Oslo

Oslo is one of those cities that feels like it belongs in a story. Tucked at the end of a long, glittering stretch of water called the Oslofjord, Norway’s capital blends wild nature with a buzzing modern city in a way that’s hard to find anywhere else. Forests and hills sit right on the city’s doorstep, and in winter the whole place transforms into a snowy wonderland where skiing is practically a way of life. A giant ski jump tower looms over the city from a hilltop, and it has been launching fearless athletes into the air for well over a century.

History runs deep here too. Real Viking ships, buried for more than a thousand years, are on display right in the city, and a medieval stone fortress still stands watch over the harbour. Yet Oslo also surprises you with the unexpected — like a gleaming opera house whose sloping roof doubles as a waterfront terrace, or a park packed with hundreds of sculptures that’s open and free every single day. This city has serious personality.