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East Norway (actually southeast; Norwegian: Østlandet) is the region surrounding the capital Oslo, where the largest number of people live.

Understand

Slidre lake in the Valdres uplands

This is region has about half of Norway's population including the larger Oslo metropolitan area. Locally known as Østlandet (or Austlandet), literally the east country, and is defined by the border with Sweden and mountain ranges creating watersheds with Trøndelag and Western Norway. East Norway includes the densely populated lowlands around Oslofjord (and lake Mjøsa) and the more sparsely populated valleys, forests and highlands in the hinterland. The most populated lowlands/flatlands greater Oslo, around Oslofjord and around lake Mjøsa is informally referred to as Central East Norway.

A number of long valleys (notably Gudbrandsdalen, Valdres, Østerdal and Hallingdal) and rivers converge in the lowlands around Oslo. Oslo itself is separated from these rivers and valleys by forests and hills known as Oslomarka (the Oslo woodlands). Areas around Oslofjord and lake Mjøsa are mostly lowlands or flatlands, while upstream along the big valleys and rivers the gently rolling landscape gradually gives way to steep hills, barren highlands (such as Hardangervidda) and alpine summits such as Jotunheimen. These valleys also host transport corridors (rail and road) to West Norway and Trøndelag. Western parts of Telemark, Buskerud and Oppland are part of the central mountains/highlands, while northern parts of Oppland and Hedemark includes wide mountain areas such as Reinheimen, Dovre and Rondane. East Norway is home to a large number of lakes, including several of Norway's largest. The shores of southern Oslofjord with myriads of polished islands and bays are popular summer resorts for city residents.

Typical "svaberg" (polished cliffs) at Tjøme

Climate

The interior of Eastern Norway generally enjoys relatively dry continental climate (warm summers and cold winters). Winters can be bitterly cold in the interior. Closer to Oslofjord the winters are milder, although temperatures below minus 10° C are common in Oslo, and summers are slightly warmer in sheltered valleys. Large parts of East Norway enjoys the rain shadow created by the central mountains, and some of East Norway gets less than 300 mm precipitation annually (less than Madrid).

Regions

Regions on East Norway
  Akershus
The region surrounding Oslo and home to many of Oslo's suburbs, and is largely part of Greater Oslo with about 1/4 of Norway's population.
  Buskerud
Buskerud county stretches from the urban and agricultural lowlands at Oslos western suburbs through great valleys to popular ski resorts and the barren Hardangervidda.
  Hedmark
The landlocked county in East Norway's deep interior, great valleys, rivers and forests
  Oppland
From lakes and lowlands to the great mountains and highlands
  Oslo
Norway's capital
  Østfold
Lowlands east of Oslofjord
  Telemark
From urban lowlands through green valleys to rugged highlands
  Vestfold
Lowlands west of Oslofjord

Cities

Towns

Other destinations

Krøderen lake with road 7 at the entrance to Hallingdal
  • Trysil – Norway's largest ski resort
  • Gudbrandsdalen - the great central valley from lowlands at Lillehammer to the highest mountains
  • Hallingdal - a major valley from fertile lowlands at Drammen into Hardangervidda
  • Jotunheimen - Scandinavia's highest mountains
  • Valdres - picturesque highlands, lakes and valleys beneath Jotunheimen
  • Hardangervidda – Europe's largest highland plateau
  • Gardermoen - Oslo International Airport, main entry point for overseas visitors and hub for domestic flights

Talk

Most people will respond in English to any question you may have. Some Norwegians also speak some German, due to the proximity of the language, and that they study it in school. Migrant workers from Sweden, Poland, and elsewhere may not even speak Norwegian.

Norwegian

Those interested in dialects can observe the diversity of Norwegian dialects spoken in Eastern Norway, especially the differences between urban areas and peripheries. The differences can be observed even if you do not understand Norwegian. There are differences in the tone of language and words used. Even within the capital, Oslo, there are dialect differences between the east end and west end.

In some inland municipalities, a writing form of Norwegian usually associated with West Norway known as Nynorsk is the official form.

Get in

By boat

Oslo is connected to Kiel and Copenhagen by ferries. Larvik is connected to northern Denmark by ferry, whereas Sandefjord is connected to Strömstad (Sweden) by ferry.

Get around

Oslo totally dominates this region. Oslo and its airport at Gardermoen is the transport hub for East Norway. Roads and railway lines have Oslo as their focal points. All railway lines, including the airport express train, terminate at Oslo Central Station ("Oslo S"). Main roads E6, E18, E16 and Road 4 meet at or near Oslo S. Regional and long distance buses depart from the bus station next door to Oslo S. Oslo Subway (T-banen) has a main station underground next to the train station.

By plane

  • Fagernes Airport (Leirin - operated by DOT) (10 minutes from Fagernes). The local airport with daily connections to Oslo (30 minutes)
  • Oslo Gardermoen Airport (Gardermoen) (25 minutes with the Airport Express Train from Oslo). Norway's main airport with domestic and international flights.
  • Moss Rygge Airport (Rygge). Rygge mainly caters to travelers to/from Oslo, Akershus and Østfold. Most flights are with Ryanair.
  • Sandefjord Torp Airport (Torp) (1 hour 50 minutes with the Torpekspressen coach from Oslo). Rygge mainly caters to travelers to/from Oslo, Akershus and Østfold. Most flights are with Ryanair.

By bus

By train

By car

For more details see: Driving in Norway

Most of Norway's motorways are around Oslo. There is one car ferry across Oslofjord at Moss-Horten and one across Randsfjorden lake.

See

Itineraries

Do

  • All kinds of winter sports, even some at summertime
  • Sailing
  • Fishing in salt water and fresh water (rivers & lakes)
Climb or hike mountains

East Norway includes gentle sloping highlands such as Hardangervidda as well as alpine peaks such as Jotunheimen.

  • The Gausta summit (1883 meters) near Rjukan in Telemark gives the best outlook, on a clear day on can see one sixth of Norway (or an area twice that of Belgium). Easy hike 2-3 hours, possibel for children aged 10+. Very popular.

Eat

The Norwegian cuisine is known for eclectic food with a good supply of many local ingredients. Try Norwegian seafood!

Drink

Local Norwegian beer, aquavit and cider. Or simply clean and fresh water.

Stay safe

Eastern Norway is experienced as generally safe, with few exceptions in parts of Oslo and the larger cities.

Go next

This region travel guide to East Norway is an outline and may need more content. It has a template, but there is not enough information present. If there are Cities and Other destinations listed, they may not all be at usable status or there may not be a valid regional structure and a "Get in" section describing all of the typical ways to get here. Please plunge forward and help it grow!