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Thought to be the oldest of the Scandinavian cities, Oslo is a vibrant European capital offering a wide range of entertainment and cultural attractions, most of which are located within easy walking distance or a short hop on public transport (including a picturesque tram system) of the centre and each other.

The ancient centre of Oslo – bounded by the medieval Akershus Fortress and the Cathedral, Øvre Vollgate and Skippergaten, and known as the "Quadrangle" – is the historical heart of the city. Akershus Fortress in particular, which includes two museums (Defence and Resistance), captures the attention with its guides wearing period costumes and its stunning views of the fjord and the old city.

Bygdøy, a residential suburb occupying its own peninsula in the Oslofjord, is another historical magnet for visitors. Its outstanding assortment of museums includes the Viking Ship Museum, boasting a wealth of beautifully preserved vessels; the Folk Museum, a collection of 17th-to-19th century buildings and artefacts, and the Kon-Tiki, Fram and Maritime Museums.

Oslo City Museum, which also organizes a series of historical walking tours, is situated in Frogner Park; well worth a visit in itself, the park is a popular destination for residents and visitors alike. In summer it comes alive with sunbathers, picnickers, joggers and lively games of soccer and volleyball.

Frogner Park also encompasses the world-famous Vigeland Park, containing more than 200 monumental stone, bronze and wrought iron sculptures by the idiosyncratic artist Gustav Vigeland, including the renowned figure of a toddler in midtantrum known as "Sinnataggen" ("Little Hot-Head", also translated as "Hopping Mad") and the spectacular 20-metre-high Monolith.

The Holmenkollen ski jump, which consistently tops official lists of the most popular tourist attractions, was built in 1892 in the suburb of that name, primarily because the site, at 370 metres above sea level, was one of the highest around and therefore considered most likely to have copious and reliable snowfalls. The attraction has undergone substantial reconstruction in advance of the 2011Oslo World Ski Championships.

No visit to Oslo would be complete without a look at Edvard Munch's paintings at the Munch Museum and the National Gallery, and in particular "The Scream", arguably the best known painting in the world after the Mona Lisa.

The Nobel Peace Centre, with its numerous exhibitions, cafe and gift shop is housed in a former railway station. It is an imposing building, and the centre is a suitable expression of Norway's pride in being custodian of the Nobel Peace Prize.

Quite apart from opera, Oslo is a very musical city. Annual music festivals such as Norwegian Wood, the Oslo Jazz Festival and Øyafestivalen in the Middelalderpark, the atmospheric ancient ruins at the medieval epicentre of the capital, attract large, good-natured crowds.

Oslo's compact city centre is set in a vast expanse of arable fields, deep forests and lakes – ideal landscape for gentle strolls or more ambitious hikes, and only a few minutes away by tram or bus. Although its population is relatively low compared with most European capitals (barely 1.5 million in the metropolitan area), the city is one of the largest in terms of area: 450 square kilometres, most of which comprises forests and farmland. At the other extreme, the Oslofjord with its spectacular shoreline, scattered islands and sheltered beaches offers a wealth of boating, fishing and touring facilities.

Oslo's climate is more temperate than its northern latitude might suggest, thanks to the proximity of the Gulf Stream. The Holmenkollen ski jump and the Winter Olympics have prompted many to regard Oslo as a leading winter destination; but Oslo is just as much a summer city, with long, long hours of daylight and temperatures often approaching 30degC (85degF) in June, July and August.

Aker Brygge, previously an enormous shipyard now converted into a lively waterfront centre for housing, shopping and restaurants, is the perfect place to relax and enjoy the sunshine. In general, Oslo offers a wide variety of restaurants (including an impressive number of Michelin-rated establishments), offering everything from traditional rustic dishes to fresh fish and game (moose and reindeer a speciality) and the usual range of ethnics in every price category.

At the centre of town, in and around Karl Johans gate, Oslo's main shopping and business thoroughfare, is a concentration of discotheques, nightclubs, bars, jazz clubs and cafes, and several concert halls.

Culturally, Oslo offers residents and visitors a rich and diverse selection of concerts, theatre and opera, museums and galleries. No visitor should miss Oslo's beautiful new Opera House: its opening in April 2008 was billed as the biggest cultural event in Norway since the opening of the Nidaros Cathedral in Trondheim in the Middle Ages.