The best time to visit Norway for Northern Lights is in winter. This is a list of the main tourist attractions in Oslo and of the nearby areas that we enjoyed during our trip. Everyone visits Norway in the summer! Found inside – Page 608OSLO NORWAY - ONE DAY Aker Brygge , Karl Johans Gate , a central museum , a meal in Grunerlokka - TWO DAYS Akershus , Astrup Fearnley Museum , ferry trip to Bygdøy , museum and picnic there - THREE DAYS Vigeland Park , Holmenkollen Ski ... Visible throughout the long night of the Arctic winter from October to March, they dance across the sky in green or white curtains of light, shifting in intensity and taking on forms that seem to spring from a child's vivid imagination. We all know that Norway does get a lot of tourists. The things you might know about Oslo are - it held winter Olympic in 1952, it has one of the most famous ski jumping arenas in the world - Holmenkollen, which has the most amazing views over Oslo and it is a home of the Munch's most famous work "The scream". You can ride in Korketrekkeren for free, but to rent the sledges you need to pay between 100-150 NOK per day. The Lofoten Islands are a great place to see the aurora borealis or the Northern Lights. Found insideMust-see attractions, wonderful hotels, excellent restaurants, valuable tips and so much more! ... by car (for instance by driving from Oslo to Bergen) in the winter season, it is imperative that you are prepared for the journey. SKIING. Enjoy some fresh brews, brownies, and muffins in a cozy setting. Oslo in the winter as i am discovering is made for solo travel. The same goes for downhill skiing. If you start from Bergen, the tour can be taken in one day, although we highly recommend adding an overnight stay along your route. Norwegian offers direct flights from New York, Boston, Los Angeles and San Francisco to Oslo for under $300 round trip. I have been seeking for a winter wonderland getaway and Oslo sounds perfect. amzn_assoc_marketplace = "amazon"; There are normally signs and local announcements. Check out this post for the best Oslo hiking trails with panoramic views. The best places for admiring the Oslo fjord in the sunrise and sunsets are Holmenkollen, Ekeberg Park, and Akershus Festning. Also easy to access via public transport, Holmenkollen Arena hosts many world-class events throughout the year. The museums and attractions are usually open even during the Christmas period, but they can have limited opening times. If you have one, you can bring your own sled, too. Frognerseteren café and restaurant, located in the picturesque building from 1891. This is a guide to the many cozy, charming, and fun things to do in Oslo during the winter months. For example, in Svalbard, in April there is still plenty of snow, but that’s an extreme case. Best time of year to visit Oslo. Dinner cruise. The 2-kilometre sled run in the city is called Korketrekkeren (“the corkscrew”) and lies close to Holmenkollen (where the ski jump is located). Check prices and availability. Oslo has two shopping malls by the central railway station and a few more along or near the main streets. This small neighbourhood is a great place to escape to for a day, to wander around the various points of interest in an atmosphere far removed from the bustling center of Oslo. Places to visit in Norway. You can also find there a Mathallen – a big hall with different food stalls and small restaurants. The winter in Norway is the time of darkness. They have different theme every week – which can be anywhere between sustainability or 3rd world issues. For one thing, it's less busy, so you'll be able to fully appreciate the fantastic work of Gustav Vigeland without a single selfie-stick getting in the way. Found inside – Page 98THE BERGEN RAILWAY IN WINTER Wilse , phot . mer months Voss is one of. Finse , Gjeilo , and other points ... But readers must not run away with the idea that these mountain regions offer attractions solely to seekers of winter sport . Found inside – Page 232The best time to visit is at the winter solstice ( December 21 or 22 ) , when the sun enters the passageway through the roof - box ... where the Viking ship burial took place , lies just northeast of Tonsberg , 40 miles south of Oslo . Best time to visit Oslo. #3 Discover the art of being cosy, Swedish style. Known as brodder in Norwegian, these are quite expensive in Norway so buy them in advance if you can. Take the bus to the Bygdøy peninsula and you have the choice of several. The Park has something for everyone, from the easier slopes in the beginners’ area to wide and exciting slopes for the whole family to carve down. Being able to add and remove layers of clothing as needed will stop you getting too warm or too cold as you