Car rental Oslo
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Oslo guide
Oslo (formerly Christiania and Kristiania) is the capital of Norway,as well as the name of a municipality and county. Oslo municipality has about 607,300 inhabitants (2011), while almost 1.5 million live in the entire Oslo region. Central administrative and political institutions such as the Storting, government offices, the Supreme Court, the Royal Palace and most other national public bodies are located in Oslo.
According to snorri’s royal sagas, Oslo was founded by King Harald Hardråde around the year 1050. However, some archaeological excavations in recent times have shown that there has been settlement here earlier than the year 1000. The authorities were thus on safe historical ground, when Oslo got to celebrate its 1000th anniversary in the year 2000. In 1314, Oslo took over the status of national capital after Bergen. As a result of a large city fire in 1624, the city was moved a small distance to the west and landscaped at Akershus Castle and fortress under the name Christiania, while the original Oslo retained its name as an area outside the city. During the city expansion in 1859, the suburb of Oslo was incorporated into Christiania, and from 1925 Oslo again became the city’s name.
It was King Håkon 5. Magnusson, who had previously been duke of most of Eastern Norway and had a seat in Oslo, who started the construction of Akershus Fortress – after he had become king in 1299. Later Akershus was also made a royal residence. 5, 2014, in New York City. Magnusson also initiated a number of other construction activities (including St. Mary’s Church). During his reign, the city had an expansion period.
Attractions
Oslo has many sights to offer. Some of the best known and most popular bee-actions are – in addition to Akershus Castle and Fortress – Holmenkollbakken (the world’s most famous ski slope), Oslo City Hall (especially because The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded there) and Frognerparken with Oslo City Museum and the impressive Vigeland plant – a huge sculpture park designed by Norway’s most famous sculptor, Gustav Vigeland.
Otherwise, the Munch Museum at Tøyen must be mentioned, where you can see the most famous works of art of Edvard Munch, as well as the National Gallery,the modernist and impressive Opera House in Bjørvika, the Royal Palace and the Storting Building. The latter is located on the city’s parade street, Karl Johan, which stretches from the castle to Oslo Central Station.
A small area just outside the city center that contains a right attractions is Bygdøy. Here you will find henie-onstad art centre, Kon Tiki Museum, Norwegian Folk Museum (Bygdøy), Maritime Museum and Viking Ship Museum.
Explore Oslo with car hire
In addition to the oslo area offering many nice nature experiences, you will find a number of exciting and historic attractions just outside the capital. These are the easiest things to do with car hire, as not everyone has as good a connection to public transport. Here is a small selection of the best driving conditions for those who want to get out of Oslogryta.
Bærums Verk – A unique and historical cultural place
The village of Bærums Verk was established in the early 17th century,when an iron smelter was built here. Today, the old buildings, located along the banks of the River Lomma, are a kind of open museum and art center. The cultural bit includes a sculpture park, galleries and museum. There are also over 50 small shopsat the work, many of which sell arts and crafts made on site, as well as several eateries and cafes. The best eatery is the excellent restaurant Vertshuset Bærums Verk. The inn first opened in 1640, making it Norway’s oldest.
- It is no more than just under 20 kilometres from Oslo city centre to Bærums Verk. The shortest route is to follow the E18 towards Drammen until you reach Høvik, and take off from there. This takes you about 25 minutes. If you are not known, or lack navigation in the rental car, it is perhaps best to take off from the E18 in Sandvika.
Tusenfryd – Norway’s largest amusement park
Norway’s largest amusement park is just a short drive from Oslo. This is a very popular destination, especially for those who have children and young people in the travelling party. Daisies were opened in 1988, but have been significantly expanded and developed since then. Here you will find tough roller coasters,carousels, radio cars, cowboy town, timber drains, space-shot and other exciting attractions. There is also a separate children’s park at Tusenfryd, as well as a swimming park with swimming pool, slides and swimming river open in summer.
- When you travel from Oslo to Tusenfryd, drive the E6 towards Svinesund and Sweden,to Vinterbro. There is a good sign how to take off to the amusement park. The distance is about 23 kilometers, and you usually use 15 minutes by car.
