Oslo
The perfect blend of nature and culture
Oslo captivates with its relaxed atmosphere, its quality of life in the heart of a protected natural environment and its wide and varied cultural offering. Discover the city designated ‘European Green Capital’ in 2019.
What you need to know about Oslo
-
Flight time3h15
-
Dialing code+47
-
Spoken LanguageNorvegian
-
CurrencyNorvegian krone
-
Time difference0h
-
Travel FormalitiesID or passport
Welcome to Oslo
In Oslo, Norway, on both sides of the Arctic Circle, nature puts on a show. Grassy steppes and deep forests, high snow-capped mountains and jagged fjords are a visual delight, making the country a paradise for eco-tourists. With its omnipresent nature, wild coastline ideal for beautiful walks (and even swimming on sunny days!) and carefully tended green spaces, Oslo is emerging as a relaxing holiday destination where tourists love to put down their suitcases.
Unmissable
-
Royal Palace (Slottet)
Built in the 19th century in a neo-classical style, the king is regularly in residence and the palace can be visited during the summer. The changing of the guard takes place every day at 1.30 pm.
-
Munch Museum
Inaugurated in 2021, this museum is entirely dedicated to the Norwegian painter, precursor of the expressionist movement, to whom we owe "The Scream".
-
Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art
In an airy setting designed by Renzo Piano (architect of Beaubourg in Paris), modern works are on display, including Jeff Koons' famous "Michael Jackson and his monkey".
Discover Oslo
-
Visit Oslo
Long overshadowed by its Scandinavian rivals Copenhagen and Stockholm (destinations which also depart from Montpellier), the Norwegian capital has taken its rightful place. Today, it is a must for travellers looking for well-being and the good life. Its airy city centre is easy to explore on foot or by bike, even more so since cars were banned in 2019, when the city was designated ‘European Green Capital’. A favourite meeting place for local residents, who gather here with family and friends in fine weather, the centrally-located Vigeland Park is the symbol of this successful alchemy of nature and culture. Its 3.2 hectares are home to an astonishing open-air museum featuring over 200 sculptures by the artist Gustav Vigeland.
A visit to Oslo also means exploring the futuristic glass buildings that have sprung up in recent years (like the Opera House), particularly along the quays of the trendy former docklands of Aker Brygge, which blend harmoniously with the brick facades of the old working-class buildings. You can also visit the Royal Palace, where King Harald V has reigned since 1991.
Art galleries, shops selling Scandinavian design objects and local food restaurants all bear witness to the vitality of the Norwegian capital. This art of living every day is reflected in the many museums. Those on the Bygdoy peninsula, which can be reached in a few minutes by ferry, reveal the maritime traditions of the Norwegians, and in particular the fascinating history of the Vikings. They feature prominently in the gigantic new National Museum - the largest in Northern Europe! - which brings together works from three former museums.
Book your plane ticket to Oslo from Montpellier.
-
Best places to visit in Oslo
Site and monuments
- City Hall (Radhuset) - Overlooking the harbour, its massive functionalist style from the 1930s can be daunting. It features multi-coloured frescoes telling the story of Norway and a hall where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony is held.
- Oslo Cathedral (Domkirke) - Built in the 17th century, the Lutheran church is primarily impressive for its interior: modern frescoes on the ceiling, an organ case with carved acanthus leaves, etc.
- Nobel Peace Prize Centre - Unlike the other Nobel Prizes awarded in Stockholm, the Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo. The modern museography gives an insight into geopolitics and Nobel himself, the inventor of... dynamite!
- The Sneak Peak - Lovely views of Oslo and its surroundings from this 54 metre-high glass tower.
- Norwegian Opera House - This is the new symbol of Oslo. Facing the sea, the 2008 building is impressive with its geometric lines, gentle sloping surfaces and Carrara marble facades.
- Karl Johansgate - Oslo's “Champs-Elysées”, a long, lively avenue lined with shops, terraces and restaurants.
Museums
- National Museum - Inaugurated in 2022, this is the new temple of culture built in stone, steel, wood and slate in an eco-responsible spirit. Over 5,000 works of art from all eras are on display.
