Oslo: A City of Contrasts

Oslo is a city that feels like a contradiction—in the best way possible. Modern yet historic, polished yet gritty, structured yet wild. Our time here was packed with bike rides through grand city streets, deep dives into polar exploration, and delicious food.

Getting to Oslo: The Scenic Route

We took the 8:08 AM train from Bergen, and what a journey it was. The landscapes changed dramatically—from misty fjords to snow-covered wilderness and back again. Along the way, we enjoyed oat lattes from Godt Brød, a cozy private train compartment, and an unforgettable eavesdropped conversation between a Welsh woman and a Norwegian man in the café car. Their topics? Marriage, life in the woods, and everything in between.

After a scenic seven-hour ride, we arrived in Oslo and walked 2km to our Airbnb. The neighbourhood, reminiscent of Sydney’s Newtown, had a bohemian vibe. A bar called No Name sat nearby, and the café below us sold gourmet chocolates. The park across the street was alive with markets, and churchgoers turned partygoers as night fell. Oslo, we quickly realised, had layers. Once we'd dropped our bags, we walked back into town to explore.

The gorgeous insides of our Airbnb in Grunerlokka

The fist is a symbol of the left wing resistance, installed in 1991. On the right, the Oslo Opera House where you can walk on the roof.

Day 1: Exploring Oslo by Bike

After a breakfast of pancakes and fruit, we set off on a bike tour with our guide, Tina. Our route took us past some iconic landmarks!

Akershus Fortress, which was never ceded in any battle. 

A monument outside the fortress depicting the strength and power of women

City Hall, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded

The Palace

Vigeland Park: The Heart of Human Emotion

The highlight of the tour was Vigeland Park, home to over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland. The sculptures celebrate the human experience in all its forms—joy, pain, struggle, and connection.

At the park’s centre stands The Monolith, a towering stone carving of 121 intertwined human figures. Nearby, The Bridge showcases 58 bronze sculptures depicting life’s many emotions, including the famous Angry Boy (Sinnataggen). Some statues, like Man Attacked by Babies, are bizarrely humorous yet deeply thought-provoking.

The amazing sculptures of Vigeland Park

After the tour, we headed to Aker Brygge for lunch, indulging in juicy burgers by the water. Later, we found a gym (thanks, Jase!) before winding down with a home-cooked meal.

Day 2: Oslo’s Museums & Culinary Delights

With the weather turning grey, we opted for a day of indoor exploration.

The Fram Museum: A Journey to the Ends of the Earth

Hands down, the Fram Museum was one of the best museums I’ve ever visited. It houses two legendary icebreaker ships—Fram and Gjøa—used for polar exploration. One expedition involved deliberately getting trapped in Arctic ice for nearly three years to study its drift.

Some aspects of these journeys were confronting, like the explorers’ grim necessity of shooting their own horses and dogs for survival. It made us reflect on what drives some people to risk their lives for discovery.

Boats on display (which wasn't even the most interesting part of the muesum!). The model (the one on white snow) was so intricate and looked almost identical to a photograph taken of the actual scene of the Fram being wedged in the pack ice.

National Maritime Museum: The Evolution of the Seas

Next, we explored Norway’s deep maritime history, from Viking ships to modern cruise liners. Fun fact: Many of the world’s largest cruise lines—Royal Caribbean, Cunard, and Carnival—are Norwegian!

After a day of museum hopping, we returned to our Airbnb for some downtime before heading out for a final night in Oslo.

Cocktails, Cuisine, and a Sweet Ending

We strolled to the Opera House to walk on the roof. We enjoyed some drinks at Hammerhai, a funky waterfront bar in Bjørvika, before heading to our pre-booked dinner at Barcode Dinner. This upscale Chinese restaurant blew us away—every bite was incredible.

To wrap up the night, we took a stroll to a local gelato shop before making our way home, full and happy.

Final Thoughts on Oslo

Oslo is a city that balances its Viking past with sleek modernity, its natural beauty with urban energy. From biking through historic streets to standing inside legendary polar ships, every moment here felt like a discovery.

It was a lovely place to visit. However, it’s not a city I envision myself being drawn to. It felt disoriented, and I found that difficult to comprehend. I’m looking forward to visiting Oslo during the summer and staying in a less gritty place, which might alter my perspective!