Cities of Norway

Oslo

Oslo is one of the largest cities and has been the capital of Norway since 1814. The name of the city has changed from time to time as it was called Christiania from 1624 to 1878, and Kristiania from 1878 to 1924.

Oslo first founded its own municipality in 1837 and after its separation from the county of Akershus in 1842, a county of its own was formed. Oslo is the third largest Scandinavian city after Copenhagen and Stockholm. The Royal Family of Norway, the Government and the Parliament are also based in Oslo.

The city is located at the head of Oslo Fjord and therefore is surrounded by a lot of greenery and woody hills. For those who love hiking, trekking and other outdoor activities, the city is the best place to be in. All the attractions are nearby to each other and most of the parks are within a walking distance of ten minutes.

During the winter season, one can access all the eight ski centres in the city, or for the more adventurous individuals there are hundreds of kilometres of cross country trails in the snow covered forests and mountains. In 2007, the Reader’s Digest ranked Oslo number two on a list of the world's greenest and best cities to live in.

The city offers plenty of attractions, large shopping malls displaying the latest fashion and a wide range of restaurants serving the most delectable cuisines. Many opportunities and countless choices are what make the lively city of Oslo a desirable holiday destination.

Stavanger

Start your city ramble at the Breiavatnet lake, the city's radiant eye and in former times the city's great meeting place where people went skating in winter and fishing in summer.

Having taken the path round the lake, we recommend a visit to Stavanger's beautiful cathedral dating from 1125. The original church was built in the Norman style and, of all Norwegian medieval churches, it is the only one to have preserved its original design.

Cross Domkirkeplassen (cathedral square) and follow the cobbled Kirkegaten up to the Valberg tower. In former times, the tower was the highest point in the city and in 1853 the town wathmen started to use it as a watchtower to warn of fires.

You can go down the hill from the Valberg tower to Strandkaien and wander past the old waterfront warehouses. Nowadays, there are 60 of these waterfront warehouses remaining of an original total of 250 buildings.

Continue your ramble across the market square past the statue of the author Aleksander L. Kielland. Kielland liked to dress very elegant and always wore a hat and cape and carried a cane - an aspect of Kielland that the sculptor Magnus Vigrestad has succeeded in capturing.

Cross Rosenkildetorget and finish your ramble in Old Stavanger, where you will find Northern Europe's biggest and best-preserved concentration of wooden houses. More than 170 houses were built at the end of the 18th and beginning of the 19th century, and they are still in use as houses, art galleries and studios.

Bergen

Blessed with a spectacular, setting, Bergen is nestled beneath seven strategic hills and surrounded by picturesque fjords (narrow inlets). Founded in the eleventh century – and once home to Norway's Royal family – Bergen is now the second-largest city in the country. This scenic port town is divided into two main parts: Bryggen, the old city, is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and the modern city, which contains many of Bergen's commercial and cultural attractions. Visitors should check out Bergenhus, the old medieval fortress; Torget, home of the bustling fish market (Fisketorget); Rosencrantz Tower, a fortified thirteenth century residence; Bryggens Museum, which recreates medieval life; and Bergen Aquarium, which is one of the best aquariums in Europe. A word to the wise – bring an umbrella when you visit because Bergen receives over 200 days of rain annually.

Blessed with a spectacular, setting, Bergen is nestled beneath seven strategic hills and surrounded by picturesque fjords (narrow inlets). Founded in the eleventh century – and once home to Norway's Royal family – Bergen is now the second-largest city in the country. This scenic port town is divided into two main parts: Bryggen, the old city, is on UNESCO's World Heritage List, and the modern city, which contains many of Bergen's commercial and cultural attractions. Visitors should check out Bergenhus, the old medieval fortress; Torget, home of the bustling fish market (Fisketorget); Rosencrantz Tower, a fortified thirteenth century residence; Bryggens Museum, which recreates medieval life; and Bergen Aquarium, which is one of the best aquariums in Europe. A word to the wise – bring an umbrella when you visit because Bergen receives over 200 days of rain annually.