There are a number of festivals, holidays and other events celebrated in Oslo each year. The main ones are listed below.
January 1: New Year's Day (national holiday) May 1: Labour Day (national holiday) May 15: Saint Hallvard's Day (local event)This traditional festival celebrates Oslo's patron saint. Festivities give way to a ceremony, with speeches by the mayor, as well as various cultural events (conferences, guided tours of the historic centre), to introduce visitors to the Norwegian capital's unusual tourist sites.
May 17: Constitution Day (national holiday)Commemorates the adoption of Norway's constitution on this day in 1814. Although Sweden still ruled the country at this time, Norway gained more autonomy than it had ever had before, particularly in comparison with its previous status as a territory of Denmark, brought to an end by the union's defeat alongside France in the Napoleonic Wars. Highlights include costume and children's parades, traditional family feasts and official ceremonies.
First Saturday in June: National Music Day (Musikkfest, local event)Inspired by World Music Day, this free music festival is Oslo's first major event of the summer, featuring performances of all styles of music at nearly 30 outdoor venues throughout the city.
Fourth week in July: Norway Cup (local event)Established in 1972, this international football tournament for children and youths aged 10–19 is one of the largest events of its kind anywhere in the world, drawing some 30,000 participants from many countries every year.
Second week in August: Mela Festival (local event)This major festival held on the Rådhusplassen (City Hall Square) offers free admission to its entire programme of events, featuring artistic and cultural expressions from all over the world: music, arts and crafts, film, theatre and dance. In addition, the colours and scents of world cuisines are celebrated by the range of delectable delights sold at the food stalls.
December 25: Christmas (national holiday)| Month | Min. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Max. Average Temperature (°C/F°) | Average Rains (MM) | Best Time to Travel |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| January | -7/19 | -2/28 | 49/1.9 | Not the best period to go |
| February | -7/19 | -1/30 | 36/1.4 | Not the best period to go |
| March | -3/27 | 3/37 | 47/1.9 | Not the best period to go |
| April | -1/30 | 9/48 | 41/1.6 | Good period to go
|
| May | 6/43 | 16/61 | 53/2.1 | Good period to go
|
| June | 10/50 | 20/68 | 65/2.6 | Good period to go
|
| July | 12/54 | 21/70 | 81/3.2 | Good period to go
|
| August | 11/52 | 20/68 | 89/3.5 | Not the best period to go |
| September | 7/45 | 15/59 | 90/3.5 | Not the best period to go |
| October | 4/39 | 9/48 | 84/3.3 | Not the best period to go |
| November | -1/30 | 3/37 | 73/2.9 | Not the best period to go |
| December | -6/21 | 1/34 | 55/2.2 | Not the best period to go |
The Oslo's Gardermoen International Airport is located about 35 kilometres (22 miles) north-east of the city centre.
Oslo is a very easy city to get around. The Norwegian capital's public transport system is one of the most efficient in the world. Furthermore, as many of the sights in Oslo are not that far apart, it is entirely conceivable to explore the city uniquely on foot or by bicycle.
Oslo's Metro, the Tunnelbane (also known as T-bane) is one of the most convenient ways to get around the city. There are six lines, five of which run underground in the city centre, stopping at Nationaltheatret, Stortinget and Jernbanetorget (Oslo S) stations. Service starts at 5:30 a.m. and ends at 12:30 a.m.
Oslo's efficient network of bus routes offers extensive coverage of the city, serving all of the main points of interest. One-way ticket: NOK 36 (an additional NOK 20 when bought onboard).
Although traffic in Oslo is sometimes quite congested, bicycles are an excellent way to get around the city. Oslo Bysykkel, the city's public bike-sharing system, has over 100 stations in and around the city centre. Visitors can obtain electronic Oslo Bysykkel rental cards valid for 24 hours from the Oslo Visitor Centre. The price is NOK 100 and a security deposit of NOK 250 must be paid for each card. For further information, contact the Oslo Visitor Centre:
Ferries are one of the most spectacular ways to discover the city. Ruter's ferry network provides services from Aker Brygge and Vippetangen to Nesodden, Vollen Slemmestad, Fornebu and many of the islands in the Oslo Fjord. Other companies also operate ferries from Aker Brygge to the Bygdøy peninsula and from Rådhusbrygge 4 to the islands of the inner Oslo Fjord. Fares for the Ruter ferries are integrated with the other public transport options, whereas those for ferries operated by private companies range from NOK 130 to NOK 390, depending on the distance travelled.
Taxis are plentiful in the Norwegian capital. Expect to pay at least NOK 13 per kilometre, in addition to the initial charge of between NOK 80 and NOK 150.
Upon your arrival in Oslo, you can get in touch with local tourism professionals for further information and to help organise your stay.
Oslo Visitor CentreOffers practical information and useful recommendations (accommodation, restaurants, public transport, festivals, cultural events, etc.).
The currency used in Norway is the Norwegian Krone (NOK).
1 SEK = 0,96 NOK
1 NOK = 1,04 SEK
The above exchange rate is given for information because is variable.
See your doctor before you travel. It is recommended that you obtain insurance covering health care expenses as well as medical evacuation or repatriation before you leave home. Oslo counts several hospitals and medical institutions, as well as quality medical practitioners and health specialists.
VaccinationsThere are no vaccination requirements for visitors to Norway. For more information, contact Air France's international vaccination centre:
There are no food safety risks in Oslo.
WaterTap water is safe to drink in Oslo.
Travellers from the Schengen area, as well as those from the countries of the European Union not included in the area, need only be in possession of a national identity card or a passport valid for the duration of their stay in order to enter Norway.
As a general rule, all other travellers are subject to visa requirements, although citizens of some countries may enter Norway for a short stay of up to 90 days without a visa.
To find out whether you will need to obtain a visa for your stay, visit the website of the Norwegian Directorate of Immigration (UDI): www.udi.no/en/word-definitions/persons-who-do-not-need-a-visa-to-visit-norway-/#link-708
To enjoy peace of mind during your stay in Oslo, visit the website of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of your country.
Here are a few basic Norwegian phrases that will make your stay in Oslo a little easier:
Hello / Good morning / Good afternoon: God dag
Good evening: God kveld
Good-bye: Ha det bra
Yes: Ja
No: Nei
No, thank you: Nei takk
Thank you very much: Tusen takk
Please: Vær så snill
I don't understand: Jeg forstår ikke
Could you repeat?: Kan du gjenta?
What time is it?: Hvor mye er klokken?
Sorry / Excuse me: Unnskyld / Unnskyld meg
Airport: Flyplass
Train station: Togstasjon
Taxi: Taxi
Hotel: Hotell
Hospital: Sykehus
Bank: Bank
Telephone: Telefon
I'm (…): Jeg er (…).
I'm looking for (…): Jeg leter etter (…).
How much is (…)?: Hvor mye koster (…) ?
Do you have (…)?: Har dere (…)?
Where can I find (…)?: Hvor kan jeg finne (…)?
Where can I buy (…)?: Hvor kan jeg kjøpe (…)?
I'd like (…): Jeg vil gjerne (…).
Tipping
In Oslo as in the rest of Norway, cafés and restaurants very often add a service charge to their bills. Even when this gratuity is included, it is customary to leave a few kroner to round up the bill. If you are especially satisfied with the service, you can leave a tip amounting to as much as 10% of the bill.
