Just a two hour hop from London and one of our nearest neighbours, Oslo is Norway's laid-back capital city.

Often visited as part of a longer Norway holiday, Oslo is also a great choice for a weekend city break, particularly during the summer months.

I visited in August when the sun didn't set until well past 9pm and the days were balmy with temperatures in the low twenties.

Oslo might just be Europe's most underrated capital city. And with the historically weak Norwegian Kroner (as of August 2024), the destination offers much greater value than ever before.

Oslo has all the attractions of a big city with great museums, restaurants and bars but you're never far from a quiet corner in Europe's greenest city. The waters of the pretty Oslofjord flow almost to the steps of City Hall so you're often within sight of the small, wooded islands that dot the inner fjord.

If you're a coffee lover, then a city break in Oslo is perfect for you. You should start your day at one of Oslo's top-rated coffee shops; indeed, Tim Wendleboe - a former World Barista Champion - has his own coffee shop close to the city centre which should be on anybody's list.

If the sun is shining - like it often is during an Oslo summer - I recommend taking a short ferry ride across the fjord to the Bygdøy Peninsula. This wooded area is home to some of the city's finest museums, beaches and walking trails, while the tree-lined roads are dotted with traditional wooden homes, often painted in bright colours. You can easily spend a day here visiting the Polar Exploration Museum, the Norwegian Folk Museum and a handful of other attractions, before taking a short bus ride back to the city centre.

Away from Bygdøy, try to make time for a visit to Frogner Park. Within central Oslo's biggest park, you'll find Vigeland Sculpture Park, one of Oslo's best free attractions. Over 200 sculptures vie for your attention - there's nowhere else quite like it.

When you're ready to wind down, Oslo has an ever-evolving dining scene. From street food markets to high-end dining, there's a wide range of cuisine to suit anybody.

Strolling Karl Johans Gate on a sunny summers evening is hard to beat. The residents of Norway famously love the outdoors and you'll find a buzzing but friendly street that cuts right through the heart of the city. A highlight of any Oslo city break.

Hop on the Flytoget Airport Express Train (buy tickets locally) for a speedy 19 minute ride into central Oslo. Trains leave every 10 minutes and are spacious and comfortable, with plenty of luggage space.