I visited Oslo for the first time last week. I stayed with a friend who has a beautiful apartment in the centre of the city…how very lucky I am!
Oslo is the capital of Norway with a population of around 700,000. If the entire urban area is included it is 1.71 million. It is a modern, vibrant city, ranked number 1 in quality of life among European large cities in 2012. It is ranked as the second most expensive city in the world after Tokyo.
The city occupies an arc of land at the northern end of the Oslofjord. It is surrounded by green hills and mountains. The river Akerselva flows into the fjord dividing the city into East End and West End. There are 40 islands within the city limits and 343 lakes…much more than I could see in a few days. The city centre has wonderful old and new buildings and lots of beautiful parks and gardens to explore, a good place to start.
My first day was a bit overcast but we set off anyway down the main street towards the Royal Castle. It was designed by Hans Linstow and built between 1824 and 1848.
There is a lovely park around the castle which looked especially pretty with its autumn colours.
We walked further up the street, lined with colourful planters, to the top.
There are some stylish government and commercial buildings.
From this slight rise you get a view along the length of the straight road to the castle. A clear day would give a better view, but I like the misty look.
From here we walked down to the harbour.
The stunning Opera House is designed to look like a glacier flowing into the sea. Visitors are invited to walk on the roof.
The brand new Munch Museum is beside the Opera House.
I spotted a floating sauna in the harbour.
We walked back through the pretty residential area with some wonderful old style buildings.
Later in the afternoon we joined the crowds in front of the Munch Museum for the official opening.
We could see the King and Queen of Norway in the distance, but got a better view on the big screen nearby.
The light changed as the sun went down and lit up the museum and surrounding buildings.
The Opera House looked different in the new light.
The sky put on a special show for us to end an excellent Oslo day.
One last look at the Munch Museum. I will go inside on another Oslo visit.
Thank you Ann Beth and Oslo!
Thank you for sharing!
By: Olivia on October 28, 2021
at 8:14 pm
Oslo is a fun city!
By: Debra Kolkka on October 29, 2021
at 4:59 am
What a contrast between old & new architecture.. great to see you were able to travel to another country.
By: Camillus Davall. on October 28, 2021
at 8:52 pm
I’m going to Helsinki in December and close to Christmas Venice, Vienna and to friends in Germany.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 29, 2021
at 5:00 am
Loved Oslo and Norway – Nick went to Med school for a semester and loved it
By: Elizabeth Valerie Litzow on October 28, 2021
at 8:56 pm
I liked my first trip to Norway and am planning a second.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 29, 2021
at 5:01 am
Oslo looks stunning with this mixture of new and old. Thanks for sharing.
By: mulinodominillo on October 28, 2021
at 10:48 pm
Oslo is an impressive city.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 29, 2021
at 5:02 am
Stunning Oslo; new and old! Great blog Deb.
By: Christine Collins on October 29, 2021
at 6:03 am
Thank you! Oslo is excellent.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 29, 2021
at 2:28 pm
The opera house is quite the building! So interesting with all the different angles. Looks like the sun came out as well…what a difference with that blue sky!
By: Linda K on October 30, 2021
at 3:45 pm
Yes, the sun came out late afternoon, then we got the spectacular sunset. It was amazing the way it lit up the buildings.
By: Debra Kolkka on October 31, 2021
at 9:05 am
I’ve never been to Oslo so thank you for taking us along the tour. How are you feeling nowadays? Are you all better and able to easily travel? 🙂
By: Lorraine @ Not Quite Nigella on November 1, 2021
at 5:46 am
Oslo is a great city. I am planning to go there again in January to take the train across the mountain and down to Bergen.
It is excellent to be able to travel without a lot of restrictions in Europe. My ankle has healed very well, I am very lucky. It gets a bit cranky when I walk a lot but I am delighted with how good it is.
By: Debra Kolkka on November 1, 2021
at 7:11 am
What a great trip! And a beautiful city, will put on my bucket list!!!
By: Robin Webster on November 1, 2021
at 8:44 pm