OSLO – the capital of winter wonderland!

Would you like to take a journey with me to my personal winter wonderland? Come with me to Oslo, Norway, and read about one of my favorite cities. The city is a fascinating place, also in the winter time, and it has its own magic when covered in snow.

The New Opera & Ballet and a frozen "Oslo Fjord" - true winter magic! — The New Opera & Ballet and a frozen “Oslo Fjord” – true winter magic!

Norway’s capital has almost 650.000 inhabitants and I visited the university there some years ago. It is a city surrounded by beautiful nature and powerful ocean – an unbeatable combination. As a crone of the city, the royal castle is situated on top of the hill at the end of the famous shopping street, Karl Johans gate. At the other end of the street, the Main Station is situated and the symbol of the city, the tiger (Oslo is also called “The Tiger City”).

The symbol of Oslo - the tiger. The city is called "The Tiger City"! — The symbol of Oslo – the tiger. The city is called “The Tiger City”!

PHOTO TOUR: with these pictures, I would like to show you what you can easily see and visit in the city center – all walkable and free of cost.

The New Opera & Ballet is an architectural wonder and you can walk up on the roof, seeing the building from different angles. In the summer, there are concerts and events taking place on the roof.

The New Opera is impressive from the inside. You can also book a tour through the Opera House to see the Great Hall where the performances take place and learn more about the development of the building.

Oslo is developing fast, and new and exciting architecture is spreading. These building are situated close to the New Opera and the Main Station.

A beautiful building; the National Theatre!

The Royal Castle is situated on the top of the hill with a wonderful view of the main shopping street, Karl Johan, If the flag is up - the king is home! — The Royal Castle is situated on the top of the hill with a wonderful view of the main shopping street, Karl Johan, If the flag is up – the king is home!

The Parlament is an important place for the country and can be visited by guests on certain days.

"God Jul" means Merry Christmas in norwegian - Oslo is wonderful in the winter time. — “God Jul” means Merry Christmas in Norwegian – Oslo is wonderful in the winter time.

The City Hall of Oslo (close to Aker Brygge and Akershus Festning).

The historic and dignified "Grand Hotel" in the city center was home to a number of important people visiting Oslo. Visit the hotels restaurant for at least coffee and cake to soak in the flair of the hotel. — The historic and dignified “Grand Hotel” in the city center was home to a number of important people visiting Oslo. Visit the hotels restaurant for at least coffee and cake to soak in the flair of the hotel.

Enjoy the view over the fjord called "Oslofjorden". — Enjoy the view over the fjord called “Oslofjorden”.

Aker Brygge is a dream in the summer. You sit down, drink a glass of white wine accompanied with fresh shrimps bought directly from the ships. In the wintertime it is perfect for a stroll or for visiting one of the many restaurants lined up along the shore. This is also where you take the boat of you want to visit the island "Nesodden" (you can take the boat back and forth to see Oslo from the ocean, a great experience). — Aker Brygge is a dream in the summer. You sit down, drink a glass of white wine accompanied by fresh shrimps bought directly from the ships. In the wintertime it is perfect for a stroll or for visiting one of the many restaurants lined up along the shore. This is also where you take the boat if you want to visit the island called “Nesodden” (you can take the boat back and forth to see Oslo from the oceanside, a great experience which takes more or less a half an hour one way).

The stronghold "Akershus Festning" is situated right next to Aker Brygge, providing a beautiful view over the fjord and telling an important history about the nations development over the last 700 years. — The stronghold “Akershus Festning” is situated right next to Aker Brygge, providing a beautiful view over the fjord and telling an important history about the nations development over the last 700 years.

"The Diver" is watching over the Oslo fjord. — “The Diver” is watching over the Oslo fjord.

The norwegian designers behind "Moods of Norway" have opened their "Super Duper Store"s all over the world. But is there anything cooler then visiting a "Super Duper Store" in Norway? My answer is no. — The Norwegian designers behind “Moods of Norway” have opened their “Super Duper Store`s” all over the world. But is there anything cooler then visiting a “Super Duper Store” in Norway? My answer is no.

There is a lot more to Oslo then this, like for example a number of museums and galleries worth visiting, the sculpture park “Vigelandsparken” (which I love), the famous sport venue “Holmenkollen“, the amusement park “Tusenfryd“, the Nobel Peace Center…..I could go on and on. Visit the homepage of Visit Oslo for more information and tips on what to see and do in the city.

Getting to Oslo from around the world:

The main airport is Oslo Gardermoen Airport, situated only 19 min. from the city center. The airport has good connections to airports all over the world, and the airfares are, with some luck, often not as high as one might expect.

The prices in Norway:

Yes, the prices for food and clothes etc. are high in Norway. It is one of the most expensive countries in Europe for visitors. Search for hotels and restaurants a little outside of the main tourist area, and the prices will be ok. But don`t be shocked – it is expensive, but worth every cent!

God tur!

Dare to make your dreams come true – the journey starts with a single step!

– Charlotte –