- History Museum - Archaeological exhibits, medieval art, ethnographic sections and an area devoted to the customs of the Sami (Lapps), to learn all about the history of Norway.
- Bygdoy Peninsula Museums - A collection of five museums devoted to the country's maritime history, including the Fram Museum (Amundsen's ship) dedicated to polar exploration and the Viking Ship Museum, which houses three authentic drakkars.
Parks and natural sites
- Royal Palace Gardens – A pleasant spot to relax in the heart of the city, after a visit or during lunch break.
- Akershus Festning - Overlooking the harbour, the vast spaces and lawns surrounding this fortress are perfect for sunbathing while watching the ferries going back and forth. Concerts and entertainment in the summer months.
- Vigeland Park - This 32-hectare green lung captivates with its 200 sculptures, an astonishing forest of nude figures by Gustav Vigeland.
-
Unique experiences around Oslo
- Take a bike (day hire with Viking Biking, or self-service bike hire), to explore Oslo's neighbourhoods and stop off at unexpected places. The terrain is easy, traffic is limited and there are plenty of cycle paths.
- Head to Holmenkollen (north of Oslo), a temple of Nordic skiing famous for its ski jump - a work of art in itself. At its foot is a museum dedicated to skiing. From there, a lift takes you to the top of the jump for a breathtaking 360° view.
-
Gastronomy in Norway
Starters
- Dried meat – Reindeer, elk or deer... Norwegians love dried meat, whether for breakfast or as an aperitif with a beer
- Flatbrod - this unleavened bread accompanies many starters and main dishe
Main dishes
- Farikal - the traditional Norwegian dish, a mixture of mutton and cabbage baked in a casserole
- Sausages - the best known are fenalar (lamb) and morr (smoked sausage)
- Finnbiff - a stew made from thinly sliced reindeer meat with mashed potatoes and red berries
- Kjottkaker - this typical dish is made of veal meatballs with mashed peas and potatoes
- Salmon - a Norwegian staple, eaten fresh, steamed or smoked (especially for breakfast)
- Rakfisk - trout fermented in salt and eaten raw, with red onion, sour cream and potatoes
- Lutefisk - cod marinated and eaten with bacon, mustard and goat cheese
- Herring – very popular with buttered bread and potatoes, whether grilled, boiled, fried..
Cheeses and desserts
- Jarlsberg - a typical goat cheese
- Brunost – reduced caramelised whey of goat's or cow's milk
- Pultost - a cheese made from curdled milk and flavoured with caraway seeds
- Fyrstekake - a Norwegian pie with almonds and cardamom
- Julekake - the ultimate Christmas cake, with dried fruit and spices
- Tilsloret bondepiker - a dessert with layers of mashed apples and whipped cream on toas
Drinks
- Fruit juices – made from blueberries, bilberries or redcurrants, a chance to sample new flavours
- Aquavit* - this brandy is made from potatoes and flavoured with cumin, aniseed and coriander. It is best served iced
- Cider* - dates back to Viking times and owes its reputation to the microclimate of the fjords, ideal for growing tasty apples
*alcohol abuse is dangerous for your health, consume in moderation
Unique experiences around Oslo
Explore the Oslo Fjord islands on the many ferry routes from Oslo. Our favourite? Bleikoya Island, popular with locals in summer for its pine-fringed beaches and 19th-century colonial houses.
Unmissable events around Oslo
- AprilApril - Inferno metal festival - Norway's top metal music festival
- May17 May - Constitution Day - Parades, fireworks...
- JuneOslo Pride - LGBTQ+ demonstrations and parades
- AugustOyafestivalen - Four days of concerts on three stages in a park
- SeptemberUltima - Norway's largest festival of contemporary music
- DecemberLuciagagen - Celebrations in honour of Saint Lucy (torchlight procession, concert in the cathedral).
Useful links for your trip to Oslo
To go further
-
Travel formalities and documents
Everything you need to know and do before taking your flight.
-
Travel assistance
All the information you need to travel: rights, advice, information on underage travellers and pet travel
-
Luggage
Preparing your hand luggage or hold luggage in important step before your trip. That's why it's essential to know how to prepare your luggage properly.