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Oslo

Discover
Oslo
A welcoming city to live all year
Oslo is the capital and the largest city in Norway, situated on the shores of the Oslo Fjord, surrounded by spectacular natural beauty, including forests and hills. This combination of urban environment and natural landscapes contributes to making Oslo unique. Besides being a popular destination during the winter for skiing breaks, Oslo is also beautiful in the spring and summer when temperatures are warm and allow you to see the city in a different light.
 
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Oslo is a green city, a true oasis of nature. The Oslofjord offers more than 40 islands and over half the city is covered by forests and parks. In the summer it is possible to camp for free on some of the green islands of the Oslofjord, which are perfect for their variety of activities, such as boating, swimming and island hopping. The forests that surround the city are ideal for mountain biking and the Oslo Summer Park also offers downhill biking and a climbing park.
 
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock 
 
There are many beaches within easy reach of Oslo: towards Bygdøy for a dive at Huk or to Paradisbukta(Paradise Bay).
 
Islands and lakes in Oslo
The islands of the Oslo Fjord also reachable by public ferries are those of Hovedøya, Lindøya, Nakholmen, Bleikøya, Gressholmen and Langøyene which are very popular in summer. Alternatively, you can even go to one of the various lakes in the Oslomarka Forest, such as Lake Sognsvann, the most famous.
 
Oslo
Nakholmen. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
But before immersing yourself in the splendid and characteristic countryside, Oslo is also worth visiting for the artistic and cultural sights that its different districts offer. Oslo is a modern and varied city, and each of its quarters expresses something special. They are all within walking distance or via a single trip on public transport.
 
Oslo
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock 
 
The country’s capital since 1814, when Norway gained independence from Denmark, Oslo is an international city which is home to the largest university in Norway, the National Theatre, and other important cultural institutions and museums.
 
The opera house in Oslo
The Opera House is located in a modern building next to the sea, a short walk from the train station, right in the centre of town, where you can take a walk upon the white, inclined roof that seems to emerge from the ocean, and enjoy the view of the stunning Oslofjord.
 
Oslo
The opera house in Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Don’t leave the city without having first visited the city’s main tourist and cultural attractions. 
 
The museums in Oslo
There are important museums that are worth a visit, such as the National Museum of Science and Technology, the Kon-Tiki Museum, with vessels and original objects used in Thor Heyerdahl’s famous expedition, the Viking Ship Museum, the oldest Ski Museum in the world, the Norwegian Folklore Museum, with 155 houses rich in tradition, the National Gallery which is part of the National Museum’s complex and houses the largest exhibition of Norwegian and foreign art, the Vigeland Museum, located within the premises of sculptor Gustav Vigeland’s studio and lodgings, and the Munch Museum, with around 1,100 paintings, 3,000 drawings and 18,000 lithographs by the famous Norwegian artist. Alongside these are Oslo’s town hall which opened in 1950 and is embellished with motifs from Norway’s history, the Ekebergparken, a park full of artefacts and sculptures, and the Botanical Garden in the centre of Oslo, open all year.
 
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Kon-Tiki museum, Oslo. 
Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock  
National Gallery, Oslo. 
Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock  
 Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art in Oslo. 
 
A stroll along the seaside promenade should not be missed, a district with museums, restaurants and trendy urban life, thanks to Tjuvholmen Island and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art, designed by Renzo Piano, with a ship shaped structure formed of three pavilions and a narrow channel, under a sail shaped glass roof. The works of Jeff KoonsTakashi MurakamiDamien HirstCindy ShermanRichard Prince and many more are on display there. The area surrounding the museum is occupied by other art galleries, shops and residences.
 
Aker Brygge
The port area in the Aker Brygge district, a modern area near the Oslofjord, is a meeting point by day and night during the summer months, due to its restaurants and bars.
 
Oslo
Aker Brygge, Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Shopping in Oslo
Oslo is also the shopping capital of Norway due to the latest international trends of modern Norwegian design and local handicrafts. The main shopping locations of the city are: the centre of the city around Karl Johans gateMajorstuen, with Bogstadveien and HegdehaugsveieFrogner and Bygdøy, as well as Allé Grünerløkka high streets.
 
Oslo
 Karl Johans gate, Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
 
Between shopping and a visit to a museum or monument, a trip to the high quality restaurants in the Grünerløkka area are not to be missed, including Mathallen, the city’s food market with some of the best Norwegian ingredients.
 
