Oslo, Green Capital of Norway

Oslo, capital of Norway, has 700,000 inhabitants (metro: 1.5 million) and sits at the head of the Oslo Fjord. The northernmost of the Scandinavian capitals, Oslo is recognised as one of Europe's greenest cities with its forests, parks and 40 islands accessible by public ferry. The city combines modern Scandinavian architecture — the Opera House, the Munch Museum — with Viking heritage and omnipresent nature. Oslo hosts the annual Nobel Peace Prize ceremony and is home to the legendary Holmenkollen ski jump, the world's premier temple of Nordic skiing.

Oslo's architecture blends Scandinavian tradition with bold modernity. The Oslo Opera House (2008), clad in Carrara white marble, rises from the fjord with a roof you can walk across. The new Munch Museum (2021), a 13-storey tower, houses the world's largest Edvard Munch collection, including The Scream. The Royal Palace (1849) presides over Karl Johans gate, the city's main avenue. Holmenkollen, built in 1892 and modernised for the 1952 Olympics, offers a panoramic view of Oslo and the fjord from 371 metres altitude. The city counts 40 islands in the fjord, all reachable by regular public ferry from the city centre.

Holmenkollen and Norwegian heritage

Holmenkollen, the legendary Olympic site, comprises the ski jump (height 64 m, K-point 120 m), the Ski Museum (the world's oldest ski museum, 1923) and an extensive cross-country skiing network. The view from the top sweeps across Oslo, the fjord and the surrounding mountains. The Viking Ship Museum presents three perfectly preserved 9th-century longships. The Fram Museum displays the polar exploration vessel used by Amundsen and Nansen. The Akershus Fortress (13th century), a medieval castle and royal residence, commands the harbour. Vigeland Park, the world's largest sculpture park created by a single artist, contains 212 works by Gustav Vigeland. Aker Brygge, a converted historic shipyard, is now Oslo's trendiest waterfront district of restaurants and galleries.

• Holmenkollen ski jump 64m
• Opera House Carrara marble
• Munch Museum The Scream
• Royal Palace 1849
• Viking ships 9th century
• Fram polar exploration vessel
• Akershus Fortress 13th c.
• Vigeland Park 212 sculptures
• Nobel Peace Prize ceremony
• 40 fjord islands by ferry
• Ski Museum world's oldest
• Aker Brygge waterfront

Oslo webcams live streaming

Check Oslo's webcams in real time to admire the majestic fjord, observe port activity, view the Holmenkollen ski jump and enjoy panoramic views of the Norwegian capital before your visit.

Oslo's webcams showcase the majestic fjord with its 40 islands, port activity — ferries to Denmark and Germany, cruise ships — the Holmenkollen legendary ski jump and Ski Museum, and live Nordic weather conditions. The cameras also capture Northern Lights in winter and the midnight sun in summer, when Oslo enjoys up to 18 hours of daylight in June.

Access & practical info: Oslo is 2h30 from Copenhagen by plane, 3h from Stockholm, and 6h from Bergen by the scenic Bergen Railway. Oslo Gardermoen Airport is 50 km from the city centre, connected by the Airport Express Train (20 min). Excellent metro (Tunnelbana), tram, bus and public ferry network to the fjord islands. Nearby: Norwegian fjords, Bergen (UNESCO Hanseatic city), Lillehammer (1994 Olympics), Jotunheimen National Park (glaciers), Hardangerfjord, Sognefjord (longest fjord in the world), Geirangerfjord (UNESCO), Trolltunga hiking. Oslo has been Norway's capital since 1814. Temperatures: winter −5°C, summer +20°C. Midnight sun June–July, Northern Lights September–March. Norwegian specialities: Norwegian salmon, gravlaks, brunost (caramelised brown cheese), lefse, krumkake, rakfisk.