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Olso was founded around 1048 by King Harald Hardråde according to the Norse sagas. The city has been the capital since the reign of King Håkon V (1299–1319); the first king to reside here permanently, he began the building of the Akershus Fortress. During the union with Denmark the capitol moved to Copenhagen until 1814, after which Norway was again governed from here. The The original name of Oslo was restored in 1925 after being known as Christiania or Kristiania for 300 years.

Oslo is a melting pot of cultures and people; 28% of the population is non-Norwegian, making many people members of one minority or another - and immigrants' numbers are increasing. The city is gay-friendly, and the LGBT community here has it all, from sophisticated art exhibitions to year-round dance parties. As in the other Scandinavian capitals, there are fewer specifically gay club, hotels or restaurants for a city of this size, but hotel staff won't blink as you and a partner check into your room with one bed to share. For romantic evenings on the town, there are few better places in the world.

That said, the majority of gay and lesbian community social life takes place at the center of town, and clubs and parties that attract a majority gay and/or lesbian crowd are mostly located here, along with two gay bathhouses. See below, and at our map & listings page for these. But crowds of gay, lesbian, transgender, bisexual and straight party people mix it up all over town and you might run into the former chairman of the city council, Erling Lae and his partner, Jens Torstein Olsen, a priest. Norway was the second country in the world to legalize same-sex partnerships, and in 2009 granted marriage equality to same-sex couples. Oslo Pride each June, features ten days of celebrations that include film festival screenings, concerts, art exhibits, shows, political debates & a huge festival at Rådhusplassen.

Bogstadveien is a major shopping street at the center, with many small restaurant options at reasonable prices. The nearby borough of Grünerløkka, a post-industrial neighborhood of many small cafés, pubs and parks, is very popular with a younger generation -- vibrant and full of life, day and night.

See our Activities pages for a some city museums including Vigeland Park/ Frognerpark with over 212 nude sculpture by Gustav Vigeland, and the National Museum/ National Gallery complex; also Stensparken, a long-time meeting place for gay men, and the Homolulu gay "beach" in the Frogner district, with nude sunbathing on the rocky waterfront and cruising in the bushes. Frognerbadet (next to Vigeland, open in summer) and Tøyenbadet (year-round), are heated open-air public pools.

 

Getting here

Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, in Ullensaker, is 29 miles (47 km) from Oslo city center. Trains, buses and taxis can get you there. The Flytoget express train runs every 10-20 minutes into the center, taking just 19 minutes. Swipe your credit card to pay at the machine, before getting on board - fares start at 190 NOK (about 20€), depending on your destination station. Standard NSB train service is cheaper by half at 86 NOK (about 9€) from Gardermoen to Central Station, and takes only half an hour. Five different bus companies have service to and from the airport. Flybussen is an express coach to Oslo Busstermina that takes about an hour, departing every 30 minutes for 179 NOK (about 19€). Other options are listed on the Airport website. All means of transport offer discounts for students, seniors and such - see their websites.

Getting around

Walking or cycling are each a part of Norwegian life, so grab a map or your iPhone, and start exploring. The Ruter# website has info on trains, the metro system, tram cars, buses (day and night) and boats all around the region; plus apps for both the iPhone and Android systems, and access for any cell (mobile) phone that can get online, whatever the brand or model.

The Oslo Pass gives free entry to over 30 museums, swimming pools, the Tusenfryd Amusement Park; unlimited free travel by bus, tram, subway/metro, boat and local trains within zone 4, on the Ruter and NSB networks. Daily passes cost 230 NOK (about 24€), or 430 NOK (about 45€) for three days. Students and seniors pay less than half these rates.

 

Europe, economics, currency and banking

In referendums of 1972 and 1994 Norwegians rejected membership in the European Union (the EEC then) by small majorities. By special agreement Norway has access to EU markets, and they are included within the Schengen Area (open borders), and participate in the European Defence Agency. Well integrated with Europe in most ways, Norwegians are still bitterly divided on the issue of full EU membership. Most remain content to cooperate with the EU, while avoiding the perceived threat to Norwegian sovereignty. Forty years of off-shore oil and gas production in the North Sea put Norway among the world's top energy producers for a time, and the economy boomed. Oil output has declined this past decade, as fields are depleted, but gas production is holding steady and the country provides for most electricity needs with a network of hydroelectric power plants.

Norway's currency has been the Krone since 1875, divided into 100 øre. Lately the Krone has decreased in value compared to the US dollar, with a dollar buying around 8.2 kr in 2017-18, compared to just 5 or 6 kr over the past decade. The Euro has hovered around 9.5 NOK this summer. Websites such as XE have the latest rates. Expatistan ranks Oslo about the same as New York City and London for the cost of living. The Economist pegged Norway at 42 NOK ($5.12) in their July 2018 Big Mac Meal Index, a bit cheaper in price than in the US, but you're still better off eating local food.

