november-2012

u BCN BSL BRS HAJ MRS OSL PRG BMA TLV TRN
oslo
norway
4,707,270 +47 1°C
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Twice daily
Anna Maria Espsäter
It’s all change Down by the waterfront – now
home to a striking new building by Renzo Piano
CENTRE
The centre of Norway’s capital
is compact enough to explore on
foot, whether you’re shopping
or exploring some of its myriad
cultural attractions.
SLEEP The Radisson Blu Plaza Hotel
(3 Sonja Henies Plass, 22 058000,
radissonblu.com, rooms from €212/
NOK1545) is one of Oslo’s few
skyscrapers, and the largest hotel
in Norway. All the usual modern
amenities, including free Wi-Fi, can be
found in its exceedingly comfortable
rooms, and there’s a gym, swimming
pool and sauna.
EAT The self-service Kaffistova
(8 Rosenkrantz’ Gate, 23 214210)
specialises in homemade, rustic
Norwegian cooking – perfect for a
chilly autumnal evening. It also has
a deli selling Norwegian produce, if
you’re after some edible souvenirs.
SHOP Karl Johans Gate, Oslo’s
main thoroughfare, offers plenty of
shopping opportunities. The street
runs for roughly a kilometre and is
pedestrianised in the centre from
Stortinget (the Parliament) to the
railway station.
LATER The recently renovated
34 SkyBar (34th floor, Radisson
Blu Plaza Hotel, 3 Sonja Henies Plass)
offers some superb cityscapes,
to be savoured with expertly
concocted cocktails.
FLY TO oslo twice daily. brusselsairlines.com
INFO
Gardermoen Airport
is 45km from the
city centre.
Train
The airport express
train, Flytoget, costs
€23.50/NOK 170,
with six departures
per hour. It’s also
worth checking out
NSB, the national
rail company, which
is slower but also
convenient; tickets
cost from €12.50/
NOK 90.
Taxi
A taxi to the city
centre costs around
€95/NOK695
before 5pm and
€123/NOK895
after 5pm.
Tourist info
Oslo’s tourist offi ce
is on the plaza at
the city’s main
train station, at
1 Jernbanetorget,
8153 0555,
visitoslo.com.
There’s another
outpost by the
City Hall.
Astrup Fearnley Museum
of Modern Art, on the
waterfront at Tjuvholmen
TIP The Oslo Pass, valid for 24,
48 or 72 hours, includes free travel
on public transport, as well as
entrance to many of the city’s
museums and sights. A 24-hour
pass costs from €36.50/NOK 270.
AKER BRYGGE &
TJUVHOLMEN
Thanks to building projects on
the reclaimed land at Tjuvholmen,
this area is rapidly expanding –
and becoming one of the city’s
most fashionable addresses.
EAT Sjømagasinet (14 Tjuvholmen
Allé, 23 897777) and Lofoten
Fiskerestaurant (75 Stranden,
22 830808) are two of Oslo’s finest
seafood restaurants. Both have
terrific harbour views.
CULTURE The Astrup Fearnley
Museum of Modern Art (2
Strandpromenaden) re-opened
on Tjuvholmen in September, in
striking new premises designed by
Italian architect Renzo Piano. The
opening exhibition, To be with art
is all we ask, presents works from
the museum’s vast collection of
contemporary art, and includes
pieces by Cindy Sherman, Jeff
Koons and Richard Prince.
LATER The Beer Palace (3 Holmens
Gate) is a convivial pub in the heart
of Aker Brygge, just off the waterfront.
Not only does it serve good beer, it
also has a commendable selection
of malt whiskies and bourbons.
TIP Local ferries leave from the
piers next to Aker Brygge – perfect
for those wanting to explore further
afield or see a bit more of the Oslo
fjords. The boats are cosy even in
winter, when the operators sell hot
drinks and provide blankets. Public
transport tickets are valid, or you
can buy a day pass.
BYGDØY
The Peninsula of Bygdøy, in
the western part of Oslo, is
home to some of Norway’s best
museums. It’s easy accessible:
take the number 30 bus from
outside the National Theatre,
off Karl Johans Gate.
SLEEP The Rica Hotel Bygdøy
Allé (53 Bygdøy Allé, 23 085800,
rica-hotels.com, rooms from €158/
NOK1150) isn’t far from the Bygdøy
sights, and is set in a pleasant, turreted
building. This is a quiet neighbourhood,
but one with easy access to the centre
of the city.
CULTURE The Museum Area
extends over a large part of Bygdøy
and takes in the Kon-Tiki Museum,
Viking Ship Museum, Norwegian
Maritime Museum and Cultural
History Museum. You could spend
days exploring their permanent
collections and temporary exhibitions.
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