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Oslo, Norway
Photo: Helge Høifødt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Inner North is the sector of Oslo between Ring 1 and Ring 3 and between Highway 168 in the west and Akerselva in the East. This is an area of fine parks, the University campus and the Aker river with Oslo's industrial past as well as landmark buildings, many hotels and restaurants within walking from Karl Johan street. The lowest part of the area is regarded as part of Oslo downtown.
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Akerselva
Akerselva is Oslo's main river as it flows from Maridalen lake (Oslo's main water reservoir) to the fjord near the Central station. Previously Oslo's industrial heartland, now the river and its shores is converted into a green corridor almost the entire length from Grünerløkka to Maridalen. Bicycle and pedestrian paths along. Several small waterfalls. Industrial facilities remain as memories of Oslo's manufacturing origins.
Regjeringskvartalet
Regjeringskvartalet is a group of buildings housing several of the offices of the executive branch (ministries) as well as the Supreme Court. The area does not display a consistent style but instead reflects 200 years of development. The prime minister's building and the Y-building are functionalist or brutalist architecture. The Y-building has a particular layout and the facade is decorated by Picasso's drawings carved directly into the concrete. Pablo Picasso also decorated the stair well in the prime minister's building. The Royal Ministry of Finance occupies an imposing art noveau (jugendstil) building in red granite. The bomb 22 July 2011 caused considerable damage to several buildings (leaving 2000 offices unusable) and 8 civil servants lost their lives in the explosion. Some buildings have been repaired, others are demolished and some are still in the process of reconstruction. The area is open to pedestrians. A partly shattered newspaper panel with the original pages dated July 22 still stands. The July 22 Centre is the middle of the area.
Supreme court building
This monumental building hosts the High (or Supreme) Court of Norway. The Court was established in 1815 and has been in function since except for the occupation 1940-1945. Guided tours by appointment.
A thriving design and architecture centre providing areas for large and small exhibitions, conferences and meetings, activities for children, as well as a bookshop and café.
This 1931 building includes gallery and cafe. A prominent example of functionalism in Norway at the transition from neoclassicism.
Vår frelsers gravlund
Graves of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, and a large number of reputed Norwegians. Several statues, including one by Gustav Vigeland. Gamle Aker Church (the oldest building in Oslo) stands in the northern corner of the graveyard. The graveyard is pretty park and within easy walk the very centre at Karl Johans gate/Akersgata.
The steep Damstredet with traditional wooden houses. Towering on the hill above are the iconic Westye Egeberg blocks.
Arbeidermuseet -local labour and industrial history
Well-kept workers' dwellings, winding streets and old factory building from the early industrial history of Oslo. Here you also find schools, public pools and factories which also become an integral part of the museum experience.
bus 37 to St.Hanshaugen
A delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund (cemetery). The park has also given name to this popular neighborhood and to the larger administrative district (borough) that includes major parts of central Oslo.
This charming park begins at Fagerborg Church (neo-Gothic, granite) and stretches for some 500 meters to a fine panorama point in the northern end. There is a café on the top. Stensparken is a good choice if nearby St. Hanshaugen park is too crowded. Just west of the park there is a line of stately town houses.
Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro. Among other things, a wooden tram from the Holmenkollen line and a trolleybus are exhibited.
Hjula Væveri
This industrial complex is perhaps an unusual attraction, but the striking buildings at the waterfall in Akerselva (Aker river) are one interesting legacy of Oslo's manufacturing past. It was the first water powered weaving mill in Norway, and during the late 1800s the largest textile company in Norway. The factory operated for more than 100 years. The water-powered factories along Aker river was an important factor behind Oslo's exceptional growth in the late 1800s. Hjula weaving mill and nearby Nedre Vøyen spinning mill are still standing at the waterfalls. Buildings have been converted to restaurants, shops, TV studios and offices.
Blindern Campus is home to functionalist landmarks from 1920-1930s. The new (1999) library building at Blindern is an imposing building in black polished stone and glass, it stands out as a landmark among the pre-war buildings.
Pedestrian suspension bridge, crossing the Akerselva river
One of the earliest chain hangers in Europe and the earliest in Norway, leading from the river side park, across the river to the park by the neighborhood of Grünerløkka.
The Roman Catholic main cathedral in Norway. Seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Oslo
the first Norwegian Roman Catholic cathedral (from 1856) which was built after the Protestant Reformation. The cathedral has church services and masses in Norwegian and several other languages, including English, Spanish and Polish.