move about the city. If you are traveling to Oslo in this time period bring your winter gear because the temperature can vary from – 10C at night to +5C at daytime. Even when the ski trails in the forests surrounding Oslo are in use, the city centre is often surprisingly snow-free. Oslo in winter often hosts the Ski Jumping World Cup and FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, which take place in the Holmenkollen ski jump. The winter driving in Norway can be challenging but is doable and the mesmerizing views of the snow-capped pine trees and dramatic mountains are definitely worth it. Read more: Norway in a budget – Local tips for cheap Norway travel. I have to say, this is a far-fetched place to visit in winter for a foreigner. Too short of a visit you say? Cheaper flights and accommodation tempt many tourists into a visit to the Norwegian capital during the winter months. The wooden architecture gives you a feeling that you are somewhere in the mountains. I am a Tourism Management Graduate with a passion for traveling. amzn_assoc_placement = "adunit0"; amzn_assoc_ad_type = "smart"; Found inside – Page 79In those few places where the facilities for fifty cents a night to visiting Rotarians and land flattens to a slope of ten ... During the winter the Oslo modern buildings are dormitories of the National Forestry Atop a moderate - size ... Go out and enjoy the winter landscape! Read more: The most interesting things to do in Bergen in winter (indoors and outdoors). Most people picture Scandinavian winters as bathed in the white stuff. The design of the arena means the views over Oslo are great, even if you don't want to pay the extra fee to enter the ski museum and lift tower. Contents [ show] #1 You can sample Swedish Glögg. The run—known as Korketrekkeren—is free to use, you just pay for the rental. Oslo Travel Itineraries for a Day or More. Get tips on top attractions, exciting areas to explore, and fun family activities. The Oslo Opera House is more than just a cultural hall, it is one of the best things to do in Oslo during your visit. However, if you decide to go more inland/north/to the mountains, you can expect much colder temperatures. I’m about it. Every time I look outside the window in my apartment or when I travel to Norway in winter, I am more and more amazed. When the sea in the fjord freezes it is possible to walk on it or to do cross-country skiing. Find what to do today, this weekend, or in November. We’ve tried, The winter in Norway is the time of darkness. We all know that the world climate is changing and it’s very hard to predict the exact weather in the season. Adventure-loving travel girl, who independently visited 60+ countries, and lived in 3 (currently Norway!). The city of Oslo is in constant evolvement. It's much moodier. I’ve grown up in mainly tropical or dessert areas so, I’m not used to real cold weather. But, to be honest with you, this would be enough to convince me to visit Norway in winter. Sounds wonderful! You can start your day arriving at the Oslo Gardermoen Airport and be happy to know you can practically fly (figuratively speaking) into the city center using the FlytoGet Airport Express train that runs every 10 minutes and only takes you 22 minutes to get there! Oslo is the only city that hosts the Nobel Prize award outside of Sweden – the Nobel Peace Prize award, which you can attend in December if you can get the tickets. Well, you don’t want to be everyone, do you? This heading might seem a bit silly, because obviously you're going in WINTER. Oslo Winter Park is 20 minutes from the city centre, the largest skiing area near the capital, while popular Kongsberg has slopes for competitions, as well as family-friendly runs. I was excited to find out that a similar experience is possible also in the Norwegian capital. Found inside – Page 707The jumping tower is 184 feet high and its summit is 1,350 feet above the fjord overlooking Oslo . The combination of such manmade sights with extraordinary natural beauty makes Oslo a very special place to visit . THE CITIES OSLO Oslo ... This is a first hand account of the first successful expedition to the South Pole, written by the leader Roald Amundsen. Outside of the ski season this place offers great hiking possibilities and is a good point of departure for hikes to known fjord areas as Flåm and Gudvangen. Our capital also has a wide selection of exciting restaurants, shops and attractions. I’ve never visited Norway during winter, yet, but this post really inspired me to make som plans for an upcoming winter! There are normally signs and local announcements. End of the post. Try their famous apple pie and hot chocolate or opt for traditional Norwegian waffles. Another fun activity to do