Travel Guide Oslo Maritime heritage, picturesque setting
←
→
Page content transcription
If your browser does not render page correctly, please read the page content below
Travel Guide Oslo Maritime heritage, picturesque setting 02 Quick view 05 Getting around Oslo 09 Calendar of events 02 Norway 05 Top 10 sights 11 Hotels 03 Travel etiquette 07 Shopping in Oslo 12 Best of ... 04 Health 07 Restaurants 04 Phone calls & Internet 08 Nightlife © Nadine Paul LH.com/travelguide Oslo 01/14
Travel Guide Oslo 02 Quick view Oslo: Maritime heritage, picturesque setting One of the loveliest cities in Europe, Oslo benefits from a picturesque setting at the end of the mighty Oslo Fjord and an almost unlimited supply of things to see and do. Of course no visit to the Norwegian capital would be complete without a visit to the Munch Museum but if you can bear to leave the city centre behind, there’s plenty more to discover, including some excellent skiing spots in winter. As a seaside city, there are plenty of reminders of Norway’s maritime past too, not least in the immaculately presented Viking Museum. Back on dry land, expect seafood galore in the Norwegian capital’s many restaurants and a surprisingly vibrant night scene once the sun goes down. Norway General knowledge Country overview From precipitous glaciers to steep-sided gorges and crystalline fjords, Norway’s natural beauty is impossible to overstate. The unspoilt wilderness of the Arctic north is one of the few places where the sun shines at midnight during the summer and where the magnificent Northern Lights brighten the skies during the long, dark winter. Further to the south, the picturesque cities of Oslo, Trondheim and Bergen are brimful of buildings showing off Scandinavia’s age-old flair for design in cosmopolitan surroundings. Beautiful though the cities are, the real wonders of Norway are to be found outdoors, with ample skiing, fishing and rock-climbing opportunities for the adventurous and nature lovers alike. Geography Norway is bordered to the north by the Arctic Ocean, to the east by Finland, the Russian Federation and Sweden, to the south by the Skagerrak (which separates it from Denmark) and to the west by the North Sea. The coastline is over 25,000km (15,534 miles) long, its most outstanding feature being the numerous fjords. Most of them are from 80km to 160km (50 to 100 miles) long, and are usually flanked by towering mountains. Much of northern Norway lies beyond the Arctic Circle and consequently, mostly takes the form of rugged tundras. The south is covered with pine and larch forests, and dotted with lakes, rivers and mountains. General knowledge Key facts Population: 5109056 Population Density (per sq km): 13 Capital: Oslo Language Norwegian (Bokmål and Nynorsk)is the official language but Northern Sami, Lule Sami, Kven and Southern Sami are also recognised. English is widely spoken throughout Norway as are Swedish and Danish. LH.com/travelguide Oslo 02/14
Travel Guide Oslo 03 Currency Norwegian Krone (NOK; symbol Kr) = 100 øre. Notes are in denominations of Kr1,000, 500, 200, 100 and 50. Coins are in denominations of Kr20, 10, 5 and 1. The 50 øre coin is now out of circulation. Electricity 230 volts AC, 50Hz. European round two-pin plugs are standard. General business opening hours Mon-Fri 0800-1600 Public holidays Listed below are the public holidays for the period January 2020 to December 2021. 