Oslo

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Quick Facts

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Coordinates

• Latitude: 59.91382
• Longitude: 10.738741

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Introduction

Oslo

© All Rights Reserved krissy

Oslo is the capital of Norway and situated at the mouth of the Oslo fjord. About 1/3 of the total population of Norway lives around the Oslo fjord, with roughly 550,000 living in Oslo.

History

Oslo, the capital of Norway, was founded around the year 1000 and, contrary to popular belief, was actually originally named Oslo. During the Middle Ages it was situated at the foot of Ekeberg Hill, in the suburb now known as Gamlebyen (literal translation:"Old city"). In 1624, after a disastrous fire destroyed most of the city, King Christian IV decided to rebuild the town within the walls of Akerhus Castle. The king named the town after himself: Christiania, a name that some Norwegians consider the original name of the city.

In 1814, after the Denmark-Norway union was dissolved, Christiania became the official capital of Norway. King Karl Johan started building the Royal Palace in 1825, but financial difficulties delayed the project, and the palace was not completed until 1848 at which time Oscar I was the king of Norway and Sweden. The main street leading up to the Royal Palace from Oslo Central Station is named after the king who started work on the palace, Karl Johans 'gate' (street). This street is the most famous street in Norway, also housing the Norwegian parliament and Grand hotel. Large parts of it were redone in 2005 and 2006 to make it more friendly for pedestrians.

Starting in 1877, the city name was written as Kristiania, but in 1925 the city retook its original name: Oslo.

Neighbourhoods

Oslo has a number of parks, islands, museums, churches and interesting suburbs to explore. Exploring is easy with excellent public transport and relatively short distances. Within a few hours you can walk through many of the inner city suburbs, sampling the different vibes and flavours each offer.

City Centre (Karl Johan Street)

In the very centre of Oslo there is an abundance of discotheques, nightclubs, bars, jazz clubs and cafés, as well as the usual city centre shops. It is popular with tourists as most hotels are centred around this area and Aker Brygge, Oslo's equivalent to San Francisco's Fisherman's Wharf, is located nearby. Recent years have seen a strong increase in the number of drug users, prostitutes and beggars on Karl Johan, especially at the lower end of the street in front of Central Station. Although generally harmless to their surroundings, it can be surprising to a lot of travellers to experience this as one of the first things in Norway, one of the richest countries in the world. The tourism industry in Norway has called for more action with regards to the situation. Outside of this very limited area in the center of Oslo however, the issue is virtually non-existent.

Majorstua

Majorstua is located towards the west of the city centre. It is one of the more established dining, entertainment and night-life areas in the city and is especially popular with more sophisticated clientele, as well as young people who have been raised in the area. Traditionally in Oslo the more affluent crowd lived on the west side of Akerselva, the small river that roughly divides Oslo, and the working class lived on it's east side and to this day people refer to the west and people from that area as 'Vestkanten' (West side).

Grünerløkka

Grünerløkka is one of the most trendy suburbs of Oslo and is located just east of Akerselva. Home to a variety of small cafés, restaurants, bars and outdoor establishments as well as several parks, it is popular with students and young couples and families and it is not uncommon to spot 10 strollers outside a restaurant in the middle of the day. There are few nightclubs here, but several bars stay open late, including Cafe 33 on Thorvald Meyers gt. Edvards Kaffebar at Schousplass 1 is a good place for a coffee and used to be the residence of Norway's most famous artist, Edvard Munch who is most famous for Scream.

Torshov

Although not your typical traveller hang out, Torshov is a relatively short (20 min) walk up Akerselva from Grünerløkka and the walk is a nice one along the river. The Torshov suburb is known for 'Torshovgård' (Torshov buildings), large residential buildings built in a rectangular shape with huge common gardens in the center. These buildings attract young families, typically with one or two young children, based on their proximity to the city and social opportunities for children due to the common areas and large parks. This suburb also houses Soria Moria, a theater/cinema, and a cozy little gourmet restaurant, Victors.

Grønland

Grønland is one of the most diverse suburbs in Oslo and is located just south-east of Grünerløkka within a few hundred meters from Oslo Central Station. Quickly gaining in popularity, new bars and cafés are constantly cropping up and you will meet a wide variety of people from around the world here.

