OSLO CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO - SEE INSIDE FOR DETAILS ABOUT GETTING AROUND, SIGHTSEEING, SHOPPING, NIGHTLIFE AND MORE - GOBYSA

OSLO CITY GUIDE - THINGS TO SEE AND DO

 See inside for details about getting around, sightseeing, shopping, nightlife and more

Oslo is one of the most beautiful cities in the world. The city is surrounded by ocean and mountains, and its passion for
invention leaks into its cultured, irreverent way of life.

Oslo was once the stomping grounds of Vikings, but it soon became one of the world’s most interesting art capitals. Its
museums cover both Medieval times and contemporary eras. The capital is an innovative one, and you’ll see that spirit
in everything from its entrepreneurial heritage to its extraordinary gastronomy and opera

Regardless of how, don’t forget to immerse yourself in its culinary scene, which has become so famous it’s turned Oslo
into a culinary destination for the most passionate of foodies. After the sun goes down its nightlife awakens in glistening
Technicolor.

This is the most multicultural of cities, and it welcomes you.

Getting around
 Oslo offers convenient public transportation, and short distances make it easy to get around by walking or biking.

All the public transport in Oslo and the
surrounding county Akershus is part of the same
ticket and price system, operated by Ruter.

Ruter's tickets are valid for buses, trams,
subways, ferries (not the Bygdøy ferry) and local
trains.
All Norway Cup participants has free travel with
Ruter included in the package.

 There are several taxi companies in Oslo, the largest
 of which is Oslo Taxi who offers ordinary taxi services,
 airport taxi (fixed prices to Oslo Airport) and maxitaxi
 (5–16 passengers),

 Another popular company is Nordic Car Service. They
 offer exclusive passenger transport in the Oslo area
 with luxury cars and minibuses.

 Nordic Car Service emphasises high levels of service
 and comfort and is available 24 hours a day, 365 days
 a year offering airport transfers, sightseeing and
 shopping. The drivers wear uniforms and speak
 English; some also speak Spanish and French.

 Shopping

 Shopping malls, department stores, small boutiques, shopping streets with hundreds of small shops and retailers,
 flea markets and local handicraft shops. Oslo has them all!

In Oslo, shops are usually open from 10 am - 5 pm and on Saturdays from 9 am - 2 pm. There are extended
opening hours in most shopping centres 10 am - 8 pm (Mon - Fri) and on Saturdays from 10 am - 6 pm.
Extended shopping hours are not as popular in Norway. Most shops are closed on Sundays, but some souvenir
shops stay open. Thursday offers late night shopping: shopping centres and souvenir shops generally offer
extended opening hours until 7 pm or 8 pm on that day.

Shopping Centres
Byporten Shopping has more than 60 shops and 12
places to eat and drink in Oslo's most central location,
right next to Oslo Central Station.

The lower floors are have dozens of shops where you
can shop for groceries, books, toys, gadgets and
cosmetics, and also includes several cafés and snack
bars. The second floor has a more relaxed atmosphere
and a wide range of clothing and shoe stores, including
Høyer Woman, Lille Vinkel Sko, Name It, Grændsens
Skotøimagazin and Day Birger and Mikkelsen.

Byporten Shopping is also home to Norway's biggest
Egon Restaurant and Scandic Hotel Byporten

Oslo City Center is Norway's most visited shopping
centre contains more than 90 shops and restaurants on
five floors.

Oslo City's shops offers a wide selection of clothes,
shoes, music, electronic articles, interior, kitchenware,
cosmetics, jewellery, groceries and much more.
Services include hairdresser, pharmacy, tailor, medical
centre, cash points and shoe repair.

Oslo City is located in the centre of the city, just across
the street from Oslo Central Station, Oslo Bus Terminal
and the bus, tram and metro at Jernbanetorget.

Storo Storsenter is Oslo's largest shopping centre,
with more than 130 shops, cafés, restaurants and
services. Storo is a major metro, bus and tram hub just
15 minutes from the city centre, and there is a city bike
station by the entrance.

There a number of good places to eat, including
Bamboo Sushi, Baker Hansen, Egon and Mamma
Pizza.

Many of the cafés and restaurants are open on
Sundays. Across the street is ODEON Oslo, Norway's
largest cinema, with 14 screens and IMAX.

