Oslo is a perfect destination for outdoor lovers. The Norwegian capital is one of the greenest cities in the world — two-thirds of it are designated protected natural areas, and its bike-friendly city center is emulated throughout Europe. You can swim in the fjord right from the city center, or get lost in one of its massive city parks. The Oslo Harbour Promenade meshes nature with urban living, with converted warehouses and cultural institutions like the Norwegian Opera and Ballet just steps from the cool waters of Sørenga Beach, where locals take plunges on summer days.

Oslo is home to a number of historical buildings, including the Oslo Cathedral and the Nobel Peace Center, and there’s no shortage of world-class museums here. Take the ferry to Bygdøy, where you’ll find the Fram Museum of polar exploration, the Munch Museum, and the Norwegian Museum of Cultural History, an open-air living museum.

If you are flying into Norway, the closest airport is Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL), around 30 miles north of the city; you can rent a car at the airport, for a drive that takes around 45 minutes. If you are taking public transport from the airport to your Oslo vacation rentals, there are frequent trains that can get you to Oslo Central Station in as little as 20 minutes.

Once you’re in Oslo, you will find that the city boasts one of the most interconnected public transport networks in Europe, with extensive bus, train, light rail, ferry, and tram services that share a single ticketing system. You can purchase tickets at kiosks, service points, or via an app. Oslo is a compact capital, with many attractions within walking or cycling distance.

Thanks to its northerly latitude, Norway is known as the Land of the Midnight Sun. Even as far south as Oslo, the sun doesn’t set until around 11 p.m. at the end of June, which means that visitors head to this capital city from June to August to make the most of the longer days and the warmer temperatures. During fall and winter, temperatures dip below freezing, days are short and dark, and Oslo is blanketed in snow, a perfect time to visit museums or the Holmenkollen Ski Jump on the outskirts of the city, particularly during the Holmenkollen Ski Festival in March. At Christmas, the city is illuminated with holiday decorations and hosts several Christmas markets with food stalls, crafts, gifts, and all-ages entertainment.

Vigeland Sculpture Park

This green urban oasis with a fountain at its heart contains 200 sculptures by a famous Norwegian artist that are made from bronze, granite, and cast iron. At the highest point in the park, you’ll find a staggering monolith, carved from one block of granite and standing 55 feet tall, that features 121 intertwined human figures clinging to one another.

Norwegian Museum of Cultural History

Take a journey back in time at this open-air living museum featuring 160 buildings from all over the country that have been reconstructed on site. It’s a fantastic spot for exploring the history of Norway, dating back as far as the 13th century with the Gol Stave Church, which has its own museum and exhibition halls showcasing Norwegian culture.

Oslo fjord cruise

Water is the reason Oslo was founded, and one of the best ways to see the city is from the fjord itself. A fjord cruise takes you around some of the many islands and bays and past the Dyna Lighthouse. You’ll catch great views along the shoreline of the city’s modern architecture of the Barcode Project in the city center, as well as the beaches on the Bygdøy peninsula.