Sights and Activities

Vigeland Sculpture Park

Vigeland Sculpture park

© All Rights Reserved krissy

Filled with 212 bronze and granite sculptures created by Gustav Vigeland, this park is a highlight of any trip to Oslo. The Monolith, the most popular sculpture in the park, stands 14 metres tall, comprising 121 human figures rising towards heaven. It took the sculptors 14 years to complete this piece. The park is located in Kirkeveien, in the western part of Oslo. Catch tram 12 to reach the park. Admission is free. More details on the Vigeland Sculpture Park website.

Emanuel Vigeland Museum

At least equally impressive as his brother Gustav's sculptures is the mausoleum of Emanuel Vigeland. It's not very well known, in part because it is hidden away in the middle of a residential area, but mostly because it is only open for 4 or 5 hours a week on Sunday afternoons. The museum's main attraction is a dark, barrel-vaulted room, completely covered with fresco paintings, depicting human life from conception till death, in dramatic and often explicitly erotic scenes. The museum is located at Grimelundsveien 8 in Oslo. Take the T-bane (metro) no. 1 towards Frognerseteren to Slemdal station. It's 7 minutes walk from there. Or bus no. 46 to Grimelundsveien, 5 minutes walk. There are parking facilities outside the museum. Tel: +47 22 14 57 88. Email: post@emanuelvigeland.museum.no. More information on the Emanuel Vigeland Museum website.

Other sights

• National Palace.
• Karl Johan's gata/street.
• Aker brygge, the wharf where the ferry goes to, amongst others, the museums out on Bygdøy.
• FRAM museum on Bygdøy, which tells the story of Norwegian polar expeditions and housing the famous polar ship Fram.
• Kontiki museum on Bygdøy, is a tribute to the explorations of Thor Heyerdahl, a famous Norwegian scientist, adventurer and champion of the environment. It also houses some of the vessels Heyerdahl sailed in.
• Viking museum on Bygdøy.
• Folk museum on Bygdøy.
• Munch museum, which houses one of the versions of Scream, amongst many other great works by Edward Munch.
• National museum.
• Holmenkollen ski jump (currently ~ April 2009 ~ taken down as a new one is being constructed).

Events and Festivals

Geography and Weather

Oslo lies on the same latitude as Saint Petersburg, Anchorage in Alaska and Kap Farvel in Greenland.
Despite it's location, the climate is better than one might presume, due to the Gulf Stream bringing warmth up the coast of Norway. Oslo, as much of the rest of Norway, comes alive in the summer and Aker Brygge (the main wharf down town) and the many public parks are packed when good weather arrives. Ferries also offer quick access to a dozen or so small islands in the Oslo Fjord.

Nevertheless the winters in Oslo get cold enough to offer very good skiing conditions for about 3 to 5 months, in the hills right around the city. 'Tryvann', one of the more established downhill slopes can be reached relatively easily by tram from down town Oslo. The same hills offer countless opportunities for cross country skiing and events are regularly held around the base of the world-famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump.

Temperatures throughout the year ^[1]

Spring April-May:

• Average temperatures: 4.5 °C to 10.8 °C
• Min. temperature: -5.4 °C
• Max. temperature: 24.4 °C

Summer June-Aug.:

• Average temperatures: 15.2 °C to 16.4 °C
• Min. temperature: 4.7 °C
• Max. temperature: 28.9 °C

Autumn Sept.-Oct.:

• Average temperatures: 6.3 °C to 10.8 °C
• Min. temperature: -0.5 °C
• Max. temperature: 19.1 °C

Winter Nov.-March:

• Average temperatures: 0.7 °C to -4.3 °C
• Min. temperature: -20.7 °C
• Max. temperature: 12.8 °C

Getting There

By Plane

Oslo's Gardemoen Airport (OSL) is Norway's largest airport and is 45 kilometres north-east of Oslo. Gardemoen is served directly from most European capitals, but most flights from outside of Europe will require a stopover before heading to Oslo. SAS Braathens, Norwegian and Flytoget), which takes 22 minutes and runs every 10 to 20 minutes. It stops at Lillestrøm, Central station and the National Theater, although some departures are direct to and from Central station only. You can purchase a ticket at the airport from a machine, through one of the booths or simply swipe your credit card and walk through. It's 170 NOK for a single trip.