2020 Nyttårsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2020 Palmesøndag (Palm Sunday): 5 April 2020 Skjærtorsdag (Maundy Thursday): 10 April 2020 Langfredag (Good Friday): 11 April 2020 Første påskedag (Easter Sunday): 12 April 2020 Andre påskedag (Easter Monday): 13 April 2020 Første mai (Public Holiday in May): 1 May 2020 Grunnlovsdagen (Republic Day): 17 May 2020 Kristi himmelfartsdag (Ascension Day): 21 May 2020 Første pinsedag (Whit Sunday): 31 May 2020 Andre pinsedag (Whit Monday): 1 June 2020 Første juledag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2020 Andre juledag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2020 2021 Nyttårsdag (New Year’s Day): 1 January 2021 Palmesøndag (Palm Sunday): 28 March 2021 Skjærtorsdag (Maundy Thursday): 1 April 2021 Langfredag (Good Friday): 2 April 2021 Første påskedag (Easter Sunday): 4 April 2021 Andre påskedag (Easter Monday): 5 April 2021 Første mai (Public Holiday in May): 1 May 2021 Grunnlovsdagen (Republic Day): 17 May 2021 Kristi himmelfartsdag (Ascension Day): 13 May 2021 Første pinsedag (Whit Sunday): 23 May 2021 Andre pinsedag (Whit Monday): 24 May 2021 Første juledag (Christmas Day): 25 December 2021 Andre juledag (Boxing Day): 26 December 2021 All information subject to change. Travel etiquette How to fit in Social Conventions Normal courtesies should be observed and follow similar lines to those of other European countries, with a few regional exceptions, for example, guests refraining from drinking until the host has toasted their health. Hosts and hostesses often expect an invited guest to offer small gifts on arrival for a meal. LH.com/travelguide Oslo 03/14
Travel Guide Oslo 04 Lunch, generally a light open sandwich snack known as a matpakke, takes place between 11.30am and 12pm, while dinner is very early - around 5pm. Punctuality is expected if invited out for dinner. Health Health Main emergency number: 112 Food & Drink Food in Norway is safe to eat although care should be taken when purchasing food from unlicensed/roadside stalls. Norwegian tap water is safe to drink, although drinking from fjords, streams and rivers – however clean they look – isn't recommended as even the most inviting-looking water can harbour parasites. Water that has been boiled or treated with iodine or chlorine tablets is usually safe to drink. Other Risks Vaccination for tick-borne encephalitis is sometimes recommended. Contractual physician of Lufthansa Oslo Akutten Medisinske Senter Nedre Vollgaten 8 0158 Oslo Norway Tel. +47-2200-8176 Emergencies: Legevakten Storgata 40 0182 Oslo Tel. +47-2293-2293 Please note that Lufthansa accepts no responsibility for the treatment nor will it bear the cost of any treatment. Phone calls & Internet Phone calls & Internet Telephone Country code: +47 Mobile telephony and Internet Since June 2017, EU citizens traveling within the EU, and also in Iceland, Norway and Liechtenstein have been able to use their cell phones and surf the Net without incurring any extra charges: In other words, customers pay the same price for phone calls, text messages and data volume as they do at home. Restrictions do apply to the constant use of SIM cards abroad, however, and caps may be set on data packages. For full details, contact your mobile telephony provider in your country. Travelers using a SIM card from a non-EU state do not benefit from the new arrangement. Free Internet access via Wi-Fi is possible in many busy tourist spots. When using public Wi-Fi networks, it is a wise precaution to ensure encryption of all passwords, credit card details and banking TANs entered. Use of a VPN app or security software to check the safety of a hotspot is recommended. LH.com/travelguide Oslo 04/14
