Oslo is a big city with a big dream – to ban all cars from its centre. However, after a backlash from its residents and visitors, the city council re-evaluated its mission and proposed to limit the number of parking spots in the heart of Oslo, instead building more cycle paths. So, while Oslo remains a car-friendly city, you can explore it at your own pace and in comfort, with the option of venturing into the incredible beauty of the rural areas just outside the city.

It’s mainland Europe, so you’ll need to drive on the right-hand side of the road, with overtaking on the left. Seat belts are compulsory and it’s illegal to use a mobile phone while driving. The Oslo authorities have recently pushed parking further out from the city centre – look out for white lines for free parking. Signs that say ‘Stationierungsverbot’ and ‘Interdiction de Stationner’ mean that you can’t park there. Ask our branch team about an Oslo Pass, which will let you use municipal car parks for free.

Speed limits vary by area and road type, and are displayed in km/h. In densely populated urban areas such as Oslo, there’s a top speed of 50km/h (30mph), while some motorways have a limit of 110km/h (68mph). Major roads in the city include National Road 161(Fv161), which is also known as Ring 2 – it runs around the outskirts of the centre, through Oslo’s neighbourhoods and nearby districts.

The E18 runs closest to the water – the Oslofjord – and carries on south into Sweden or south-west to Sandefjord and beyond. For the heart of Norway, take Route 4 north and then join the E16 – it swings west and goes all the way to Bergen on the coast. The E16 also goes east and is another key route into Sweden.

Oslo may be small by comparison to many capital cities, but it sure packs in plenty. Wonderful culture on its mainland sits close to quaint islands in OIsofjord, the city’s waterway. Modern architecture making waves for future developments are matched with classical museums preserving the past. Food is taken very seriously, while the parks are gorgeous all year round. Coffee fans are in for a treat too – this is the home of the barista revolution in Scandinavia.

Oslo’s landmarks

Oslo’s heart is packed with towering gems of modern design. Down by the waterfront is the Opera House, with its striking ramp and marble roof with sensational city views. Opera and ballet fans should reserve ahead – the place hosts world-class performances.

Close by is another beautifully designed building, the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art –  home to American innovator Jeff Koons’ gaudy but fun sculpture of Michael Jackson and Bubbles. Another cultural landmark is the Ibsen Museum, where legendary playwright Henrik Ibsen once lived. It’s small, but the tour guides are superb and really help shed light on Ibsen’s life and work.

Norwegian nosh

Oslo’s dining scene has evolved from steady Scandinavian classics to innovative cuisine which pushes the boundaries of what can be achieved with local produce and foraging. But that’s not the full story of eating here, look out for the last hotdog kiosk in town, Syverkiosken, for some cheap, comfort food on the go.

The man many say began a new-wave of coffee roasting in the city still has his prime spot. Tim Wendelboe isn’t just the best place for an espresso or pour over, but the former barista world champion also runs courses and events where you can learn all about the processes that go into making a genuinely brilliant cup of coffee.

Book ahead to try the very best of New Nordic cuisine. Maaemo was the northernmost restaurant to gain a Michelin star – it has since completed the set of three. The menu shifts with the seasons but always reflects seasonality. There’s only a handful of tables – all with a great view of the mezzanine kitchen and the sublime dishes as they descend. Norwegian langoustines are paired with pine, clams with a seaweed broth and mushrooms and ox with black garlic puree. The menu is set but each dish is carefully curated to optimise your experience and send your senses into overdrive.

Scandinavian sculpture

Oslo’s many parks are a breath of fresh air for the locals, and the landscaped areas blend sensitively with the urban environment. Frogner Park is bucolic heaven, complete with pretty trees and ponds, which is perfection in summertime. It hosts the Vigeland Sculpture Park, the largest of its kind by one single artist, and features a couple of hundred fascinating pieces by Norwegian-born Gustav Vigeland.

Another of the city’s best parks, Ekebergparken, is also packed with a private art collection. There’s Vigeland touches in here too, and French sculptor Auguste Rodin, but mostly it’s contemporary and often challenging. Art fans will want to see the Munch Spot – the very place that inspired the iconic The Scream painting – but there’s family fun to be had in the park too.

Reserve Oslo car hire and you can take in the city’s food, art, coffee and history at a pace that suits you.