Places to Visit in Oslo, Norway

Travel notes

Time difference recorded in the original post: 1.5 hours

Capital: Oslo

Official language: Norwegian; English is also widely used.

Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK)

Visa: required in the author's circumstances

I went, explored and saw it for myself 🙂

Oslo, Oslo… Norway has a strong economy. It had faced financial hardship before offshore oil transformed its fortunes. In my experience it was among Europe's richest and most expensive countries, with a small population and enormous open spaces, especially greenery. At a time when I struggled to find green space back home, I kept sighing over it. People were polite and respectful, welcoming us with smiles. Oslo had roadworks and construction in many places, as if the city was being reorganised, but historic buildings were carefully protected. What did we eat? Norway is a fish lover's paradise, but I am not particularly keen on fish, so often chose fast food. Budget matters too: given the high prices, fast food can become inevitable. Restaurants were pleasant, though I didn't see many of the luxurious venues familiar from Turkey. With more time, I would suggest Bergen, Tromsø and the fjords. We didn't have time; my original notes described the journeys as nine or ten hours from Oslo. Norway felt different culturally and geographically, especially in the contrast between night and day. I was there in June, luckily one of the months with the longest days. From what I observed, it stayed almost daylight until 1 am, then looked like early dawn rather than night. That gives you plenty of sightseeing time! Winter must be the opposite. The photograph below shows what I mean 🙂

10 pm

There seemed to be a strong interest in art and theatre. The opera house was busy, and I was told people often went to the opera in the evenings. I thought: with fewer financial worries, there is more room for cultural activities.

The opera house

And here is the place I associated with the Nobel Peace Prize:

Nobel Peace Center

While exploring, we saw a huge green space where people were reading, dancing and relaxing. I thought how lovely it was, then discovered it was the royal palace's garden! Back home there are places we cannot even approach. Interesting 🙂

The Royal Palace

The Royal Palace gardens

Just as Istanbul's Kadıköy has its bull statue, Oslo has a lion. Everyone takes photographs with it.

The famous Vikings 🙂

Vikings

Norway's parliament

The parliament building

Oslo Cathedral

With two days left, we decided to relax and found Drammen, about 30 minutes from Oslo. We were glad we did: a small but lovely place. Bridges cross the river through town, and opposite was a green ski slope that would be covered in snow in winter. It was restful and peaceful. If you want somewhere small and quiet to clear your head, I definitely recommend it.

Drammen

Drammen

A house in Drammen—isn't it lovely? It makes you feel as though you would never grow old here 🙂

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