Travel Guide Oslo 05 Getting around Oslo Getting around Public Transport Oslo’s public transport network works on a zone system that covers tram, metro and bus. Single tickets allow you unlimited journeys over one hour, and 24-hour, seven-day, monthly and yearly tickets are also available. Alternatively, pick up a travel card from one of the main stations and pay as you go. Oslo also has a huge public bike network, Bysykler, with more than 100 stations. Inexpensive 24-hour smart cards can be picked up at all the main stops. Taxis Taxis are easy to pick up but are eye-wateringly expensive with a steep minimum fare that doubles after dark. Some companies also charge extra for luggage. Top 10 sights Top 10 sights in Oslo Akershus Castle A huge fortified complex dating from the 1300s, Akershus Castle includes seven imposing state rooms and the royal mausoleum. Akershus Festning Opening times: Daily 0600-2100 (May- 0150 Oslo Sep); 0700-2100 (Oct-Apr) Norway Tel: 2309 3917 www.forsvarsbygg.no/festningene/Fest ningene/A... Fram Museum One of the toughest ships ever built, the polar icebreaker Fram forms the centrepiece of this museum, dedicated to all things Arctic. Bygdøynesveien 36 Opening times: Daily 0900-1800 (Jun- 0286 Oslo Aug); 1000-1700 (May and Sep); 1000- Norway 1600 (Oct-Apr) Tel: 2328 2950 www.frammuseum.no Holmenkollen Ski Museum A treat for winter sports fans, the unusual Holmenkollen Ski Museum is set within a former ski jump and covers the entire 4,000-year history of the sport. Kongeveien 5 Opening times: Daily 0900-2000 (Jun- 0787 Oslo Aug); 1000-1700 (May and Sep); 1000- Norway 1600 (Oct-Apr) Tel: 9167 1947 www.holmenkollen.com Norwegian Film Institute Norway has a surprisingly rich cinematic history and this charming little museum covers all the major developments. Packed with memorabilia, it also offers regular LH.com/travelguide Oslo 05/14
Travel Guide Oslo 06 screenings of classic Norwegian films. Dronningens gate 16 Opening times: Mon 1030-1700, Tue- 0152 Oslo Fri 1000-2100, Sat 1200-1700, Sun Norway 1300-2100 Tel: 2247 4500 www.nfi.no Munch Museum Norway’s most famous painter is the focus of this little museum which contains some of his most famous works – among them the now heavily guarded The Scream. Tøyengata 53 Opening times: Daily 1000-1700 (mid 0578 Oslo Jun-Sep); Wed-Mon 1100-1700 (Oct- Norway mid Jun) Tel: 2349 3500 www.munchmuseet.no Nobel Peace Center With exhibits dedicated to each of the Nobel laureates awarded prizes since 1901, the Nobel Peace Center is a fascinating – and frequently thought-provoking – place to spend an afternoon. Brynjulf Bulls plass 1 Opening times: Daily 1000-1800 0250 Oslo Norway www.nobelpeacecenter.org Tel: 4830 1000 Viking Ship Museum Part of the Museum of Cultural History, the Viking Ship Museum is dedicated to all things Norseman and has as its centrepiece an incredibly well-preserved (and huge) Viking ship. Huk Aveny 35 Opening times: Daily 0900-1800 (May- 0287 Oslo Sep); 1000-1600 (Oct-Apr) Norway Tel: 2285 1900 www.khm.uio.no Vigeland Sculpture Park Set in the centre of the pretty Frogner Park, the Vigeland Sculpture Park is dedicated to the life and work of artist Gustav Vigeland and contains more than 200 of his artworks. Nobels gate 32 Opening times: Tues-Sun 1000-1700 0268 Oslo (May-Aug); Tues-Sun 1200-1600 (Sep- Norway Apr) Tel: 2349 3700 www.vigeland.museum.no LH.com/travelguide Oslo 06/14
Travel Guide Oslo 07 Rådhuset Begun in 1931 but not completed until 1950 because of WWII, Oslo’s monumental city hall is where the Nobel Peace Prize is handed out each year. Rådhuset Opening times: Daily 0900-1800 (Jul- 0037 Oslo Aug); 0900-1600 (Sep-Jun) Norway Tel: 02180 www.radhusets-forvaltningstjeneste.osl o.kommu... Konghuset Norway’s ruling dynasty swapped Akershus Castle for the Konghuset, a neo- Palladian stately pile, in the mid-19th century and still live there today. Slottsplassen 1 Opening times: Mon-Thurs and Sat 0010 Oslo 1100-1700, Fri and Sun 1300-1700 Norway (Jun-Aug guided tours) Tel: 2204 8700 www.kongehuset.no Shopping in Oslo Shopping in Oslo Key Areas One of the most expensive cities in the world, bargains are thin on the ground but quality most certainly isn’t. Akersgata is the place to go for a fashion fix with rows of designer boutiques as well as some interesting international and local names. Møllergata is home to the best homeware outlets, while Bogstadveien is the best