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 From cobalt mine to cultural meeting point |
Blaafarveværket Oslo 3340 Norway +47 32 78 6700 http://www.blaa.no |
This is a former cobalt mine, which has been turned into a cultural heritage site. The mineshafts, which were in operation between 1773 and 1893, are open to visitors. There is an art gallery and collections displaying cobalt-pigmented glass and china. There is also an animal farm and a splendid waterfall, Haugfossen. Home-cooked food is also available. The museum of the work of Th. Kittelsen, a Norwegian painter famous for his trolls and mystic landscapes, is also well-worth a visit. Admission to Blaafarveverket is free. Admission to the museum costs NOK55 for adults and is free for children under 15. Students and senior citizens get in for NOK40; groups (of min. 15) for NOK40 each. A guided tour (for a min. of 15 people) costs NOK20 per person. Take the train to Åmot (you may have to change trains at Drammen); it is a one and a half-hour ride. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Beaches, museums or a stroll |
Huk Aveny 35 Oslo 0286 Norway +47 22 13 5280 |
Bygdøy is a peninsula packed with leisure activities for everyone. Many of the city's museums are situated here, and you can easily spend the whole day visiting them. The Vikingskiphuset are a must. There are also great beaches, which are excellent for swimming and sun-bathing. You could see the King's farm, or visit a small castle used as a summer residence by a previous king. Alternatively, take a pleasant stroll among the many magnificent houses of this affluent residential area (home to former prime minister Gro Harlem Brundtland). The best way to get there in the summer is by ferry from the pier in front of the Town Hall. Bus number 30 will get you there all year round. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Padraic Woods |
 Photo: s@kvilesjo.no |
 Photo: Padraic Woods |
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Sightseeing by boat and coach |
Rådhusbrygge 3 Postboks 1465 Vika Oslo 0116 Norway +47 23 35 6890 http://www.boatsightseeing.com |
This company organises sightseeing excursions by boat and coach, everything from a mini-cruise on the fjord (50 min.) to all-day combination tours by boat and coach, including most of the attractions and landmarks of Oslo. All tours depart from pier 3 in front of the Town Hall. The season goes from May to September. See their website for further details on times and prices, or call for a brochure. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Geir Arne Brevik  |
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Trade, handcrafts and history |
Verksgt. 15 Oslo 1353 Norway +47 67 13 0018 http://www.baerumsverk.no/ |
This is a modern shopping centre in a beautiful environment of old buildings and natural scenery. It contains ordinary shops like any shopping arcade, but also workshops for glass-blowing and various other crafts, as well as galleries and museums. It is almost like a park, with a small river running through. There is an exhibition of sculptures that changes as they are sold. There are many places to eat and drink in, and in the summer also an outdoor marketplace. The history of Bærums Verk started in 1603 when a promising trend of iron was found there. Gradually Bærums Verk became the leading ironworks in Akershus. In 1988 the owners received an international architectural prize for "building aesthetics" for this new development. They also have free parking places. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Charming cluster of old, wooden houses |
Akersbakken and Fredensborgveien Oslo 0177/0172 Norway |
This area contains charming, narrow passages with small, wooden houses from the nineteenth century. Start at Fredensborgveien, at about a 15-minute walk from the city centre; you can also get buses 24 or 70 northbound; your stop is Mølleveien. You can continue your walk up Akersbakken to the Gamle Aker medieval church, and from there to the Vår Frelsers Gravlund cemetery, where many famous Norwegians are buried. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Fredrik Matheson |
 Photo: vera_bing |
 Idyllic village by the seaside |
40 kilometers south of Oslo City Center Oslo 1440 Norway |