There are also a few slower local trains run by NSB that leave roughly every half hour and cost around 110 NOK. Use the front page of the Norwegian railway system to search for times close to your arrival.

If you are not staying in the center, the Flybussen bus can be a better option as it stops at more locations. This takes roughly 45 minutes and costs 120 NOK.

Taxis should be ordered at the booth inside the arrival terminal. You will get a fixed price, starting anywhere around 450 NOK for a one way trip to the city center. It is usually more expensive to flag one outside from the queue.

If you are arriving at Torp airport (TRF) near Sandefjord, which is served by Ryanair and WizzAir amongst others, Torpekspressen will take you to the center of Oslo for NOK 140 each way for adults and NOK 80 for children aged 3-15. Children under three years of age travel free.^[2] The trip takes about 90 minutes as Torp airport is located 115 kilometres south of Oslo. Local buses go to the nearby cities of Sandefjord and Tønsberg, connecting with trains to Oslo.

By train

Oslo central station is located near Karl Johan's street and is served by the Norwegian railway (NSB) from throughout Norway, including regular arrivals from Bergen, Kristiansand, Stavanger and Trondheim. The region immediately around Oslo is also served comprehensively, including the airport and travelling by NSB train is notably cheaper than the popular airport express train, but of course much slower and less regular.

International trains arrive in Oslo from the south east, through Sweden. Central station tends to be the main stop, but a lot of trains also continue on to the National theater stop (Nationaltheatret) which is slightly more central.

The NSB website offers Minipris fares to all Norwegian destinations and some larger Swedish destinations they serve, for a discounted rate of 199 NOK. There is also a Comfort version of this popular low cost ticket which includes coffee and some other amenities including a power outlet for an extra 75 NOK. For some of the Swedish lines, the Swedish railway website might be a better alternative with discounted rates down to 150 SEK.

By car

With the E6 and E18 international European highways meeting in Oslo access by car from the rest of Europe is a straightforward affair. You can arrive in Oslo from Copenhagen and Stockholm in under 7 hours and from Berlin the trip takes about 12 hours, including a ferry ride.

The E6 runs north to south and if you are driving to Oslo from Trondheim or Alta, you will most likely be arriving on this highway. Most other towns and cities are served off this highway. The E16 runs west to Bergen and the E18 run south-west to Drammen and Kristiansand.

By bus

Eurolines has buses between Oslo and a number of European cities as well as a few other Norwegian cities. Säfflebusen and Swebus Express both have connections from Gothenburg and Stockholm to Oslo.

By boat

Direct Ferries and Colorline both travel to and from Oslo from a number of cities in Sweden, Denmark and Germany. Stena Line has ferries between Fredrikshavn and Oslo.
Check the website of Oslo Harbour for more details about schedules and prices.

Getting Around

Kon-Tiki Raft

© All Rights Reserved Sam I Am

By Car

For a capital city, Oslo has a minimal amount of congestion and you rarely find yourself stuck in traffic in the city (although the access ways at certain times of the day get congested). The inner city can be somewhat tricky to navigate by car due to one way streets, but no more so than any other large city.

By Public Transport

Public transport in Oslo is very good and allows access to the outer suburbs of Oslo from downtown. In the inner city, trams and buses are generally no more than 5 minutes apart. Tickets can be purchased on board, but a better and cheaper alternative is to buy a 'Flexikort' (flexible ticket) which you stamp every time you take a trip. There are no zones, so you can travel as far as you'd like on one stamp, as long as it is not longer than an hour. Likewise, if you make a few short hops you do not need to re-validate your card as long as you validated the ticket less than one hour ago. Ferries departing from Aker Brygge or to the islands in the fjord use the same system so be mindful that you do not always have to re-validate when getting on board.

If you are planning to use the public transportation heavily within a short period, there are day and weekend passes available.

By Foot

Distances are relatively short in Oslo so seeing the city by foot is easy regardless of fitness level. From Central Station to the Castle and down to Aker Brygge is no more than 800 metres for example. The more active walkers could certainly see most of the city center and one of the suburbs like Grünerløkka or Majorstua within one day. Within the inner city there is relatively little elevation making walking even more comfortable.

