I’ve been in Oslo for two months – May and June 2025 – basically because I couldn’t secure good long-term accommodation in Stockholm. I said okay, let’s try Oslo, and I got really lucky. Found a really nice apartment for $1,250 a month – big place with a nice balcony on the top floor, fully furnished.
On Airbnb this would have easily been over $3,000, so I got a really good deal. To be honest, I wish I had only stayed a month because I feel like I saw what I needed to see in that time, but I took the place for two months because I was hopping around a lot and just wanted somewhere to chill.
What Oslo Actually Is
Oslo’s the capital of Norway with about 700,000 people, and honestly, it’s not the most beautiful city. The architecture is kind of weird – a mix of modern stuff and basic, average buildings. It doesn’t really have an old town feel because it got bombed during WWII and they had to rebuild most of it.
It doesn’t have a strong center square either like Helsinki’s got with its nice train station area – Oslo’s pretty weak in that regard. The city itself isn’t great, but it is kind of cozy and simple. It’s not that big and it’s got good public transportation with trams.
The main street is Karl Johan Street, which is the main walking promenade where all the shopping is. It always has a lot of people and walks all the way to the King’s Castle, which has nice views.
The History That Explains the Lack of Charm
Why Oslo Feels Rebuilt
- Viking origins: Founded around 1040 by Harald Hardrada, remained relatively small for centuries
- Medieval period: Often overshadowed by Bergen as Norway’s main city
- Danish and Swedish rule: Centuries under foreign control limited development
- Norwegian independence: When Norway gained independence in 1905, Oslo became capital and started growing
- WWII destruction: German bombing destroyed much of historic center – explains lack of old town feel
- Oil boom: North Sea oil discoveries in 1960s-70s transformed Norway into wealthy country
- Modern wealth: Today reflects Norway’s oil wealth and social democratic values
The WWII destruction really explains why Oslo lacks the historic charm of other European capitals.
Architecture: Post-War Mediocrity
Most of the center is post-WWII rebuilding, which explains the lack of historic charm. You get this weird combination of modern buildings and basic, average architecture that doesn’t create a cohesive feel.
Main Areas and Buildings
- Karl Johan Street: Main pedestrian street from train station to Royal Palace
- Royal Palace area: Nice views and good endpoint for main walking street
- Opera House area: Modern area where you can walk on the roof, touristy atmosphere
- Akershus Fortress: Viking-era fortress with cool views and historical interest
- Aker Brygge: Really modern area with fancy architecture – the high-end zone
The lack of a historic center really hurts Oslo’s appeal compared to other European capitals.
The East vs. West Divide
Oslo is really divided into two distinct parts that create very different experiences.
East Oslo (Østkanten)
More run-down with lots of immigrants from Somalia, Pakistan, and other countries. Feels very multicultural but also kind of rough. This is also the hipster part of town where people dress all alternative and strange.
West Oslo (Vestkanten)
The ritzy part where people have money, nice cars, and it’s mostly wealthy Norwegians. Less diverse, mostly Norwegian people. This is where the embassies are and it definitely feels nicer than East Oslo, though maybe a bit more stuck up.
My apartment was in West Oslo about a 5-minute walk from the King’s Park, so I spent most of my time in the nicer part of the city. This divide really shapes your experience depending on where you stay.
Norwegian People: The Mountain Cousins
Norwegians have a pretty unique phenotype that’s different from other Scandinavians. They kind of look like Swedish people but not really – there’s definitely a difference you can pick up on after being in both countries.
What Makes Norwegians Distinct
- Facial features: Different facial structure than Swedes or Danes
- Height: Very tall, both guys and girls – definitely have that Viking blood
- Build: A little on the big side, strong-looking people
- Hair: Lots of blonde like Sweden, but also darker hair in other regions
They’re almost like the hillbilly mountain cousins of the other Scandinavians, but they do have a distinctly different look. After spending time in both Sweden and Norway, you can definitely tell the difference.
May 17th: Norwegian Constitution Day (Amazing Experience)
I was lucky to be here for May 17th, and that was genuinely one of the coolest days. This is Norwegian Constitution Day, and it’s unlike anything else in Europe.