A charming village by the seaside, 40km south of Oslo, Drøbak is home to narrow streets with idyllic, wooden houses. With its large marina and a leisure park for swimmers and sunbathers, the influx of day-trippers in the summer is enormous. There are many cosy pubs, cafés and restaurants. Weekly "jazz cruises" on the fjord depart from the harbour. Drøbak is also known for Tregaardens Julehus i Drøbak, a Christmas emporium open all year round. This has led to the town getting its very own road signs, with a small nisse (elf) on them. To get there, a catamaran ferry departs daily from Oslo in the morning, returning late in the afternoon (travel takes about one hour and is only possible in the summer). There are also frequent all-year bus services to and from Oslo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Venkat Ramana |
 Photo: meredithseeton |
 Photo: Andy Kyte |
 Photo: Oliver Tomic |
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The Oslo fjord aquarium |
Sjøtorget Oslo 1440 Norway +47 64 93 5087 |
Drøbak Aquarium was founded in 1995 and is one of Drøbak's greatest tourist attractions. The aquarium contains most underwater species that live in the Oslo fjord, the fjord with the highest number of species in Norway. 100 different kinds organisms live here in aquaria that contain the clean water of the fjord. The size of the aquarium is about 150m2, divided into four departments; it is also constantly growing. Guided tours can be arranged (also in English) for a maximum of 20 people, and last about one hour. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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The Norwegian Constitution was written here |
Carsten Ankers vei Oslo 2074 Norway +47 63 92 2210 http://www.eidsvoll1814.museum.no |
This beautiful old manor house is where Norway's Constitution was written and passed on 17 May 1814 (this day is therefore celebrated as Norway's National Day). Situated about 80km north of Oslo, the house has a collection of portraits of the members of Parliament in 1814. If you are driving a car, a visit here is easily combined with a drive along scenic Lake Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake. Otherwise, take a train or bus to Eidsvoll Verk from Oslo central station. The trains leave every hour and take about 45 minutes. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Great views, steep bike ride |
Ekeberg Oslo 1178 Norway |
The hill of Ekeberg, on the east side of Oslo, provides you with a panoramic view of the city. It is possible to walk all the way up, and the hill is a good challenge if you have hired a bike. Make sure you stop on the way to look at the rock carvings (sign-posted), which are 4,000-5,000 years old and show several animals and human figures, as well as a kind of bird trap. The heath on top of the hill is home to the annual Norway Cup, an international football championship for children of all ages. Bus 34A and trams 18 and 19 go there. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Asbjørn Floden |
 Photo: zbig108 |
 Photo: Didier Brouwers |
 Photo: Erik Aspden Schyberg |
 Photo: balsamia |
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In the leafy outskirts |
Holmenkollveien 200 Oslo 0391 Norway +47 22 92 4040 |
Only 15 minutes from the city center, Frognerseteren is frequented by nature lovers before or after a hike in the surrounding woods. The underground runs almost all the way up to this café-restaurant where guests can sample traditional Norwegian food and enjoy a panoramic view of the Oslo fjord. The restaurant offers three, four and five-course meals. Various kinds of entertainment are organized from time to time. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Michael Bock |
 Photo: Peter PZ |
 Photo: Amy Torri |
 Photo: Dag Øien |
 Photo: Silje Ellingsen |
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Viewpoint and hiking area with restaurant |
Grefsenkollen Oslo 0490 Norway |
From the highest point of Grefsenåsen, 377 metres above sea level, you get a splendid view of the city. You can enjoy this from a restaurant. Further down the hill lies small lake Trollvann, with a narrow beach, a picnic area and a café. This is a good starting point for walks (there are marked paths, also suitable for bicycles and prams) in the surrounding woods. In the winter, there is a short downhill skiing run, as well as a great hill for tobogganing. Get there by car or on foot from Kjelsås, following Grefsenkollveien. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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From working-class to hip |
Torggata, Markveien Oslo 0552 Norway |
