Oslo Car Hire

Guide to Oslo

Medieval heritage

By 1300AD Oslo was the official residence of King Haakon V between 1299-1319, who first broke ground on what would become the Akershus Fortress. Today you can still see the remnants of Medieval Oslo in Gamlebyen (the Old Town) and the ruins of St Olaf convent and St Hallvard cathedral in the memorial park are exceptional.

Resurgent city

Stroll around Oslo’s compact city centre and you can’t help but be impressed by its striking contemporary architecture and superb modern art museums, as well as the backstreets and neighbourhoods which inspired writers like Henrik Ibsen and Jo Nesbo. Evidence of Oslo’s resurgence is clear in major architectural projects like the Opera House and the extensive regeneration of the Akerselva River and waterfront areas.

Hip districts

The Grunerlokka district in central Oslo is the capital of hipster cool and it’s the place where those in the know have hung out since the days of Edvard Munch. Expect trendy craft beer bars, bistros, vintage clothes stores, and vibrant vinyl emporiums. Meanwhile, if high-end wine bars, cosmic cocktails and haute cuisine are your bag, head to Mollegata.

Things to do in Oslo

Embrace Modern Art

If Modern Art gets you buzzing, definitely make a bee-line for Henie-Onstad Kunstenter, an awesome art centre located in Hovikodden, 15km west of the city. Housed in a sleek building perched on a lush headland, it’s a treasure trove of 20th century artworks by masters like Picasso, Matisse, and Miro, while the surrounding Skulpturparken boasts pieces by Arnold Haukeland and Henry Moore.

Family fun

Travelling to Oslo with kids in tow? The good news is they’ll never be bored. The iconic Vigelandsparken is perfect for open-air attractions, you can plan a day on the beach at the Oslofjord islands and horse-drawn sleigh rides and tobogganing will keep them enchanted during wintertime. Meanwhile, the Oslo Reptile Park is simply perfect for fans of anything that slithers and scurries along, while Popsenteret is an entire museum dedicated to pop music.

Luxe hotel living

Looking for a hotel with a certain je ne sais quoi in Oslo? There’s quality accommodation to suit every taste. Amerikalinjen is a cool, fashionable space that fuses Scandi cool with Asian design touches and The Thief is a terrific boutique hotel with plush suites and original artwork by the likes of Damien Hirst. Alternatively, Clarion Hotel The Hub is Oslo’s largest and features the gourmet Norda Restaurant and rooftop garden where it grows its own veggies.

Eating out in Oslo

Fine dining

How do your taste buds fancy delectable dishes prepared with locally-sourced norvegian ingredients but prepared with a gorgeous Gallic gastronomic slant? If you’re nodding your head (and licking your lips), you’ll love A L’aise at Essendrops Gate 6. Two terrific tasting menus are available, but the specialty is canard a la presse, which you must order in advance.

Asian flavours

If Chinese cuisine gets you all fired up, head straight to Ling Ling at Stranden 30. The iconic Cantonese dishes here are all prepared using norvegian ingredients and it has a lovely location on the marina, stylish lounge and ravishing rooftop bar and terrace which is the place to be in the summer months.

Modern classics

Want to experience traditional norvegian techniques like smoking, pickling and fermenting with a twist? In that case, Einer at Prinsens gate 18 might float your gastronomic boat. Subtle yet flavoursome dishes are perfectly matched with high-quality wines, and this is a haven for seafood lovers as well as anyone who loves organic vegetarian dishes crafted from local artisan growers.

Transport in Oslo

Airport

Gardermoen (OSL) is the international airport serving Oslo, but the city is also served by Sandefjord Airport, Torp (TRF) and Moss Airport, Rygge (RYG). OSL is the second-busiest Scandinavian airport after Copenhagen, and it’s located 35km northeast of the city centre. It’s a hub for carriers Winderoe, Scandinavian Airlines, norvegian Air Shuttle and Wizz Air.

Public transport

Oslo’s public transport system is known as Ruter, and it makes it easy to get around the city’s main areas and attractions. All public transport in the city proper and surrounding boroughs is accessed by a single ticketing system – this includes trams, underground, local trains, ferries, and city and regional buses. You can buy tickets from the Oslo Visitor Centre as well as Narvesen and 7-Eleven shops.

Driving

Expect to encounter toll rings when driving in and around Oslo. Toll points in the city are arranged in three rings. You’re only charged on your way into the city at the outermost ring, whereas at the two inner rings, you pay each time you pass a toll point. Please note that diesel cars and those over 3500kg are subject to higher charges.