Why visit
Oslo mixes Viking ship museums, the Munch museum, Vigeland sculpture park, and Oslofjord island ferries. Pricey but efficient.
Oslo at a glance
City population
710k
Metro: 1.1 million
Elevation
23 m
75 ft
Time zone
UTC+1 (UTC+2 DST)
Europe/Oslo
Airport
OSL
Oslo Gardermoen
Founded
1040
Getting around
T-bane (6 lines), trams, buses, ferries across the fjord
Signature dish
Fårikål, rakfisk, brunost, lutefisk (winter)
Neighborhoods for travelers
GrünerløkkaAker BryggeFrognerTjuvholmenGrønland
Norway at a glance
Country center
62.0°, 10.0°
Coast
Has coastline
Country area
323,802 km²
125,021 mi²
Country population
5.5 million
17/km²
Subregion
Northern Europe
Currency
Norwegian krone (kr)
NOK
Dial
+47
Languages
Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål, Sami
Demonym
Norwegian
Internet
.no
UN
Member state
ISO code
NO / NOR
Where in the world
62.0° · 10.0°
Norway
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Click the map to open in Google Maps. Outline via svg-maps/world · CC BY 4.0
Did you know
- The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo every December (not Stockholm, unlike the other Nobels).
- Oslo has one of the highest electric-vehicle adoption rates in the world: over 80% of new car sales.
- The Holmenkollen ski jump has been continuously used for ski jumping since 1892.
- Norway gave the world the cheese slicer, the paperclip, and the modern aerosol spray can.
- The Norwegian prison system is so well-regarded that its re-offending rate (~20%) is among the lowest on earth.
Bordering Norway
Traveler notes
- Oslo Pass bundles transport + museums
- Fjord ferry to Hovedøya island (35 min)
- New Munch Museum opened 2021. 13 floors
Plan checks
- Choose a neighborhood first: many capitals have tourist centers that are not the best places to stay.
- Public transport passes usually beat taxis and rideshares for multi-day visits.
- Bring layered clothing and verify trail/park access before arrival.
Explore more
Frequently asked about Oslo
What currency is used in Oslo?
Oslo uses the Norwegian krone (kr), ISO code NOK.
What languages are spoken in Norway?
The primary languages are Norwegian Nynorsk, Norwegian Bokmål and Sami.
What is the international calling code for Norway?
The calling code is +47.
What airport serves Oslo?
Oslo Gardermoen (IATA: OSL).
Other Europe destinations
Innsbruck
Innsbruck is Alpine city living. Cable cars from the center to 2,334 m, Maria-Theresien-Strasse's baroque, and ski resorts 20 minutes out.
Bruges
Bruges is a canal-laced medieval town. Markt square, Belfry tower, horse-drawn carriages, and chocolate shops on every corner. Crowded but worthy.
Ghent
Ghent is Bruges without the crowds. Gravensteen castle, Van Eyck's Mystic Lamb altarpiece, Graslei medieval waterfront, and a younger, student energy.
Rotterdam
Rotterdam was leveled in WWII and rebuilt as a modern-architecture showcase. Cube Houses, Erasmus Bridge, Markthal, and an ever-shifting skyline.
Utrecht
Utrecht is Amsterdam 30 minutes south, without the crowds. Oudegracht canals with wharf-level cafés, Dom Tower, and a more Dutch-feeling old center.
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