9 Things to Do This Summer in Oslo

Kollensvevet zipline is located at the top of the ski jump in Holmenkollen, where you can fasten yourself to the zipline that extends over the entire world-famous ski jump. Even if you don't get the exact feeling as the ski jumpers do when whizzing downhill, you're still guaranteed the experience of a lifetime.

The height difference from start to finish is over 100 metres, while the steep slope quickly propels you to a high speed and really gets your heart racing. And the view is of course second to none.

The Botanical Gardens have been one of the east coast's biggest attractions since it opened over 100 years ago, and although every season has its charm, summer really is the best time to visit. When trees and shrubs are in full bloom and loved up couples stroll hand-in-hand along the paths, long summer evenings in the park is one the best things Oslo has to offer.

And the fact that the gardens are centrally located, a short walk from most of the city centre's attractions, is only a bonus.

One you've had an easy-to-understand, but highly necessary, safety induction in Oslo climbing park, you'll be ready to test just how closely related to monkeys we really are. Prepare to be surprised! Swinging around in the treetops is one of the more unusual activities you can do at the top of Groruddalen, but that doesn't make it any less popular.

The kids can try their hand at the simpler courses with their parents helping, while the tougher teenagers will enjoy tackling the more challenging routes.

Akerselva comes from Maridalsvannet and flows like a vein of indeterminate colour through the city. The famous Norwegian song describes it as grey, but now that the industry that once lined its banks has long gone, this is a pleasant place to go for a walk.

The old factories have been well maintained and converted into popular residential buildings, cafés and institutional buildings. If you follow the river from its source, you end up in Grønland, with many exciting things to explore on the way!

A couple of evenings every summer, a free outdoor cinema is arranged at St. Hanshaugen, in one of the city's most beautiful parks. Here, just above the city centre, the sound of cars is surprisingly muted. The fact that it never gets completely dark in the summer is not a problem for the state-of-the-art film screening facility.

And with food and drink available from a number of providers, everything is ready for a wonderful movie night with neighbours and new acquaintances in the park. The programme usually includes film classics curated by the film club Arthaus - from timeless and popular films from the 50s to more recent favourites.

The Oslofjord is peppered with islands, all offering fun excursions during the summer. Most are open to the public, and it is easy to get there by boat, either from Rådhusbrygga or Vippetangen. Gressholmen used to be home to thousands of rabbits, but the herd has shrunk in recent decades.

Lindøya is full of densely packed holiday cabins that were set up as working-class holiday colonies a hundred years ago, but which are now highly sought after by residents from all walks of life. The vast majority of boat routes accept Ruter tickets.

Frognerbadet Open-Air Public Bath is part of the larger park that includes Frogner Stadium, Frogner park and Vigelands park - a vast green area between Majorstua and Skøyen.

At Frognerbadet Open-Air Public Bath you can enjoy a heated pool throughout the season, as well as diving towers, a water slide and comfortable lawns that are perfect for a picnic. Once you've taken a dip, it's just a short walk to the public transport hub at Majorstua - and from here you have the whole city at your feet.

Aker Brygge has an exciting history behind it. The entire western part of the pier below Vestbanen and Rådhuset was until 1982 a shipyard, run by Aker's mechanical workshop.

When it closed, this vast area was turned into a lively entertainment arena for anyone who enjoys shopping in designer stores, eating good food and watching the crowds go by. Aker Brygge also offers museums, stages and cinemas, so you'll never run out of things to do. The area is only closed for a few hours a night, to prepare it for the following day's service.

The Palace Park, the park area surrounding the Royal Palace, is in many ways Norway in a microcosm. It is well-kept and inviting, while at the same time reducing the distance between the royals and the people. The fact that the Palace Park was a hippie haunt in the 60s says something about how everyone should feel welcome here.

But the hippies are long gone now, and have been replaced by art in the form of sculptures and man-made ponds. You can also find secluded nooks, perfect for taking a break from city traffic. Make sure you stay for the changing of the guard at 12 pm. It's not quite as impressive as the one in London, but still worth the wait.