There's more to Oslo than Vigelandsparken and the Royal Palace. To truly experience the city, explore the neighborhoods where the locals themselves live their lives: with coffee cups, market days, fjord views and great conversations in low-key wine bars. Here are five places that let you experience Oslo at its most real and vibrant.
There's more to Oslo than Vigelandsparken and the Royal Palace. To truly experience the city, explore the neighborhoods where the locals themselves live their lives: with coffee cups, market days, fjord views and great conversations in low-key wine bars. Here are five places that let you experience Oslo at its most real and vibrant.
Grünerløkka is Oslo's creative center - filled with vintage shops like Fretex, Det Gule Hus and Retro Design, small book cafés and street art in every nook and cranny. Take a stroll down Thorvald Meyers gate, pop into an outdoor café and soak up the atmosphere among locals, students and creative souls. Most cafés have outdoor seating all year round, with heat lamps and blankets in winter, and there's always life around Birkelunden - especially at weekends.
Oslobukta (Bjørvika area) has become the city's new island gem. Here you can stroll from the Opera along the water, swim at Operastranda, visit the Deichman library or watch the sunset from Sukkerbiten. The area offers a perfect balance of modern architecture, culture and a relaxed lifestyle by the fjord. It's also popular with tourists and Oslo locals alike, especially on hot summer days.
Forget plastic trolls and clichés. In Way Nor's Oslo store, you'll find Norwegian wool products, handicrafts, design gifts and delicacies that provide genuine memories of Norway. The store is centrally located, just minutes from Oslo Central Station - perfect as a last stop before departure. Here you can pick up something that's actually made in Norway, and the staff will be happy to give you tips on what's popular with tourists and locals alike.
End the day with a good meal and a drink overlooking the fjord. Oslobukta is full of restaurants and wine bars with a modern atmosphere and local soul. Try Hammerhai for wine and seafood in a relaxed setting, Holzweiler Platz for Nordic-inspired cuisine with a high aesthetic, or Kumi for plant-based, creative dishes with a focus on sustainability. This area has become a favorite evening destination for Oslo residents and visitors alike.
Ekebergparken is a unique blend of art, nature and views, just a short tram ride from the city center. The park combines sculptures by international artists such as Dalí, Hirst and Bourgeois with quiet paths and spectacular views of the city and fjord. This is where the people of Oslo come to jog, stroll and breathe a little deeper.
Living like a local in Oslo is all about getting out and about. Explore vintage, swim in the fjord, shop for Norwegian design, go for a walk with a view and end the evening in a wine bar with a great atmosphere. That's how you discover the real Oslo.