Oslo/North

• Coming in to Oslo from the north (for instance along the E6) by car, you will first end up here. As opposed to central parts of the city, it may be a good idea to get around by car. Nevertheless, a network buses and subways means you can get in to most places of interest with public transportation too.
• To get to northwestern Oslo, take subway 1 or 2. The former brings you to Holmenkollen.
• To get due north, take subway 5 to Songsvann, tram 11 or 12 to Kjelsås (or local trains even further in that direction).
• Northeastern suburbs, all the way to Vestli district at the city border, are served by subway lines 4 and 5. A little further south goes a local train line, and still further south, subway 2 serves suburbs like Furuset.

Gislus

• HolmenkollenThe ski jump located on the west side of Oslo, which was rebuilt for the World Ski Championships in 2011. It first opened in 1892 and has been re-built many times since then. It had more than 1 million visitors every year, and was one of the biggest tourist attractions in Norway. There is also the oldest ski museum in the world, opened in 1923. Walking and mountain bike riding are popular activities here during the summer.

• Holmenkollen Chapelbuilt with inspiration from the stave churches and benefits from dragestil wood carvings. The chapel used by the Royal Family at Christmas time and Holmenkollen ski festival.

• Emanuel Vigeland MuseumAmong Oslos best hidden secrets. Gustav Vigeland's not so well-known younger brother erected the building as a museum for his art in 1926, but later decided it should serve as a mausoleum, with his urn placed above the door. The main attraction in this museum with no windows is the 800 square meters fresco "Vita", (Italian for "life"), showing the human life from conception till death, but other examples of his art are also on display. Included in the Oslo Pass.

• Norwegian Museum of Science and Technology & The Norwegian Telecommunications Museum

  address: Kjelsåsveien 143
  A fun and very interactive place for both children and adults. Contrary to information in the common tourist brochures this building.

• Nordmarka (Oslo forest)

  address: North of Oslo + eastern (Lillomarka), northern and western suburbs
  Oslo is surrounded by wide and partly dense forests, generally known as Marka, of which Nordmarka is the largest and most accessible section (in addition to Nordmarka there similar areas east, south and west of the city). There are lots of roads and trails criss-crossing these wide forests, but no cars, only skiers, hikers and bicycles. So it is essentially the largest park in town. There are countless lakes, many rivers and small waterfalls too. Small summits that rise above the city offers excellent panoramas. Entry points everywhere, usually 10-15 min from the centre. Access by bus, metro, tram, car or bicycle. There is a fine network of high quality foot paths (roads) suitable even for wheelchairs and baby strollers, as well as many "nature trails" for hikers and skiers only. Roads closest to the city have street lights. In winter used for cross-country skiing, also a small ski resort (alpine skiing). The Moose (elg), mainland Norway's largest animal, roam the forest and occasionally strolls into town. Note: the Oslo forest is drinking water supply for 1 million people. Restrictions on camping, barbecue and swimming.

• SognsvannSognsvann lake is one of the most popular places in Marka (Oslo forest), nice meadows and easy path around lake, paths continue through the forest - metro line 5 to Sognsvann station. Surprisingly this lake is the geographical mid point of Oslo.

• Swimming (outdoor, freshwater)

  address: Oslo forest
  For fresh water swimming, Akerselva is considered clean north of Nydalen. The best spot may be at Frysja (bus 22-25-54 to Stillatorget). Don't forget that many of the lakes in "Oslomarka" are for swimming and recreation (Sognsvann lake for instance). Note that some major lakes (Maridalsvannet in particular) are drinking water for the city, restrictions on swimming and camping. Buy a map and bring your swimming gear!

• HolmenkollenThe area around Holmenkollen (T-bane 1) is well suited for cross-country skiing, but also a nice area for hiking during summertime. While you are there, you can also visit the ski-museum which is located close to the ski-jump. For additional fun, buy a cheap sledge or "akebrett", or rent a proper one from Frognerseteren, and sleigh down from Frognerseteren to Midtstuen station. This was actually the venue of the sleighing competitions in the 1952 Winter Olympics, and the hill is referred to as "Korketrekkeren" (the corkscrew). If you buy a day-card for the subway, you can race all day long, but make sure you are well dressed, as you are going to get wet. The Holmenkollen ski festival, a competition in different types of Nordic skiing takes place here each March since 1892 (only interrupted by WWII).

• Oslo Climbingpark

  phone: +47 469 090 64
  address: Trondheimsveien 644
  Perfect for adults and teenagers who want to challenge themselves with expert guidance.

