Find the best hotels in Oslo and experience the Norwegian capital

Location and offerings

In Oslo, there are plenty of hotels in all categories. The majority of the most popular business hotels located right in the center, but there are also a couple of hotels that are on the outskirts of the city.

Families with children choose similarly. Most people prefer to stay right in the center, close to attractions and restaurants while others choose to stay in quieter neighborhoods.

Couples who visit the city for a romantic weekend often choose a hotel close to the center and the Royal Palace. But some prefer to stay a little outside the city.

There are many budget accommodations and most have a good, central location and are high class relative to the same category in other countries. It is common to have a shared bathroom, especially in places with bigger rooms and dormitories.

The finest luxury hotels have attractive city center locations drawing down toward the harbor. Several of them have an outstanding view of the Oslo fjord.

Many visitors travel by car from the north of Norway and choose to stay in Oslo before traveling further down towards Sweden and Europe or against any of the airports. Therefore, many of the hotels have locations with good connectivity to major highways and the airports.

Attractions and sights

Oslo is a cultural city and there is much to discover. Many visit the Royal Palace and the beautiful Castle Park, but there is also the upscale Aker Brygge neighborhood and the Akershus Festning castle which dates back to the 1200s.

The National Gallery, which is part of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design holds Norway's largest art collection. Vigelandsparen sculpture park is considered to be a must see in Oslo, the grounds contain 212 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.

The famous Holmenkollen Ski Jump offers ski museum, a natural setting and a breathtaking panoramic view of Oslo.

Families are usually lured by attractions like Natural History Museum, the Viking Ship Museum at Bygdøy and the TusenFryd amusement park, located a few miles south of Oslo.

Restaurants, shopping and nightlife

In the center of Oslo, there are a great variety of restaurants, bars and entertainment establishments. Aker Brygge and Tjuvholmen are popular areas with fjord views. In Majorstua you will find some of the city's most elegant places, while the Greenland area appeals to a younger audience.

The cultural life is rich and in Oslo, one can enjoy opera, music and theater. On Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's main street, you can enjoy many shops, cafes and restaurants. Many award winning restaurants with high international status can be found there.

Trade shows and events

In Oslo there are many different activities and events year round. The major focus is on the Royal Family and the Norwegian National Day, which falls on May 17 every year.

During large trade fairs, international conferences and large sporting events the hotels can book up quickly. Therefore it is wise to book well before your trip, especially if one wishes to stay in a specific hotel or area near an event you will attend.

Travel to and in the city

Most arrive in Oslo by plane, train, car or bus. The international airport Gardermoen is a few miles north of Oslo, and from there you can reach Oslo easily by express train, airport bus, local train, hire car or taxi. Two smaller airports, Rygge airport in Moss and the Torp airport in Sandefjord are a bit further out from the city. From these airports you can take express buses directly to downtown Oslo.

Oslo fjord flows into the sea and many visitors get to Oslo by ferry from Copenhagen, Kiel and Hamina. Once in the city, there are good connections by bus, metro, tram and ferry.

Many people choose to travel by car and then one should keep in mind that it is very expensive to park in central Oslo. Another expense to keep in mind when traveling by car are the customs fees, payable at various stations along the way.

Weather and climate

Norway's climate is influenced by the warm Gulf Stream, resulting in a rather mild climate in relation to latitude. Oslo has cold winters and relatively warm summers. Weather is variable with pretty hefty rainfall. The moist sea air makes the weather often feel a bit colder than it is. Because of the latitude in the summer daylight hours can be as long as 18 hours in the summer, and as short as 6 hours of daylight in the winter.

Price structure

Oslo is one of the most expensive cities to live in. The prices at restaurants and bars are often very high, but there are also less expensive options.

City pass

The Oslo Pass can be a great way to save money. The card entitles the holder to free admission to over 30 museums and attractions. It also includes free travel on public transport, free parking in many places and a variety of other discounts and offers.