Why This is Europe's Hottest Destination: 36 Hours in Oslo

the New York Times says that Oslo has remade itself into a major cultural destination today we're going to find out if that's true I'll be trying all the wrecks on the times list and you might be surprised that the best thing to do in ow isn't even mentioned by the times and my second favorite thing to do in Oslo was recommended by the times but it's the last thing you'd expect to be great we'll also be doing a lightning tour of my three favorite Oslo hotels I visited 12 and stayed at four to find the three [Music] best now I'm kind of surprised that the times doesn't mention this one but the Nobel Peace Center is right next door to the National Museum so it's an easy stop to make Alfred Nobel was not Norwegian he was Swedish and four of the five Nobel prizes are awarded in Stockholm but the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here in OS [Music] well you know I'm surprised that the times overlooked this one too The acas Fortress is an easy 5 to 10minute walk from the Heart of the City and overlooks oslo's harbor this 13th century Castle is a blend of medieval and Renaissance architecture with well preserved buildings and great views this is a great stop if you're into history or historical architecture but if you're not then we'll hit the city's modern architecture [Music] next this is the national museum that opened in 2022 there's a bit of controversy around the architecture of this building people either love it or hate it let me know what you think I'll tell you what I think I don't love it it has over 7,000 items inside so if this would be to you plan at least for a full day how about another architecturally controversial building this time the Munch Museum that's right behind the Opera House home to the scream plus tons of other Munch masterpieces on the upper floors there are interactive exhibitions with objects from Munch's home and Studio you know I can't recommend or not recommend this Museum it all depends whether or not you like this kind of art okay time for something totally [Music] different don't be fooled into buying an expensive Fjord Cruise do a cruise on your own like a local there are a few different Islands to visit in the Oslo fiord and the city operates public fairies going to all these islands tickets are 40 croner or about 4 USD oneth the cost of the tourist trappy F tours you can take short hikes on many of these islands but if you don't feel like taking a hike just stay on the boat and see Oslo from a different perspective some of the fairies will do a 1-hour round trip and you can buy snacks and drinks on board so just sit outside with a cold beer and take in the city and by the way if you want real fiords get out of Oslo this is nothing compared to Western Norway I cover that in my Norway stuff you should know [Music] video okay here's one that the times nailed so this is a neighborhood that the uh time says is best for shopping in Oslo and after walking around for a few minutes that seems right to me the time likes holds vior that sells fashionable clothing in a Sleek space my friend Darby bought boots hereby got boots and as a bonus there's also a nice cafe that's part of the store take a break from the shopping for lunch or a nice coffee so we're going to head into Norwegian rain my uh favorite raincoat shop in the world so it's a business [Music] of devold is for Norwegian wool garments and Dapper is what the times recommends for scandy Men's [Music] Wear [Music] I don't know why the times didn't include this one I think it's oslo's best piece of architecture it was designed by the Norwegian firm snowa who also designed the wonderful Boulder hotel that I cover in a different video this is the only opera house that I know of where they not only encourage you to go up to the roof but it's built right into the design in other countries this might get you arrested but in Oslo walking on the opera house roof is encouraged and a great way to see the city especially at [Music] Sunset there are a bunch of private saas on oslo's fiord that you can book for about 25 USD most are across from the opera house but there's a few more along the Oslo key close to the ferry terminal Dusk and early evening seem to be the busiest times Darby was with me and we managed to have a pretty good time [Music] here is so good time it feel yeah I was pretty skeptical of this recommendation from the times but it turns out the oso Public Library is actually the coolest Library I've ever been [Music] in it's actually one of the coolest buildings I've ever been it's amazing I'm most surprised that this didn't make it on to the New York Times list but to be fair the kopos Sculpture museum is about an hour outside of Oslo I love this place it's a park with sculptures throughout some of them pretty mindbending set along this beautiful River but my favorite part is what they call the twist designed by starchitect borki Les aka Big the building is both a bridge and an incredible art space with this twisting bit in the middle filled with wonderful sculptures and a beautiful backdrop and drink plenty of coffee because you're going to want to go to the bathroom [Music] here okay now that you know what to do how about getting around and where to [Music] stay Oslo is small enough that you can walk most places but scooters and Rental bikes AR readily available Oslo is also well-connected by bus and tram the easiest way to travel on them is to download the routa app and buy digital tickets starting at about five bucks the oso pass is also an app and worth considering because it includes all of oslo's public transport plus fairies and admission to most museums prices for adults start at about $50 Uber's in Oslo but both Uber and taxis are expensive I suggest getting two in from the airport aboard this train it's convenient to most parts of downtown and it's easy to find tickets at the [Music] airport my focus on this channel is finding the world's coolest places to stay and I never make a hotel wreck until I've personally checked out all the options and test driven what look to be the best places like I said I visited 12 hotels in Oslo and stayed at four to come up with my wrecks most of the hotels I visited weren't that special or were in pretty bad locations anyway the time suggest the Sumo hotel and I 100% agree with this recommendation I I had more fun here than at any other City hotel in a long time even if you're not staying here Tak Oslo is a Norwegian Japanese fusion restaurant on the hotel's roof and right below that is isawa one of Norway's best bars that features Japanese street food and on the ground floor is oslo's best jazz bar my complete tour is here but the times missed Villa Incognito that's a sister hotel to the suo one of the most elegant hotels I've ever stayed at my stay there is also covered in the same video as the suo the times also suggest America Len I don't know if I'm pronouncing that right but it's across the street from the train station I checked it out but was really unimpressed by both the location and some cheap Design Elements so I won't recommend that one the times also suggests the K7 as an affordable small Hotel I'd agree that it's nice but one block down is what I think is the best affordable design hotel in Oslo called the Rivier with a bunch of room options some with small kitchens and also some more standard rooms there's a nice bar here and a great VI attached to the hotel is the Michelin starred Savage you'll want to book this one way in advance you'll probably end up flying into Oslo if you're visiting Norway and I think it's worth stopping here for at least 2 days but if you want to see some of Norway's coolest places to stay check out my playlist of amazing design hotels that's my specialty besides Oslo Bergen and olison have tons of charm those cities are covered in my Norway stuff you should know video along with everything else you need to know to have a great trip to one of the world's most beautiful countries check it out here thanks for watching and see us in the next video should have worn this when I was uh chasing the sheep in anartica

Channel: Swank Guide

Views: 25,658

Keywords: Swank Guide, Norway national museum, Oslo fjord tour, Munch Museum, Kistefos Sculpture Museum, Akershus Fortress, Oslo Nobel prise, Oslo Opera House, Snohetta Architects, Norway Guide, Oslo Guide, Oslo Michelin Star, Sommerro Hotel, Villa Inkognito, Rivier Hotel, Amerikalinjen

Id: yOU2CUwnejA

Length: 11min 16sec (676 seconds)

Published: Sun Feb 04 2024