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Oslo in December: A Winter Wonderland Awaits!

Oslo in December: A Winter Wonderland Awaits!

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Winter in Oslo might be chilly, but it’s also a magical time filled with festive cheer and a host of delightful activities. If you’re planning a visit in December, here’s your ultimate guide to embracing the winter wonderland that is Oslo. Even though the nice activities might keep you warm, you should definitely bring your warm clothes as you travel to Norway in December.

Oslo in December – What to do?

1. Embrace the Christmas Spirit at Markets

Get Festive at Christmas Markets: Oslo in December is adorned with charming Christmas markets that pop up around the city. From traditional Norwegian handicrafts to delicious seasonal treats, these markets offer a unique cultural experience. The markets at Spikersuppa and around the Oslo City Hall are a must-visit. Feel the jolly vibes, sip on some warm gløgg (mulled wine), and pick up unique gifts for your loved ones.

christmas in oslo in december
Source. Norsk Folkemuseum (where they have a fantastic Christmas market in December)

2. Explore Winter Activities

Try Ice Skating: Lace up your skates and glide across the ice at one of Oslo’s many outdoor ice rinks. Whether you’re a pro or a newbie, it’s a fun activity for all. The rinks at Spikersuppa and Frogner Stadion are popular choices and provide a delightful experience amidst the snowy landscapes.

Cross-Country Skiing or Tobogganing: Oslo’s surroundings offer excellent opportunities for winter sports. Try cross-country skiing in Nordmarka, the vast forest area accessible by the city’s metro. Alternatively, opt for tobogganing at Korketrekkeren for an exhilarating ride down the slopes.

3. Enjoy Cultural Delights

Visit Museums and Galleries: Beat the cold by diving into Oslo’s vibrant cultural scene. Warm up in the city’s museums and galleries. The Viking Ship Museum, Munch Museum, and the National Gallery are perfect spots to explore Norway’s rich history and art.

Attend Winter Performances: December in Oslo also offers a range of musical concerts, theatre performances, and ballet shows, especially around the holiday season. Check out what’s on at the Oslo Opera House or other theaters for a delightful cultural experience.

4. Indulge in Norwegian Cuisine

Savor Traditional Norwegian Dishes: Warm up with delicious Norwegian comfort food. Try classic dishes like fårikål (lamb and cabbage stew) or riskrem (a traditional rice pudding dessert). Indulge in hearty meals at local restaurants to experience authentic Norwegian flavors.

5. Witness the New Year’s Eve Spectacular

Celebrate New Year’s Eve in Style: December closes with a bang in Oslo. Join the celebrations at Karl Johans Gate or head to Ekeberg for a spectacular view of the fireworks lighting up the city skyline. Join in the lively atmosphere as locals and visitors welcome the new year with excitement and joy.

Are you ready to visit Oslo in December?

December in Oslo is a unique and delightful experience, offering a blend of festive celebrations, cultural indulgences, and exciting outdoor activities. Embrace the wintry magic, create unforgettable memories, and savor the charm of this Scandinavian gem as it sparkles under a blanket of snow. Oslo in December is an experience not to be missed!

Do not purchase a Netflix subscription while in Norway!

Do not purchase a Netflix subscription while in Norway!

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Are you coming to Oslo for a business trip? Or maybe you are in Oslo at the moment, and now you want to find something to stream on Netflix. But, you do not have a Netflix subscription yet. Well, if you plan on purchasing a Netflix subscription, you shouldn’t buy it while in Norway. Do you know why? You will most likely pay way more than you would pay in your home country!

During a recent study presented by netflix.fromabroad.org, you can compare the prices of a Netflix subscription in different countries around the globe. Since Netflix is a global company, you can sign up and purchase a subscription in almost all the countries of the world. But, would it be fair if a person in India would have to pay the same amount of money for a Netflix subscription as a person in Oslo? They might get access to the same content, but considering the big difference in salaries, it might be reasonable to say that it is fair that Norwegian people pay more for Netflix than those in India.

And, that leads us to the fact that you shouldn’t purchase a Netflix subscription while in Norway. How come? Norway is one of the most expensive countries in the world when it comes to the price of a Netflix subscription. Especially if you want to purchase the basic package, then Norway is among the 5 most expensive countries in the world. The only countries more expensive are Switzerland and Denmark.

Do not purchase your Netflix subscription in Oslo!
Norway is beautiful, but also very expensive. Picture from Pixabax.

The Netflix prices in Norway are high, but compared to the rest of the EU, they aren’t super-expensive. But, if you start comparing the prices of a Netflix subscription in Norway to prices in Southern-America, you will see some giant differences. For example, the price of a one-month subscription to the basic package in Norway should cost you 9,6USD. The price of the same subscription in Ecuador is 3,2USD. In other words, it is three times more expensive in Norway compared to Ecuador (and Argentina).