The Traditional Dress Spectacle
All the Norwegians dress up, and it’s incredible to see. The women dress up in their traditional bunad (Norwegian folk dress), while maybe 10-15% of men wear traditional clothing but the majority just wear suits.
The traditional dresses come in different styles depending on where the girl’s family is from – some are blue, some red, some black. Each region has its own distinct style, which creates this beautiful variety throughout the city.
These dresses are actually insanely expensive – like $10,000 – because they have all these intricate designs and jewelry. It’s a serious investment that families often pass down through generations.
The Parade Experience
There’s a massive parade that walks down Karl Johan Street to the Royal Castle, lasting a few hours. Everyone’s waving Norwegian flags, people are drinking, and the whole city comes alive.
The rest of Europe doesn’t really do this with traditional clothing, so it feels almost like Halloween where everyone’s dressed up, but it’s this beautiful cultural celebration instead.
Bottom line: If you’re planning to visit Oslo, definitely try to time it for May 17th. It’s a completely different experience and shows Norwegian culture at its most vibrant.
The Nature Access: Oslo’s Best Feature
You’re 20-30 minutes by public transport from good hiking and nature, which is genuinely great.
Natural Attractions
- Nordmarka: Forest area north of city with trails and lakes
- Island hopping: Ferry connections to islands in Oslo fjord
- Skiing: In winter, you can ski right from the city
- Day trips: Easy access to dramatic Norwegian nature within hours
Oslo is definitely one of the weaker parts of Norway because the country has really beautiful nature, but Oslo unfortunately is not that beautiful. If you visit, definitely try to get out of Oslo and go to Bergen and other spots on the coast.
This nature access is probably Oslo’s main selling point.
The Extreme Cost Reality
Norway uses the Norwegian krone and is one of the world’s most expensive countries.
Daily Costs
- Accommodation: €100-200/night (unless you get lucky)
- Food: €70-100/day
- Beer: €10-15 each (at least $10, often more)
- Transport: €10/day for unlimited public transport
- Total daily budget: €200-350
Monthly Nomad Costs
- Apartment: €1,500-3,000/month (I got lucky at €1,200)
- Living expenses: €2,000-3,000/month
- Total: €3,500-6,000/month
Only viable for high earners or people who get lucky with accommodation like I did. Everything food-related is insanely expensive – Norway makes other Scandinavian countries look cheap.
Food Scene: Expensive Norwegian Cuisine
Norwegian specialties are fish-heavy cuisine with decent quality but not particularly exciting. Lots of salmon, cod, and other seafood.
Pricing Reality
- Meals: €20-40 (extremely expensive)
- Coffee: €5-7
- Groceries: €60-80/day for decent food
- Daily food budget: €70-100
There are international restaurants being the capital, though they’re all expensive. You can find decent options but you’ll pay through the nose for everything.
Nightlife: Norwegians Love to Drink
Oslo actually has good nightlife and venues. Norwegians like to drink and party, especially on Saturday nights – strong drinking culture and good venues.
Nightlife Areas
- Grünerløkka: Hip area in East Oslo with alternative bars
- Aker Brygge: Upscale waterfront bars and clubs
- Karl Johan area: Central bars and pubs
- West Oslo: More upscale drinking establishments
The cost reality hits hard though – alcohol is extremely expensive at $10+ for a beer. This seriously limits how much you can drink without going broke. The party culture is very focused on Friday/Saturday nights.
Digital Nomad Assessment
Pros:
- WiFi is excellent, everything works efficiently
- City is clean and organized
- Nature access is genuinely great for outdoor lovers
- Good cafés and coworking spaces
- Less competitive accommodation market than Stockholm
Cons:
- Extremely expensive for everything except rent (if you get lucky)
- Limited social scene for nomads
- High prices make it impractical for most nomads
- Language barrier if you don’t speak Norwegian
Digital Nomad Rating: 5.5/10
Maybe decent if you love nature and can afford the costs, but the high prices make it impractical for most nomads.