Bring credit cards with chips and pin numbers to use ATMs, and ticket machines, and let your bank know your travel plans so transactions go smoothly. ATMs are everywhere, but for free or reduced fee debit card withdrawals, ask if your home bank has a Norwegian partner. Keep non-800 numbers handy in case of loss -- 800 numbers don't usually work outside North America, but US banks often accept overseas collect calls without charge.

 

Media & resources

Blikk is the Norwegian gay magazine, in Norwegian only. GaySir is a Norwegian-language gay forum and lifestyle website. OsloQueer is a Norwegian language blog with links to other blogs and events listings.

The VisitOslo GayOslo page has English-language (along with FR, ES, DE and IT) listings for the local LGBT scene: bars, restaurants and events/attractions.

The Oslo bear community has monthly bar socials, bowling nights and occasional dance parties - for details see the Norway Bears website.

QX is a Swedish monthly magazine and website with gay info in English, for all of Scandinavia and much of the world.

Visit Oslo tourist information offices are open daily at Central Station (Jernbanetorget 1), and at City Hall (Fridtjof Nansens plass 5). There's also one at the cruise ship terminal, open when the ships arrive.

See our map & listings for some hotels, restaurants, museums and entertainment venues in Oslo, also our events and activities pages.

 

Going Out

Blitz (Pilestredet 30), activist groups' home base, alternative music live concerts and recordings; books and clothing store, coffee shop and inexpensive vegetarian cafe open noon-6pm.

Bob's Pub (Grønland 1), gay-friendly relaxed mixed crowd pub, inexpensive drinks, outdoor seating.

César Bar & Café (C J Hambros plass 2), 3pm-3am gay/mixed terrace cafe meals and drinks, ages 20+ after 10pm; karaoke, Friday/Saturday DJs and dancing.

Elsker (Kristian IVs gate 9), at the center, mixed men/women crowd, daytime lunch cafe/bar, dinner, DJ sets, theme parties. Upstairs Klubb 9 monthly dance club events.

Ett Glass (Karl Johansgate 33), everyday cafe with lunchtime smørbrød, all-day soups and burgers; mixed crowd evening cocktails, outdoor seating.

Fire Club at Villa (Møllergata 23-25) and other venues around Oslo including Statos rooftop bar; dance club night during the warmer months, gay and straight mix, "creative & open minded people." No recent events - innactive?

Klubb 9 (Kristian IVs Gate 9), monthly gay party night above Elsker bar with DJs, dancing and go-go boys.

Indieseksuell occasional gay and alternative dance parties at Revolver (Møllergata 32) and Elsker (Kristian IVs gate 9).

London Pub (C J Hambros plass 5), famous gay bar, open since 1979, men and women, internet, jukebox, pool games, karaoke.

Mekaniske Verksted (Tøyenbekken 34), classy industrial-style pub, young mixed crowd, videos and live music; website gallery of images and short films/animations.

Rex Pub (St Olavs Gate 23), laid-back gay/mixed men/women pub, sports on TV, quiz nights.

Saunahuset Hercules (Storgata 41), men's sauna, steam room, Jacuzzi, cabins, maze, cruise area, solarium, snacks; open 3pm-2am weekdays, 3pm-8am weekends.

Score Oslo (Munkedamsveien 15), 10pm Saturday night gay tech, house and pop music dance club on three floors; age 20+ shirts-off guys, shows, theme nights.

SLM | Scandinavian Leather Men (Rådhusgata 28), alternate Saturdays levi, leather, fetish, rubber, and uniform club for members and those who register online; basement cruising area.

Tea Lounge (Thorvald Meyers gate 33b), fine coffees, many kinds of tea; chai lattes, cider, cocktails, champagne, wine, cognac and whiskey.

Trappa Pub (CJ Hambros plass 2), 18+ LGBTQ+ English-style pub/bar, open daily from 4pm; pool games, quiz nights, pizza and snacks. Norway Bears social nights and special parties.

Underwater Pub (Dalsbergstien 4), mainstream bar, water theme with fish tanks, live evenings of Norwegian Opera, student nights, games, variety of food and drinks.

CLOSED: Den Røde Mølle (Brugata 9), Indian/Pakistani restaurant/pub, terrace; popular with bears; Diplomaten (Fridtjof Nansens plass 8), karaoke bar/ dance club, monthly gay Exit Party. SO (Arbeidergata 2), women's bar, quiz nights, theme parties. Taxi Take Away (Maridalsveien 2), alternative/syndicalist mixed bar, electropop/ punk-rock/ hip-hop.