Oslo is home to some fascinating cultural traditions, internationally-famed museums and excellent nightlife scenes, but nothing sets it apart from other capital cities as much as the beauty of its natural settings. It boasts stunning forests, lakes and a number of hiking trails.

Norway boasts a number of attractions for the entire family. The city is home to some lovely beaches, which while not sandy, they offer green lawns and play areas for children. There are also a number of parks and gardens located across the city offering places where kids can expel any excess energy left over from a day’s sightseeing. For some fun and adventure, head to TusenFryd Amusement Park where you will find a number of hair-raising rides as well as plenty of other attractions. Many hotels also offer kids clubs which provide daily entertainment and will keep children busy while you relax.

St Hallvard's Feast Day: held every year in May, the celebration of the city’s patron saint is a quiet affair which dates back hundreds of years. The festivity takes place in the ancient quarter of Oslo and remembers the saint's death. There are speeches by the mayor and the bishop of Oslo as well as and an awards ceremony and musical performances, with a big event held at 16:24. This day is significance as it marks when Oslo burnt down in 1624. The highlight of the day is a religious service held at 18:00 in a local medieval church.

Oslo boasts a number of attractions which will keep you busy for days. If you are bored of lazing in the sun and want to learn a bit more about Norway’s turbulent history, a trip to Askershus Castle is recommended, while for budding dramatists, a trip to the Ibsen Museum is a must. Stop off at Aker Brygge for lunch before heading to Markveien for shopping. You may be in need of some relaxation time after a busy day’s sightseeing, and Birkelunden Park is the ideal place to sit and watch the world go by.

Oslo Gardermoen Airport (OSL) is located just over 48kms from Oslo’s city centre and is the main gateway to the Norwegian capital. It handles over 17 million passengers every year, which makes it the busiest airport in Norway. There is just one efficient terminal, which caters for all domestic and international flights.

Banks: 09:30 to 16:00, Monday to Friday (some open Saturday mornings)
Post Offices: 09:30 to 18:00, Monday to Friday
Department Stores and Shops: 10:00 to 17:00, Monday to Friday; 09:00 to 14:00, Saturday
Museums: times vary; check with the individual museums
Business Offices: 08:00 to 18:00, Monday to Friday