When to Visit - Arts and Events

Oslo has a rich seafaring and Viking history; the city boasts some fascinating museums that are well worth exploring. Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki raft and reed boat, which he used to cross the Pacific and Atlantic Oceans, are displayed in the Kon-Tiki Musuem. The Viking Ship Museum exhibits three ninth-century Viking ships used as royal burial chambers and displays an impressive collection of the jewellery and treasures that were buried in them.

Oslo Dining

Oslo has a wide range of restaurants, cafés and bistros providing friendly service and serving excellent meals. The French cuisine has gained an enviable reputation and Greek, Chinese and Italian restaurants are also rapidly appearing. Seafood is Oslo's speciality with delicious fresh fish such as salmon, lobster and herrings. Seafood restaurants along "Aker Brugge (Aker Warf)" are particularly good and offer outdoor dining with waterside views. Game is another speciality; venison in a rich port sauce and rabbit served with mushrooms and cranberries are well worth trying.

Oslo Tipping Advice

In Norway service charges are included in most bills, so the need to tip is minimal. Although restaurants add a service charge of about 15 per cent, it is customary to tip by up to a further five per cent if the service is particularly good. Hotel porters and doormen are generally given between five and ten Norwegian Krone depending on the number of bags.