Oslo and Stockholm are two of the most iconic capital cities in Scandinavia. Oslo is known for having many buildings with modern architecture and for being one of the most sustainable cities in the world. Stockholm is known for its beautiful old town and for its incredible waterfronts. If you are trying to decide between Oslo or Stockholm, here is the ultimate guide to which city you should visit.
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Oslo or Stockholm Overview
Oslo
Oslo is the capital and largest city in Norway. It is known for its modern architecture mixed with the medieval architecture of the older parts of the city. Although Norway is known for being a large exporter of oil and natural gas, Oslo has evolved into one of the greenest cities in the world. It was voted the European Green Capital of 2019. The city is also known for being one of the most expensive cities in the world. The population of the city is 693,000.
The city is located at the northern end of the Oslofjord. There are also 40 islands and 343 lakes within Oslo’s city limits. Because of the large number of waterways found here, Oslo has an unusually large area of land compared to the number of people living here. There are also tree-covered hills surrounding much of the city. To the north and northeast of the city, there are many hiking areas to explore as well.
Stockholm
Stockholm is the capital city of Sweden and has one of the most beautiful city centers in all of Europe. The city has a population of 974,000 and a metro population of nearly 2.4 million people. Stockholm was originally founded by the Vikings as a trade route. Nearly 5 million people visit Stockholm each year to see the city’s iconic waterfront and the iconic old town.
Stockholm is located on the eastern coast of Sweden. Spanning 14 different islands, 30% of the city is waterways with another 30% of the city being green spaces and parks. Since the city is so far north, in the summer months it gets 18 hours of daylight and in the winter it only gets 6 hours of daylight. Having so many waterways, Stockholm has many waterfront public areas to enjoy.
Things to See
Oslo
Frogner Park is a park open to the public for free. It is known for its sculptures and beautiful gardens.
Viking Ship Museum is home to three authentic Viking ships. It also has many other Viking artifacts making it a perfect place to go if you’re intrigued by Viking culture.
Oslo Opera House is a massive opera house located in Central Oslo. The building is known for its striking modern architecture and its large glass windows. There is also a large display of art throughout the building.
The Royal Palace has become a popular tourist attraction since 2002 when it became open to the public to view. The Palace Park is also one of the largest public parks in the city.
Radhuset is the Courthouse that sits right above the main metro station. The metro station sitting below the surface has some incredible architecture, much of it is exposed bedrock.
Aker Brygge is one of the popular areas for shopping, restaurants, and many forms of entertainment. The area sits on the waterfront and has an industrial feel from the restored commercial buildings.
Akershus Fortress is a large fortress within the city that was formally used to protect the royal residence. It has also been used as a prison, military base, and is now the office of the Prime Minister of Norway.
Stockholm
Gamla Stan is the Old Town of Stockholm. This area is one of the most picturesque areas in the city. Most people who visit Stockholm will make this their first stop during their time in the city.
Vasa Museum is one of the most famous museums in Scandinavia. It houses the Vasa battleship which is a massive wooden ship that sunk in 1628.
The Royal Palace sits on the water’s edge in the center of the city. It is the official residence of the King of Sweden. It is one of the largest palaces in Europe with more than 600 rooms.
City Hall sits kitty-corner to the Old Town along the water’s edge. It is where the Nobel Prize banquet is held every year.
Drottningholm Palace is the private residence of the Swedish Royal Family. It is just outside of Stockholm but worth a visit if you have the time.
Food
Oslo
Oslo has long been known for eating the classic Viking diet of cured meat and various forms of potatoes. Norwegian smoked salmon is known to be some of the best in the world. Fiskerit Youngstorget is an excellent place within the city to get the best salmon. Sausages and meatballs are also very popular foods in Oslo. Aquavit is the most well-known liquor to the Norwegian people.
Stockholm
Kjøttboller, or Swedish meatballs, are known around the world which means that you should definitely try some when you come to Stockholm. Seafood also places a large role in the cuisines found here. Crayfish are a favorite in Stockholm, especially during the summer months. Herring is another traditional seafood that is still popular today. Gamla Stan and the area around Hantverkargaten are two of the best area in Stockholm to find an abundance of excellent restaurants.
Getting Around
Oslo
Between buses, trams, subways, and ferries, Oslo has many options to get around the city. Certain routes within the city are free to the public which is extremely convenient if you are visiting the city. Oslo is also very bike-friendly and, like many cities in Northern Europe, there are bikes to use for the public. You can grab a public bike and ride it for free for the first 45 minutes or you can rent it for the day for less than $6.
Stockholm
The Gamla Stan or the Old Town is extremely walkable. You can see many sights within walking distance. Outside of the Old Town, Stockholm becomes more spread out because is spans 14 islands. The city offers bus lines, metro, commuter rails, trams, and ferries as well as public bikes for use. The cheapest way to get around is to invest in one, two, or three day passes to use public transportation. For just over 15 USD you can get a 24-hour pass or for 30 USD you can get a 3-day pass.
Nightlife
Oslo
Though Oslo is more laid back than other European cities in terms of nightlife, there are still plenty of options for any taste. The city center is where most of the nightlife takes place. In Norway, alcohol is quite expensive at drinking establishments. Because of this, Norwegians do “vorspiel” which are pre-parties so they don’t have to spend so much money when they go out. Nox/Sollihagen is one of the “premier” nightclubs in Oslo but is notorious for long lines and poor service. The Villa and The Club are better options for clubbing.
Stockholm
Stockholm has a thriving nightlife. The Old Town area is known for its pubs and also has nightclubs. Just to the north of the Old Town, on the mainland, is another part of town that is filled with a raging night scene. Some of the best nightclubs in Scandinavia are found here. Some of the best places for nightlife in Stockholm are Slakthuset, Under Bron, and Kraken.
Day Trips
Oslo
- Lillehammer is a small city directly north of Oslo. It is best known for holding the Winter Olympics in 1994. It also has a beautiful setting and is known for its wooden buildings.
- TusenFryd is Norway’s largest amusement park. It is located just 20km south of Oslo which makes it perfect for a day trip.
- Oslo Fjord Cruise: You can take a 2-hour cruise through the fjord around Oslo. There are guided tours where you can see beautiful waterfront homes and spectacular sights.
The closest major Scandinavian city from Oslo would be Copenhagen, which would definitely be worth a visit if you have the time.
Stockholm
- Sigtuna is Sweden’s oldest city, founded in 980 AD by the Vikings.
- Gripssholm Castle is located only 60km from Stockholm in the town of Mariedred. It was used as a residence of the Royal Family until 1809.
- Uppsala is a city to the north of Stockholm. It is known for the University of Uppsala which was founded in 1477. It is also known for its beautiful Cathedral of Uppsala.
If you’re really feeling adventurous, there is a 17-hour ferry connecting Stockholm and Helsinki.
Overview
Oslo and Stockholm are two very influential Nordic cities, known around the world for being extremely beautiful. Both cities are rather expensive compared to many other major cities in Europe. Depending on how much time you have to explore might be the deciding factor for you. There is quite a bit more to see in Stockholm so you will want to spend at least 3 days there. Oslo is a smaller city and you can see most of the sights in 2 days, but if you are there for the nature, you will want to spend much more time.