The Oslo Region has an impressive countryside with mountains, forests, lakes and streams as well as the freshest air you can imagine. This marvellous outdoor activity arena is the perfect backdrop to all kinds of summer fun. The region is easily accessible from the UK through direct flights with Norwegian, and there is a well-developed network of public transport within the region.
City chic in Oslo
Start your visit to the region by exploring the city of Oslo, recently referred to by Wallpaper Magazine as one of the most up-and-coming architecture and design hotspots in the world. The striking Opera House on the waterfront is a landmark of modern architecture and an absolute must-see.
Cultural highlights
Visit the Munch Museum, where some of Munch's most famous paintings, for example the iconic The Scream and Madonna, are on display. Other world famous museums worth mentioning are the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design, the Viking Ship Museum, Fram, Kon-Tiki and the open air museum Norsk Folkemuseum. They are all unique attractions that can be visited with or without a guide.
Oslo is also the home of the Nobel Peace Centre, where the Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place every year. The Nobel Peace Centre hosts a number of events and exhibitions, including a display of the most recent laureate. It is open to visitors most days of the year.
The Oslo Pass
The easiest and most inexpensive way to experience these cultural highlights is to buy the Oslo Pass, which grants free travel on public transport and free or discounted admission to museums and other attractions.
Affordable accommodation
You will find a wide range of good quality accommodation at reasonable prices in the city. Information about hotels and packages is available online.
Enjoy your city break in Oslo
Watch this video to get an idea of some of the things Oslo has to offer.
Get active in Lillehammer
Lillehammer hosted the Winter Olympics in 1994 and offers plenty to explore in terms of challenging sports and fun activities, only two hours from Oslo.
You have, for example, the opportunity to experience the only Olympic bob and luge track in Scandinavia for yourself. The Olympic Park at Lillehammer is home to the Lysgårdsbakkene Ski Jumping Arena (open both in summer and winter), with an open-air terrace from which you can enjoy panoramic views of Lillehammer, Mjøsa and the jumping arena.
Hafjell Bike Park is renowned as the best bike park in Norway for downhill riding. Some of the trails have a vertical drop of 830 metres. There are varying levels of difficulty with jumps and drops for the adventurous and easier tracks for beginners. The gondola in Hafjell provides fantastic opportunities for both biking and walking across the Øyer mountain plateau.
Families should head to Hunderfossen Family Park for a day full of fun. The park is situated in beautiful surroundings and offers more than 50 activities and attractions for all ages – for example a children's farm, a children's water playground, a swimming pool, car-tracks for all ages and a gold diggers area.
Maihaugen Museum, a collection of 200 traditional buildings in the countryside, gives an insight into life and work in the Gudbrandsdalen Valley during the past 300 years. In the centre of Lillehammer you will find the Lillehammer Art Museum. It features a vast collection of important works by Norwegian artists and is considered by many to be the country's leading visual arts museum.
More information is available at Lillehammer's official website.
Day and round trip suggestions
The region's greatest attractions are only a day trip away from Oslo and can easily be reached by public transport or car. The idyllic town of Drøbak and the historic Oscarsborg Fortress give an insight into the coastal history of the Oslofjord.
Or head north of Oslo to Hamar, beautifully positioned on the banks of Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake. Founded in the early 12th century, this town is home to the Hedmarksmuseum and the ruins of the Domkirkeodden cathedral, once Norway’s most spectacular building. Once a year you can step back in time at the medieval festival, and in summer you can enjoy the special attraction of Skibladner – the world's oldest paddle steamer still in use.
About one hour and thirty minutes west of Oslo by car you will find the Blaafarveværket (the Blue Colour Works) cobalt mines. Dating back to the 1770s, the mines manufactured the rare, valuable cobalt blue colour pigment. Cobalt blue has mainly been used to give colour to high quality blue glass and porcelain. It is a truly unique attraction, open from May to September every year.
Fly direct to Oslo with Norwegian from just £39*
Norwegian operates direct flights to Oslo Airport Gardermoen from London Gatwick, Edinburgh and Dublin. The journey from the UK takes less than two hours and the in-flight Wi-Fi will make this time seem even shorter. With several departures every day, and prices from just £39*, there is no reason why you should not experience the wealth of outdoors and cultural activities on offer in the greater Oslo Region.
Book your flight now
*Fares are based on the cheapest one-way fare, whether outbound or return journey including taxes and charges.