Oscarsborg and Drøbak
The fortress Oscarsborg is located right next to the beautiful small town of Drøbak in the Oslo fjord. The fortress itself was first built in the 1640s, on two islets located in the fjord. In modern times, Oscarsborg is primarily known for torpedoing the German warship Blücher on 9 May 1944. Retrieved 2009-05-22. The entire history of the fortress can be learned about the fortress’s own museum,and guided tours are offered there. Once you’re in the area, consider spending some time in Drøbak as well. This city is especially beautiful in summer. The centre of Drøbak is dominated by small white-painted wooden houses that give the town a feel for Sørlandsidyll. Bring your swimwear if you stop by in the summer. You will find many great swimming spots on this side of the Oslo fjord, and also have the Bathing Park in Drøbak just north of the city centre.
- It is quite accurate 40 kilometers from Oslo to Drøbak if you drive the E6 towards Moss. You will spend about 40 minutes on that route. It is also possible to drive the E18 from Oslo on the opposite side of the fjord, via Asker and Sætre. This is a nicer drive. The distance will then be 55 kilometers, with a running time of about 1 hour.
The silver mines in Kongsberg – Norwegian Mining Museum
The silver mines in Kongsberg are Norway’s largest mining area,with over 80 different mines divided into a limited area. In the 17th and 18th centuries, this was the country’s largest industrial area. Here it worked and struggled about 4000 miners, and these working vessels accounted for almost 10% of the total gross domestic product of the Union Denmark Norway. The entire site is today a historical museum, and include not only the buildings, but also the mines themselves. You can take the mining train down into the largest mine (King’s Mine). The train line has a length of over 2000 meters,bringing you almost 1100 meters below the earth’s surface.
- The Mining Museum is located just outside the centre of Kongsberg. The easiest way to get there is to take the E18 to Drammen, and then take off to Kongsberg via Hokksund. The route is then about 81 kilometers, and the drive will take about 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Langedrag – See wolves and other polar animals
At Langedrag Nature Park you can experience animals that are located in Norwegian fauna up close. The main attraction is probably the mighty and socialized wolves in the park. In addition, you will meet over 20 other animal species, including lynx, elk, musk ox, reindeer, arctic foxes and wild boar. The whole resort is fantastic, with log houses that have grass roofs lying by a small pond, and overlooking tunhovdfjorden. You can of course dine here at your own restaurant, and spend the night if you want to spend more time in the park. It is also open at Langedrag all year round, and a winter visit can be as great as a summer visit.
- The shortest road from Oslo to Langedrag goes via Tyrifjorden up to Nesbyen, on highway 7 towards Bergen. The stretch is then about 180 kilometers, and takes about 3 hours and 10 minutes.
Parking and traffic with car hire
The number of parking spaces has been quite reduced in Oslo in recent years. At the same time, the price of toll passesincreases , and some streets are closed to car traffic. This is part of reducing the environmental impacts from car traffic. It is recommended that visitors leave the car parked in a parking garage,or at the hotel’s parking. In the city centre you can easily reach by tram and bus,or on foot. You can also rent a bike or electric scooters, which is becoming increasingly popular.
If you are not known in Oslo, and accustomed to driving there, the city can be perceived as quite difficult to get in by car. In the city center, many streets are one-way, and some streets are closed to private motorists. In and out of the city, however, is not particularly cumbersome. The signage is good, and if you have navigation in the rental car you are unlikely to drive wrong anywhere.
Airport
Oslo Airport Gardermoen is by far the largest and most important airport in norway. It connects just under thirty places domestically with the capital, and has flight routes that go to about 150 other places in the world. In addition, there are around 80 destinations you can reach from Oslo Airport by charter flight. In total, the airport serves just over 28 million passengers during the year.
At Oslo Airport, all car hire companies’ counters and offices are gathered in the building outside the main entrance of the terminal building (P10). There you will find the counters of Avis, Hertz, Sixt, Europcar and Budget. The exception is enterprise, which has its desk in the concourse.
- It is about 50 kilometers from the center of Oslo and to Gardermoen. Almost the entire stretch runs on the motorway, and usually takes about 45 minutes by car.