Oslo holidays

City breaks to Oslo serve up everything from museums and sculpture parks to fjord cruises and trendy neighbourhoods.

Ja takk, Oslo

Norway’s capital has got a lot to write home about – Oslo is a serious up-and-comer as European cities go. This place packs a punch with its seriously cool architecture, and that’s before you get started on the fjord, the foodie scene, and the neighbouring fairytale-style forests. There are also more museums than you can shake a stick at, ranging in theme from the Vikings to artist Edvard Munch. So we’re saying “Yes please, Oslo” – or “Ja takk, Oslo” if you want a taste of the local lingo.

Green city breaks

Oslo’s a green city and was named the European Green Capital in 2019, so it’s a popular pick for a holiday with sustainability at its heart. You’ll find that much of the centre is car-free. Plus, there are lots of activities that put green-living first – like swimming in the fjord – try it first thing in the morning, like the locals. Or check out the bee highway. The city has built this safe passage for bees to fly through Oslo. It’s a plant-and-flower-studded route, which goes from Holmenkollen in the north all the way to Lake Noklevann in the south.

First up, Oslo Fjord

One of the best things about Oslo is its size. It’s not super-ginormous, which means you can eat it all up in bite-sized pieces. Get an overall feel for the place by starting your Oslo holiday with a cruise across the fjord. From the comfort of a boat, you can appreciate the city skyline – its buildings are very angular and futuristic. You’ll also see the more rustic side of this waterside city as you pass narrow sounds, idyllic bays, and a maze of islands dotted with traditional summer houses.

All the art

Paintings, sculptures, and exhibitions are all over the show in the Norwegian capital. In fact, Oslo’s got over 50 museums in total. Our top recommendations include the Kon-Tiki Museum – which showcases the ocean adventures of explorer Thor Heyerdahl – and Munch. The latter’s dedicated to the life and works of the Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. It’s also where you can see his most famous painting, The Scream.