Tourist Attractions: Limited Options
Main Sights
- Royal Palace: Nice building with surrounding park, free to walk around
- Akershus Fortress: Medieval fortress with harbor views
- Vigeland Sculpture Park: Famous park with hundreds of sculptures
- Opera House: Modern building where you can walk on roof for city views
- Munch Museum: Dedicated to Edvard Munch, including “The Scream”
- Harbor area: Nice for walking and watching ships
Day Trip Options
- Bergen: Beautiful coastal city, much more scenic than Oslo
- Flam: Dramatic fjord scenery
- Various hiking areas: Mountains and forests within reach
For a capital city, Oslo has a pretty limited selection of must-see attractions. You can cover everything in a few days.
Transportation and Getting Around
- Public transport: Excellent tram, bus, and metro system
- Nature access: Easy public transport to hiking areas
- Walking: City center is walkable, Karl Johan Street is pedestrian-friendly
- Regional connections: Good train connections to other Norwegian cities and Sweden/Denmark
- Airport: Oslo Airport (Gardermoen) is major international hub
Where to Stay in Oslo
- West Oslo: More upscale, safer, mostly Norwegian – where I stayed and would recommend
- City center: Around Karl Johan Street, convenient but touristy and expensive
- Grünerløkka (East Oslo): Hipster area with more nightlife, more diverse but can feel rougher
- Aker Brygge area: Waterfront location, very expensive but nice views
For longer stays, West Oslo offers the best balance of safety, amenities, and Norwegian character.
Who Should (And Shouldn’t) Visit Oslo
Good For:
- Nature lovers who want easy access to hiking and outdoors
- People interested in Scandinavian culture and social democracy
- Travelers with high budgets who don’t mind expensive cities
- Business travelers who need to be in Norway
- People doing comprehensive Scandinavian tour
Skip It If:
- You’re on any kind of budget
- You want beautiful historic European architecture
- You prefer vibrant, exciting city centers
- You’re looking for great value destinations
- You have limited time in Norway (go to Bergen instead)
Oslo vs. Other Scandinavian Cities
Versus Stockholm: Stockholm is more beautiful but more expensive and elitist
Versus Copenhagen: Copenhagen is more charming and bike-friendly
Versus Helsinki: Helsinki has better architecture and city center design
Versus Bergen: Bergen is much more beautiful and scenic
Oslo is probably the least appealing of the major Scandinavian capitals for tourism.
Safety and Living Quality
- Extremely safe: Very low crime rates, feels completely secure day and night
- Very clean: Well-maintained city, typical Scandinavian standards
- Excellent organization: Everything works efficiently
- Environmental quality: Clean air, excellent water quality
- Social services: Excellent healthcare and social support systems
The quality of life factors are genuinely excellent – it’s just expensive as hell.
My Honest Bottom Line
Overall Rating: 6/10
Oslo is fine but not particularly inspiring. I got lucky with accommodation which made the experience much better than it would have been otherwise, but the city itself is pretty weak. The lack of historic architecture, weak city center, and extremely high costs work against it.
What Actually Works
- Nature access is genuinely great
- Infrastructure is excellent
- Very safe and clean
- Norwegians have decent drinking culture
- East vs. West divide gives different experiences
- May 17th celebration is incredible
What Doesn’t Work
- Everything is insanely expensive
- City lacks beauty and historic charm
- Not much to see or do compared to other European capitals
- Post-war architecture is mediocre
- Limited tourist attractions
The Accommodation Factor
Getting a good deal on housing completely changed my experience. At normal Oslo prices ($3,000+ per month), this would have been much less appealing. Oslo’s real estate market is slightly less intense than Stockholm and a bit cheaper, but still brutal.
Final Verdict
Oslo works better as a base for exploring Norwegian nature than as a city destination itself. The country’s beauty is in the mountains and fjords, not the capital.
Decent quality of life if you can afford it, but Norway’s beauty is outside Oslo. Use it as a base for nature trips rather than expecting a great city experience.
I probably wouldn’t go back unless I had specific business there or was using it as a base for Norwegian nature trips. It’s clean, safe, and functional with great nature access, but also expensive and not particularly beautiful or interesting as a city.
Have you been to Oslo or other expensive Nordic capitals? Did you find ways to make the costs work, or did the prices shock you like they did me? Share your Scandinavian budget reality checks in the comments!
