Visit Oslo - the capital of Norway
Oslo is the largest city in Norway, and has been the country's capital since 1814 when the union with Denmark was dissolved. The Goverment and Parliament are located here, and at the end of Oslo's main street, Karl Johans gate, you find the Royal Palace. Oslo is the natural hub of Norway’s national and international travel.
Oslo has a great location at the head of the Oslo Fjord, surrounded by forested hills. Even in the city centre, the nearest park is never more than a few blocks away. A ten-minute boat ride from the centre takes you to lovely beaches on the Oslo Fjord islands.
In 2007 Reader's Digest ranked Oslo as number two on a list of the world's greenest, most liveable cities! The city offers an abundance of attractions, shopping possibilities and a flourishing cultural life, and a choice of restaurants which is almost unparalleled in Scandinavia.
Explore Oslo with the Oslo Pass!
The Oslo Pass gives you the possibility to explore a vide range of activities in Oslo: free entry to 33 museums and attractions, free travel on all public transport within zone four, free parking in all Oslo municipal car parks, free entry to outdoor swimming pool, free lunch cruise, free winter walks, discounts on sightseeing, car hire, Tusenfryd Amusement Park, ice skate - and ski rental, and special offers in restaurants, shops, entertainment and leisure venues. For booking and more information about the Oslo Pass, click here...
Rent a car in Oslo with Fjord Tours
Through collaboration with AVIS car rental in Norway, Fjord Tours is able to offer car rental at most of our destinations. Rent a car here...
Get discount on accommodation in Oslo with Fjord Pass®
With the Fjord Pass® hotel pass you can save money on accommodation i Oslo and rather spend your holiday budget on other things you want to do! One Fjord Pass® is valid for 2 adults and children under 15 years travelling togheter.
Find hotels in Oslo here...
Here is a list of Fjord Tours most popular round trips starting from Oslo:
Norway in a nutshell®
You travel through some of the most beautiful landcapes in Fjord Norway. The organized trip includes the Bergen Railway, the Flam Railway, the Sognefjord and the steep Stalheimskleiva road. See more information about Norway in a nutshell®
Sognefjord in a nutshell
On this organized round trip, you have time to enjoy the Bergen Railway, the Flam Railway and the Sognefjord. New for the 2009 season is an additional tour to the Dalsfjord & Gaularfjell Mountain. See more information about Sognefjord in a nutshell
Hardanger in a nutshell
This is an ideal day trip exploring the Hardangerfjord, the Voringsfossen waterfall, dramatic mountains and idyllic fruit farms. See more information about Hardanger in a nutshell
Hurtigruten & Norway in a nutshell®
If you would like to experience some of the best that Norway has to offer, combine the Hurtigruten with the Norway in a nutshell® round trip. More information about Hurtigruten Coastal Voyage & Norway in a nutshell®
Geiranger & Norway in a nutshell®
This tour enables you to experience three of Norway's most famous World Heritage areas in one trip; the Geirangerfjord, the Nærøyfjord and the wharf side warehouses at Bryggen in Bergen. Read more about the trip Geiranger & Norway in a nutshell® here...
Lysefjord & Norway in a nutshell®
Experience the magnificent Lysefjord, the Pulpit Rock (Preikestolen) mountain plateau, wild and beautiful coastal scenery and three of Norway’s biggest cities: Oslo, Bergen and Stavanger. Read more about the trip Lysefjord & Norway in a nutshell® here...
History of Oslo
According to the Norse sagas, Oslo was founded around 1049 by King Harald Hardrade. Oslo has been regarded as the capital city since the reign of Haakon V (1299-1319), who was the first king to reside permanently in the city. He also started the construction of the Akershus Fortress. A century later Norway was the weaker part in a personal union with Denmark, and Oslo's role was reduced to that of provincial administrative centre, with the monarchs residing in Copenhagen.
Oslo was destroyed several times by fire, and after the fourteenth calamity, in 1624, King Christian IV of Denmark (and Norway) ordered it rebuilt at a new site across the bay, near Akershus Fortress and given the name Christiania. But long before this, Christiania had started to establish its stature as a centre of commerce and culture in Norway. The part of the city built from 1624 is now often called Kvadraturen because of its orthogonal layout. In 1814 Christiania once more became a real capital when the union with Denmark was dissolved.
Among the world-famous artists who lived here during this period were Henrik Ibsen and Knut Hamsun (the latter was awarded the Nobel Prize for literature). In 1850, Christiania also overtook Bergen and became the most populous city in the country. In 1878 the city was renamed to Kristiania. The original name of Oslo was restored in 1925. (facts from wikipedia.org)
Fjord Tours vacation packages in Norway - The choice is yours!