Grünerløkka might be thought of as the Greenwich Village of Oslo. A hundred years ago this was a working-class area, where people worked 14 hours a day in the local factories under severe conditions. Today the working-class people have been replaced by models, artists, students and lawyers, and the old shops have given way to fashion boutiques and cafés. Grünerløkka has a lot of charm and is the hottest spot to live outside the centre of Oslo. There are beautifully renovated houses next to run-down, old ones, with plenty of green areas and parks. This is a friendly area with a very relaxed atmosphere. Grünerløkka is like a small town in itself and offers a wide range of services: post office, banking, library, dining, theatre. Everything is close by and at reasonable prices, compared to central Oslo. Places to see are Sofienbergparken, Akerselva and Olaf Ryes plass. Walk along Torggata to get to Markveien/Grünerløkka, or take buses 20 or 30, or trams 11, 12 or 13. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Coach trips with authorised Oslo guides |
Ringnesveien 7-9 Oslo 0978 Norway +47 22 78 9400 http://www.hmk.no/ |
This company offers sightseeing tours and excursions by coach. All sightseeing tours within the city are led by authorised Oslo guides. Departures are from the Norway Information Centre by Aker Brygge, daily at 10a; in the summer period they go also at 1:30p and 5p. They also organise one or two-day trips to Flåm/Aurland/Bergen. See the official Oslo Guide for further details on times and prices, or call for a brochure. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Activities at Norway's oldest glassworks |
Glassverksv 9 Oslo 3521 Norway +47 61 31 6400 http://www.hadeland-glassverk.no |
This is one of the oldest glassworks in Norway, situated in beautiful surroundings at Jevnaker by the Randsfjord, approximately one hour's drive from Oslo. Here you can observe the highly skilled glassblowers at work; try your hand at blowing your own glass and visit the very popular factory outlet. Many other activities on the grounds make this an ideal day out for the whole family; facilities include a children's house, a picnic area and several cafés. If you take the E18 out of Oslo in the direction of Hønefoss, you are in for an unexpected bonus - the truly beautiful scenery of Ringerike, with Steinsfjord and Halvdanshaugen, a distinctive burial mound said to be the grave of the Viking king, Halvdan Svarte. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Art and nature by the Oslo fjord |
Ljansbrukveien 2-4 Oslo 1250 Norway |
Hvervenbukta is a place to visit for many reasons, one being the workshops, where pottery, textiles, jewellery, hand-woven products, gilding, paintings, glassware and furniture are made. This is not a gallery, but you can make appointments with the artists to see their work. Another reason is the scenery. You can walk by the beach, within unspoiled nature, or go for a swim in the Oslo fjord if you want to. In summer it is also possible to camp here. The houses here date from the times of the old Stubljan farm built in 1765, which burned down in 1913. You can still see the ruins. The other buildings are used by the artists, and there is a cafe and a restaurant down at the beach. The cafe is open every Sunday in winter and Tuesday to Sunday in the summer. The restaurant is only open in the summer. The best thing about Hvervenbukta is how all the different elements merge into one; the studios, the nature, the old houses and the campsite make a beautiful whole. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: taa2r |
 Photo: John Ivar Andresen |
 Photo: Richard Moe |
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Idyllic old wooden houses |
Bogata and Toyengt Oslo 0654 Norway |
Located not far from the Munch Museum and the Botanical Gardens, the area of Kampen is full of idyllic, old wooden houses on narrow streets. Being there feels like walking in a children's book. In this area, you should see the church, walk around in the area in general, and maybe end up at the local cafe, Kafe Kampen. Oslo's water reservoir used to be where Kampen Park is now located, a great place for children to play in freely with sculptures and fountains, and a beautiful view of Oslo. Bus 60 will take you there from the centre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: m_janitz |
 Photo: Eirik Newth |
 Photo: gelbe Kanalratte |
 Photo: Frank Paul Silye |
 Photo: Gunnar Danielsen |
 Photo: Gunnar Danielsen |
 Photo: AN Kim |