• Oslo vinterpark

  phone: +47 22143610
  address: Tryvannsveien 64
  The capital's greatest ski resort for alpine skiing. Ski school and ski equipment rental. Dinig. After ski fridays. Oslo Vinterpark offers multiple lifts and slopes stretching from the Tryvann Tower, at the top and all the way down to Sørkedalen, where the 1300m Wyllerløypa ends. See weather forecast.

• Oslo Summerpark

  address: Tryvannsveien 64
  To adults and children: challenge yourself, swing through the trees, fun zip lines, balancing along a section of posts. The Climbing Park is designed and constructed so that trees can grow to their natural shape and size. Routes and paths are placed naturally useing the latest technology and an independent arborist that puts safety first. Knowledgeable training.

Shopping malls

• Stovner Senter

  phone: +47 22 78 99 70
  address: Stovner Senter 3
  One of the largest shopping centers in City of Oslo, located in the northeastern tip.

• Grorud Senter

  address: Bergensveien 2-4
  Shopping center, located centrally in the Grorud district.

• Vindern torvet

  address: Slemdalsveien 72
  Shopping center along the Holmenkollen line.

Budget

• IKEA Furuset

  address: Strømsveien 303
  Shop for furniture and eat cheaply!

Mid-range

• Egon Ullevål

  phone: +47 22028018
  address: Sognsveien 77c
  Serves nice food for a fair price/quality ratio. All kinds of dishes available, you do need to go to the bar to order

Splurge

• Frognerseteren Restaurant

  phone: +47 22924040
  address: Holmenkollveien 200
  -is a dragestil complex consisting of patisserie Seterstua and restaurant Finstua as well as banqueting facilities. Wonderful views over the entire city. The food is based on Norwegian cuisine traditions, but is expensive.

• Anexet Sportsbar

  phone: +47 22 25 16 85
  address: Bergensveien 8
  Neighborhood bar with football on both large screen and flat screen. Occasionally jazz concerts. Sushi dining, or as a take away.

Budget

• Bogstad Camping

  phone: +47 22 51 08 00
  address: Ankerveien 117
  Bogstad has cabins and tent space. Close v tothe campsite there is a mini-mart Kiwi (used by the locals), a petrol station Statoil with heat-up fast food options, and a fast food restaurant Jafs! which does pizzas, kebabs and burgers ("Hamburger meny" take-away, 100g burger & French fries & salad & drink, kr 95).

• Haraldsheim Youth Hostel

  phone: +47 22 22 29 65
  address: Haraldsheimveien 4
  The biggest HI hostel in Oslo. Not too far from the action (but it is hard to find), walking distance to the lively neighbourhoods of Torshov and Grünerløkka. Located in a very quiet area of Oslo, this is a place you'd go to sleep, not to party. The breakfast is outstanding for a hostel and is vegan-friendly, although with reduced choice. It is advisable to reconfirm your booking before you come and inform at what time you are going to arrive although the reception is open 24 hours.

• Oslo Hostel Rønningen

  phone: +47 21 02 36 00
  address: Myrerskogveien 54
  Open June 1 - August 19. 7.5 km from the center.

Mid-range

• Olympiatoppen Sportshotell

  phone: +47 22 02 57 35
  address: Sognsveien 228
  Peacefully located on the edge of the forest Nordmarka.

• Quality Hotel™ 33

  phone: +47 23 19 33 33
  address: Østre Aker vei 33
  A conference hotel with 242 hotel rooms and 17 conference rooms. Panoramic views from the upper floors.

• Radisson Blu Hotel Oslo Alna

  phone: +47 23 28 77 00
  address: Tevlingveien 21
  Comfortable hotel and conference facilities. Well-equipped fitness room.

• Scandic Holmenkollen Park Hotel

  phone: +47-2326-3000
  address: Kongeveien 26
  Close to the skiing facilities at Holmenkollen, this is a hotel built in the classical Norwegian dragon style.

• Soria Moria Hotell

  phone: +47 23 22 24 00
  address: Voksenkollveien 60
  The name is taken from a castle in Asbjørnsen and Moe's folk tales. Spectacular views from above the city and close to forest and ski facilities.

• Thon Hotel Linne

  phone: +47 23 17 00 00
  address: Statsråd Mathiesensvei 12
  Located in a suburb, not very far from the offices and commercial business districts of Helsfyr and Økern.

Splurge

• Lysebu

  phone: +47 21 51 10 00
  address: Lysebuveien 12
  Historic hotel in the forest, located over the city and close to the Holmenkollen ski facilities and hiking areas. Used for conferences, celebrations, honeymoons and weddings. Traditional Norwegian building style in timber.

• Within central Oslo: see the Oslo/West, Oslo/Sentrum, Oslo/Inner North or the Oslo/Inner East article
• Suburbs within southern Oslo: see the Oslo/South article