Oslo: Lively city and beautiful natural surroundings

Discover Oslo - it's a stimulating city with plenty to see and do, and exciting restaurants to try out. We give you the best tips, everything from art and skiing to delicious fare.

If you are a fan of classical music and jazz, you should check out what's on offer at the Oslo Concert Hall, as it's here that you have an especially good chance of experiencing world-class music. The Concert Hall is one of the country's foremost venues for national and international music, and is host to some of the world's best artistes.

But if you're more interested in pop music, a visit to Popsenteret is a must. Here you can wander through the history of pop music and learn more about Norwegian music from the last hundred years in an interactive and exciting way, and it's just as exciting for children as for adults. Your entrance ticket also gives you the opportunity to record your own hit song in the recording studio.

Tjuvholmen is one of Oslo's swankiest districts, and it's here you'll find the Astrup Fearnley Museum, which houses an enormous collection of modern and contemporary art. This iconic building, created by architect Renzo Piano, is well worth a visit in itself. The permanent exhibitions contain works by Damien Hirst, Jeff Koons and many other famous international names. The museum's changing exhibitions constantly set the agenda in the Norwegian art world, and impress with their scope, as there is always something new to see.

If modern art is not quite your thing, perhaps you'd enjoy photography? The aim of the photo gallery is to promote aspiring photographers through their exhibitions of camera-based contemporary art. In the gallery's own bookstore you'll find many interesting photo books guaranteed to enliven your coffee table and provide a superb source of inspiration.

A historic landmark in the Norwegian consciousness, Holmenkollen embodies more than a century of skiing competitions.

Inside the ski jump is the Holmenkollen Ski Museum, the oldest of its kind in the world. The museum presents over 4,000 years of skiing history, Norwegian polar exploration artifacts and an exhibition on snowboarding and modern skiing.

The observation deck on top of the jump tower offers panoramic views of Oslo.

Close to the Rockefeller Music Hall, you'll find Lokk, a charming little restaurant where the signature dish is soup. Yes, you read that right, the soups are what people come here for. Apart from them, it also offers a three- and four-course menu that changes every 2 weeks, with options at extremely reasonable prices. Their concept of "laid back dining" is about taking a two-hour break from life, with no stress or obligation to wear a dress or a shirt. It's a feeling that you won't want to put the lid on!

The urban restaurant Smalhans is a jewel in the crown of St. Hanshaugen. With two buses that stop right outside, it's not difficult to get to this taste experience. The emphasis here is on homefare amongst other things. Smalhans is also the place for those who want to try something different and a more social dining experience. The dishes at Smalhans and Krøsus can easily be shared, and this is an experience in itself. Has to be tried!

When you do finally get to the capital, you can stay overnight at one of the Radisson Blu hotels in Oslo and live stylishly in a home-from-home environment.

Cover image © Nancy Bundt / Visitnorway.com