 Photo: quincunx1973 |
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Shopping and sightseeing |
Karl Johans Gate between Drammensveien and Nedre Slottsgate Oslo 0155 Norway |
This is Oslo's main street, a pedestrian area leading from the central station to the palace. Visitors can watch the world go by at one of the street's numerous watering holes or simply follow the crowds down the road, past street vendors and entertainers, past the parliament, national theatre, Grand Hotel and the university. With hundreds of different shops, the street is also a Mecca for shopaholics. The park between the parliament and national theatre is turned into an ice-rink in the winter. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Xuanxu |
 Photo: Sandro Mancuso |
 Photo: Luca - Italy |
 Photo: Yael Regev |
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Spend the night in a cabin in the forest |
Nordmarka Oslo Norway +47 22 42 0173 http://www.kikutstua.oslo.no/ |
Kikutstua offers a number of opportunities for staying overnight in the Oslomarka forest whilst cross-country skiing there; you can book one just for dropping by for a waffle during your cross-country trip, or even for holding a weekend seminar for your company. Getting to Kikutstua is easy when you are skiing, for example from Frognerseteren, but transport can be arranged for weekend courses for a small fee. In the summer canoe and kayak rental is also possible. Call Kikutstua for further information. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jan Ove Furesund |
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Breathtaking nature |
Maridalen Oslo 0890 Norway +47 90 68 4145 |
Magnificent natural scenery awaits you just a short distance away from Oslo (between ten and 20 minutes by car or bus). Maridalsvannet is one of the sources of drinking water for Oslo and an excellent location for day trips of various lengths. This is the source of the Akerselva Miljøpark river, but fishing and swimming are not allowed here. You can also visit the ruins of the Maria Bebudelses Kirke. Bus 37B will take you to Brekke, or you can get the train to Kjelsås. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: An T |
 Photo: Ultima Thule |
 Photo: Claudio Santambrogio |
 Photo: Geir Rosset |
 Photo: Mia Frogner |
 Photo: Fantoma Foto |
 Highest point on Tøyen |
Ola Narr and Frydens gate Oslo 0564 Norway |
Situated within walking distance from the Botanical Gardens and the Munch Museum, this is one of the many places with a panoramic view of the city. In the summer you can have a picnic in this park, let the children run freely, play with your Frisbee, take pictures or sunbathe. Ola Narr is the highest point in the Tøyen area. The name comes from a servant who was expected to dress nicely both on and off duty. So the other working-class people nicknamed him "Ola Fool" because of his style. This man got his own business after a while, and lived at Tøyen until most of his farm became the Botanical Gardens. He left to live on the west side of Oslo. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Anja |
 Photo: Ali Kesmaei |
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The old bazaar halls |
Dronningensgate Oslo 0155 Norway |
The semicircular shaped Old Bazaar Halls were built in 1841-1858 behind the cathedral and Stortorvet. The halls now hold a variety of shops selling arts and crafts, antiques, jewellery etc. Every summer the bazaar hosts an outdoor arts and crafts fair. There are three popular café-restaurants in the building: Bacchus, Baltazar and Cappuccino. On a warm summer's day the tables around the fountain, under the old, leafy trees, are quickly snapped up. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Damiel |
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Guided tours in 25 languages |
Akershusstranda 35 Oslo 0150 Norway +47 22 42 7020 http://www.guideservice.no |
If you want someone to guide you around Oslo, contact Oslo Guideservice, which offers guides for groups of one to 50 people. The tours can be in one of 25 languages, and about 160 guides are available. They even offer sightseeing tours for blind people as well as special guided tours with an emphasis on the use of the other senses. Trips can be arranged in or around Oslo, showing you sights such as Holmenkollen, the Vigeland monument park, the Viking ships and the Much Museum. They can also do special themed tours. The minimum fee is about NOK1,000 (per group) for three hours with a guide. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Royal residence |