Gamle Aker kirke
This modest, sturdy, Romanesque church is the oldest existing building in Oslo. Built around 1100. It is one of the few Norwegian churches built in traditional basilica shape (three parallel naves). The building sits on a small hill in the northern corner of Vår Frelsers graveyard. Old Aker church has its own grave yard built on terraces at the edge of the hill, the grave yard is a pretty park with fine panorama.
Trinity church
The largest church in Oslo. A monumental building in neo-Gothic style, constructed in red brick. The nave is octagonal with a Greek cross superimposed. The church is centrally located next to the Ministry offices and Oslo public library.
Beautiful and monumental church with several towers and spiers in gothic revival style. Consecrated in 1891.
Anglican church in Oslo
St. Edmund's Church belongs to the Church of England. It's a small neogothic building in red and yellow brick beneath the Hammersborg hill near the Swedish and Catholic churches as well as ministry buildings.
Swedish church in Oslo
The Margareta Church in Oslo belongs the Lutheran Church of Sweden. The building sits on the small Hammersborg hilltop next to Deichmanske (public library), Trinity Church, St Olavs catholic church. Ministry buildings are next door across street. St. Edmund's Church (anglican) is nearby down the hill.
The present building was erected 1920. Afterwards, except during World War II, it has been the most important gathering place for the Jewish community in Norway.
The Norwegian National Football Stadium
This is one of the largest sports arenas in Norway. It is home ground for the Norwegian national team in soccer and there the Norwegian cup final is played. There are shops inside the stands. Sometimes there are concerts and other events there. Then there is the least crowding on the metro from east to west, opposite afterwards.
Athletics and speed skating arena
is one of the best known sports facilities in Oslo. Houses the annual athletics ExxonMobil Bislett Games.
Main campus
The University of Oslo is Norway's oldest and second largest university. The main campus is at Blindern where most buildings are in red brick, functionalist style. On campus there are student associations and dormitories, gyms, the meteorological institute and research institutes within an area of more than 1 square kilometer. The university hospital is next door on the other side of ring road 3. Botanical garden and museum, zoological and geological museums are at Tøyen in eastern Oslo. Subjects: Education, Aesthetic Studies and Musicology, Health and Medicine, History, Philosophy, and Culture Studies, Information Technology and Informatics, Language and Literature, Economics, Leadership and Administration, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technology, Media Studies, Religion and Theology, Social Sciences and Psychology. The law school is in the original university buildings in downtown. Some classes are taught in English.
Their burgers are famous. Limited seating, but there is a very small park close to it where you can enjoy your food.
Good fried or fresh spring rolls, tasty duck breast hoi sin sauce with pac choi. In general tasty and cheap.
Inventive name for a pizza joint, the best in the area.
Vietnamese. Simple interior but very popular among people who appreciate authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes and beverages at affordable prices.
Generally accepted as the best kebab in the area, but steadily contested by Mediterran and Lille Amir.
The first of the Vietnamese bargain offerings are still going strong. Although the food in Vietnam is known to be tastier, you'll need a plane ticket to Hanoi to get it this cheap! (at least it feels like that when you're used to Norwegian food prices).
Vietnamese. Try the 'Dagens' (daily special) for only about 80kr, or some of their other Vietnamese offerings.
Japanese/Asian. Probably the best budget sushi in town, as well as baguettes (from NOK30) and a few hot dishes. Not the most cosy place to eat, but a great place for a cheap lunch or dinner.
Voted Oslo's best for kebabs many times, not the cheapest place, but good value for money. However if you want authentic kebabs try Torggata or the beginning of Trondheimsveien.
Oslo's best budget Thai offering.
Student canteen food at student prices. Several canteens dish up filling food at budget prices, the main canteen in the Fredrikke building has edible meals at under 50kr. There's also several other student canteens, although they are closed during the summer. One branch in the city centre is at St. Olavs plass.
Vegetarian restaurant, with exciting and tasty dishes from around the world. Take-away-service.
Vegetarian restaurant
Genuine vegetarian food in unique architectural space, overlooking the Aker River.
The most upmarket offering in Oslo's Bermuda Triangle of cheap eating, Arakataka manages to pull off decent Nordic, French and Mediterranean cuisine at decent prices. Small dishes; it takes three dishes or more to get saturated.
