march-2013

u bcn txl bud edi gva ncl osl os tlv vce vno
oslo
norway
4,707,270 +47 0°C
Norwegian Krone (NOK)
Twice daily
Beate Oera-Roderick
Skiing events, Munch’s anniversary and a new
food venue make for an exciting month
CITY CENTRE
Most of Oslo’s main attractions
are within walking distance of Karl
Johan, its imposing main street.
SLEEP The Carlton Oslo Hotel
Guldsmeden (Parkveien 78, 232 74
000, hotelguldsmeden.dk/oslo,
rooms from €123/NOK895) has a
Turkish-inspired hammam and spa,
excellent organic breakfasts and
stellar eco-credentials.
EAT The elegant, Viennese-style
Theatercaféen (Hotel Continental,
Stortingsgata 24, 22 82 40 50) has
hosted Oslo’s in-crowd for over a
century. The seafood is excellent, but
the buzzing atmosphere and peoplewatching
are the real draw. Musiclovers
should head to Bare Jazz
(Grensen 8, 22 33 20 80), a relaxed
café, record store and concert venue.
The muffins are delicious, and its
cosy courtyard is charming.
CULTURE This year marks the
anniversary of artist Edvard Munch’s
birth, and the National Gallery
(Universitetsgata 13) is celebrating with
a major retrospective, Munch 150
(until 31 March).
LATER Descend a staircase lined
with Japanese prints and anime
drawings to find Izakaya (St Olavs
Gate 7). This informal Japanese pub
has an impressive sake menu, and
serves light, tapas-style dishes
instead of sushi.
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 by the City Hall,
at Fridtjof Nansens
plass 5, 815 30 555,
visitoslo.com
There is another
outpost at the
Cruise Terminal.
GRÜNERLØKKA
Once home to Edvard Munch,
Oslo’s old industrial area is dotted
with charming little cafés, bars
and design shops.
EAT Mathallen (Maridalsveien 17, 40
00 12 09) is a new food court with a
range of Norwegian and international
shops and eateries. Grünerløkka
Brygghus specialises in beer, with a
no-nonsense menu to match, while
Hotel Havana serves home-made
fishcakes, cured meats, pâtés and
Spanish bocadillos.
SHOP Conzept (Steenstrupsgate 12)
is a shop and gallery hybrid with a
focus on Scandinavian design. Look
out for its range of printed tops, and for
Line Marsdal’s playful charm bracelets
and animal-inspired necklaces. Dainty
Frøken Dianas Salonger (Markveien
33) offers a hand-picked selection
of vintage fashion, costume jewellery
and homeware.
LATER The tiny Bar Boca (Thorvald
Meyers Gate 30) offers innovative
cocktails, a snug, 1950s-style interior
and expert bartenders who often
use home-made ingredients. They like
a challenge, and will do exciting things
with Aquavit if you fancy something
with a Nordic twist.
TIP Stroll along the river Akerselva,
where there is an 8km walking trail that
passes waterfalls, parkland and various
historical buildings. Arty café Hønse-
The heart-stopping
Holmenkollen ski jump
Lovisas hus (Sandakerveien 2) is
an excellent starting point.
HOLMENKOLLEN
Hilly Holmenkollen enjoys
spectacular views to the city
and the fjord, and is the gateway
to Nordmarka, Oslo’s main
recreational area.
SLEEP Historical Holmenkollen Park
Hotel Rica (Kongeveien 26, 22 92 20
00, holmenkollenparkhotel.no, rooms
from €149/NOK1,085) is built in the
Norwegian ‘dragon’ style, and perches
atop the hill like a fairytale castle.
Rooms combine tradition and luxury,
and the breakfasts are princely.
EAT The famous apple cake at
Kafe Seterstua (Frognerseteren,
Holmenkollveien 200, 22 92 40 40)
can be enjoyed with panoramic views
from the sun terrace. Back at the
Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica, De Fem
Stuer (Kongeveien 26, 22 92 20 00)
offers fine dining with a Norwegian
twist, with offerings such as reindeer
steak or brown cheese ice-cream with
sea buckthorn.
CULTURE The best view in town is
from the tower of the Holmenkollen
ski jump (Kongeveien 5). There is a ski
museum and jump simulator, and you
can even abseil from the tower.
The Nordic Combined World Cup takes
place on the 15-17 March; for tickets,
call 815 33 133.
80 march 2013
FLY TO oslo twice daily. brusselsairlines.com