With Harry Hole, Jo Nesbø created one of the Nordic region’s most renowned crime characters – a uncompromising detective in the Oslo Police with a sharp intuition and a troubled relationship with both the rules and himself. The book series has sold millions of copies worldwide, putting Oslo on the map far beyond Norway’s borders. In 2015, Nesbø was also named “Oslo Ambassador of the Year” for the way he has showcased the Norwegian capital through his books.

The stories have also made their way to the screen. In 2017, The Snowman was adapted into a film starring Michael Fassbender as Harry Hole, and in 2026 the universe was brought back to life in a Netflix series with Tobias Santelmann in the lead role.

What both the books and the screen adaptations share is the way Oslo is used actively. The city is not just a backdrop, but part of the atmosphere – from well-known streets to more hidden corners.

Many of these places exist in real life. And they are exactly the ones we set out to experience.

Following Harry Hole through Oslo is more than a literary walk – it’s a different way to experience the city, moving between familiar streets and places where stories seem to linger in the walls.

Along the way, you begin to notice the contrasts: the smaller, slightly hidden spots, the busier streets and the environments that have helped shape the stories. You might even discover a darker, more authentic side of Oslo.

If you want to follow the route yourself, you can explore the city at your own pace and trace his footsteps through Oslo’s streets.

However you choose to do it, Oslo becomes a little more intriguing when seen through Harry Hole’s eyes.