- Oslo
- (72)
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Norway
Views of the city and its fjord to die for from this bar on the 21st floor. A stylish and suited downtown crowd gathers here at sunset to watch the light fade and the neons come on all over the city, supping sophisticated concoctions from a long (and, as it’s Scandinavia, suitably pricey) cocktail list. Male vertigo sufferers should stick to short measures: the urinals are built into glass walls looking out over the abyss.
For 60 Krone you can get a pass for 24 hours which you can use on buses, trams, the metro and ferries. Especially good is to take a "mini cruise" around the islands in the bay. Also go up the hill on metro Line 1 to Frognerseteren for great views over the city.
All transport stations
Avoid using the Airport Express Train (flytoget) from the airport to the city. Instead use the local train which is half the price and takes only an extra six minutes.
Avoid using the Airport Express Train from the airport to the city. Instead use the local train which is half the price and takes only an extra six minutes.
According to their website, the DNT is Norway's largest outdoor activities organisation. Their work includes maintaining a fantastic network of marked hiking trails and running 144 mountain lodges, linked by these (and other trails).
We have just returned from a week hiking in Jontunheimen and cannot praise the DNT highly enough. I have never seen such an organisation so successful at making the wilderness accessible with minimal disturbance to the natural environment.
The trails are well-marked and maintained and where we used trails not maintained by the DNT, staff were nevertheless able to advise on them. The level of service at the fully staffed lodges we used was extraordinary and not too expensive (by Norwegian standards!). And how good is it to come off a mountain, knowing that a comfortable bed, three course meal, hot showers, and effective drying room are waiting for you? The DNT prides itself in never turning anyone away.
We were walking as a family with two under twelves, so didn't undertake any really major climbs, but the DNT also organises tours of the high peaks etc.
All the activities we undertook, we could have done as non-members, but joining the DNT meant serious discounts on accommodation costs as well as the ability to secure beds when the lodges were nearly full. If you are venturing deeper into the mountains and staying at unstaffed lodges, I think you need to be a member to get a key to the lodges.
This place is on the roof of Norway. It is only accessible by train - the mainline Bergen to Oslo.
Fantastic hotel Finse 1222 with great views over glacier. The walks along the old navvy road are excellent.
"The roof of Norway"
Use Hotel Finse 1222 as a base for adventures in the Norwegian mountains.
There are excellent walks and cycling opportunities along the old Navvy Road. Ask the stationmaster for the best routes by hopping from station to station - they are spaced about 15km apart.
The walk from Hallingskeid to Myrdal, down through the tree line, is unmissable, while, the railway museum at Finse is incredibly informative.
This hotel is only accessible by train on the Oslo - Bergen mainline. See:
www.finse1222.no/Engelsk/index.htm
You can camp anywhere outside of the cities except for the home pasture of a farm and fields which haven’t been harvested, so you don’t need to worry if you don’t make it to your next intended stop.
There are many campsites, however, and most also have basic cabins sleeping two, four, or more people — useful for the occasional evening of lounging around and drying out.
www.camping.no is an excellent website listing all campsites in Norway.
The Summit bar at the top of the Radisson SAS Hotel in the centre of Oslo has absolutely stunning views of the city and Oslo fjord, especially if you go there around dusk to watch the sunlight fade and the streetlights and neons come on all over the city.
If you go at the right time you can get a comfy seat right by the window, the best vantage point. Apart from the urinals apparently - they are right up against the glass so you can enjoy the view whilst, you know. Oh, and in the ladies' there is one cubicle with two toilets in it - in case you and a friend need to finish a conversation, especially urgently I suppose?!
Drinks aren't as expensive as I'd feared - it was around 300kr for two (small) bottles of beer and two glasses of red - pricier than the UK but that's to be expected I think.
When we went there was an especially good bar tender - she paid loads of attention to getting drinks just so and gave us some free peanuts!
A great atmosphere, stunning views and perfect company meant the Summit bar was the highlight of my trip to Oslo.
It's near the Royal Palace. The address is Holbergsgate 30, N-0166, Oslo
Take a virtual tour of the bar: www.radissonsas.com/cs/Satellite?c=Page&cid=1057908738708&hotelCode=oslza&language=en&pagename=RadissonSAS%2FPage%2FrsasVirtualTour&extra=1057908749136
The town hall in Oslo is famous for holding the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony.
It was built in the 1930s, and is located near to the sea, close to Aker Brygge.
It stands out because of the two unusual block brick towers. First impressions are not so positive, but it grows on you.
The building has several sculptures on the walls depicting labourers at work. By the main entrance there is a fountain with a sculpture of a bird. From a distance it appears like a normal brick building, but on
closer inspection you observe various unusual patterns in the brickwork.
The interior walls are decorated with striking artworks in different bright colours. From the first floor there is an amazing view of the Oslo Harbour and the scenic fjord.
It's worth your while spending time slowly looking at the details both inside and out.
Oslo Centre, close to Nationaltheatret and Aker Brygge
This unique sculpture park is the life work of the sculptor Gustav Vigeland. There are more than 200 sculptures in bronze, granite and cast iron set in beautiful park land close to the City. A monumental artistic collection with a human message. Excellent cafe too.
The park is open all year. Easy to reach - 20 minutes from the city centre by Tram.
Address: Frognerparken
Postal address: 0268 Oslo
Web: www.vigeland.museum.no
It's very expensive to club in Norway and recommended you bring your own drinks from home, but it's one of few places where smoking is prohibited so if you want to dance the night away without choking to death on cigarette fumes it's a great way to spend your time!
Oslo is not for those on a tight budget. Even food in supermarkets is expensive, so if self-catering make sure you have some of your own supplies from home - the money saved is worth it!
Untouched nature that will suit medium/beginners level downhill and cross country fans. The coolest thing is that it is now so easy and cheap to get to Norway from the UK north and south.
A pass which gives you unlimited travel on the bus, tram and train; and entry to many museums for one price. Available in several durations.
www.visitoslo.com
Tourist Information Offices and some hotels.
A huge park full of scupltures by the famous Gustav Vigeland.
Kirkeveien, Frogner, Oslo - take the underground to Majorstua (all the lines pass here), and then walk about five minutes to get to Frognerparken.
Upstairs bar with rooftop beer garden. Great atmosphere outside and in when it gets too chilly and everyone piles back in for the live music. Nice beers (pricey, but I'm sure you know that if you're in Norway) and friendly locals.
Gronland 18, not too far on foot from the central bus station;
tel: 22 17 16 00
The flexicard cost me KR160 (about £15) and could be used for 8 trips at anytime. Each time I hopped on the bus (or tram or boat) the ticket was stamped and was valid for one hour. A normal ticket would have cost me KR30 just for one trip into the city centre from Rislakka, about 20 minutes away. (KR11 = about £1 - April 2006)
These can be bought on the bus from the driver, or at numerous outlets all over the city of Oslo.
Vigeland Park is a huge park in which to stroll and browse the sculptures of Vigeland - both bronze and stone – which are overwhelming in their beauty and size. The children I was with were climbing all over the sculptures at the top of the stairs, near the monolith crawling with naked stone bodies! What a wonderful experience. Ideal in summer, but lovely in winter too.
Right in the centre of Oslo;
www.visitoslo.com/Vigeland-Sculpture-Park/
The National Gallery in Oslo has an interesting and varied collection of paintings and sculpture, including Monet, Picasso, Munch and Vigeland.
Universitetsgate 13, N-0164 Oslo (behind the Law Faculty of the university);
tel: 47 2220 0404;
www.nasjonalmuseet.no
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