Department Store

Steen & Strøm is a department store with many well-
known Norwegian, Scandinavian and international
brands.You will find fashion for women, men and
children, as well as food, wine and places to eat and
drink.

Among the brands available at Steen & Strøm are
Gucci, Hugo Boss, Kicks, Paul Smith, Polo Ralph
Lauren and Tiger of Sweden.

The basement has a food court with good lunch spots
and specialised food stores including Lakrids licorice,
Eat Thai, Whats Soup, Summerbird, Mamma Pizza and
Jonathan Sushi.

Steen & Strøm offers Global Blue tax-free shopping.

Boutiques

Situated inside Paleet, the shopping arcade, YME
Universe offers Stylish, athletic shoes & urban-chic
apparel for men & women offered in modern
surroundings.

It has something for everyone: from Marni and Maison
Margiela for the lovers of all things classic, to Adidas
sneakers for street style enthusiasts.

Plus lately they launched a series of striking
contemporary art posters, in case your walls were
feeling a bit left out.

To say that Mustang Sally’s concept is “fresh” would
be an understatement – and yet, at the same time,
completely accurate.

There really is no other place in Oslo where you can
buy relaxed floral dresses, jeans and T-shirts… while
also shopping for gorgeous flower bouquets and
ceramic pots for your plants.

The whole atmosphere is one of green living and
sustainability; here you can literally stop and smell the
roses, after all.

Shopping Streets
Karl Johans gate is Oslo's most famous pedestrian
street and it's right in the centre of Oslo. This street
runs east to west from Oslo Central Station to the
Royal Palace.

Here you will find several street entertainers,
restaurants and not to mention countless shops,
including fashion chains such as Benetton and H&M.
Prices are reasonable considering the location, and the
easy access to open air is also nice. It doesn't get
crowded too much, either. This street (and its back
streets), is in particular famous for handicrafts, clothing,
jewellery and look out for the home accessories within
department stores.

Bogstadveien is well-known amongst locals, this
popular shopping street contains everything from high-
street stores to unique boutiques. This run of shops
stretches from Majorstuen all the way to the city centre.

At the Majorstuen end (tram 11 or 19 to Schultz' gate or
Rosenborg) you will find well-known chain stores such
as H&M, Monsoon, BIK BOK, Helly Hansen and the
like.
As you head down towards the city centre,
Bogstadveien becomes Hegdehaugsveien, home to
flagship fashion stores and small boutiques from
Scandinavian designers.

Flea Markets
Sundays done right should start with coffee, include
moseying about, and end with bargains in tow and a
beer in hand. To acquire these bargains, make like a
local and head to Brenneriveien, where
Søndagsmarkedet pops up every Sunday from
midday to about 5pm.

This flea market takes over the artsy area of Blå in
Grünerløkka, and promises to yield handmade items,
vintage clothing and artwork from locals.

A much larger affair than the Sunday market at Blå,
Vestkanttorvet flea market (located next to Norway’s
oldest sculpture park, Vigeland Park), features over
100 stalls.

Since 1989 locals have woken up early on a Saturday
to head down to this market at 9am in the hope of
stumbling across quirky wardrobe and home items.
First come, first served!

Free Things to do in Oslo

Travelling on a budget? A stay in the Norwegian capital can be quite cheap. In fact, many activities and attractions in
Oslo are totally free! Checkout some of these below.

Outdoor art
One of the first things you should do in Oslo is to go hunting for art in the
parks and streets.

Some of the largest parks have sculptures you can enjoy for free, like the
Vigeland sculpture park and Ekebergparken.

In addition, there is both beautiful street art and many world-class
sculptures around town.

Hit the beach
Oslo’s unique position between the sea and forest means
plenty of bathing spots whether you prefer fresh or salty
waters.

Beaches on the Bygdøy peninsula with big crowds on sunny
summer days. Snack bar open in summer. The area is used for
outdoor recreation all year round, and is very popular place to
go for a walk, a run or a bicycle trip.

 If you don’t even want to spend money on a metro or boat
ticket, you can dive off the piers in the city centre. Otherwise,
you can go island hopping on the Oslofjord or find a private
spot by a forest lake.

  As a participant in Norway Cup, you get free admission
  to several museums in Oslo Free admission ONLY
  during the tournament (Friday week 30 to Sunday week
  31)

  The Astrup Fearnley Museum where you can see
  exciting, modern contemporary art! The International
  Museum of Children’s Art is a unique collection of art
  made by children from 2-18 years of age, from more
  than 180 countries and The Kon-Tiki Museum
  contains original rafts and objects from Heyerdahls
  world famous expeditions, are just some that you can
  visit.

