With its population of around 550,000, Oslo is one of the smallest capitals in Europe, and is flanked by nature on almost all sides. The city's public transportation system is convenient, with buses, trams, a subway system, trains and ferries. This extensive network will take you all around town, into the wilderness or out to one of the islands of the inner Oslo fjord, all in less than 20 minutes.

The city's transport hub is Oslo Central Station, Oslo Sentralstasjon/NSB. The main Bus Terminal is situated Diagonally across the street. The train station itself is served by local, intercity and international trains, as well as the Airport Train (Flytoget). The Byporten shopping center is adjacent to the railway station. Across the street is another big shopping center, Oslo City

Walking west from the station, you will find Karl Johans Gate, Oslo's pedestrian-friendly parade street. On your right as you walk up the sloping hill is Oslo Cathedral, dating from the late seventeenth century. It is open daily, free of charge. Further up Karl Johan, past shops, restaurants and pubs, you will find the Parliament building, Stortinget on the left hand side, with its original Neo-Romanesque architecture. Across the street, the five-star Grand Hotel has greeted its guests in style for more than a century. Grand Café has been a favorite haunt of famous Norwegian artists, including the playwright Henrik Ibsen. The little green spot of Studenterlunden on the other side has an open-air restaurant and a large pond, which becomes a very popular ice rink in the winter. At the end of the road is the Neo-Classical Nationaltheatret built in 1899 and guarded by the statues of Henrik Ibsen and Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson. In addition to a magnificent Rococo theater seating 800 people, Nationaltheatret has its own gallery with a unique collection of portraits. Back on the other side of Karl Johan, you find the oldest part of the University of Oslo, built in 1852. Inside the main Assembly Hall, you can see three great works by painter Edvard Munch, Sun, Alma Mater and History.

Just a short walk up Universitetsgaten, the most extensive collection of art in Norway is on display at the National Gallery (with free admission). You can see work by famous Norwegian artists such as Edvard Munch, Christian Krohg and J.C. Dahl as well as international names like Picasso, El Greco, Matisse and Van Gogh. Around the corner is the University Museum, which is composed of a historical section, displaying Viking finds, runic stones and religious art, and an ethnological section with artifacts from all over the world collected by Norwegian anthropologists. On St. Olav's gate there are two reasons to visit the Museum of the Applied Arts: the Norwegian and foreign applied arts, fashion and design items exhibited here, and the delightful, nineteenth-century museum coffee shop Café Solliløkka

Karl Johans Gate runs all the way up to the Royal Palace built by the eponymous nineteenth-century king, Karl Johan, who ruled the union of Sweden and Norway. Strolling in Slottsparken, the royal gardens surrounding the palace, you can discover memorable statues, enjoy a picnic, or take a nap in the shade of a tree.

From here, you should be able to see the twin towers of Rådhuset the Town Hall, facing Oslo harbour. It was inaugurated in 1950, to coincide with Oslo's 900-year anniversary. The Town Hall is open every day except Sunday and frequently hosts various exhibitions. At the waterfront you can also find the main Tourist Office. Further along the pier, Aker Brygge beckons with its exclusive shops, restaurants, pubs and bars. It's probably the most packed area of Oslo in the summer!

From the harbor you can also take a ferry to Bygdøy and Dronningen, where the five most popular museums of Oslo are located, the open-air Norwegian Folk Museum being the largest. It contains architectural examples of more than 150 old, original buildings from all over Norway, including a stave church. There is also a large collection of traditional costumes, furniture, silverware, jewelery and artifacts. The Viking Ship Museum is just a short stroll away and features three ritual ships in which Viking kings and queens were once buried.

Three other museums are located at Bygdøynes. At the Kon-Tiki Museum you can see the papyrus boats Ra I and Ra II, and the Kon-Tiki raft, which the well-known explorer and anthropologist Thor Heyerdahl created for his oceanic voyages, to prove his theories on the spread of ancient civilizations. The Fram Museum is dedicated to Arctic explorers Roald Amundsen and Fritjof Nansen and their polar ship Fram. You might also want to take a look at the recently renovated Norwegian Maritime Museum located next door.

Back in the city, Akershus Fortress stands guard at the harbor. This was originally a residence for kings, but later (in 1592) it was remodeled to become an fortress armed with cannons. Today you can find the famous author Henrik Wergeland's office, the Castle church, the Royal Mausoleum and the Resistance Museum inside the fortress. The army still uses parts of the fortress, so you can see the daily changing of the guards here.

Below the fortress, Akershusstranda road leads to Vippetangen quay, from where boats frequently depart for the islands of the inner Oslo fjord. The trip across takes 5-30 minutes, depending on which island you would like to visit. At Hovedøya you will find the ruins of a Cistercian monastery built by monks from Kirkstead, England, during the twelfth century.

Back on shore, Akershusstranda runs uptown past the Astrup Fearnley Museum of modern art. Temporary exhibitions show predominantly post-war art, and the museum keeps a permanent collection as well. More modern art is on display in the innovative Museet for Samtidskunst at Bankplassen. Stop by Christiania Torv, where the immense statue of king Christian IV's glove in the center of the square points out the spot where he decided to rebuild the city after a disastrous fire in 1624.

To the west of the city, Frogner Park contains the Vigeland Sculpture Park and Museum, the most visited tourist attraction in Oslo. Do not miss this amazing collection of 212 larger-than-life granite and bronze sculptures, representing all stages of life.

You have not seen Oslo unless you have been to Holmenkollen, a professional arena for international skiing events every winter. Finish your day enjoying the panoramic views of the modest city of Oslo and the Oslo fjord from the famous ski jump tower. If you don't dare to exit the tower on a pair of skis, take the elevator back down and try out the three-dimensional ski simulator to safely experience an Olympic event.

The OsloCard is a discount card that is worth considering if you are staying for a few days and want to see all the sights. It will give you discounts on many things, including transport. You can buy the card at tourist information centers, the Central Station, Trafikanten hotels, Narvesen-newsagents, and certain post offices. You can buy the card for one, two, or three days, and at single or family rates.

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