The tourist trade has crept into almost every city in Europe in the last few decades, as far as even the smallest Mediterranean island or the most remote Romanian village. But even though the desire for tourist revenue has transformed some of Europe’s finest attractions into high-price amusement park rides, there are still one or two well-kept secrets around. One of them, funnily enough is the Norwegian capital!
Oslo’s resistance to the tacky excesses of more popular European tourist destinations means that a great deal of the city’s marvellous heritage is still on display in its natural state, and the visitor can enjoy the city’s sights just as much as the natives do! Even a brief wander around will leave you in no doubt that this is a city of contrasts; a magnificent steel-and-glass skyline, modern to the point of being futuristic, rises about some of the best 19th-century neo-classical architecture on the continent.
There’s been a settlement where Oslo stands for over a thousand years, and many museums of history and culture commemorate this – including the excellent Vikingskiphuset (Viking Ship Museum) and Edvard Munch Museum - but if art, history and architecture aren’t what floats your boat, the city also has a thriving nightlife. The riverside Grunelokka district is home to most of the city’s classiest and liveliest restaurants and clubs – and you can tell because it’s where a great many of the citizens of Oslo all congregate on their nights out. The district is also where you can find the spectacular Den Norske Opera, which puts on a great variety of thrilling performances that will appeal to anyone, not just the touring opera lover.
There’s a quote from Henrik Ibsen that seems appropriate - "A community is like a ship, everyone ought to be prepared to take the helm." Enjoying Oslo is all about getting involved, and the city’s fiercely individualist attitude means that it’ll accept no excuse for not flinging yourself head-first into whatever is going on! Oslo’s mad for sports all year round, so winter visitors should follow the locals down the city’s huge artificial ski slopes and summer visitors are advised to check out the harbour’s huge 1000-boat sailing regatta, if not hire a boat and take the rudder themselves.