Are you travelling to Norway? do you know which are the best areas to stay in Oslo? You have come to the right place. we explain you how the best neighbourhoods are, among which are Sentrum, Gamle Oslo, Aker Brygge, Grunerlokka, Frogner, Majorstua, or St. Petersburg.cHanshaugen.
The city of Oslo is the best introduction to what Norway has to offer to travelers who want to be seduced by its Nordic nature.The fjord on which Oslo sits, with its islands full of charm, exhibits the nature that can be discovered between the sea and the mountains.
In summer, Oslo is perfect for hikers; in winter, it is perfect for those who dream of practicing winter sports near an urban environment with all the comforts.
Oslo also offers a mixture of the old and the new, historical touches and glimpses of the future that can be seen in advance in its art galleries, museums and in the city’s new and transgressive architecture.
But Oslo is one of the cities with the greatest vocation in the world for self-education in sustainability.
The best areas to stay in Oslo
Oslo is not a very big city and moving around on foot can be very pleasant in good weather.But the queen of the Norwegian capital is the bicycle, which is favoured by the absence of steep slopes and there are stops to pick up and drop off passes in 45 minute periods.
It should be remembered that bikes are only available in the car parks until midnight.more Bicycle stops coincide with the metro and train stations, the main streets and avenues and the busiest squares in the centre.
As regards other transport systems, it should be mentioned that Oslo has an integrated multi-transport system that combines mobility on the metro, buses and boats in the form of passes, vouchers and tickets.It is a system based on the popular Oslo Pass, of which there are different types for different uses and with specific prices.There are six subway lines with the historical center as a central junction, but the disadvantage is the displacement to many areas of the periphery.
The taxi, on the other hand, is the most expensive means of transport, but obviously the fastest when it comes to arrive in record time to an appointment.
Despite their size, each of the 15 districts of the Norwegian capital offers different sensations that are there for the most sensitive travellers to feel.
When choosing the best area to stay in Oslo, we must take into account the Gamle Oslo, with its Sentrum, the part of Aker Brygge, the district of Grunerløkka, those of Frogner, Majorstua or St. Hanshaugen are perhaps those that best convey the essence and values of the Norwegian capital.”, “But let’s look at the details, for example, those that make the Sentrum great.
1.Sentrum
The center of Oslo, the Sentrum, is the ground zero of everything that must be seen.In this district, not only are the city’s most important civil, military, cultural and religious buildings located, but also some of the most representative museums and cultural areas.
If you are looking for a place to eat, to stay in Oslo and to enjoy local leisure activities, the Sentrum is also a reference that should be marked in red.
Selected places, these are half a dozen of the most emblematic places that should be taken into account in the centre.We start with the Oslo City Hall complex. The City Hall building is an imposing construction in the centre of the city, which looks like a castle with battlements, but is of recent construction (1950).
It contains important Norwegian works of art, can be visited by groups and at 1 p.m.The Royal Palace in Oslo is very reminiscent of Buckingham Palace, although small, and was built in 1849 and is surrounded by a large and well kept garden that is very popular with the citizens.
The Oslo Cathedral was finished as we can see it today in 1690, but, with time, the later additions were dulling it.It should be remembered that a large part of the medieval city around the church disappeared as a result of a voracious fire in 1624. The cathedral was restored to its original baroque appearance in 1950, so the central altarpiece, the front of the organ and the pulpit are original.
Behind the cathedral and on the outside, there are some small shops which were set up as butcher shops between 1841 and 1858, which were set up in a very particular neo-Romanesque style and which are now a protected historical site.
The building of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet is one of those sets which are iconic in Oslo and which are key to understanding the genius of the country’s building design.The Oslo Opera House has three halls with a total of 2,000 seats, although the foyer is sometimes used for small auditions (Kirsten Flagstads plass, 1).
A reference of value, the Vikingplanet is a permanent, rabidly interactive exhibition that seeks to offer a very vivid account of the world of the Vikings and their historical period.”, ”
This is an experience based on virtual reality in which the visitor can travel aboard a Viking drakkar and learn about the mythology and customs of this people of whom their Norwegian heirs are so proud (Fridtjof Nansens plass, 4).
More.The Vikaterrassen is a pedestrian area free of vehicles located in the Ruseløkkveien area that represents an oasis to enjoy outdoor life in Oslo when the weather permits.
In this sector called the Vika, there are many restaurants of international cuisine, brand shops, concert halls, a step from the Nationaltheatret subway station.
Let’s talk about celebrations.One of the festivals not to be missed is Norway Day on 17 May, when the streets of the city centre fill with people of all ages in traditional costume, a real spectacle.
The National Gallery of Oslo houses Norway’s largest art collection, some of which are national icons (Universitetsgata, 13).The centre of the capital is by far the most recommended area to stay in Oslo.
It is very close to the described attractions, but also within walking distance from Oslo Central Station and the Karl Johan Gate, the city’s main street, which allows you to connect to any part of Oslo and different cities in the country.
