VYear rightly proud of their inventions, the Norwegians: the staples, the slice-information, the cuckold of the Vikings, the aerosol and the words “ski” and “slalom”. It is less known instead that In recent times they have invented a new type of sauna. The starting idea is the floating sauna: a wooden house with large windows, resting on a raft moored on the pier. For some time he has spread – as well as in Scandinavia – in Central Europe, including Switzerland, on Lake Geneva.
But in Oslo, the city of the sea, they had one more idea: to attack them every now and then an engine and transform it into a “mobile wellness center”. Thus, while the snow is flocked or the sun shines, you can sweat on the warmth as you observe the landscape of the Oslofjord who parades in front of you.
Oslo, the Norwegian capital is at the end of this Fiordo 120 km long, dotted with about forty islands of which only six inhabited. A capital of absolute photogenicity, as evidenced by the written trilogy directed by Dag Johan Haugerud: Dreams (awarded with the gold bear al Berlin Festival 2025) And Love they are already in our rooms, Sex It will arrive in May.
The Oslofjord Sauna at Sukkerbiten. Copyright: Visitoslo / Didrick Stenersen
As a fast means of transport in the fjord, both the inhabitants of Oslo and tourists use all electric ferries – that start from pier 1 of the port. The closer islands to the city are the most pleasant: first of all Hovedøiawhich in a forest retains the remains of a XII century Cistercian monastery and a fortress, But also the nearby Bleikøya and Lindøyagreen and with few, graceful colored houses. In these crystal clear waters, the Norwegians take the bath, mostly in the hot season, but some bold also in winter, immersing themselves for a few seconds as a “reaction bathroom” to the floating sauna.
Olso, from Kon-Tiki to ferries
The ferries also reach the bygdøy peninsula, which will have its moment of glory in 2026, when the new will be opened Viking Civilization Museumwhich will welcome the best (ancient ships, art objects, weapons) from all the collections of the city museums. It is now established that the Vikings, great navigators, arrived on the American continent centuries before Christopher Columbus. With this same spirit, in 1947 the Norwegian navigator Thor Heyerdahl made an epic enterprise: cross on a raft-called Kon-Tiki-the Pacific Ocean from Peru to Polynesia. He wanted to demonstrate that the Polynesians could be of Peruvian origin. And despite general skepticism, he succeeded. Today on the bygdøy peninsula the Kon-Tiki Museum exposes the boat and tells us the story of that epic ocean journey.
Viking Civilization Museum. Photo: Thomas Johannesssen
A cocktail in the Cool district of Oslo
Returning to the port after the tour in the fjord, in front of pier 1 we find one of the most interesting cultural institutions of Oslo: the National Museum. Inaugurated in the summer of 2022, he brings together Modern art and design collections (both Norwegian and foreign) which were previously fragmented in various museums: the permanent galleries dedicated to design are of great value. Divided into two sections – “Design before the 1900s “and” Design from 1900 to today “ They deserve to be carefully savoring.
Not far from the National Museum, a pair of floating saunas eyepose inviting in front of ther Brygge. At one time this was an area of shipyards, but the urban and architectural revolution of Oslo transformed it into A fashion and very cool neighborhood: Restaurants, cocktails, boutiques and refined hotels such as The Thief (The thief). His bar is famous for his cocktail -ignures, including the Femme fatale: rhum, blueberries and anguture enclosed in a transparent glycerin bubble, light like a cloud. The name of the hotel is due to its position: it is located in front of the island of the thief (Tjuvholmen), a time refuge of hidden treasures. Today is the name of Two artificial islands connected by pedestrian bridges.
In the Aker Brigge neighborhood there are modern art galleries such as the Fineart Oslowhile continuing along the pedestrian street on the port you arrive at a jewel created by Renzo Piano, theAstrup Feernley Museum. Dedicated to contemporary art, it has three pavilions overlooking a huge glass wing, and you access it from a pedestrian bridge. An exhibition space that dialogues with the sea and which plants, demiurge of the old port of Genoa, has heard in particular.
In Oslo you can practice the Paddle Stand-up, the Remi table, among the pavilions of the Astrup Fearnley Museum, the work of Renzo Piano. Photo: Visitoslo / Didrick Stenersen
Front of the port
The pedestrianization of the port front and almost the whole city centerthe fulcrum of the recent urban revolution, is one of the most fascinating characteristics of the Norwegian capital, in which very few cars circulate. In 2016 Oslo inaugurated a pedestrian walk that winds over the Fiordo line: the Havnepromenaden, nine kilometers long (but intended to increase), unites the cultural institutions and residential neighborhoods that have changed the face of the city over the past 15 years. On the opposite side of the long walk is yet another invention of this volcanic city: Bjørvika.
