Did You Know? 9 Fun Facts About Oslo, Norway

Oslo is the capital and largest city in Norway. It is situated at the head of Oslo Fjord and surrounded by forests and hills. With its beautiful natural setting, rich cultural heritage, and numerous museums and galleries, the city of Oslo is both full of history and a thriving example of a modern urban center looking toward the future.

This post lists some fun facts about Oslo, Norway!

1. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded in Oslo every year.

The Nobel Peace Prize is famous throughout the world, but did you know that it is awarded each year in Oslo? The Nobel Peace Prize has been awarded yearly since 1901 to those who have done “the most or the best work for fraternity between nations, for the abolition or reduction of standing armies and for the holding and promotion of peace congresses.”

You can visit the Nobel Peace Center in Oslo to learn more about the prize and its laureates.

2. Oslo used to be known as Christiania.

The city was originally called Oslo when it was founded in 1024. In 1624, it was renamed Christiania after the Danish king Christian IV. The spelling was changed to Kristiania in 1877. In 1925, Oslo reclaimed the original medieval name by which it is known today.

3. Oslo’s nickname is the Tiger City.

This nickname is most frequently attributed to the Norwegian poet Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson, whose 1870 poem “Sidste Sang” describes a fight between a horse and a tiger. In the poem, the tiger represents the dangerous city, and the horse represents the safe countryside.

4. Oslo is one of the most walkable cities in Europe.

You may notice a surprising lack of cars in the streets of downtown Oslo. Oslo also has excellent public transportation, so it is easy to move around the city without a car. In addition, city planners have made a concerted effort to decrease car traffic downtown, removing street parking and replacing it with green spaces and art installations, as in the streetside plantings shown below.

The result is a downtown that is safer and more friendly to pedestrians and bikers.

5. Oslo hosted the Winter Olympics in 1952.

In Oslo, you can visit the massive Holmenkollen ski jump that is perhaps most famous for its role in the 1952 Winter Olympics. 

The Holmenkollen Ski Museum is located under the jump and tells the story of 4,000 years of Norwegian skiing history.

6. Oslo was selected as the European Green Capital in 2019.

The European Green Capital Award recognizes cities in Europe that are leading the way in environmentally friendly urban living and encourages them to commit to pushing their sustainability goals even further. Oslo won this award in 2019, which highlighted its efforts toward sustainable transportation, waste management, and the circular economy.

7. The famous painting The Scream is set on a bridge overlooking Oslo.

The Scream is one of the most iconic images in modern art. Its creator, Edvard Munch, lived in Oslo, and the painting depicts a bridge overlooking the city and Oslo Fjord. You can also view this painting in person while visiting Oslo, with versions of it housed in both the MUNCH museum and the National Museum.

8. Most of Oslo is actually forest.

The Norwegian love of the outdoors can be seen even in Norway’s largest urban center! Oslo is surrounded by Oslomarka (Oslo forest), which is easily reachable using public transportation and is a popular spot for hiking, picnicking, and just hanging out.

If you’re interested in hiking in Oslomarka, check out this post listing some of the top hikes in the Oslo area!

9. Oslo also contains several islands, which be visited via local ferries.

Oslo really has it all! In addition to its bustling downtown and peaceful forest areas, the city limits encompass several islands in the upper Oslo Fjord. These islands are easily accessible by local ferries, which are included in a basic public transport ticket. For info on how to visit these islands, check out my post on Island-Hopping in Oslo Fjord!

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There is so much to experience and discover in Oslo, Norway. I hope these fun facts about Oslo get you thinking and inspire you to learn more about the city’s rich culture and history!

To learn more about the history and culture of Oslo in person, I suggest visiting some of the city’s many fascinating museums.

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