The Central Station is located 850 meters east of the city hall.In the Sentrum, the hotel offer to find accommodation in Oslo is higher and the prices of the cheapest hotels correspond to the four star hotels in Spain.Gamle Oslo
Gamle Oslo, Oslo Old translated, is the recognized extension of the historical city centre beyond the Sentrum.The organization of its streets is inherited from the medieval layout of the capital and its views are those of the port.
In Gamle Oslo, the Edvard Munch Museum, with its botanical gardens in the spring, and especially the Medieval Park, is dedicated to the artist of the same name and the forerunner of expressionism.The permanent exhibition contains paintings – and his famous ‘Scream’ -, graphic prints and drawings. Free admission with Oslo Pass.
The Medieval Park or Middelalderparken is a garden area opened to the public in 2000 that houses a series of archaeological remains corresponding to the churches of St. Clement and St. Mary (Clemenskirken and Mariakirken).
The Park also houses an old fortified royal estate which currently includes an artificial lake popularly known as ‘Tenerife’ and the Akershus Fortress, a medieval castle that can be visited and which is a national museum and the location of a permanent exhibition of the Norwegian Armed Forces.
Game Oslo, like the Sentrum itself, is a perfect place to stay in Oslo and to be close to all the important attractions of the city.”, “As in the Sentrum, the prices of hotels to sleep in Oslo are significantly high.
ACCOMMODATION IN GAMLE OSLO
3.Aker Brygge
Aker Brygge is a small commercial area of high standing located on the marina of Oslo.It is the site of a former shipyard and some of Oslo’s most memorable industries, but today it is part of the city centre and a popular area for daytime and evening entertainment.The avenue next to the wharfs is a perfect place to walk around and the restaurants offer some of the delights of Norwegian cuisine, such as different preparations with salmon or sekrei (fresh) cod, the latter being a national dish.One of the most curious attractions is the anchor of the German Blücher battleship that, in 1940, was part of the German invasion squad to Norway.
The ship was hidden from the German soldiers who jumped ashore without warning to occupy strategic points in the city to reduce local resistance. For that reason, the anchor bears the nickname ‘infamous monument’.
ACCOMMODATION IN AKER BRYGGE
4.Grunerløkka
Grunerløkka is a former working-class district that has been converted into a centre of local fashion and culture.
This is a lively district and perfect for partying or simply listening to live music in some of its venues.In the area, there are vintage fashion houses (Thorvald Meyers Gate Street), small markets where you can find some nice bargains and antiques to take home.
Important note, in Grunerløkka people move around by bike, on foot or by public transport.In the small restaurants in the district, you should try healthy, venal or exotically naturist food, often with tables set up in backyards with the charm of simplicity and home-made food.
Another option in the area is to take a walk or bike ride along the banks of the river Akerselva with its white swans, unaware of everything.
Accommodation in this area is recommended if you want to save money.You can sleep in Oslo at Grunerløkka in hotels for the price of a three star stay in Spain.
ACCOMMODATION IN GRUNERLOKKA
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5.”, “Frogner
Frogner is a residential neighbourhood in Oslo which is located immediately northwest of the city centre.
In the area, it is worth taking some time to see the Viking Ship Museum, the Oslo Museum, the Kon-tiki Museum and the Vigeland Sculpture Park.</
The Viking Ship Museum offers three spectacular Viking drakkars in one place, the best preserved in the world, as spectacular as the allusive images projected on the walls and ceilings of the exhibition.
The Museum of the Kon-tiki tells of the incredible journey of Thor Heyerdahl who proved that travel between the Pacific islands and the American coast of South America was possible and, with it, the migrations that gave rise to the populations on the continent.
Along with this exhibition, the traveller can enjoy other contents of the Polar Museum which includes a section dedicated to the Framm, the ship on which the Norwegian Nansen and Amundsen carried out their Arctic and Antarctic explorations.
As regards accommodation in Oslo in the Frogner area, large hotels are not abundant, and Frogner is one of the most expensive areas in the city.But still, it is possible to find some bread & breakfast with prices equivalent to those of two or three star hotels in Spain.
ACCOMMODATION IN FROGNER
6.Majorstua
Majorstua is a quiet neighbourhood which is located about 25 minutes walk from the centre of Oslo.It is located northwest of the city centre and is part of the Frogner area, a residential and commercial area dominated by the large green area of this part of the Norwegian capital, the Frogner Park.
Here you can find apartments and family houses for rent which can be in themselves a great experience to stay in Oslo.
Staying in Oslo in this area allows you to benefit from the proximity of the Majorstuen Station, an important node of urban transport lines, underground, three tram lines and five bus lines that facilitate rapid connections between neighbourhoods.St. Hanshaugen
St. Hanshaugen, the St. John’s Hill, is a district in the centre of Oslo immediately north of the Sentrum.It is arranged around a large urban park and on a slope that allows for very nice views of the Oslo Fjord and the city itself. The boundaries of St. Hanshaugen are between the course of the Akerselva River, the campus of the University of Oslo, Ullevål University Hospital and the headquarters of Norsk Rikskringkasting, the Norwegian public broadcasting headquarters that provides radio and television coverage of the country.