It doesn’t matter where you live or where you are when you stream content on Netflix. The price you pay only depends on where you originally purchased your subscription. So if you purchase a Netflix subscription while in Norway, you will pay the Norwegian Netflix subscription price for all your days. But, if you purchase a Netflix subscription in Ecuador, in Brazil, or maybe in Argentina, then you will pay that subscription fee for all your days. As a result, there is a money-saving aspect to this as well.

Would you like to know how you can save money on your Netflix subscription with this method? Check the following article to learn more.

One more thing that you might find annoying if you purchase a Netflix subscription in Norway is the fact that you will always see the Norwegian Netflix content as you travel within the EU. What do I mean?

If you have a Norwegian Netflix subscription and live in Germany, you will always see the content of Norwegian Netflix. This is due to the EU regulations for streaming that were introduced in 2018. The best solution for solving this is to register your Netflix account outside the EU. Then you will always see the content available of the country that you are currently in, something that is very useful if you travel within the EU, or if you want to use a VPN to change your Netflix region.

So, that was a little piece of advice to those who consider purchasing a Netflix subscription while in Oslo! Enjoy your travel!

Norway vs. Serbia - Euro 2020 qualification

Norway vs. Serbia – Euro 2020 qualification

Posted on by Oslo Guide

On March 26th, it will be time for Norway to play against Serbia in the semi-final for the Euro 2020 qualification playoff. The Norwegians are small favorites in front of the match, but they are well prepared, knowing that Mitrovic and the rest of the Serbian squad will fight for their lives to win the match as well!

Before the European Championship in 2016, Norway had to play a play-off match against Hungary. Everyone rejoiced at the opponent and believed it to be the easiest way of getting to the European Championship. They were wrong! After losing against Hungary, first in Oslo, and a few days later in Budapest, the case was closed, and Hungary went to the European Championship were they did surprisingly well (at least during the group stage).

Once again, Norway has to qualify for the European Championship through a play-off round, but this time they will start against Serbia on March 26th. If they win that match, they will play against the winner of Israel and Scotland on March 31st.

The Euro 2020 play-off matches in Norway

If Norway manage to win the play-off matches, then they will qualify for the European Championship and play in a group together with Croatia, England, and the Czech Republic. It is a tough group, but not at all an impossible group.

If Norway beat Serbia on March 26th…

If Norway can manage to beat Serbia on March 26th, the final against the winner of Scotland and Israel will be played in Norway as well. That is great news for the Norwegian players because playing in front of a home crowd is always an advantage.

How to watch Norway vs. Serbia online?

We don’t know so much yet about how and where you can stream this match online. You can, for sure, stream it on a streaming service such as Fubo TV in the United States, but besides that, there will be a pay-TV channel in Norway showing the match, and the same is true about the rest of Europe.

But, what about the European Championship itself?

We don’t know so much yet about who will broadcast the European Championship, but you can see a full list of Euro 2020 broadcasters right here. There you can also find information on how to stream the event on the Internet and so much more!

We will cheer for Norway on March 26th and hopefully also on March 31st. And then, who knows, maybe they will be there in the European Championship this summer between June 12th and July 12th, ready to fight with the best nations in Europe for the trophy?

The match against Serbia will be played at Ullevål stadium, the main stadium in Norway. It is located in the city of Oslo, and you can easily get there using public transportation in the Norwegian capital.

Visit Norway - not Kashmir!

Visit Norway – not Kashmir!

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Have you watched the newest Mission Impossible movie yet? It is called Fallout, and it has its world premiere today! We got to watch it yesterday (August 1st), and it was a great treat.

People who love beautiful cities will enjoy the fantastic scenery in both Paris and London in the movie. But, we are so used to these cities, that we don’t even blink by the beauties of the Eiffel Tower, the Notre-Dame, the Arc de Triomphe, London Eye, the Parliament, St. Paul’s Cathedral, the Millenium Bridge and the other attractions from these fantastic cities on display in the movie.

A picture of Paris from Mission Impossible: Fallout
A picture of Paris from Mission Impossible: Fallout

But, at the end of the movie, the story is changing the scenery to Kashmir, the northernmost geographical region of the Indian subcontinent. This is where the movie comes to an end, and it takes place in a beautiful environment with big mountains, snow, two wild helicopters, and then it comes… a giant cliff. It is extraordinary, it is scary, it makes your hands sweat, but at the same time… it attracts you, and makes you want to go and see it in real life. Where is it? Is it in Kashmir?

Forget about Kashmir – travel to Norway!