  Eating Out
 Although you have all meals included in your Norway Cup package you may want to visit some of the vast range
 of vibrant restaurants, cafés, and bars that Oslo has to offer. Heres a few suggestions:

Handwerk: Sarsgate 1 - Hours:10am-4pm
Price:daily special 135-145kr, sandwiches 75kr
If you can't make it out into the countryside, find this
beautiful cafe in the centre of the Botanical Garden. Set
in a historic farm building, its pale-blue interior is lined
with exquisite floral artworks, rows of candles and
pendant lights. Windows reveal viridian (or snowy)
views of the gardens all around while all is cosy within.

Coffee is made with perfectly roasted beans but comes
in traditional filter style only. There's a huge array of
bolle (Norwegian buns), svele (West Coast pancakes)
and traditional cakes to have with it as well as
sandwiches made on Handwerk's own dark earthy
breads (which can also be bought by the loaf).
Lunchtime brings one egg and one green dish as well
as juices and natural wines and beer.

  Ekeberg Restaurant: Kongsveien 15 - Hours:11am-
  midnight Mon-Sat, noon-10pm Sun
  Price: mains 295-310kr, set menu 650kr, terrace
  mains 170-190kr

  Lars Backer’s early Oslofunkis (functionalist)
  masterpiece from 1929 fell into disrepair in the 1980s
  but happily is again here for all to enjoy, with a New
  Nordic dining room known for its simple, careful and
  elegant cooking. There's also a summertime eyrie
  terrace serving burgers, mussels and fries, and prawn
  sandwiches.

  Even if you're not interested in Modernist architecture,
  come for the Oslofjord and city views.

   Syverkiosken: Maridalsveien 45B - Hours
   10am-11.30pm Mon-Fri, noon-11,30pm Sat-
   Sun.
   Price:hot dogs from 20kr
   It might look like a hipster replica, but this hole-
   in-the-wall pølser (hot dogs) place is absolutely
   authentic and one of the last of its kind in Oslo.

   Dogs can be had in a potato bread wrap in lieu of
   the usual roll, or with both, and there's a large
   range of old-school accompaniments beyond
   sauce and mustard.

Oslo Street Food: Torggata 16 - Hours 11-11pm
Mon-Thur, 11-3 am Fri-Sat, 12-10pm Sun
This is a large food hall in the city centre. Here you can
choose between 16 authentic food stalls, offering
exciting flavours from all corners of the earth.The food
stalls have high quality street food on offer, including
dishes from India and Greece, the Philippines and
Peru. Gluten-free, vegan and vegetarian alternatives
are also on most menus. There are also four bars that
offer drinks and refreshments. Outdoor seating all year
round.

Every weekend, Oslo Street Food turns into Klubb
Torggata, one of Oslo’s best dance floors. Here, DJs
serve hot beats on Fridays and Saturdays after 11pm.
If you become hungry from all the dancing, some of the
food stalls stay open until late at night.

Cafe Amsterdam: Kristian Augusts gate 12 - Hours
11-11pm Mon-Tues. 11-1am Wed-Thur 11-2am Fri-
Sat.
Café and pub built on Dutch traditions and culture:
relaxed in the daytime, urban and active at night.
The bar, furniture and interior were all designed and
made in Holland.

Cafe Amsterdam serves Dutch beer and finger food
including cheese with mustard-dill sauce, "bitterballen",
Amsterdam Burger and many other snacks that you
would find in any bar in Amsterdam.

Live music on Saturday nights from 10 pm.

Nightlife
The city's best neighbourhood bar scene is along Thorvald Meyers gate and the surrounding streets in Grünerløkka and
the Torggata strip after the bridge across the Akerselva. The Youngstorget area has some of the most popular places
close to the city centre and the developments around Aker Brygge have brought more after-dark life to the waterfront,
while the Grønland and Tøyen neighbourhoods have an alternative feel. St Hanshaugen has a nice little collection of
low-key, quietly cool places around Ullevålsveien.

