Oslo Travel Videos

Oslo is the capital and largest city of Norway, and the third largest city of Scandinavia. The history of the city can be traced back over 1000 years, although according to the chronicles of Snorre Sturlason, Oslo was founded in 1048, by the king Harald Hardråde. The city became capital of Norway around 1300, but lost its privileges during the Danish-Norwegian union from 1348 to 1814. In 1624, a fire devastated old Oslo, and the city was moved some kilometres west to gain protection from the fortress at Akershus. The city was renamed Christiania, a name that remained until it was officially renamed on January 1st 1925 to Oslo.

Oslo is the demographic, economic and political centre of Norway. As a tourist destination Oslo is overshadowed by the natural landscape of more rural parts of the country, and the other large cities like Bergen and Trondheim which tend to be more "typically" Norwegian. Nevertheless, Oslo has plenty of sights, good nightlife and is worth seeing.

Although well into the northern latitudes, Oslo's climate is fairly temperate thanks to warm air being wafted across the Atlantic from the Gulf Stream. Summer weather in Oslo is mild and pleasant, with frequent hot spells, and plenty of long sunny days. In winter temperatures hover just above or below freezing. Snow is most often plentiful in the forested areas and also often in the city in winter, making it a great winter sports venue. Rainfall is spread across the year, the rainiest month being August.