If you want to walk around in the amazing scenery seen at the end of the Mission Impossible movie, and maybe take a peak down from the cliff, then you have to travel to Norway. You can fly to the city of Stavanger, travel on towards Sandnes, and from there you can start your walk towards the Preacher’s Pulpit, or Prekestolen (in Norwegian). This is the place that gives the fantastic scenery at the end of the Mission Impossible movie.

Mission Impossible Fallout in Norway, not Kashmir
The Preacher’s Pulpit in Norway – Photo by Samuel Killworth on Unsplash

This is one of the most amazing places to visit in the world. You might be scared of heights, but it is still worth a visit. Tom Cruise enjoyed his stay in Norway as well, and on August 1st the movie actually had a premiere at the Preacher’s Pulpit in Norway with more than 1000 people attending.

Tom Cruise hanging from the Preacher's Pulpit in Mission Impossible: Fallout
Tom Cruise hanging from the Preacher’s Pulpit in Mission Impossible: Fallout

I have watched the movie, and it is absolutely worth watching. The Mission Impossible movies are always a combination of heavy action and lots of humor, making it ideal for a large audience. And with the amazing scenery from Norway in the end, this is a must-see movie.

Again, forget about Kashmir – Norway is the place to visit if you want to discover the fantastic scenery from the grand finale of the Mission Impossible: Fallout movie.

Chlamydia in Norway and John Oliver

Chlamydia in Norway and John Oliver

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Are you coming to Norway in the coming weeks or months? You might see some ads telling you to use condoms and to watch out for chlamydia!

chlamydia in norway at John Oliver

Norway is famous for its beautiful nature, midnight sun, Northern Lights, tree churches, and now also for its chlamydia. For some reason, Norway has one of the highest chlamydia rates in Europe, and now the Norwegian government wants to put an end to that. They are using lots of money on advertising, and so does 7-Eleven, a big kiosk brand in Norway.

But, now Norway has become famous for this, also outside the borders of the country. On Sunday the stand-up comedian John Oliver used 4 minutes of his show to make fun of the Norwegian culture, and of course the chlamydia ads. Take a look at the entire video beneath.

The problem is a real one, so we are not going to laugh at that. But, this little video of John Oliver is simply amazing, and it will for sure give you a good laugh.

Have fun watching, enjoy your stay in Norway, and take care of yourself!

Pay with Bitcoin in Oslo

Pay with Bitcoin in Oslo

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Oslo is the capital of Norway, and Norway is a country in love with modern technology. But, where can you pay with Bitcoin in this high-tech city?

You might think that Norway is extremely up to date and modern, meaning that you will be able to pay with Bitcoin and other cryptocurrencies all around Oslo. You couldn’t be further from the truth. If you are looking for cafes, stores, and shops where you can spend your Bitcoin in Oslo, you do not even need a hand to count. It is enough to have a couple of fingers!

Where can I pay with Bitcoin in Oslo?
Where can I pay with Bitcoin in Oslo?

You will find a couple of online stores in Norway that will let you pay with Bitcoin and other digital currencies, but if you are looking for an actual shop, where you can buy an actual product, and pay with actual Bitcoin as you are there, then that is very limited. We will try to keep this list up to date, so if you know of new places accepting cryptocurrency payments in Oslo, please write a comment to let us know about them.

Accepting Bitcoin and/or other cryptocurrencies in Oslo

The Kasbah – https://www.thekasbah.no/
This is a middle-east inspired cafe in Oslo which will let you pay your bill with Bitcoin. The place is well known as a base for cryptocurrency and blockchain enthusiasts in Oslo!

Aktivisten –  https://www.facebook.com/pg/aktivisten/
A place somewhat similar to The Kasbah. This is a place known for its strong opinions, counterculture, anti-racism and other nice values!

Tacopop – http://www.tacopop.no/
Want to eat a fresh and tasty taco, and pay your bill with Bitcoin or Litecoin? Here you can do so!

Bitcoin in Oslo

Why so few places accept Bitcoin in Oslo?

You might wonder why so few restaurants, cafes, and stores accept Bitcoin in Oslo? There are a couple of reasons.

  • It is much harder to deal with taxes if payments are done with Bitcoin or other cryptocurrencies.
  • Most people own Bitcoin to keep them, not to spend them, and therefore, few people are really interested in paying their bills with Bitcoin.
  • Bitcoin has slow transactions and high transaction fees, which makes it almost useless for payments in normal daily life. Luckily there are other cryptocurrencies much more capable of dealing with daily purchases, but they are not that well known yet.

Do you know of more places accepting Bitcoin in Oslo?

Do you own a place that accepts cryptocurrencies in Oslo? Do you know a place in which you can pay with cryptocurrencies? Write a comment and let us know, and we will include the place in this article!