“Here were only the sea and old Decadent industrial plantsI, but with a visionary decision we invented a part of the city giving beautiful houses, cultural centers and a job to people »explains Ida Gravdal Haldorsen, General Manager of the Bjørvika Association. “Now Bjørvika shines with its own light but to date we have made only 63 percent of the project. There is a place for other beauty, in Oslo».
In Oslo the only traffic is that of the fathers with the wheelchairs
Meanwhile, let’s enjoy the beauty that is there. In Bjørvika, architectural masterpieces stand out: the iconic House Operainaugurated in 2008, with its white pitched roof like a ski slope, wonderful also inside with its spiral structure of wood and glass; The Munch Museum Elegantly folded on the water, opened in 2021 to collect the largest collection in the world of paintings, prints and photographs of Edvard Munch; The 2019 Oslo Public Library, a library that looks like a library but also a place of relaxation and study For young people and entertainment for younger children. A unique concept in the world that weals the idea of public library and should be imitated everywhere.
The Deichman library in the new Bjørvik district. Photo: Visitoslo / Tord Baklund
While on the hill overlooking Bjørvika the Ekeberg park proves to be a surprising gallery of works and installations of great artists: Louise Bourgeois, Marina Abramovic, Niki de Saint Phalle, Pipilotti Rist (which steals the name of the old Pippi Longstocking) and many others …
And here it is, the real revolution of Oslo: it starts improving the usability of a library, a park, a museum, a street. To get to make a city more livable. An example: public transport in circulation in the city or on the fjord are electric. Norway has the largest number of per capita electric cars in the world, and from 1 January 2025 only electric cars can be bought (the others circulate but will soon be replaced). Pollution is falling and car traffic is very scarce because public services are excellent.
The bygdøy peninsula, where in 2026 the Museum of Viking Civilization will be opened. Photo: Visitoslo/Thomas Johannessen
On the other hand, the trafficking of prams and strollers is remarkable, often driven by groups of young male specimens of Homo Sapiens who chat Amiably to each other, scarrozzare the puppets. After all, The Norwegian fathers have time to look after their children because here are twelve months of paid parental leave. The same goes for homosexual couples who have the right to marry and adopt.
In the east part, In Grünerløkka, the old workers have given way to houses, clubs, shops and workshops for students and artists, Creative and cheerful places that everywhere unharpity the rainbow flag of the LGBTQ+movement. Perhaps Norway has something to teach the world today.
Where to sleep in Oslo
Bristol Hotel
Convenient from the train to the airport and the new area of the fjord, in a quiet street in the historic center. The Bristol, born in 1920, gives a touch of Edoardian elegance in the common parts, comfortable rooms and a sumptuous breakfast. The double in 160 € B&B. hotelbristol.no
The Thief
In Tjuvholmen, the last area born in Aker Brygge, a stone’s throw from the Museum of Renzo Piano. It is a real contemporary art gallery in which to live. Among the luxuries, a tour of the islands with an elegant Aquarama shore. The aperitif is memorable. Double in 280 € B&B. Thethief.com
Bispevika and Oslobukta. (Photo: Didrick Stenersen)
Where to eat
Lofoten Fish Restaurant
The authentic Norwegian gastronomic tradition linked to fishing in an informal environment. Very fresh tartare, fried royal crab and above all Skrei, true seafront ode. Lofoten-Fiskerestaurant.no
Restaurant Savage
Small, hidden Italian enclave, kingdom of chef Andrea Well, which expresses the best of local products with Masceria and Mediterranean sensitivity. A complex menu as a theatrical work, managed in four acts. Restaurantsavage.no
Himkok Bar
Announced among the World’s 50 Best Bar, a Speakeasy on multiple floors surprising with bartender and Italian room director. On the ground floor, high level cocktails. Himkok.no
What to buy
Lykka på løkka
It translates “good luck” and is one of the vintage and sustainable clothing stores in the heart of Grünerløkka, a former worker district among the coolest in Oslo. Retrolykke.myshopify.com
Robot
Glasses, costume jewelery, bizarre and fun second hand in one of the oldest (from 2005) and more popular shops in Grünerløkka. robotoslo.no
Mathalen
A great 1908 Food Hall that was once a factory in the Vulkan industrial district. To buy or have lunch to one of the many desks. mathalenoslo.no
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