On matters of aesthetics, Oslo splits opinion among travellers, with its hodge-podge of thoroughly modern architecture often losing out to more traditionally charming towns such as Bergen, Trondheim and Tromsø as the prettiest towns to visit in Norway. But don’t write the country’s capital off just yet. Among the skyscrapers are plentiful green spaces, cool shopping streets and a slew of excellent museums to rival any you’ll find in Europe – including the Munch museum, where Edward Munch’s The Scream resides, as well as a host of maritime and Viking exhibits. Plus, it’s just a short drive from the centre before you’re immersed among the landscape’s glassy expansive fjords and towering mountains, meaning a break here easily ticks off both scenic and city break boxes in a single weekender.
There are plenty of cool design-led hotels throughout the city, but for a private stay away from the tourists, booking your own Airbnb is the way to go. Below, we’ve found seven of the coolest homestays to know, from cosy studio apartments with private rooftops to a lovingly-restored century-old cabin by the sea that’s ready for its next chapter. Here are the best Airbnbs in Oslo to book in 2025.
