<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nBoth cities are built on water<\/strong>, featuring harbors, waterways, docks, and ferries. Both cities are bike-friendly<\/strong>, making it easy to travel around. <\/p>\n\n\n\nHelsinki and Oslo boast fantastic coffee, buns, sandwiches, and tall blonde people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Extroverts may prefer Oslo because it has more attractions<\/strong>, although the architecture is a mixture of old, new, and 70s-80s style buildings. If you\u2019re more of an introvert, on the other hand, the beautiful city of Helsinki<\/strong> is a gem in Finland. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIf traveling in the winter, there will be a lot of darkness and rain <\/strong>in both cities. Summertime is generally a brighter, happier trip.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHelsinki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Helsinki has a mixture of Russian and Nordic styles<\/strong>, with many Russian speakers. Although it\u2019s not considered the most trendy Nordic city, it\u2019s very walkable<\/strong> with a relaxed atmosphere <\/strong>and lively street culture<\/strong> with great food. <\/p>\n\n\n\nThe architecture in Helsinki<\/strong> is unique. The suburbs are a mix of 1960s Swedish architecture and 1970s DDR- style architecture, including post-war architecture. You\u2019ll see modern Nordic art and design, and there\u2019s a stunning St. Petersburg-like center. <\/p>\n\n\n\nIn the summer, Helsinki has many beaches and little small islands<\/strong> to swim and sunbathe. Hietsu, a sandy beach, is very close to the town center.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe city still has an atmosphere when it’s cold, but from October on it is freezing cold and hence a bit less lively. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In August is the Helsinki Festival<\/strong>. The city has hundreds of music, art, and fashion shops happening every day, all over town. There are also street cafes for food, and good picnics and islands to sit outside.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe people of Helsinki do not easily talk to strangers. They prefer sincere conversations over small chat, and can become great dependable friends, but you\u2019ll have to break through the barrier first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oslo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Although some feel Oslo is not as picturesque as Helsinki, Oslo has many nice districts with a mix of new and old. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Its climate is slightly warmer during the winter<\/strong>, and tourists can walk in the beautiful surrounding nature.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe main street runs from the central station to the place. This street has many upmarket shops and trendy cafes. The center is very trendy and fashionable<\/strong> in a glass and iron style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<\/span>Sights & Culture<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHelsinki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
The city is rich in culture. Sights to see in Helsinki include the Parliament House and the Sibelius Monument.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
You can visit the underground church, the red-brick Uspenski Cathedral which overlooks a harbor, and the Rock Church to understand the religious history. Many travelers find the Rock Church and the Russian-Esque churches truly spectacular. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are many museums including the contemporary art museum, Kiasma. If you\u2019d like to learn Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present, visit the National Museum which traces Finnish history from the Stone Age to the present. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helsinki has a plethora of outdoor activities. Suomenlinna is an island worth visiting, the birch-tree studded forest is gorgeous. If you want to see the countryside, you\u2019ll need to take a tour or rent a car. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you enjoy shopping, visit the famous Stockmann\u2019s Department Store, or visit the central markets. A must-see is Linnanmaki amusement park\u2019s old wooden rollercoaster. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oslo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oslo has some great art museums, many of which are on the Bygdoy peninsula. You can typically visit them in a day. The Munch Museum holds Munch’s famous \u2018Scream\u2019 painting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The “Troldhaugen” museum just outside Bergen is worth a visit. The trip from Oslo to Bergen is also enjoyable.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Kon Tiki museum and Viking Ships museum has Viking ships dating back to the 9th century. The Opera House has impressive modern architecture. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Open Air Nordic Museum is a park with ancient traditional buildings, shops, factories. The museum gives tourists an experience of what Oslo was like centuries ago.. The open-air naval museum showcases real ships and a submarine. It closes after summer, however.. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Frogner Park is quite unimaginable. It covers 45 hectares and holds the world\u2019s largest sculpture park made by a single artist. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the Harbour area, visitors can stroll through cafes, restaurants, and shops. It\u2019s considered one of the most attractive places in Oslo but can be pretty expensive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you like adventure, the Holmenkolbakken is a ski-jumping hill where you\u2019ll see gorgeous views of the fjord and also visit the ski museum.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Food & nightlife<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nHelsinki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Travelers recommend budgeting between 10 to 30 euros per person for a budget meal. Beer costs \u201conly\u201d 7.50 euro at a pub or restaurant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helsinki is known for its fish. You can buy about 200 different types of pickled herring at the boat markets. For only 10 euro you\u2019ll get a whole tray of fried small white fish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On Sunday, the town is quiet, and many places close. Tourists have limited options to find food and drinks in the morning and evening.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oslo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oslo has a more developed craft beer scene compared toHelsinki. The coffee scene is often considered one of the best in Scandinavia. Tim Wendelboe and Solberg & Hanses are based in Oslo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oslo also has an array of ethnic neighborhoods serving e.g. excellent Asian food.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Lodging<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nOslo accommodation is more expensive than Helsinki. For the same budget, in Oslo you will find a hotel room near the train station with a bathroom down the hall, vs in Helsinki, a nicer hotel with a private bathroom and a better location.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Helsinki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Helsinki has a plethora of options for hotels, from boutique to budget. If you have a decent budget, Hotel Arthur<\/strong> is a charming hotel in the city center, Kluuvi. It\u2019s close to tourist attractions and shopping.<\/p>\n\n\n\nThe Omena Hotel<\/strong> is budget-friendly but still very popular for travelers on a tighter budget. It\u2019s a functional hotel so expect simplicity and cleanliness. It\u2019s a great choice if you want to stay in an area full of nightlife.<\/p>\n\n\n\nOslo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Oslo has many different neighborhoods with great places to stay to explore the city. In the center of downtown Oslo is the Sentrum neighborhood. It\u2019s a popular place for lodging because it’s close to restaurants, shops, and central station. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Thief <\/strong>is a well-known hotel located in Tjuvholmen, a very popular location. It\u2019s a luxury boutique hotel on the waterfront. Each room has a private balcony, and there’s a spa in the hotel with many services.<\/p>\n\n\n\nIn Frogner, Frogner House Apartments is a popular choice for accommodation. It has a self-catered kitchen, so you can choose to make food yourself or be served a continental breakfast downstairs.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
<\/span>Day trips<\/span><\/h2>\n\n\n\nThere are many fantastic day trips in and around Oslo. Some traveler feelday trips from Helsinki are not as exciting as around Oslo as Helsinki is mostly surrounded with forest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Helsinki<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
From Helsinki, you can take a trip for a day or two to the fascinating country of Estonia. Take a 2-hour ferry to the Capital, Tallinn, a charming and compact city, easy to travel around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have more time, you could take a 4-day train tour to St Petersburg.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From Oslo<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
From Oslo, there are plenty of unique activities. For a short day trip, take the subway to hike around Sognsvaan lake, only a 15-minute subway ride.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
If you have a day or two, you can travel to Bergen. It\u2019s a stunning city with old features such as ancient wooden edifices. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While you\u2019re in the area, you can take the fantastic Norway in a Nutshell boat ride along one of Norway\u2019s largest and most beautiful fjords.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Oslo has famous ski runs accessible from the city center by public transportation.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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