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I'm looking at going to Olso for a few days in November with the wife. Now I know it'll be cold and Oslo is expensive but I'm not too bothered about that but does anyone have any recommendations about the city. Is it a "Pretty" city with plenty to see or is it souless with 1960's dodgy architecture. Any advice greatly received. Thanks.
Not sure if snow's there in November (might be a bit early even for Norway), but if it is there's good skiing in the green belt, 20 km by train from the city centre – Tryvann Winter Park.
Oslo is nice, but (as you say) expensive.
There's a few galleries and museums and that, National Gallery, Henie Onstad gallery, Munch Museum an ting. Those were some of my faves.
http://www.visitoslo.com/en/activities-and-attractions/attractions/
A surprising amount really for such a small city. But Oslo is nice to walk about in, as nothing's too far away really, and the transport system is excellent.
It is quite a 'pretty' city. Some modern stuff around the centre, but quite a few parks and gardens and stuff, it's quite low-rise and fairly well spread out. It'll be bastard cold mind, so wrap up proper warm. Or you will die.
The boats from the harbour out to Bygdøy and places are good, bit spensive probbly mind.
Personally I think it's better in summer, cos it's too bloody freezing cold in winter for urban exploration, but it's a nice, chilled out relaxed city.
Go to the Fram museum it is ace, really enjoyed a couple of hours there. Lots of waterfront to see and mooch about on, I really like Oslo if only is wasn't so crazy ex...........
As with any city you get the dodgy 60's bits, but don't let the City hall set too much of a precedent. 😉
Love the trams, there's a 'free' (requires deposit and sign up) bike hire scheme
Lots of pretty bits to wander around,
Start in Frogner park; lots of stunning statues/hard landscaping lake, then long walk down to the city centre while checking out some of the streets + boutique shops around the main 'Palace'
Highly Recommend the outdoor Folk Museum + others on Bygdoy (Get a boat/ferry which you can use public transport travel card on)
Navigate you way down to the Opera house (kind of on the harbour front behind the central station) and walk up and over the roof (yes really .. but they're not that health n safety concious so watch out for all those little level changes on the steep slope) NB the Opera House has the fanciest toilets (near the cloakroom - open to public) I've ever been in period.
Catch a tram/train up to Frognerseter/Holmenkollen if nothing but for the view, or out to Songsvann and wander around the lake.
Nice little coffee shop: Fragrance of the Heart, in the crescent square around the main entrance of the City Hall EDIT: also a small outlet of the same in GlasMagasinet (famous dept store kind of their Selfridges)
2ND EDIT it's a relatively small city to walk, my Granny lives just outside Ring Road 3 to the North and we've walked to the harbour in about an hour
Any advice greatly received. Thanks.
Leave the wife at home 'cos she'll only spend the whole time moaning about how gloomy and depressing Oslo is in November 😉
Catch a tram/train up to Frognerseter/Holmenkollen if nothing but for the view, or out to Songsvann and wander around the lake.
If there is snow (and there probably won't be enough in November) you can get the train to Frognerseter metro and cross country ski across to Songsvann metro, it's signposted and well worth doing. There's a ski hire shop at the station before Frognerseter where you can hire the skis (not too costly if I remember right) Even if there's no snow it's worth getting up into the surrounding hills for the views, as mention above ^^ (if the suns out and it's not too murky)
There's also the old olympic bob sleigh run from Frognerseter down hill for several kilometres coming out at a station further down the metro line, you then hop onto a train back up for another run. Sledges can be hired at the aforementioned shop. Obviously snow required.
Get an Oslo travel card, it's great value (maybe £17 quid or so?) It's valid for seven days, and lets you travel on the metro, buses, trams and boats around the harbour and some neighbouring islands.
Does it have to be Oslo? I'm not dissing Oslo as I love Norway, but don't forget somewhere like Stockholm. Lovely city and great if you like museums. The 'Vasa' museum is fantastic if you appreciate stuff like the Mary Rose.
Lot's of nice suggestions above, as a fomer resident I spent most of November (quite the most character building month in Norge) holed up in the delightful...
Oslo Mikrobryggeri AS
Adresse: Bogstadveien 6, 0355 Oslo
The place to go for a satisfying ale, (albeit costly) and civilised surroundings. Something that hasn't been suggested, you might find a visit to the Holmenkollen Ski Jump & Museum fun, views across the City and Oslofjord are rather lovely brrr. train it back and go to the above for a pint (ahhh)
For coffee & cakes I'd reccommend, the awesome
Åpent Bakeri,
Adresse: Inkognitogata, 0258 Oslo
Settle in beside the woodburning stove and stay there!
Don't wanna pee on your plans but I'd give another vote for Stockholm.
has no one mentioned the miniature bottle museum yet?
http://www.minibottlegallery.com/index.php?id=22&L=1
the erotic and horror sections are great
i really like oslo, some good museums and gallaries, sculture parks etc
if there is any snow being able to get the tube up to the ski resort is great!
some nice (expensive) places to eat by the harbour
booze is very expensive and buying wine/spirits is a bit of a hassle and iirc you cant buy any booze at a supermarket on a sunday!
Thankyou for all the ideas and suggestions.
We have been to Stockholm once before in November and yes it was very cold with snow on the ground but there was something we enjoyed about the cold hence why we've thought of Oslo.
One of the other factors for Oslo is that we can both fly there with Ryan Air including all fees and extras for £48!
Then Oslo it is!!
Post your thoughts when you get back..
i liked oslo we went in october.
buy a guide book - or research before. we struggled to find food (well decent restaurants).
we ended up at a student house drinking 12yo scotch until 2 hours before our flight which was then delayed for hours, then rerouted, then upon landing we waited for hours before reclaiming our bags. then 6:30 am on the m25 the gearbox fell out of my mates car.
Awesome trip though 😉