Oslo is a peculiar capital city, perhaps as a result of it hasn’t at all times been one. After a quick stint in the 1300s, the city wasn’t reinstated as Norway’s capital till 1814. But that’s not the solely factor that units it aside. Often overshadowed by its Scandi siblings, Stockholm and Copenhagen, Oslo is petite and walkable, but equally wealthy in tradition. It nurtured a number of inventive giants: the expressionist painter Edvard Munch, the revered playwright Henrik Ibsen, and the sculptor Gustav Vigeland. Today, it stays the revered residence of the Nobel Peace Prize, a slew of world-class museums, and – if the UN’s World Happiness report is something to go by – a jolly bunch of locals.
The latter could be defined by the city’s quick access to nature. Oslo is additionally one in all Europe’s greenest capitals, with over two-thirds of it comprising forests, lakes or parks. The nature right here, although not as dramatic as the otherworldly landscapes of Norway’s north, is nonetheless extremely scenic with fairly islands dotted round the glassy Oslofjord and moss-strewn, fairytale forests. It appears like a city the place you possibly can reside properly, unburdened by vacationers and distinctly cosmopolitan, although nonetheless very a lot in keeping with the Norwegian philosophy of friluftsliv or ‘open-air living’
Architecturally, Oslo’s footprint is a distinctly trendy one, thanks partly to a devastating fireplace in 1624 that worn out most of the conventional timber buildings seen in the likes of Bergen or Trondheim. This historic reset allowed the city to carve out a singular visible identification, finest evidenced alongside the waterfront space of Bjørvika. Here, iconic new buildings create a wide ranging skyline, studded by Snøhetta’s glacial Opera House, the placing Deichman Library (designed by Lund Hagem and Atelier Oslo), and Estudio Herreros’ sloping, 13-storey Munch museum. This glossy, up to date cluster demonstrates how the city, having survived a fiery previous, is now boldly dealing with the future.
“Oslo feels like a city that has finally hit its stride,” says Wilhelm Hartwig, Oslo native and the General Manager of city newcomer Hobo Hotel. “There’s a playful, creative energy in the air – you can feel it in the food scene, the cultural life, the bold architecture along the waterfront and the way people use the city’s public spaces.” In true Scandinavian fashion, Oslo feels easy. The native uniform is understated but flawlessly put collectively, the transport (trams, primarily) runs like clockwork, and the native sense of humour is as dry as a shot of unaged Akvavit, as evidenced in the city’s viral anti-advert from 2024.