Metallica concert in Oslo 2018

Metallica concert in Oslo 2018

Posted on by Oslo Guide

Metallica concertOn the second day of May Metallica will enter the stage in Telenor Arena in Oslo. Norwegian fans have been looking forward to this concert for a long time, but soon it will be here.

Metallica is a band that has had a fantastic history so far. But, it doesn’t seem to be over yet. Even though the members grow older, the band is still going strong, and in 2018 they will do a quite big tour in Europe. The tour will start on February 1st in Lisbon, then the band will continue to Spain, and after that continue to lots of nations all across Europe before they arrive in Norway on May 2nd.

Telenor Arena is a beautiful venue in Oslo, and it is becoming the new center for fantastic concerts (replacing Oslo Spektrum which had the same role for a long time). The Metallica concert in Oslo will start at 18.00, but you better arrive early to avoid lines and to find the perfect spot long time before the band will enter the stage.

Would you like to buy tickets for the Metallica concert in Oslo? You can use the ticket link beneath. There you will also find tickets for the Metallica concerts in Helsinki and Stockholm if you would rather listen to the band in another Scandinavian country. Visit the website, search for Metallica, and you are good to go!

Metallica Oslo 2018

Telenor Arena
May 2nd, 18.00

Tickets: Viagogo

Ski competitions in Holmenkollen this weeken

Posted on by Oslo Guide

The annual weekend with ski races and biathlon in Holmenkollen has arrived, and if you are planning to be there, you have something to look forward to.

The best biathlon racers in the world will compete this weekend in Oslo, and there is little doubt about how everyone expect Martin Fourcade to win one more (or two more races) this weekend. He has been alone on the throne so far this season, and maybe the Norwegians are especially sad about their own performance this season. But, maybe they can make some changes and win a race as the season closes in towards an end?

If you visit Holmenkollen this weekend you will be able to enjoy the fun and cheer for whoever you want to. If you can not go, then you can also follow the entire event online. In the IP Address Guide you will find instructions telling you how to stream the Norwegian TV channel NRK online from outside Norway, and since this channel will
broadcast all the fun live from Holmenkollen, it is by far the best way to stream the events online.

For more information about other stuff happening in Oslo, read on here in our Oslo Guide, where you also can read more about the most famous attractions, activities and programs in town.

Bruno Mars concert in Oslo 2017

Bruno Mars concert in Oslo 2017

Posted on by Oslo Guide

On May 24th it is time for the Bruno Mars concert in Telenor Arena in Oslo. Are you out there looking for Bruno Mars tickets for this or some other Bruno Mars concert in 2017?

Before coming to Oslo on May 24th Bruno Mars will perform in the Finnish capital Helsinki on May 22nd. And once he has performed in Oslo he will leave for Germany, where he will perform in the capital Berlin on May 26th. So, are in the mood for being there at one of these Bruno Mars events? You can get hold of your Bruno Mars tickets using the link beneath. You can read more about other events in Europe and more Bruno Mars concerts at WorldCityGuides.

Bruno Mars Oslo 2017

Bruno Mars Oslo 2017

Telenor Arena
May 24th, 18.30

Tickets: Viagogo

Use the ticket link above to buy your Bruno Mars tickets. For those not so interested in the Bruno Mars concert in Oslo, you can find other attractions and programs worth enjoying while in Oslo here in our Oslo Guide.

Deep Purple Oslo 2017

Deep Purple Oslo 2017

Posted on by Oslo Guide

On November 9th Deep Purple will enter the stage in Oslo Spektrum. This will be one of the highlights in the Norwegian capital this autumn, and there are still tickets to find for the event.

The Deep Purple tour will start in Romania in May 2017, following the release of their new album Infinite in April 2017. During the first three months of their tour Deep Purple will visit big cities all across Europe, except from the famous cities in the northern parts of Europe like London, Oslo, Trondheim, Stockholm, Glasgow and similar cities. But, after a long summer break they will continue their tour with a concert in Stockholm on November 6th, followed by a concert in Trondheim on November 8th, and then finally in Oslo on November 9th.

Would you like to be there at any of these Deep Purple concert in 2017? Further down you will find a ticket link, and pressing it you will find a website where you can buy tickets for all the different Deep Purple events all across the world.

Deep Purple Oslo 2017
Deep Purple Oslo 2017

Deep Purple Oslo 2017

Oslo Spektrum
November 9th, 19:30

Tickets: Viagogo

Doesn’t it sound like a great way to spend a wet, snowy and cold November day in the Norwegian capital? We hope you will enjoy the event, and if you want more information about the famous attractions in Oslo, or about other events and concerts taking place, look around here in our Oslo Guide.