Oslo, Norway

• It’s a Perfect City for Outdoor Lovers - Oslo is surrounded by forests, lakes, and hiking trails, making it easy to enjoy nature, skiing, and outdoor activities all year round.
• It’s One of the Greenest Capitals in the World - Over two-thirds of Oslo is covered in forests, parks, and waterways. The city was named "European Green Capital" in 2019 for its eco-friendly initiatives.
• The City Used to Be Called "Christiania" - From 1624 to 1925, Oslo was known as Christiania (later spelled Kristiania), named after King Christian IV of Denmark-Norway.
• The Nobel Peace Prize Is Awarded in Oslo - Unlike the other Nobel Prizes (which are awarded in Sweden), the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo every December at the Oslo City Hall.
• Trafalgar Square's (London) Christmas tree is a gift from Oslo.
• Oslo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1952.
• Oslo is Norway's most ethnically diverse city.
• The Oslo Viking Ship Museum Holds Real Viking Ships - The Viking Ship Museum houses some of the best-preserved Viking ships in the world, dating back over 1,200 years.

• What are the top things to do in Oslo: View the "Visit Oslo" page for their list.
• Where is Oslo Located: See our map info below.
• How to get to Oslo: Take a look at "Visit Norway" page. We flew in from Copenhagen, short & comfortable flight.
• Where is the best place to stay in Oslo: Click to view a Google Search Results list.
• Is Oslo worth visiting: Click here to see why the "Culture Trip" site says yes and gives you 11 reasons why.
• Where is the Holmenkollbakken Ski Jump: Click to jump to our section below on this page.
• Is Oslo expensive for tourists: The "City Mayors" site says Oslo is the # 3 most expensive city in the world. Click to view the "Visit Norway" site to read more information.
• What is Oslo known for: Click to view the "Go Fjords" page for more information.
• What is the Oslo elevation: Oslo is 3 feet above sea level. The area around Oslo is hilly and ranges in elevation up to approximately 500 feet above sea level.
• Best Oslo Hikes: Click to view the "All Trails" list of hikes for Oslo.
• What is the best time of year to visit Oslo: Click to view the "U.S. News" Page about Oslo Weather.
• How to get to the Viking Ship Museum in Oslo: Click to view the "Rome 2 Rio" page to learn how. Or click here to go to our page section below.
• What Restaurants are in Oslo: Here is a Google Search Results list for restaurants in Oslo.
• What Hotels are in Oslo: Here is a Google Search Results list for hotels in Oslo.
• Where is the Oslo Rail Station: Oslo Central Station is the main railway station in Oslo, and the largest railway station within the entire Norwegian railway system. It is located at Jernbanetorget, Norway's biggest public transportation hub, which also consists of the Jernbanetorget metro station, Oslo Bus Terminal and local bus and tram stops outside. Click here to view a Google Map of the Jernbanetorget area.

Oslo lies at the head of Oslo Fjord in the southeastern part of Norway. It is north and slightly west of Denmark and it is about 378 miles from Copenhagen to Oslo by car. It is approximately 330 miles west and slightly north of Stockholm Sweden if traveling by car.

Oslo is the capital of Norway and has a population of about 697k as of 2020. The original site of Oslo was actually east of the Aker River. The city was founded by King Harald Hardraade about 1050, and in approximately 1300 the Akershus fortress was built by Haakon V.

Click the map icon above, or the map image, to view an Oslo Norway Map.

As of 11/15/2024 Google says there are over 933 accommodations of all types in Oslo, which include 170 hotels of all types. Click here to view the Google Search Results list of all 170 hotels.

The top 5 accommodations in Oslo based upon the highest guest ratings (according to Google), include these options:

1. City Center: City Center (2bedroom/1bath/Balcony) Sørenga is a beachfront property set in Oslo, 1.3 km from Oslo Central Station and 2.8 km from Akershus Fortress. Private parking is available on site at this recently renovated property. (Guest rating 4.8)
2. Grand Hotel Oslo: In a landmark 1874 building on bustling Karl Johans Gate, this sophisticated hotel is a 5-minute walk from the National Museum of Art and an 11-minute walk from the Royal Palace. (Guest Rating 4.4)
3. Hotel Continental, Oslo: Busy downtown area with medieval Akershus Fortress & Oslo Opera House, plus designer boutiques. (Guest Rating 4.6)
4. The Thief: This contemporary hotel in the trendy Tjuvholmen arts district is 1.6 km from the National Museum of Art and 4.8 km from Frogner Park. (Guest Rating 4.4)
5. Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel, Oslo: This modern hotel is a 3-minute walk from the Jernbanetorget transportation hub, a 13-minute walk from Oslo Opera House and 7 km from the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History. (Guest Rating 4.3)

If you would prefer to do your own search, here is the link to the Google Search Results for "accommodations in Oslo Norway".

