are similar to London's. Summers bring pleasantly warm days, cool evenings and a sun that doesn't set until around 11 pm—giving visitors even more time to spend outdoors.
According to the United Nations, Oslo enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. Year after year, the U.N. has voted Oslo the best capital city to live in. This award is based on the city's access to nature, cleanliness of water, public transportation, low crime rate and good medical service. Residents of Oslo are proud of this fact and believe that the U.N. only reaffirmed something they already knew.
Sights—Views from Holmenkollbakken Ski-Jump Tower; people-watching at Aker Brygge; the scenic grounds of Akershus Slott; the art-deco murals at Oslo Raadhus.
Museums—A version of Edvard Munch's The Scream at the Nasjonalgalleriet; burial ships at the Vikingskipshuset; the medieval stave church at the Norsk Folkemuseum.
Memorable Meals—A traditional Norwegian lunch buffet at De Fem Stuer; soaking up the atmosphere at Theatercafeen; amazing cakes at Pascal; a giant sweet roll at Apent Bakeri; the five- and seven-course tasting menus at Bagatelle Restaurant.
Late Night—Clubbing at Smuget or Bla; a performance at Nationaltheatret; a moonlit stroll through Vigeland Sparken.
Walks—A stroll along Akerselva, the city's historic river; exploring Oslomarka; strolling down Karl Johans gate.
Especially for Kids—Summer and weekend activities at the Norsk Folkemuseum; TusenFryd amusement park; the Ski Museum.
The city curves around the innermost shore of the Oslo Fjord, and it is surrounded by forests to the west, north and east. Oslo covers approximately 175 sq mi/450 sq km. Its center is compact, with the main railway station (Sentralstasjon) serving as its eastern edge and the royal palace as its western. The main street, Karl Johans gate, connects the two. Other popular sights are on the Bygdoy peninsula, which juts out into the fjord, southwest of the city center.
Oslo was first settled around AD 900 by Vikings who built small wooden houses at the foot of a hill in what is now called Gamlebyen (Old Town). Viking King Harald Hardraade's castle was there, and the remains of two churches and a bishop's residence from that time can still be seen. At the end of the 13th century, King Haakon V Magnusson started work on Akershus Castle at the base of the Oslo Fjord. When and how Oslo got its name is uncertain, and the meaning is ambiguous as well. "Os" refers either to a long, narrow hill or to a Norse god, and "lo" translates as field. So, Oslo means either "the field below the hill" or "the field of a god."
After a fire destroyed the city in 1624, Danish-Norwegian King Christian IV ordered the town rebuilt in brick and stone behind Akershus Castle. He renamed the city Christiania, after himself, and oversaw construction of many buildings in what is still the cultural center of the city—called Kvadraturen (the grid).
After a short period of independence from Denmark in the early 1800s, Norway entered into a union with Sweden that lasted until 1905. The city was named the capital of newly independent Norway, and its name was changed back to Oslo in 1925.
During World War II, Germans occupied the city for five years. After the war, Oslo expanded on a small scale. The city's economy did not take off until the late 1960s, when oil was discovered in the North Sea. Although the main oil town is Stavanger, on the west coast, many oil and construction companies have their main offices in Oslo. Nearly 40 years after the discovery of North Sea oil, Oslo has become a wealthy city, with all the advantages and occasional problems that involves. Oil is still the driving force of the Norwegian economy.
The Norwegian government is very protective of its citizens. This manifests itself in a number of ways, but the strict alcohol-purchasing laws stand out the most. Supermarkets may not sell beverages with an alcohol content that exceeds 4.75% by volume. Anything stronger is sold at state-run stores (called Vinmonopolet). Liquor is heavily taxed, and the government only imports wines of a certain standard. This means that there is no cheap "plonk" on the shelves. Beer in supermarkets can be purchased 8 am-8 pm Monday-Saturday. No sales on Sunday.
Norway is a casual country, and people respect the privacy of the royal family. King Harald's sisters stand in line at the fishmonger with everyone else, and Crown Prince Haakon is frequently seen in restaurants and at rock concerts. Former King Olav often spoke with the children at The International School, located one block from the palace.
Norway, Iceland and Switzerland are the only western European countries that have not joined the European Union. Norway has held two referenda on the matter (in 1972 and 1994).
Norway may be a big oil producer, but that doesn't mean that gas is inexpensive. Statoil, the Norwegian state oil company, doesn't give price breaks at its pumps.
The old Akershus fortress and some of the old streets in the city are supposed to be very spooky at night. In summer, "Ghost Walks" are organized to scare visitors ever so slightly.