in Norway in winter is dog sledding. One of the coldest places in Norway, Roros is particularly delightful to visit during winter, when it hosts a magical Christmas market. There are slopes within a short ride on the metro at Oslo Winter Park. What a bonus! ), “Ice Church” Iskjørkja – Secret Ice Cave in Norway You Have To See, The Best Hot Springs in Iceland – Natural Hot Springs You Can Visit For Free + Map, Temperatures in Oslo in December: 1°C/-4°C, Temperatures in Oslo in January: 0°C/-5°C, Temperatures in Oslo in February: 1°C/-5°C. When in Oslo, take time to drop by at the Oslo Cathedral, one of the main attractions in the city and a popular Norway landmark. Karmøy is an island that is located in Rogaland and is known for being a summer holiday place for Norwegians. When you have a few more days to spend in Oslo and around, you can explore the nearby area. Because if everyone goes to Norway in summer, you can be the one going there in winter, right? Winter in Norway is a peaceful time, with mainly Norwegians speeding through the cross-country tracks in the forests. In terms of coffee connoisseurship, nowhere can match the capital city of Oslo, from small-batch artisan roasters to specialist espresso bars run by former barista champions (according to a report from Lonely Planet in 2017). Yes, you read it right. #2 It's Affordable to Fly to a Winter Weekend in Oslo Directly from the U.S. in the Winter. Myrkdalen. During winter weekends, the city streets are often deserted. Well they can be, but these days it's not guaranteed in Oslo! Read more about the tour from: Oslo | Bergen This tour requires an overnight stay in the village of Sogndal. You can also have some of the Norwegian quirky specialties such as rakefisk, lutefisk and pinnekjøtt, which are all traditional winter specialties. People dress up and go to fancy restaurants and nightclubs. Check some of the. Even if there aren't any major events on while you're in town, it's still worth heading up to Holmenkollen. To go back to the top of the route, you can simply take the metro. amzn_assoc_search_bar = "true"; The best time to visit Oslo and the rest of Norway is spring, summer, winter, and fall. I also love how the atmosphere of the park changes in the winter. To get to Korketrekkeren, take a metro line 1 to Frognereseteren and get off at the last station Frognereseteren. . Find a wide stretch of skiable terrain, from green-graded beginner runs to more challenging slopes accessible via an express chairlift and smaller lifts. One of the best ways to see all of the Oslo Fjord and its various stunning buildings and ports is to take an Oslo fjord cruise, available in the winter on a hybrid zero-emissions cruise ship. Winter in Norway is a peaceful time, with mainly Norwegians speeding through the cross-country tracks in the forests. However, there are some winter packing rules to bear in mind regardless. The fun design of the Opera House attracts many visitors, and having a walk around the roof is a great Oslo activity for a sunny day. Cross-country skiing is a national sport in Norway. Norway in February is a spectacular place as the winter season dawns and turn it into a snow-laden paradise. You can really feel like at someone’s very nice home, not the hotel. $$$ Thief Hotel – if you want to treat yourself, that’s the place. If you have one, you can bring your own sled, too. I’ve tried it the first time on our weekend trip to Helsinki in winter and it was fun! Visit top Oslo attractions . We use cookies to ensure that we give you the best experience on our website. In Oslo, the popular lakes for ice skating are Maridalsvannet, Bogstadvannet, Østensjøvannet, Sognsvann, and Nøklevann. Found inside – Page 124Originally it was a pilot Station and served as Oslo's winter port when the fjord closer to the capital was ice bound. Today the village, with its narrow 18thand 19th-century streets, is a popular place to live and a favourite Summer ... Thanks for sharing. Δdocument.getElementById( "ak_js" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); Words of Norway tells the stories of Norway to the world, and helps Norwegian companies do the same. The elevation drop of the track is 255 meters. Should you just bring lots of thick coats and sweaters? They are both located very central, but in two different areas. 2. Some of the highlights include: If you are a sunrise lover like me but don’t like waking up super early (also like me), you are in for a treat in Norway in winter! Find what to do today, this weekend, or in November. The mountains are also a beautiful place to hike in the summer. In Oslo Winter Park, there are 14 slopes with 6 lifts. The magic of silence, outdoor winter activities, Christmas markets, and comfort food.