 Brunost cheese Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
Norwegian cuisine
It is based on quality local cereals and vegetables, lamb and cured meats, berries and of course high quality fish. In autumn, during the hunting season, the restaurants offer dishes based on elk, reindeer, deer and capercaillie. To taste is brunost, the best known Norwegian cheese. Typical dishes are Ribbe (roasted pork belly, sausages and meatballs with sauerkraut and boiled potatoes), Pinnekjøtt (dried lamb chops steamed on birch branches), Lutefisk (stoccafisso with potatoes, bacon, peas and mustard) and Småkaker cookies.
 
Text by Lisa Maria River
Avion Tourism Magazine
Photos: Copyright © Sisterscom.com 
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Video: www.visitoslo.com
 
 
 
Tourism Board
www.visitoslo.com
www.visitnorway.com

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Where to sleep in Oslo
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
Oslo is a welcoming city and offers different possibilities for accommodation.
To find the ideal hotel and the best offers you can do a search for the stars but also for districts or landmarks.
 
 
WHERE TO GO in oslo
Monuments in Oslo
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
AKERSHUS FORTRESS

The building of Akershus Castle and Fortress was commenced in 1299 under king Håkon V. The medieval castle, which was completed in the 1300s, had a strategical location at the very end of the headland, and withstood a number of sieges throughout the ages. King Christian IV (1588-1648) had the castle modernised and converted into a Renaisssance castle and royal residence. During the 17th and 18th century the castle fell into decay, and restoration work only started in 1899. 

Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
THE NORWEGIAN NATIONAL OPERA & BALLET 

The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet is Norway’s largest performing arts institution. After the opening in 2008, designed by the Norwegian architects Snøhetta, it is the first opera house in the world to let visitors walk on the roof. The new opera house offers a rich and varied programme from three stages: the Main House (1369 seats), Second House (400 seats) and the Studio (200 seats).
 

 
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
TJUVHOLMEN

Tjuvholmen serves as a window to European contemporary architecture. This new neighbourhood is characterized by an intriguing architectural diversity and exceptional outdoor areas, all brought together by the master plan of one of Norway's most acclaimed architects, Niels Torp. Among Norwegian architects who have contributed to the project are Kristin Jarmund, Mad, Kari Nissen Brodtkorb, Jensen & Skodvin and Lund Hagem. 

Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
VIGELAND SCULPTURE PARK

The unique sculpture park is the life work of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland (1869-1943) with more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron. Vigeland was also responsible for the design and architectural outline of the park. The park is open all year at all times and is a popular recreation area. Vigelandsparken is one of Norway's most visited attractions with more than 1 million visitors every year.

 
Museums in Oslo
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
NOBEL PEACE CENTER 

In the center of dissemination and interactivity are analyzed topics such as war, the solutions of conflicts and peace through film, exhibitions, screenings and interactive technology. Well worth a visit "Garden of the Nobel Prize," or the consultation of the electronic newspaper on the walls, which allows you to read and learn about the life and work of the winners of the Nobel Peace Prize. In the center are always active, temporary exhibitions, installations and activities for children.

Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
HENIE ONSTAD ART CENTRE

The Heine Onstad Art Centremuseum, was opened in 1968. The museum hosts temporary exhibitions as well as the Henie Onstad collection, which includes works by Picasso, Matisse, Beuys, Christo and famous Norwegian artists such as Weidemann

 

Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
MUNCH MUSEUM 

Edvard Munch has a unique position among Nordic painters and is considered a pioneer in expressionism. The Munch Museum's collection, left to the city of Oslo by Edvard Munch, consists of a large number of paintings, graphical prints and drawings. By constantly changing the exhibitions, the museum presents the variety in his production.
 

 
Excursions in Oslo and surroundings
Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
WINTER PARK

Just 30 minutes from downtown Oslo, the Oslo Winter Park is the Oslo-area's largest ski resort, consisting of 18 slopes and 11 lifts. There is a terrain park in Hyttli area, cruising slopes in Tryvann, slopes for children and beginners, and challenging slopes and a 6-seat express lift in Wyller. Oslo Winter Park is open whenever the snow conditions are good enough, usually from November/December to April. 

Oslo. Copyright © Sisterscom.com / Shutterstock
BLAAFARVEVAERKET

One hour from Oslo you find the Royal Modum Blaafarveværk, established in 1773 to extract cobalt from the mines at Modum. The cobalt was to be used to make the cobalt blue dye for the world's porcelain and glass industries. Today, Blaafarveværket is a museum measuring eight kilometres in length which offers a mixture of art, culture and countryside. 


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