The last month has been harsh for Oslo. The Norwegian capital was announced to be the priciest capital in the world by The Economist and to make bad worse the city was voted the third most boring European city (together with Warsaw) in a survey of some 1.400 travelers conducted by TripAdvisor. At Momondo, we think Oslo has gotten too much of a rough treatment and in solidarity with the Norwegian capital, we have selected 7 things to see and do in Oslo, which should keep you entertained and won’t ruin your budget.

Get an Oslo Pass 

Buy an Oslo Pass. It provides free travel on all public transport, free admission to many museums and sights and discounts on selected activities including restaurants.

See Oslo from the tram 

Photo by  MalinMark

Jump on a tram with your Oslo Pass. Trams are a good way to give you a general view of Oslo. Especially line 12 starting in Kjeldsaas, which takes you through Oslo’s most interesting neighborhoods and passes by some of the city’s most interesting architecture. If you’re still in the mood for public transport, take line 19 on your way back and you’ve pretty much seen the best parts of Oslo.

The National Museum and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art 

 
Tideman and Gude 'Brudeferden i Hardanger'  (Photo: The National Museum)

The National Museum and the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art are definitely worth visiting if you’re into contemporary art, design and architecture. All the exhibitions are for free. The National Museum actually consists of several institutions: The National Gallery, The Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, The Museum of Contemporary Art and The National Museum – Architecture.

The Vigeland Park 

Photo by Photojenni

In the famous Vigeland Park you can combine fresh air and fine arts – for free. It is the biggest sculpture park in Europe and is home to an amazing sculpture collection of 212 very lifelike sculptures of men, women and children placed on an 850 meters long axis. All sculptures are modeled by the Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland.

Island jumping in Oslo Fjord

Photo by Elin B

The islands in the Oslo Fjord are a must during the summer and offer beautiful and clean nature and excellent bathing spots (the temperature of the water won’t appeal to the faint-hearted). There are some 40 islands and it takes 10-30 minutes to reach them by ferries of which many are part of the public transport system. The largest island is Hovedeoya and it can be reached by Ferry 92 and 93 from Vippetangen.

Hiking in Nordmarka 

Photo from Turweb

Do as the Norwegians: Go hiking! Nordmarka is an enourmous forest area just 15 minuttes with the metro (T-banen) outside the center of Oslo. It is also popular for skiing, fishing, hunting, canoing and other outdoor activities. A trip to Nordmarka is not only cheap, it also makes you feel ridiciously healthy!

Affordable accommodation

Anker Hotel

Accommodation in Oslo is often something that takes a serious dent into your cash balance, but it is actually possible to stay overnight in the city without having to ask for a loan in your bank. Try for exampel Anker Hostel, which is a modern and cosy hostel in the center of Oslo or the old military hotel, Perminalen Hotel, just behind the Norwegian parliament in the heart of Oslo.

Author David Rich

Around the world, opera increases its popularity by the minute and it seems as if new operahouses are being everywhere. The latest example is Oslo’s New National Opera House, which was inaugurated on April 12 2008.

The new opera is situated in the Bjorvika harbour area, where its sloping roof rises from the Oslo Fjord itself, and parts of the stage are 16 meters below sea level. The building is drawn by the young wonderboys in Norwegian architecture, Snøhetta, who have won international acclaim for their new national library in Alexandria, Egypt.

The New National Opera House has an impressive opening program, which in the first year offers guest appearences from i.e. the Berliner Philharmonics and Simon Rattle, Cecilia Bartoli, Daniel Barenboim and Lorin Maazel.

Apart from the opera house, Oslo will get another new landmark in 2010, when the city’s new ski jumping hill ‘Holmenkollen Lighthouse’ is expected to be finished.

The legendary Holmenkollen ski jumping hill in Oslo is due to demolition and a new winter sports stadium with a spectacular ski jumping hill named ‘Holmenkollen lighthouse’ will be build at the same spot. Holmenkollen is one of Oslo’s most famous landmarks and more than three million tourists visit the ski arena every year.

The new Holmenkollen will have a 138 meters hill size (the current is 128 m.) and a heated terrace on the top with an amazing 360º view over Oslo, the mountains and the fjord. It will be covered with transparent plates of glass that will be lit from inside so that the ski jump’s profile is visible also at night. The profile will be further extended by giant spotlights that will throw a concentrated beam of light straight into the sky.

The ‘Holmenkollen lighthouse’ is set to be finished in 2010, a year before the World Championships in Nordic skiing which will be held in Oslo in 2011. The last competition in the old ski jump will be held in Marts 2008. It is the Danish JDS Architects who have drawn the ‘Holmenkollen lighthouse’. Their project won in competition with 103 other projects.     
 

Getting to and from the Airport

Getting around in Oslo

www.visitoslo.com/en/the-oslo-pass.49104.en.html

www.where2go.no
www.visitnorway.no
www.visitoslo.no
www.detskjerioslo.no
www.virtualoslo.com

Grand                                                                 

Hotel Continental                                            

Gabels Hus                                                     

Gabels Hus is a former bed-and-breakfast in a quiet embassy area. Behind the old facade are newly renovated rooms and great designer furniture. The hotel is very popular, so book your room well ahead.

€130 and up

Gabels Hus,
Gabels Gate 16
www.gabelshus.no

Thon Hotel Astoria