place to look for a unique souvenir. Markets Most of Oslo’s markets are open year round, with the exception of its annual Christmas Fair which takes place in November and December. The suburb of Grünerløkka is home to an excellent Sunday market where you can pick up anything from second-hand clothes to handicrafts. Shopping Centres The centrally located Eger is Oslo’s main mall but don’t miss GlasMagasinet, a beautiful large department store dedicated to antique and modern glassware. Restaurants Restaurants in Oslo While lacking the plaudits won by Copenhagen, Oslo’s restaurants are a generally excellent bunch with everything from Scandinavian classics to exotic cuisine from all over the globe on offer.Be warned though, prices, especially for alcohol, are high. Kontrast This modern gourmet restaurant is located in the Vulkan district north of downtown Oslo. The decor is simple and inviting with nothing to divert attention from the Michelin-starred cuisine of Norwegian master chef Mikael Svensson. The LH.com/travelguide Oslo 07/14
Travel Guide Oslo 08 restaurant remains closed on Sundays and Mondays. Maridalsveien 15 Price: Expensive 0178 Oslo Norway Maaemo Oslo’s answer to Copenhagen’s Noma, which is considered the world's best restaurant: Everything on the menu is organic and delicious. Schweigaards gate 15 Price: Expensive 0191 Oslo Norway Fru K Beautifully presented Norwegian classics and excellent cocktails. Fru Kroghs brygge 1 Price: Moderate 0252 Oslo Norway Beach Club An Oslo institution, the perennially popular Beach Club is where Oslo’s stylish get their (gourmet) burger fix. Bryggetorget 14 Price: Moderate 0250 Oslo Norway Kaffistova Hearty local fare, reasonable prices and the best cakes in Oslo. Rosenkrantz gate 8 Price: Cheap 0159 Oslo Norway Nightlife Nightlife in Oslo Norwegians tend to go out late because of the sky-high alcohol prices but really do know how to party, and Oslo has no shortage of places to do it in.Whether you’re after a jazz bar, simple pub or mega-club, there’s something for you. 34 Sky Bar Perched atop the Radisson Plaza Blu Hotel, 34 Sky Bar has incredible views over the Oslo Fjord. Sonja Henies Plass 3 0185 Oslo LH.com/travelguide Oslo 08/14
Travel Guide Oslo 09 Norway Champagneria As the name suggests, a stylish bar dedicated to all things sparkling wine. Frognerveien 2 0257 Oslo Norway Bar Boca Oslo’s smallest bar has a retro feel thanks to its revamped 1950s décor. Thorvald Meyers gate 30 0555 Oslo Norway Brooms & Hatchets Quirky décor, artisan Norwegian beers and an extensive cocktail menu have made this a local favourite. Kongens gate 5 0153 Oslo Norway Fisk & Vilt A seriously cool bar-come-club popular with Oslo’s fashion crowd. Pløensgate 1 0181 Oslo Norway Calendar of events Calendar of events Oslo Church Music Festival During this 10-day event, whose patron is Crown Princess Mette-Marit, visitors can experience a wide and diverse range of musical performances in Oslo's many wonderful churches and cathedrals. The line-up includes regional, national and international choirs and performers and always attracts large and enthusiastic audiences. March 13 - 22, 2020 Venue: Various churches and cathedrals in Oslo Oslo Medieval Festival Oslo Medieval Festival takes you 700 years back in time, to the era when Oslo became the capital of Norway. During the festival, the fortress will be steaming with life: Knights, re-enactors, musicians and performers will bring you an experience to LH.com/travelguide Oslo 09/14