The area has a very popular park that is very popular in the spring and summer months and is perfect for picnics with friends or family, especially if there are small children. St. Hanshaugen Park was developed for the citizens between 1876 and 1886 and has a pavilion for public use, a large pond, a reservoir that provides water to the city of Oslo and a large wooded area.This environment is ideal for those who enjoy walking, walking in the open air or hiking in a controlled environment.
In the area, you can find accommodation in Oslo at reasonable prices, especially in small hotels.
ACCOMMODATION IN ST. HANSHAUGEN
Oslo is more than you can imagine
What is the best area to stay in Oslo?
The Norwegian capital has in the centre (Sentrum) the best hotels to stay , as well as several shopping centres (such as Oslo City and Byporten), exclusive cafes, discos, nightclubs and jazz clubs, located around the main avenue, Karl Johans Gate, where there is always a lot of activity and a vibrant life, both day and night.This street also has many of the city’s landmarks, such as the Royal Palace, the National Theatre and the University of Oslo, which is always busy and vibrant, both day and night.
Kvadraturen is located between the Akershus Fortress, Karl Johan Avenue, Jernbanetorget and Egertorget, and in addition to these monuments, it is home to the City Hall, Parliament, the Cathedral and several art galleries and museums.
Therefore, the center is the best area for to stay when visiting Oslo and allows you to take a walking tour of the most significant places in the Norwegian capital, very accessible and easy to visit.
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The city centre, the best area to stay in Oslo
Although it is the capital and the most populated city in Norway, Oslo is a small city that can be perfectly visited on foot and there are no great distances between its main points of interest.The center brings together everything you need to enjoy a pleasant and comfortable stay, hence the concentration of the best hotels, cafes, restaurants and clothing stores.
The Oslo City Hall, a red brick building with two towers that houses the Oslo municipal corporation, the city administration and art galleries, is one of the references of the city, which is structured around Karl Johans Gate.If we walk the main artery of Oslo you can visit buildings as emblematic as the Cathedral, historically known as the Church of Our Savior.
This baroque and brick temple, whose interior preserves jewels of art such as bells, altarpiece or crypt, is the national cathedral of Oslo and is used as such in official ceremonies of the government and the Norwegian Royal Family, hence it was the place chosen by Crown Prince Haakon Magnus of Norway to marry his fiancée, Mette-Marit, in 2001.The Parliament (Stortinget), a yellowish and majestic building, home to the Norwegian national assembly, is another monument we should stop at on our way through the centre.
The building also hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize winner.Just five minutes from the Parliament is the National Theatre, one of the largest and most important places in Scandinavia for the dramatic arts. Between the two buildings is the Eidsvolls Pals, a busy square with numerous fountains, ideal for resting, walking or stopping for a drink and even a meal.”, ‘
A few steps to the north we arrive at the Royal Palace, the residence of the Kings of Norway in Oslo. Built in the 19th century, this three-storey neoclassical building has a large number of rooms, extensive gardens, monuments and statues that honour different Norwegian personalities, and at the door of the building the change of guards takes place daily, a spectacle worth seeing.
A few minutes away is the National Gallery, which houses the country’s most admirable art collection and whose most famous painting was “The Scream”, by the Norwegian expressionist Edgard Munch, until it was stolen in 2004.The National Gallery is part of the National Museum of Art, created 11 years ago, and very close to the university campus, which houses the Faculty of Law of the University of Oslo, the largest and most prestigious in the country, founded in the early nineteenth century.
Kvadraturen is also home to Frognerparken, the largest public park in Oslo, which has large green areas, a pond with ducks and leafy trees and houses nearly 200 life-size sculptures in granite and bronze of human forms that decorate a long central walk.
South of the Old Town, strategically located by the Oslo Fjord, is Akershus Castle, a fortress erected in the Middle Ages as a royal castle that served as a seat for the King’s representatives and which was transformed in the 18th century in the Renaissance style. The complex, which is over 700 years old, has survived several sieges and currently serves as headquarters, officer’s school and accommodation space.
On the main square of this fortress is the National Monument, which commemorates the victims of the Second World War, and 20 minutes from the fortress is the Oslo Opera House, an extraordinary marble and glass building in Bjørvika that features innovative architecture and hosts world-class opera and ballet performances.Opened in 2008, the Opera is the largest cultural building in the country and has accumulated many awards.
A few minutes away is the Spektrum, Norway’s largest multi-purpose stage, a regular venue for Nobel Peace Prize concerts, Nordic Music Awards and other events.Around this huge building are other nightlife venues that set the mood for the nights in the city, being an ideal area to go out and have fun, such as the Rockefeller Music Hall and bars where rock reigns, like the famous Café Mono.
