Things to do in Oslo

Make your own Norwegian homeware

Scandinavia is famous for its sense of style – particularly when it comes to chic home goods. If you fancy snapping up something one-of-a-kind, local potter Glazed & Amused (tel: +47 2 271 4400; www.glazedandamused.no) will show you how to make your own Scandi-style homeware - and can sell you the real deal if your efforts go wrong.

Hike the Nordmarka wilderness area

A 430-sq-km (166-sq-mile) stretch of verdant pine and larch forest dotted with cerulean lakes, Nordmarka has more than 450km (280 miles) of marked winter ski trails and colour-coded hiking and biking trails come summer. Climbers who relish a challenge should tackle Svarttjernshøgda, at 719m (2,358ft) it’s the park’s highest point.

Cruise down the Oslofjord

No visit to Oslo is complete without taking some time out on the fjord. Båtservice Sightseeing A/S (tel: +47 2 335 6890; www.nyc.no) offers a two-hour trip that includes a guided tour around Oslo's outlying islands and residential suburbs, as well as some gorgeous panoramic views of the opera house and Akershus Slott.

Brave a dip in the Akerselva

Oslo’s central river is sparklingly clean and a popular swimming spot come summer. Be warned, the current can get quite speedy in the centre, so weaker swimmers should stay close to the bank. Either way, expect a bracing dip – the river is fed by snowmelt from the mountains.

Try the ski jump at Holmenkollen

You might want to have a few lessons before risking life and limb on Holmenkollen’s Olympic standard ski jump (tel: +47 2 292 3200; www.skiforeningen.no/holmenkollen), but if your ski skills are up to the job, then it’s well worth a go. The more risk-averse visitors can visit the adjacent museum, which charts the sport’s surprisingly lengthy 4,000-year history.

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