Book Olympic Air Flights to Oslo

Sightseeing in Oslo

Oslo Opera House. Built in just 2008, it is already considered one of the most iconic buildings of Scandinavia. Its coastal location and the combination of white marble and glass give the impression that it is swimming in the waters of the Oslofjord, like a glacier. Book tickets in advance to watch a performance or go on a guided tour of the Opera House.

The museums. Oslo’s artistic activity is based in the excellent museums, which are a must destination at whatever time of the year you are in Oslo.

The Astrup Fearnley Museet, designed by Renzo Piano, is engaged in a dialogue with the Scandinavian landscape and has a rich collection of works by American and British artists of the 1980s: Jeff Koons, Tom Sachs, Cindy Sherman, Richard Prince, Damien Hirst.

At the Vikingskipshuset (Viking Ship Museum), two Viking ships 1100 years old are on display along with all the objects that they were transporting (they were discovered in the 19th century), revealing to us the daring way of life of these fearsome raiders.

Ibsen’s birthplace honours him with the Ibsen Museet. The apartment in which the great playwright lived until his death brings to life, through the guided tour, his final studies and his daily life.

The other great native of Oslo, Edvard Munch, has his own place in the Munchmuseet, which contains a huge collection of his works (an estimated 1100 paintings) and 28,000 other objects. His best-known work, “The Scream”, is to be found in the National Gallery, the Nasjonalgalleriet, also in Oslo. Here you can also see several major works by the European Masters: Claudel, Picasso, El Greco and Monet, Matisse and Cézanne.

The old industrial area of Rod Bianco is the local haven of contemporary art, both for the Norwegian and the international scenes.

Ekebergparken Sculpture Park. A huge green space and a new initiative for public art given that it is the home of the private collection of Christian Ringnes, with works by artists such as Louise Bourgeois, Marina Abramović, Jenny Holzer, Tony Oursler and Sarah Lucas.

Vigelandsparken. The Vigeland Sculpture Park is part of Frognerparken, the largest public park in Oslo. It is an open-air display case of the work of the leading Norwegian artist Gustav Vigeland. Approximately 210 of his sculptures made of granite and bronze are exhibited here, guarding the remarkable monolith, 14 metres high, featuring the sculptures of 120 women.

Rådhus. Two imposing towers demarcate the City Hall, the construction of which began in 1931, although it was only inaugurated in 1950 as work had been interrupted because of the war. The building is adorned with works by Norwegian artists of the early 21st century and filled with tributes to the political and cultural life of the city. This is where the Nobel Prizes are awarded every year.

Akershus Festning (Akershus Castle). When Oslo was declared the capital of Norway in 1299, King Hakon V ordered the building of Akershus Castle, to protect the city from invaders. Despite having suffered many conversions over the centuries and having fallen into the hands of the Germans during the Second World War, it still typifies the city. The Norwegian Ministry of Defence, among other bodies, is based within the castle.

Excursions from Oslo

The Bygdoy, the peninsula that can be visited by ferry or bus, is located on the west side of the town. The Bygdoy has many museums, huge green spaces and forests for walking and other activities. This is where the official summer residence of the King of Norway is located, as is the neo-Gothic castle of Oscarshall.

Nordmarka. The favourite destination of Oslovians for skiing and other sporting activities. Even in the summer months it is bursting with life, especially with cyclists and hikers.

It is worth taking a trip to Bergen. Norway’s second-largest city encompasses all the charm of the small towns of Scandinavia: greenery, lakes, fjords, hills with a view and, to top it all, the colourful houses that have made the city a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Food and entertainment in Oslo

In a country that faces the Atlantic Ocean it is to be expected that the cuisine takes it ingredients from the sea and reflects the natural environment of the peninsula.

Norway’s coastline provides high-quality fish and shellfish. As a result, in Oslo the most established recipes contain salmon, herring and cod. Grilled salmon, smoked and marinated or rolled, boiled shrimp, fish soup, cod and boiled crab legs and pickled herrings. Even the street food delicacies contain seafood: coal-grilled shrimps and crab served in a funnel or lutefisk (salted cod with pickles, boiled potatoes and mushy peas).

Other popular dishes are fårikål (lamb and cabbage), kjøttkaker (local meatballs) and lapskaus (beef stew).

Brunost is a brown goat’s cheese that is made in Norway and is used in traditional Norwegian waffles as well as often being combined with smoked cold meats, brown bread and scrambled eggs, accompanied by the traditional beverage made with herbs and akvavit spices (made with potatoes and fragranced with anise, dill, fennel and coriander). An equally popular beverage is rømmegrøt, made with sour cream, full-fat milk, butter and rice porridge.

The Michelin stars that have been awarded to the city’s gourmet restaurants have attracted attention to its creative and excellent food culture, which is still pricey though. The Aker Brygge district, where the Oslo shipyard was located even during the interwar period, is now the centre of the hip gastro restaurants. If the weather is good then the whole pier is packed. Aker Brygge is located next to the edgy, artsy neighbourhood of Tjuvholmen, where there are many cafes and art galleries. Classy restaurants can also be found along Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s central avenue.

Nightlife

To the east of the River Αkerselva, which washes the city’s shores, the pace quickens at night. This neighbourhood is the favourite hangout of the city’s alternative crowd, who come here from the morning for a coffee and then go shopping in its fascinating boutiques.

Getting from the airport to Oslo

Oslo Airport Gardermoen is located 47 kilometres from the centre Oslo, which can be reached from the airport using a variety of means. You can take the Airport Express Train (Flytoget), VY regional trains as well as local trains (formerly NSB) and the Flybussen Airport Express Coach. Another choice is the OSL Express bus (with stops in between) and, although more expensive, a taxi or limousine.

With wonderful nature, interesting museums, a vibrant nightlife and high standard of living, Oslo is a destination that has much to offer! Book your flights at the Olympic Air site and land in the city of the architectural avant-garde.