Deciding which city in Northern Europe to visit can be hard to do. Oslo and Helsinki are two of the most incredible cities in all of Europe. Here is the definitive guide to whether you should visit Oslo or Helsinki.
About
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.
Helsinki
Helsinki is the capital and the most populous city in Finland. Much of the architecture in the city was constructed using lightly colored granite which gives it the nickname “the white city of the north”. The aurora borealis can be seen here roughly once every 20 days. It is the most northern metro area with over one million people as well as the coldest capital city in the world. The population of the city of Helsinki is 650,000.
Geographic Setting
Oslo
The city is located at the northern end of the Oslofjord. There are also 40 islands and 343 lakes within Oslo’s city limits. With so many waterways, there is an abundance of waterfront areas to explore. Because of the large number of waterways found here, Oslo has an unusually large area of land compared to the amount 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.
Helsinki
Helsinki sits at the top of the Baltic Sea and spans over 300 islands. Much like Oslo, the city is spread over an unusually large area because of the large number of islands it occupies. Because of the large amount of water in the area, fishing is a popular past time for the residents of Helsinki. Forests also cover a large amount of the city. Being so far north, Helsinki’s average temperature in July is just 64 degrees Fahrenheit or 17.8 degrees Celsius.
Landmarks
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 being 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 used as a prison, military base, and is now the office for the Prime Minister of Norway.
Helsinki
- Helsinki Cathedral is an Evangelical Lutheran Church located in the center of the city. It was built in 1852 and is one of the most famous landmarks in the city.
- Esplanadi is an urban park located in central Helsinki. It has been a park since 1818 and the city’s first theater was built in it.
- Temppeliaukio Church is a beautiful Lutheran church that was built directly into solid rock. It is a truly spectacular place to see.
- Uspenski Cathedral is an Eastern Orthodox cathedral found in the Helsinki. It is set on a hill overlooking the city. Over half a million people visit the cathedral every year.
- Local Saunas: The Finnish people are known for their saunas with the country having over 5.5 million. There are many public saunas in Helsinki that you could experience during your time in the city.
- Linnanmaki is Finland’s most popular amusement park with over 1 million people visiting each year. It is also known for donating proceeds to the Finnish child welfare system.
- National Museum of Finland
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.
Helsinki
Because of its close proximity to the water, the Finnish people love to eat fish. One of the most popular foods is the Baltic Herring which is served in a variety of ways. Grilled sausages are also hugely popular in Helsinki, especially when cooked over a fire during the summer months. One of the most popular treats in Finland is salted black licorice.
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.
Helsinki
Central Helsinki is rather compact making it great for walking. The bus system doesn’t even run in the middle of the city. You can also use the network of ferries or use the trams which bring you to the most popular sites within the city. The city is rather flat which makes it perfect for biking around. You can rent a bike for $5 per day or $10 per week which is extremely convenient for someone visiting the city.
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.
Helsinki
Finnish people have learned to party even through the cold weather. Once summertime hits, you can expect to spend a lot of time drinking and partying outdoors. Most of the nightlife can be found in the center of the city. The city center of the Helsinki is very walkable so you will be able to traverse the nightlife fairly easily.
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.
Helsinki
- Tallinn is the capital of Estonia and is located only 80km from Helsinki. Tallinn is regarded as a city based out of a fairytale because of its beautiful Old Town. A ferry from Helsinki to Tallinn is only $30.
- Tampere is the 3rd largest city in Finland and has quite a few things to see making it a great choice for a day trip.
- Nuuksio National Park is one of 40 some national parks in Finland. It is spectacularly beautiful with its forested terrain and rocky shorelines.
Overall
Oslo and Helsinki have evolved into very influential cities in Europe. Both cities are extremely beautiful and full of history. Being surround by many waterways you can expect to walk to the coastline and embrace life near the water. If you are trying to pick which city to visit you will want to evaluate the information above in order to make the right choice for you.