We chose to stay at the Comfort Hotel Grand Central, which was immediately adjacent to the train station. For our purposes this was perhaps the best play to stay in Oslo, Norway. It was so convenient to the trains and transportation for touring the area and right in the downtown area. There was a lot of activity and food options close by, however the rooms were quiet and comfortable. The room was not huge, which is typical in Europe but it was adequate to accommodate our luggage and clean and comfortable. We recommend it for short stays.

We utilized Expedia to perform our Oslo Hotel research, and to make our reservations at the Comfort Hotel Grand Central. We recommend Expedia because they are very reliable and easy to utilize.

IMAGE CREDITS: Both images are the property of the Comfort Hotel Grand Central Oslo, Norway.

We had the hotel name and we knew that it was close to the train station. When we got off the train and walked outside of the station, and used Celeste's cell phone map app to try and find the hotel, imagine our surprise when we realized it was right there in front of us!

Our hotel is just around the corner to the left of the bus. The light rail station is underneath the area where the buses are lined up, and the Oslo Central Train Station is just left of this area as well.

More Info for the Jernbanetorget Transportation Center

Image Credits:

Oslo Opera House: The home of The Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, and the National Opera Theatre in Norway. The building sits on the eastern side of the Oslo Harbor near the Havnepromenade.

The harbor and Opera House were practically in the front yard of our hotel's location, a walk of perhaps 100 yards and we were standing on the harbor seawall.

The Oslo Opera House is a striking architectural masterpiece and the home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet. Opened in 2008, it was designed by the renowned architectural firm Snøhetta. The building is celebrated for its sloping, marble-clad roof, which allows visitors to walk up and enjoy panoramic views of the Oslofjord. Inside, the opera house features a blend of oak and glass, creating an elegant yet inviting atmosphere. It hosts world-class opera, ballet, and musical performances, making it a cultural landmark in Scandinavia. The building’s innovative design and emphasis on accessibility make it a must-visit for architecture enthusiasts and art lovers alike.

The museum is most famous for the completely whole Oseberg ship, excavated from the largest known Viking ship burial in the world near Tønsberg in Vestfold County, Norway.

All the Viking ships at this museum were ocean going vessels before they were hauled onto land to be used in burial rituals for their wealthy owners. In the burial mounds, archeologists unearthed skeletons, beautiful wood carvings and a diverse range of artifacts from the fascinating world of the vikings.

Imagine sailing in the North Atlantic in a ship that is approximately 71 feet long with a beam of 16.7 feet? I've travelled through the North Atlantic in a Navy cargo ship that was 500 feet long and we would get bounced around in ways that would make us all cringe! I cannot begin to imagine how the Vikings could travel in their much smaller vessels!

The #30 Bus from the Oslo Comfort Hotel Grand Central was the method we selected for transport, required approximately 20 minutes.

Getting to the Ski Jump is straight forward, just catch the train from downtown - line 1 of the Metro (T-Bane) in the direction of Frognerseteren and get off at the Holmenkollen stop. Trains depart approximately every 15 minutes from Jernbanetorget station and require a 30 minute ride.

Oslo, Norway, offers a unique blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and modern amenities. Here's why it's worth a visit:

• Stunning Scenery: Oslo is surrounded by breathtaking fjords, forests, and mountains. Take a boat tour to explore the Oslofjord, hike in the nearby forests, or visit the iconic Holmenkollen ski jump.
• Cultural Experiences: Immerse yourself in Oslo's vibrant culture. Explore the Viking Ship Museum, visit the Munch Museum to see Edvard Munch's iconic "The Scream," or enjoy a performance at the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet.
• Modern City: Oslo is a modern city with a thriving arts scene, world-class restaurants, and excellent shopping. Stroll through the stylish Aker Brygge waterfront or visit the trendy Grünerløkka neighborhood.
• Outdoor Activities: Whether you're a winter sports enthusiast or a summer adventurer, Oslo has something to offer. Go skiing or snowboarding at the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, or enjoy hiking, biking, or kayaking in the summer months.
• Friendly Locals: Norwegians are known for their friendliness and hospitality. You'll be warmly welcomed and feel right at home in this charming city.

Click here to view an article about average temperatures in Oslo, Norway.

• Just Traveling Thru European Travel Tips
• Just Traveling Thru Travel Planning Tips
• Top Sites in Oslo, Norway on the "Culture Trip" site
• Oslo Norway things to do on the 'Crazy Tourist' Site
• Viking Norwegian History on the 'Visit Norway' Site
• Things to do on Oslo Norway Trips on the 'Visit Oslo' Site
• Oslo Norway things to do on the 'Lonely Planet' Site
• Google Search Results list for "Oslo Norway Hotels"
• Google Search Results list for "Oslo Norway Restaurants"
• Amazon Search Results list for "Oslo Norway"
• Google Search Results list for "Shopping in Copenhagen"
• Visit our Youtube Channel
• Our Image Gallery for Oslo
• Wikipedia Article for Oslo
• Google Image Gallery for Oslo
• Oslo Tour from the "Get Your Guide" site
• Google Reviews for Oslo, Norway
• The creation of some portions of this page's narrative text were assisted by OpenAI. (2025). ChatGPT [Large language model].