Inside the Design and Architecture centre, Elvebredden has some fantastic lunch offerings and stunning, but fairly upmarket, main dishes in the evening.
East-Asian and sushi.
traditional restaurant with a restaurant menu based on the traditional Norwegian cuisine. Widely used as a meeting place and a drinking den .
Dark drinking den with traditional, inexpensive and fattening Norwegian food. Featured in Jo Nesbø's novels.
Fish or meat barbecue from charcoal grill.
Looks scruffy from the outside, but don't let that fool you. A fantastic Indian restaurant with all the trimmings.
Popular, authentic Indian restaurant
Restaurant and traditional venue for cultural personalities. The menu is inspired by the Norwegian and European cuisine. There is a rich selection of beer and wine.
Established in 1958, this is the only bar in Oslo that's protected by cultural authorities, due to its true 1950s setting with original interior. This is where the rockabilly cats and kittens hang out and low-key rock and film stars lurk in the corners. Teddy's brought milk shakes to Norway, but sadly they've stopped serving those. They do serve beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and various coffee drinks. And you can have lunch or late breakfast (omelets, eggs & bacon, sandwiches) or dinner (nice burgers, soups). Music provided by an original Wurlitzer jukebox with mostly '50s and '60s hits.
A little gem of a bar that serves some of the best drinks in town. It's not much more than a hole in the wall, so don't expect to get a seat. The bartenders (who are often a bit moody, so no music requests!) play everything from free jazz to krautrock to gangsta-rap on the sound system.
Crowbar has 20 beers on tap, 5 of them made by them.
Conveniently close to Anker Hostel, Cafe Sara pours beer and dishes up tasty Turkish and Mexican dishes for not too much money. Great outdoor seating. Very nice pub with a great atmosphere and well known for its cheap but great food and large selection of craft beers.
Nice rock bar with a cosy and great backyard which it shares with Cafe Sara. The club has a stage, where local and foreign acts appear. At the weekends the club transforms into a rock disco, where you can dance to great rock music. The bar dishes up with great cocktails and unlimited amounts of beer, both on tap and bottles.
Lovely cafe serving beer, wine, drinks and small dishes in a fabulous former pharmacy. (Tekehtopa spelled backwards, apotheket, means "the pharmacy" in Norwegian.) One of the prettiest cafes around! Adjoined by Bar Babylon, an industrial-style club with wonderful back yard seating.
Be sure to check their event calendar, every week they have concerts with a variety of international and Norwegian bands and/or DJs. Each Sunday there is a free jazz/blues/soul concert. Walk up the river from the centre and you'll find it. Old factory style houses with lots of graffiti.
Some of Oslo's best stages for music. Rockefeller houses three stages while Sentrum Scene houses a fourth and larger stage. Mostly concert stages but they also show the odd football match or cinema. Both Norwegian and international artists.
Rock pub with most of Oslo's hipsters lurking in the corners. Not too expensive, and quite an extensive choice of beers on tap.
290 beds. Very centrally located, 5 minutes walk to the central station or Grünerløkka.
Don't confuse with the neighboring hostel
All rooms have TV, free wi-fi and bathroom with shower. Rich breakfast is included.
Centrally located, 5 minutes walk from Karl Johans gate and Oslo Central Station (Oslo S)
A relatively small hotel within a short walk to the more vibrant Grünerløkka. Intimate and cozy.
Affordable bed & breakfast hotel, centrally located, not far from Oslo's main thoroughfare, Karl Johans Gate.
Modern rooms and award-winning breakfast.
Relatively newly built hotel just off the river.
A short walk to the main street, as well as easy walking distance to public transportation, airport shuttle bus and a vast variety of shops, restaurants, museums and theatres.
Popular hotel close to downtown (Sentrum).
Palace Park Hotel
The hotel is located on the quiet side of the park.
Parking garage for hotel guests in the basement, 10 minutes by metro to Oslo S train station.
The best selection of vinyl LPs in Oslo! Pop/Rock, Indie, Soul, Metal/Hardrock, Jazz, Punk, Garagerock, Hip-hop, Blues, Country, Electronica and Reggae. Also a fine seletion of CDs in most genres.
Huge selection of exclusive international and traditional Norwegian food in this new indoor market, and serving of food and drinks.
One of Oslo's oldest and most traditional baby stores. It is famous for its celebrity shoppers like the Princess of Norway Märtha Louise and the Crown Princess Mette-Marit.
Good for non-chain stores, focus on clothes and accessories.
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