Travel Guide Oslo 10 remember. The historical market is full of craftsmen and sellers from all over Europe, who'll present historic crafts from the period. Discover history as you delve into a plethora of activities, performances and concerts, or simply relax with good food and drink, while you enjoy the atmosphere. May 29 - 31, 2020 Venue: Oslo Medieval Festival (Oslo Middelalderfestival) St Hallvard's Day 15 May is St Hallvard's Day, in honour of the patron saint of Oslo, also said to be the defender of innocence. Quite a sombre occasion, the day is marked by a ceremony in Oslo's Old Quarter with speeches by the city's Mayor, members of the church and other dignitaries. The ceremony is recognised by both Catholics and Protestants, who attend the event together. Guided tours of this historically rich area take place before and after the ceremony. May 15, 2020 Venue: Oslo's Old Quarter Nasjonaldagen (Norwegian National Constitution Day) An annual national holiday celebrating the day the national constitution of Norway was signed at Eidsvoll in 1814. Parades of flag-waving adults and children led by various bands are the main event en route to see the royal family waving from the castle balcony. May 17, 2020 Venue: Royal Palace Norwegian Wood Rock Festival This annual rock-fest features a veritable who’s who of local and international bands in the picturesque Frogner Park. Recent years have seen the likes of Bob Dylan, Lou Reed, Roxy Music, Tori Amos, Foo Fighters, System of a Down, Keane and Duffy take to the main stage. The Underwood stage, meanwhile, gives up-and- coming local bands the chance to make their name in front of large crowds. July 9 - 11, 2020 Venue: Frogner Park Oslo Jazz Festival One of Europe’s oldest jazz festivals, the Oslo event celebrated its 25th birthday in 2011 with an impressive line-up that included the Liberation Music Orchestra, the Espen Eriksen Trio and Kevin Dean's Nordic super group with Kåre Nymark Jr, Anders Aarum, Mads Vinding and Alex Riel all getting involved. The first day of the festival usually features a parade led by a brass band. August 9 - 15, 2020 Venue: Various venues across the city Oslo Chamber Music Festival First held in 1989, the annual Oslo Chamber Music Festival has developed into one of the most significant events of its kind in the country. During the event, visitors can expect a dazzling line-up of Norwegian and foreign musicians LH.com/travelguide Oslo 10/14
Travel Guide Oslo 11 performing in some of the city's most magnificent buildings, performance venues and outdoor settings. August 14 - 23, 2020 Venue: Various venues and locations in Oslo ULTIMA Oslo Contemporary Music Festival Under the motto of 'Paths to Experience', the organisers of the annual Ultima Oslo Contemporary Music Festival strive to draw attention to the artistic creative process. Each year the festival presents a programme of contemporary artistic performances ranging from dancing and music to art installations and exhibitions. September 10 - 19, 2020 Venue: Various venues Oslo Marathon With more than 10,000 participants vying to take the laurels and hundreds of thousands of spectators, the Oslo Marathon is one of the Norwegian capital’s biggest sporting events. The race starts and ends at Festningsplassen near Akershus Fortress, taking in Oslo Opera House and Aker Brygge en route. September 21, 2020 Venue: City centre, Oslo Hotels Hotels in Oslo Oslo has an almost bewildering range of options to choose from when it comes to finding a place to stay,whether you’re after a luxury hotel or a simple cabin. Either way, it’s guaranteed to be clean, stylish and relatively expensive. Grand Hotel The white stucco Grand Hotel has a Nobel suite where the winner of the peace prize stays following the ceremony. Karl Johans gate 31 Category: Expensive 0159 Oslo Norway Grims Grenka Inspired by the Orient, Grims Grenka is one of Oslo’s most glamorous hotels. Kongens gate 5 Category: Expensive 0153 Oslo Norway Hotel Folketeateret Very stylish, central and in possession of a gym designed to resemble a 1930s boxing studio. LH.com/travelguide Oslo 11/14
