Guide of Oslo

Oslo is the capital of Norway, located on the southern coast at the head of the Oslofjord river, Oslo is Norway's economic and governmental hub. With a population of around 670, 000; the city is at the centre of the Norwegian banking industry, and the port is essential to European maritime trade and administration. 

A brief history of Oslo

The city was founded as a settlement in 1040 and was known as Ánslo as an important trading place and regarded as the capital between 1299–1319, during the reign of Haakon V of Norway, who resided here. This kind also began the construction of the city's fortress. Unfortunately, in 1349, The Black Death arrived in Norway, and like many other places in Europe, the town suffered greatly. During the 17th century, the Oslo was also destroyed by fire many times, and after the fourteenth city fire in 1624, Christian IV of Denmark and Norway ordered the city to be rebuilt at a new site across the bay and given the name Christiania. 

After the Great Northern War, in 1721, the city's economy boomed with shipbuilding and trade. The strong economy transformed Christiania into a trading port. In 1814 Christiania became the capital of the independent Kingdom of Norway and several state institutions were established, which caused the population to increase dramatically. The 19th century saw the construction of many important buildings and the city thrived, and the name was officially changed to Oslo from Kristiania in 1925. During the early part of the 21st century, the municipality added new areas of the city, cleaned up the slums and developed the suburbs. Today Oslo is thriving as one of the most important cities in Europe with a very high quality of life.

What to do in Oslo

The city is famous for its museums and green spaces, one of the best museums to visit is the Viking Ship Museum, housed in a striking triangular building on the Bygdøy peninsula. It is part of the University of Oslo's Museum of Cultural and History and features three Viking era burial ships as well as other archaeological findings from the Viking era.

The city is a hub for modern architecture, and there are numerous impressive buildings to take in on a stroll around the town. Some of the best buildings include The Norwegian National Opera & Ballet House and Bjørvika Barcode, which is an area of the city with twelve narrow high-rise buildings of different heights and widths. The Statoil offices are also impressive along with the Astrup Fearnley Museet, which is one of the best modern and contemporary art galleries in Europe and features a sculpture park designed by Renzo Piano. There is so much culture to take in in Oslo, the National Gallery and Munch Museum, houses The Scream by Edvard Munch, amongst other works. Vigeland Sculpture Park is another excellent place to stroll around, you can enter free of charge and the gardens attached to this former manor house that features more than 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland (1869–1943) who also designed the landscaping of the park.

Beaches around Oslo

Very close to the centre is the swimming area of Tjuvholmen bystrand, there is a concrete pier from which you can dive; however, the water quality is not the best. For cleaner waters, it is best to go outside the city to sandy Huk beach, set in parkland at the most southerly point of the Bygdøy peninsula, to the west of the city centre. A little northeast on the same peninsular is Paradisbukta beach, a stunning rocky and sandy beach surrounded by trees. There are no services on this beach; it is entirely wild, so be sure to take provisions.