Destinations

Why Oslo Is the Best City in Europe for Long Summer Nights

By Sarah Marshall Jul 3, 2018 3:29pm

by Sarah Marshall, The Telegraph, July 3, 2018

The Norwegian capital has plenty to fill the long days and light nights.

Why go now?

Long summer days and light nights are cause for celebration, with festivals and parades across the city. Oslo Jazz Festival (oslojazz.com) runs from Aug 12-18, with performances in concert halls, saunas and forest clearings. Connections from the UK with Norwegian (norwegian.com/uk), SAS (flysas.com/en), Ryanair (ryanair.com) British Airways (ba.com) and Finnair (finnair.com).

Oslo - city map

Stay here

Sleep with original artwork at fashion-forward The Thief (1) on Landgangen and wake up to glorious views of Oslo’s archipelago. Doubles from 3,890 Norwegian kroner (£362) including breakfast (telegraph.co.uk/tt-oslo/the-thief). Or save without scrimping at Clarion Collection Hotel Folketeateret (2) in an art deco building on Storgata. Doubles from 1,206 Nkr (£112) including a respectable breakfast, afternoon tea and small evening buffet (nordicchoicehotels.com).

The Thief Oslo, Norway

8Telegraph expert rating

Offering panoramic views over the Oslo fjord, opulent suites, a relaxed rooftop bar as well as an incredible art collection, it is no surprise that The Thief is one of Oslo’s most popular luxury hotels. Read expert review. From £325per night. Check availability. Rates provided byBooking.com.

Walk here

Starting on an architectural high note at Oslo Opera House (3), curve south-west around the Bjorvika waterfront, passing pop-up sauna and art space SALT (4), built to resemble a fish-drying rack; then head right along Grev Wedels Plass into Myntgata and on to the medieval Akershus Fortress (5) where daily tours take place throughout summer (50 Nkr/£5). Head north through the Kontraskjaeret park (6) to Otto Sverdrupsgate to see Oslo City Hall (7); from here, head for Karl Johans Gate to reach the Royal Palace (8) and its gardens.

See this

Most of Edvard Munch’s paintings hang in the Munch Museum (9), but several of his most famous including a version of The Scream are at the National Gallery (10). Entrance is 120 Nkr (£11) or free on Thursdays when the gallery opens until 7pm; arrive late to beat the crowds (nasjonalmuseet.no).

Try this

Admire outrageous and bizarre creations by Gustav Vigeland (including city mascot, Angry Boy) on a stroll through Frogner Park (11), the world’s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. It’s free and open 24 hours.

Shop here

Upscale Paleet (paleet.no) is a calming gallery of minimalist boutiques on Oslo’s main street, Karl Johans Gate (12). The interiors of YME (ymeuniverse.com) alone justify a visit.

Drink here

Sip spirits distilled on site at Himkok (13), in one of Oslo’s oldest brick buildings. Drinks around 120 Nkr (£11) (himkok.no).

Eat here

Set aside several hours for the epic 15-course tasting menu at Maaemo (14). Expect to pay 2,800 Nkr (£261) for the three-Michelin-star experience, excluding wine (maaemo.no).

Off the Map

Holmenkollen ski jump (holmenkollen.com) is a gateway to Nordmarka forest. Climb the observation deck for panoramic views (Metro Line 1 takes 30 minutes from the city centre). Entry is 140 Nkr (£13).

This article was written by Sarah Marshall from The Telegraph and was legally licensed through the NewsCred publisher network. Please direct all licensing questions to legal@newscred.com.