Travel Guide Oslo 12 Storgata 21-23 Category: Moderate 0184 Oslo Norway Radisson Blu Plaza Centrally located, this 37-storey hotel boasts slick modern décor throughout. Sonja Henies plass 3 Category: Moderate 0185 Oslo Norway Thon Hotel Astoria Affordable but expensive looking and centrally located. Dronningens gate 21 Category: Budget 0154 Oslo Norway Best of ... ... Galleries © Nic Lehoux Looking out the window here, it’s easy to imagine you are standing on a ship’s deck, gazing out onto Oslo Fjord between tall, wooden walls the color of honey. Oslo has gained a new attraction in the Astrup Fearnley Museum on Tjuvholmen Peninsula. This magnificent, elegant building houses one of the largest private art collections in Europe. After the new opera house, it is the second-largest building devoted to culture to have gone up in the Norwegian capital in recent years. With it, the Oslo art scene, which for a long time owed a certain lethargy to the public funding granted to national artists, has set sail for new shores.Prestigious galleries from Berlin, such as the Gerhardsen Gerner, have now moved into the area with its striking new, glass-and-steel towers, and quite close to the museum, construction work is already beginning on the new building for the National Museum. Junggalerie Standard (Oslo) is also getting itself talked about right now, for its concept art: The works of Norwegian artist and documenta exhibitor Matias Faldbakken are coveted the world over. Astrup Fearnley Museum Oslo’s waterfront has a new flagship: the Astrup Fearnley Museum, where the LH.com/travelguide Oslo 12/14
Travel Guide Oslo 13 private art collection of ship owner Hans Rasmus Astrup has found a new home flooded with light. The elegant building, which was designed by Italian architect Renzo Piano, stands at the tip of Tjuvholmen, a peninsula located right on the edge of the city center. Since the museum opened at the end of September 2014, it has housed 1500 contemporary artworks, most of them from Europe and the United States. Strandpromenaden 2 afmuseet.no/en 0252 Oslo Norway Tel. +47-22/936060 National Museum Since 2003, the works of three museums have been held together under the roof of the National Museum of Art, Architecture and Design. This makes it Norway’s largest art collection, which includes one of the most famous paintings in the world, Edvard Munch’s “The Scream.” Works like this one will soon hang on fresh walls, since a move to new premises is planned. Construction work on the new National Museum building, designed by the Berlin firm of architects Kleihues + Schuwerk, is scheduled to continue through 2018. Bankplassen 4 nasjonalmuseet.no 0151 Oslo Norway Tel. +47 21 982 000 Standard (Oslo) Since 2005, this gallery has been exhibiting works by Norwegian and international artists, including Matias Faldbakken, Anna Zacharoff and Emily Wardwill, whose works have also been shown at the documenta, Venice and Istanbul Biennale and Momentum exhibitions. Waldemar Thranes gate 86c standardoslo.no 0175 Oslo Norway Tel. +47 22 601 310 Gerhardsen Gerner Spherical metal objects, chemical reactions on timber panels: Through late June, this offshoot of the Berlin gallery of the same name will be showing works by the Norwegian artist Per Inge Bjørlo. In addition to these, as in Berlin, here you will also come into contact with works by Olafur Eliasson, Julian Opie, Carroll Dunham and many more besides. Fru Kroghs Brygge 4 gerhardsengerner.com 0252 Oslo Norwegen Tel. +47 21 910 191 LH.com/travelguide Oslo 13/14
Travel Guide Oslo 14 Pushwagner Galerie Also by the water: the Pushwagner Gallery. Everything here revolves around the Norwegian artist and “local hero” Hariton Pushwagner, whose pop art-style works have been traveling the globe ever since the Berlin Biennale in 2008. Their home is in Oslo. Tjuvholmen allé 10 pushwagner.no 0252 Oslo Norwegen +47 22 831 618 LH.com/travelguide Oslo 14/14
You can also read