Oslo is The Capital City of Norway

Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway. It is also a municipality, and a county of its own.

Oslo is not one of the most appealing cities, compared to other European capitals, but this spacious city has a quite few prime sights, particularly museums and no shortage of outdoor attractions and activities around the city.

Byporten Shopping has a unique blend of shops. Oslos newest shopping centre is situated right beside Oslo Central Station and includes more than 70 shops, 10 restaurants, a Scandic Hotel, Norways largest Mique store, Norways largest Egon Restaurant and an underground car park.

Paleet Shopping Centre is the most elegant shopping and food court at the upper part of the main street Karl Johans gate. It includes 45 shops and 13 restaurants with a range you will not find anywhere else.

Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle built around 1300 and modernized in the 17thC. It holds the Resistance Museum and Defence Museum, displaying a history of the Nazi occupation and the Norwegian resistance in WWII. Even if war is not your favourite subject the site is green and pleasant, and the view overlooking the city and harbour is worthwhile. During the summer, it hosts events such as concerts, dances and plays.

Vigeland Park, a superb sculpture park with many and curious life size statues by one of the countries best known artists, Gustav Vigeland. The star piece is a 20 metre high obelisk the worlds biggest granite sculpture, with 121 clambering bodies representing the human life cycle.

Munch Museum, a star attraction for art lovers, dedicated to Norways most famous artist, including his best known painting The Scream though often absent due to world demand. National Gallery, Norways finest collection of art, from Greek and Roman sculpture to Italian Renaissance and French Impressionists, as well as Norwegian and Nordic art. Folk Museum, a vast open air museum of reconstructed traditional architecture including the stave church. Kon Tiki Museum, featuring the historic balsawood raft which travelled across the Pacific in 1947.Viking Ships Museum, displays restored Viking boats and burials.

Restaurants around at Aker Brygge, a former shipyard, now a popular summer promenade and leisure complex with harbour views and steep prices. Lofoten serves a huge selection of seafood or you can try the more casual Albertine Cafe or alfresco Lekteren for mussels and shrimp. Nearby, Bagatelle is the only Norwegian restaurant with two Michelin stars. The 100 year old atrecafeen at the Hotel Continental is an elegant classic. The Grunerlokka area north of the Central Station has become fashionable and has some fine restaurants try stylish Sudost or bohemian.

The city culture scene is fairly active not only in summer time but throughout the year, and includes theatre, live music, dance, clubs and more.