OsloCapital
Norway · Country profile
Oslo is Norway’s fjord-side capital, a city that grew around a harbour and a hillside of forests, parks and ski slopes. The Opera House slopes like a glacier into the water, the ski jump at Holmenkollen crowns the wooded ridge above town, and the Viking ships and polar explorers fill the museums on the Bygdoy peninsula. At its heart the cathedral, the fortress and the palace sit around gardens and pedestrian streets, but the real identity is outdoors: ferries to the islands, swimming in the fjord, sailing in the summer and cross-country skiing in winter. The harbour-side modern quarters of Bjervika and Aker Brygge hold the restaurants and galleries of the new Norway. Calm, clean and surrounded by nature, Oslo is a capital you live in rather than just visit.
About Oslo
Oslo is the capital of Norway. The city's documented population is around 712,000 people. For visitors from abroad, the local currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK) and Norwegian is spoken; the dialling code is +47. It is served by 1 airport in our guide: Oslo Airport, Gardermoen.
A Fjord-Side Capital That Lives Outdoors
Oslo is a small, calm, nature-leaning capital set on a fjord with a ring of forests and hills straight behind the centre. It is best taken slowly — the museums are top class, the fjord ferries are cheap and the islands are a few minutes across the water. The mood is quiet and orderly, and much of the year the light is low and lovely, whether the snowy winter or the long bright summer. It rarely feels frantic or touristy, and locals use the city as a base for the great Norwegian outdoors — hiking, skiing and sailing all start at the city limits. It rewards those who pick a neighbourhood and settle in, rather than racing between sights.
Booked Museums, Layered Weather and the Card-Only City
Book the Viking Ship Museum tickets in advance in summer, and check the same for the Munch museum and the Norwegian museum; timed slots fill up. The water and the weather are the constants: bring a warm layer even in summer, a rain jacket almost always, and plan outdoor fun around the forecast. The city is famously expensive but fully card-based — cash is barely used, so a bank card or phone covers everything. Oslo’s restaurants and museums keep calm midweek, so a weekday visit stretches your budget. The metro line toward Holmenkollen reaches the ski jump and the hill country quickly.
Ferries to the Islands, Rooftop Opera and the Light of the Season
Ruter, the city’s ticket system, covers the metro, buses, trams and the passenger ferries to the islands with a single app or card — it is the cheapest way to see the harbour. The Opera House roof is free to walk and is one of the city’s most popular views. On summer nights the sun stays up late, and the islands and the beaches fill with locals swimming. In winter the same fjord freezes offshore and the forests turn to ski trails minutes from the centre. The fjord cruise and the neighboring island and hill walks are the classic escapes. Norwegians expect punctuality, but the friendliness is genuine and dry.
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- Country
- Norway
- Population
- 712,000
- Coordinates
- 60.1976, 11.1004
- Capital
- Oslo
- Region
- Europe
- Currency
- Norwegian Krone (NOK)
- Languages
- Norwegian
- Calling code
- +47
- Country code
- NO
Entry requirements for Norway
Visa status for travellers from common origins visiting Norway for tourism.
Getting to Oslo
Airports we list for Oslo:
Frequently asked questions
Is Oslo the capital of Norway?
Yes — Oslo is the capital of Norway.
What currency do I need in Oslo?
The local currency is the Norwegian Krone (NOK). Languages spoken in Norway include Norwegian.
What is the dialling code for Norway?
The international dialling code for Norway is +47.
Which airport should I fly into for Oslo?
Oslo Airport, Gardermoen (OSL) is the airport we list for Oslo.
Do I need a visa to visit Norway?
It depends on your passport. Among the origins we track, travellers from Albania, Andorra, Antigua and Barbuda and Argentina currently enter Norway visa-free for tourism. Use the entry requirements tool to check your own nationality and purpose of travel.
Flying out of Oslo? Check the entry requirements for your destination in our entry requirements tool before you fly.