How to get the best out of the Norwegian capital, you ask? We’ve got you! Read on for the most essential information you need to know in order to have a good time – from networking opportunities to cultural codes, music festivals, green living, getting around, and where to eat and drink.
The Munch room at The National Museum.
Photo: VisitOSLO/Didrick Stenersen
If you enjoy visual arts, visiting Munch, National Museum, and Astrup Fearnley should be on your to-do list. The Norwegian Opera and Ballet is a spectacular building in and of itself, and presents a whole host of performances from classical concerts to cutting edge contemporary ballet. Music venues such as Rockefeller, Oslo Spektrum, Blå, and Parkteatret bring you everything from indie rock to hip hop, with Cosmopolite, and Victoria Nasjonal Jazzscene to make sure to keep you abreast with new world music, blues, and jazz.
In the summer, Oslo is booming with music festivals. Øyafestivalen in August is one of the biggest ones, with a diverse line-up from around the world. Piknik i parken and Over Oslo are also popular choices for music fans. Litteraturhuset and Deichman library (with several branches around town) are national arenas for literature, knowledge, and debate. If you enjoy the cinema, make sure to visit Gimle kino, Frogner kino, Vega scene (screens films with English subtitles), Colosseum kino, and Odeon Oslo at Storo. The latter has 14 different cinema halls, all equipped with laser projection and DOLBY ATMOS sound, and the IMAX screen is the size of a five-storey house (!). Additionally, Cinemateket stays true to the original viewing formats, showcasing classics and new releases.
