Oslo, Norway

Norway’s capital is scenic and delightful, filled with Scandinavian charm and still reminiscent of the Norwegians’ Viking history. Rows upon rows of colorful houses and the proximity of scenic mountain vistas and the famous fjords can easily take your breath away. Like its other Scandinavian counterparts, Oslo tends to be clean and safe, and most of the population speaks almost fluent English, which can make it easy for the inexperienced tourist to get around and explore.

That said, Norway is notoriously known as Scandinavia’s—and Northern Europe’s—most expensive country. Although the country is rich in oil and its citizens are relatively well-off, the higher wages and relative wealth of the country has contributed to service sectors and tourist industries that charge about 20 percent more than anywhere else in Western Europe and a whopping 70 percent higher than world averages. It’s no wonder that Oslo is ranked as the world’s most expensive city! For travelers looking to experience Oslo in an affordable way, there are websites that offer tips and tricks for sticking to your budget, including where to find cheap accommodations, economical eateries and free activities in the city.