Welcome to Oslo — and welcome to my little corner of it.
My name is Paal Leveraas. I was born and raised in Norway, and after a long career as a journalist, editor and leadership coach, I am now doing something I've dreamt of for years: becoming an authorized Oslo guide.
I was formally authorized in the spring of 2026, after extensive training arranged by Oslo Byes Vel on behalf of the City of Oslo.
Who I am
For 15–20 years I worked as a journalist and editor, telling stories about people, organisations and society. Later I shifted into consulting and coaching, working closely with leaders and teams, helping them reflect on where they come from and where they are going.
Guiding, for me, is a natural extension of that work. In addition to boardrooms and workshops, I now also use streets, buildings and city squares as my meeting room. I still do what I've always done:
- Connect dots
- Ask good questions
- And turn complex history into human stories
My Oslo
Oslo is not just a capital. It is a thousand-year-old laboratory of ideas:
- Medieval churches and narrow streets in the Old Town
- 19th century brick façades in Grünerløkka and Frogner
- The bold waterfront projects of the Fjord City — the Opera House, the new Deichman Library, the National Museum, the Munch Museum
Some people see "just buildings". I see traces of belief, power, hope, fear, politics, fashion and technology — layer upon layer.
As a guide, I am particularly fascinated by:
- How architecture tells the story of who we thought we were
- How public spaces reveal what a society values
- How the city feels from ground level, for the people who actually live here
What you can expect from a tour with me
My style is:
Story-driven — less lists of dates, more "why" and "what it meant for people at the time".
Curious and conversational — I don't lecture, I invite you into the story.
Context-rich — I like to connect Oslo to broader European and global currents, without losing the local details.
I guide in Norwegian and English, and I especially enjoy small groups, families, colleagues travelling together, or curious solo travellers who want more than a standard sightseeing loop.
Why I guide
At 60-something, I am not trying to "start over". I am adding a new chapter.
Oslo has given me a home, a career and a lot of memories. Guiding is my way of giving something back — helping others see the city with new eyes, whether it is their first visit or their fiftieth.
If you like your tours with room for reflection, humour and a bit of depth, I suspect we will get along well.
Ready to explore Oslo together?
Get in touch
If you are curious about a future tour, want to collaborate, or simply want to ask a question about Oslo, feel free to reach out — directly, or via the form below.
Email: paal@leveraas.no
Phone: +47 982 16 666
Until then: walk slowly, look up — and let the city speak.
