| Why
Travel to Oslo?
Oslo is not one of the most appealing
cities, compared to other European capitals, but this spacious city
has a quite few prime sights, particularly museums, and no shortage
of outdoor attractions and activities around the city.
The Vigeland [sculpture] Park is especially interesting. See below.
It's clean, calm and is an ideal place for stop at before or after
going for a Norwegian fjord experience.
Downsides:
Life in general is very expensive, and
it can be extremely chilly even in summer months
Oslo climate guide:
Best: May-Sept [for long, sunny days]
Worst: Jan, Feb [very cold, short dark days]
Main Attractions:
**Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle
built around 1300 and modernized in the 17thC. It holds the Resistance
Museum and Defence Museum, displaying a history of the Nazi occupation
and the Norwegian resistance in WWII. Even if war is not your favourite
subject the site is green and pleasant, and the view overlooking
the city and harbour is worthwhile. During the summer, it hosts
events such as concerts, dances and plays.
***Vigeland [Frogner] Park, a superb
sculpture park [picture top right] with many and curious life-size
statues by one of the country's best-known artists, Gustav Vigeland.
The star piece is a 20-metre-high obelisk the world's biggest granite
sculpture, with 121 clambering bodies representing the human life
cycle.
**Bygdoy peninsula, with five good
museums [including an open-air Folk Museum and Viking Ships Museum,[see
Museums & Galleries section]and a couple of fine swimming beaches.
It's a 10-minute ferry ride across the harbour.
*Holmenkollen, green wooded hills,
with a ski jump and ski museums, it has the best city view and is
also a peaceful area for walks.
Short
Trips:
**Drobak, on the eastern side of the Oslo Fjord, is
a pleasant seaside resort, with a good swimming beach, 40 km from
the city.
**Henie-Onstad Art Centre, in Hovikodden, is a private collection
of 20thC art, including Picasso and Matisse. 12km south.
**Lake Mjosa, Norway's largest lake, is for outdoor lovers.
120km north of Oslo to the main town of Hamar, a 1.5 hour travel
time. The most worthwhile bit is Lillehammer, '94 Winter Olympic
venue, one of the best ski centres in Europe, but also for other
outdoor activities. It has also one of Europe's largest open-air
museums, Maihuagen [the Sandvig Collection of traditional wooden
houses].
Festivals:
Feb, Ski Festival, a cross-country ski race through the city.
May, Constitution Day, celebrates independence from Denmark, with
folk music, parades, entertainment, and people in traditional costumes.
June, Midsummer's Eve, celebrations for the longest day.
mid-Aug, Chamber Music Festival.
early Oct, Contemporary Music Festival.
For
some precise dates or more information see: European
Festivals or Arts
Festivals.
Museums
and Galleries:
***Munch Museum, a star attraction for art lovers, dedicated to
Norway's most famous artist, including his best-known painting 'The
Scream' - though often absent due to world demand.
**National Gallery, Norway's finest collection of art, from Greek/Roman
sculpture to Italian Renaissance and French Impressionists, as well
as Norwegian/ Nordic art.
**Folk Museum, a vast open-air museum of reconstructed traditional
architecture including the stave church.
** Kon-Tiki Museum, featuring the historic balsawood
raft which travelled across the Pacific in 1947.
**Viking Ships Museum, displays restored Viking boats
and burials.
If
your stay is more than 2 days, it may worth getting an Oslo
Card [free public transport and entrance to most museums in the
city].
Arts/Culture/Night
life:
The city culture scene is fairly active not only in summer time
but throughout the year, and includes theatre, live music, dance,
clubs and more.
Get 'What's on in Oslo' for listings
Accommodation:
You need to make an effort to find reasonably
priced hotels, or any bargain/special deal/ weekend discount, etc..
Cuisine:
Travellers need a lot of money to enjoy Norwegian cuisine fully,
but try to experience some of the superb seafood restaurants. The
most popular dinning area is along the city's main street, Karl
Johans Gate. The waterfront, Aker Brygge is also lively with modern
cafes, bars, and restaurants. It's difficult not to feel a poor
relation in this kind of environment!
Shopping:
Expensive of course, but try shops along Karl Johans Gate,
especially the pedestrianized section, with its lively atmosphere,
souvenir stalls and fun buskers.
Alternatively, go to the shopping and entertainment mall, Aker Brygge.
April sales are the best time to do shopping in Oslo, especially
for traditional knitwear or winter sports equipment.
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