Drammensveien 1 Oslo 0010 Norway +47 22 04 8700 http://www.kongehuset.no |
Slottsbakken, the hill on top of which the palace is built, offers a magnificent view over Karl Johans Gate. On Norwegian National Day (17 May), the King and the rest of the royal family stand on the balcony and wave at thousands of children parading down the street. Tours are arranged three times an hour between 17 June and 12 August. Please note that tickets must be purchased in advance. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Katrina |
 Photo: PDXdj |
 Photo: Haakon Hansen |
 Photo: PDXdj |
 Photo: atcy |
 Photo: Laurent |
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Popular lake and hiking area |
Sognsveien Oslo 0863 Norway |
Lake Sognsvann and its surrounding countryside make one of the most popular choices for a city-dweller's day out, both in summer and winter. During the hottest months, the lake is excellent for swimming and sun-bathing, and when the lake freezes over later in the year, it becomes a huge, natural ice rink, popular with skaters of all ages. Sognsvann is the terminus for the Sognsvann branch of the underground, so it is very easy to get to whether you come from the city centre or from Majorstuen. Marked trails take you straight into the woods, with a variety of alternatives for short and long walks. In the winter, the same paths, now snow-covered, are used for cross-country skiing. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Meng Li |
 Photo: Shad Reynolds |
 Photo: Shad Reynolds |
 Photo: R. Brosvik |
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 Photo: Allan Han Huei TEO |
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The "bike bus" |
Kongeveien 5 Oslo 0787 Norway +47 22 92 3250 http://www.skiforeningen.no |
If you wish to get away from the noisy city for a while, a cycling trip in the forest is an excellent option. To get deep into the forest easily you can take the "bike bus", with room for 27 people and their bicycles. The bus takes you up the steepest hills to Tverrsjøstallen, deeper into the forest than you would normally be able to go on a day's cycling tour. There are many roads to choose from on which you can enjoy the beautiful surroundings. You can make day or overnight trips to Lommedalen, Sørkedalen, Maridalen, Sognsvann or Frognerseteren. From Ringkollen and Damptjern it is easiest to cycle to Lommedalen or Sørkedalen, but a nice alternative is to cycle to Kikut. Sykkelbussen goes every W, Sa and Su from the middle of May until the beginning of October. You have to reserve your ticket in advance by calling +47 22 92 3200 before 2p on Tu for the W bus, or before 2p on Friday for the Saturday or Sunday buses. Review © 2007, Wcities |
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Treasure-trove for sporty families |
Sørkedalen Oslo 0759 Norway |
Just outside the city lies Nordmarka, a vast area consisting of hills, lakes and open woodland. Considered one of Oslo's best assets, this is a favourite place for hiking in spring, summer and autumn, and cross-country skiing in winter. In other words, it is a treasure-trove for sporty families. Situated west of Oslo, Sørkedalen is a part of Nordmarka with several farms. This is also where you will find one of the best campsites in Oslo, Bogstad Camping, with cabins, minigolf and a beach by the lake. Bring a tent and make it an overnight trip. To get there take bus 41 from Nationaltheatret. It is approximately a 35-minute ride from the town centre. Review © 2007, Wcities |
 Photo: Jan Ove Furesund |
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One of Oslo's many faces |
Near Torshovparken Oslo 0478 Norway |
The name Torshov comes from Tors Haug (Thor's Hill), as this was a place where rituals connected with the god Thor (from Norse mythology) were carried out. Torshov is one of Oslo's jewels - this is an exquisite area for walking, with a very different feel from that of the rest of Oslo. It is one of the few parts of this city built with an architectural plan, and has many open spaces and parks. Two things you should see while you are at Torshov are the Ox Fountain (Oksefontenen) on Hegermanns plass, and Torshovparken with its fountains, sculptures and pavilion. On New Year's Eve this is one of the places where people gather to shoot their fireworks. Sometimes there are outdoor concerts and theatrical performances. Review © 2007, Wcities |