By Bike

Especially in the summer one will see a lot of bicycles used to get around Oslo. In part this is thanks to a rent-a-bike system that is very popular and allows you to pick up a bike at one of dozens of stands across the city and return it to a similar stand elsewhere. There are some very good mountain bike tracks around Songsvann and for those that do not care to cycle all the way up a tram provides access.

Eat

• Akersberget restaurant is a small a-la-carte restaurant located near Cubapark at Akerselva river, between Grünerløkka and St. Hanshaugen, at the site of a small silver mine which according to tradition was guarded by a dragon. Prices for mains are around 250-275 norwegian kroner. Address: Maridalsveien 22, 0175 Oslo. Telephone: 2220 9495 Email: post@akersberget.no

Drink

Areas popular for drinks are Grünerløkka (tram 11-12-13 to stops Nybrua, Schous plass, Olaf Ryes plass or Birkelunden), Aker Brygge (tram 12 to Aker Brygge or bus 21-32-33-54 to Vika Atrium or Bryggetorget), Solli/Frogner (tram 12-13 or bus 30-31 to Solli), Grønland (T-bane to Grønland or bus 37 to Norbygata) and the city centre.

Beer in the supermarkets costs between 10 NOK - 16 NOK for a 0.33l bottle or 20-30 NOK for a half litre can. Supermarkets stop selling beer after 8PM on weekdays and at 6PM on Saturdays (earlier on holiday weekends). It is not possible to buy beer on Sunday except in restaurants and pubs. Prices of beer in bars and restaurants vary from around 45 NOK to 65 NOK (classier places, especially in the main tourist areas downtown and at Aker Brygge) for a half litre, the most common size. Wine is typically in the same price range and stronger alcohol a little more expensive.

It is illegal to drink in public areas and this law is enforced, particularly in the streets. It is generally not enforced at all in parks however, and especially in the summer it is common to see parks filled with groups having drinks and barbecuing. Sofienbergparken, Birkelunden and Kuba at Grünerløkka are good places for a drink in the summer as is St. Hanshaugen park or Frognerparken in Majorstua.

Sleep

Work

It's extremely hard to find reasonable work in Oslo if you don't speak Norwegian, even with the right visa in hand. Although there are lots of skilled jobs available, most travellers, especially other Scandinavians, tend to end up working in the hospitality industry. There are also plenty of jobs available that do not require you to speak Norwegian, typically jobs that Norwegians will not take.

These organizations and agencies are useful when trying to find work in Oslo.

• NAV - the Norwegian Labour and Welfare Organisation (formerly AETAT).
• EURES.
• Finn.
• Manpower Oslo, Tordenskioldsgate 2, Postboks 2506 Solli, 0202 Oslo, Tlf.: +47 22 01 80 00.
• Stepstone.

Learn

• The University of Oslo (English) is the biggest university in Norway and campuses are spread throughout the city. 30 000 students.
• BI (English pages) is a private business school with the school campus lying alongside Akers Elva. Around 18 000 students.
• Oslo University College (English pages) is located in the center of Oslo and offers professional higher education programmes. About 11,000 students.

Keep Connected

Internet

A lot of small cafe's and coffee shops in Oslo offer free wireless internet with the purchase of a cup of coffee. One of the first and still most popular is QBA in Grünerløkka, but since it started many more have followed suit. Freewlan.org Oslo (in Norwegian) lists different areas of Oslo and which restaurants and cafe's give you free wireless internet access with a basic user rating system. There are also a few internet cafe's with paid internet access for those travelling without a laptop and most hotels and hostels also offer a few computers for guests to use (at a fee).

Phone

See also International Telephone Calls

Pay phones are located throughout the city although the increase in mobile phone usage has meant their numbers are not increasing. Unlike some countries, local calls are billed by the minute making it even more attractive for travellers staying for longer periods to consider a pre-paid mobile phone. Pre-paid mobiles can be purchased at most convenience stores and these are plentiful in Oslo.

Post

Red mailboxes are found throughout Oslo and post offices are plentiful, with opening hours on most being 9 to 5pm. Stamps can usually only be found at post offices although some popular tourist venues might carry them. Norway's postal system, "Posten", has a good website with a lot of English information including up to date prices. The most commonly sent format for travellers, letters and cards up to 20 grams, currently require the following stamps:

• Within Norway: 7 NOK.
• Within Europe: 9 NOK.
• Worldwide: 11 NOK.