Summer City Break In Oslo

There are so many adorable cities in Scandinavia, Oslo in Norway being one of them.

Although Norway is extremely expensive it is relatively economical to fly there from Helsinki and if you do your planning well in advance it is also possible to find reasonably priced accommodation. For everything else you need to pay pretty much.

Norwegians have found more oil so the economy is boosting and there is lots of building sites all over the town. Population is expected to increase rapidly within coming years due to high birth rate and immigration so the massive building projects have difficulties to keep up with the pace. And of course there is a reverse side for all the wealth and well-being as prostitution, drug trafficing and beggars are really visible in the city center.

Main street Karl Johans gate

Airport train ticket (Flytoget) from airport to Central Station costs little bit less than 25 euros and one day ticket for public transportation costs appr. 10 euros. In my opinion that is money well spent as the airport train is really fast and convenient and public transportation within city works well. Tram no 12 is really handy as it takes you from Grünerløkka via Aker Brygge to Vigeland's Park.

Oslo City Hall

City is located by the sea, which always gives special character to the town as well as beautiful seaview.


















Aker Brygge is gorgeous area to walk around and has many nice terraces by the sea, but all the restaurants here are extremely expensive. So it can be better idea to sit by the bank. Tjuvholmen is totally new area built over the sea behind Aker Brygge. Very posh and modern area with a great sea view.

View from Tjuvholmen

New Opera House was built in  2007 and it is spectacular white granit and glass building by the sea. You can walk on the roof and enjoy the lovely seaview.

Oslo Opera House

When getting the public transportation ticket it is good to make most out of it and have comprehensive round-trip around Oslo. Holmekollen skijump is easy to approach by metro (takes some 30 minutes) and you can enjoy view towards the city and see the Skijump tower. 

View from Holmenkollen

Holmenkollen Skijump Tower

Another fascinating place to visit is The Vigeland Park with more than 200 sculptures of human bodies of all ages.

There are of course many interesting museums, but now it was so gorgeous summer weather that I wanted to stay outside. I have visited the famous Munch museum and seen his paintings, including Scream at National Gallery before.

My favourite neighbourhood to eat, have coffee and hang out is Grünerløkka. Easy to get there with tram nos 11, 12 and 13 from city centre and get out at Olaf Ryes plass.

Thorvald Meyers gt, Grünerløkka

There are so many nice restaurants and cafees that it is almost too difficult to choose from them. Tea Lounge and Kaffebrenneriet are the places I usually visit for coffee. And in the summertime it is extra nice as you can sit outside.

I really like the concept "Food For Good Karma" of the restaurant Food Story. So basically better diet yet rich culinary experiences will lead to better life. This time the lunch we chose was not that healthy, but it sure was an exciting culinary experience! I had pancakes with blueberries and bacon (delicious!) and my friend had English breakfast with sausages, bacon, egg, toast and all the good stuff.

The main reason for my 2-days trip was Bat For Lashes concert at Rockefeller, but I also managed to include lots of other enjoyable substance to my trip.

And the concert was outstanding so overall very succesful mini-holiday in gorgeous summer weather.