Here are a few that you may want to visit:

Bar Boca: Thorvald Meyers gate 30 - Hours 11am-1am
Sun-Tue, to 2am Wed-Thu, to 3am Fri- Sat
A proper local's hang-out with an '80s-dive-bar vibe.
Beers go down well here, but they're also skilled with
classic cocktails. It's a petite place and gets very busy at
weekends – it'll be full when nowhere else is. A
Grünerløkka must.

Bortenfor: Brenneriveien 7 - Hours 4pm-1am Tue-
Sun
The only sign Bortenfor is there is the gate on
Brenneriveien, so if you're lost best head for the bridge
by stalwart club-bar Blå, but instead turn right and keep
going.

Along with the riverside beauty you'll get a cosy,
cultured atmosphere, good music, Norwegian-themed
cocktails and very decent wine by the glass.

Oslo Camping: Møllergata 12 - Hours 1pm-1am
Mon-Thu, to 3am Fri & Sat, to midnight Sun
Norwegians like to have a pub activity on hand for
those potentially awkward moments before the social
lubrication kicks in. Here the activity is an 18-hole mini-
golf course. (minigolf 105kr)

Cheap beer, metal clubs and small hard balls – what
could go wrong? Nothing in fact, with lots of happy,
mini-golfing fun to be had, DJs on weekends and toast
if you're hungry.

Amusement Park

Tusenfryd is an amusement park at Vinterbro, Norway. The park is located 20 kilometres south of Oslo. Two of the
longest motorway corridors in Norway, E6 and E18, meet nearby Tusenfryd and the park is located on the west side
near where they meet.

SpeedMonster, SuperSplash, ThunderCoaster and SpaceShot make the park visible from the motorway. The park
has 31 attractions and has 500,000 visitors per year.

Even though Tusenfryd is not divided into specifically themed areas there is a section called Morgan Kane Town,
another section is called Vikingland and there is a small Fairy Tale Land. The park's mascot is called Fryd. The park
has one of the most innovative entrances of any amusement park (an uphill ride on an escalator through one of the
loops of the Speed Monster's roller coaster). The park has flower beds and it is located on a hilly forested area
requiring a lot of uphill walking. The actual park occupies 55 acres.

Here are some of the main attractions at the park.

SpinSpider is a monster carousel that looks like a
giant spider and that gives you an experience you will
never forget. SpinSpider will give even the bravest
carousel rider a few things to think about.

You sit on a giant "wheel" with your legs facing outward
with approximately 40 other passengers. The wheel is
attached to a huge pendulum swinging back and forth
between the legs of the "spider".

Ragnarok is a 500 metre exciting river race in wild
rapids, several waterfalls, a maelstrom and other
challenging obstacles.

You ride on board one of nine rafts that each takes nine
passengers. In the river there are two waterfalls, a
swirling maelstrom, a tunnel and other exciting
challenges.

Nightmare has taken up residence in TusenFryd old
Ghost Castle, and It is the first 5D attraction in Europe.

Nightmare start in a sumptuous and stately hall of a
bygone era. After guests have taken place in each
throne, equipped with a revolver, the show starts.

Through 3D movies shown in full HD quality on two big
screens, you get the feeling that you are part of the
scary story that is being told.

Experience Nightmare. If you dare …

Getting There

There are three airports that serve Oslo, the Oslo Airport Gardermoen, Sandefjord Airport, Torp - 68 miles from
central Oslo and Moss Airport, Rygge which doesn’t have any airlines that use it any more.. Gardermoen is closest to
the city centre (22 miles away) and it is the main international airport in Oslo.

Here are the airlines that fly to each airport from the UK and Ireland.
Gardeemoen
British Airways from London-Heathrow
Norwegian Air Shuttle from Dublin, Edinburgh, London-Gatwick and Manchester
Ryan Air from London-Stansted
Scandinavian Airlines from Aberdeen, Birmingham, Dublin, Edinburgh, London-Heathrow and Manchester

Torp
Ryan Air from London-Stansted and Manchester

Know before you go
In Norway the power plugs and sockets are of type F. The standard voltage is 230 V and the standard frequency is
50 Hz.

The Norwegian currency is Norwegian Kroner (NOK). 1 NOK is divided into 100 øre (cents). Coins are circulated in
the following denominations: 1 krone, 5 kroner, 10 kroner and 20 kroner.

For emergencies you need to call the following numbersL: Fire, accidents and serious pollution: Tel 110
Police - immediate assistance: Tel 112
Ambulance and Medical assistance: Tel 113

British Embassy: Visits to the Embassy are by appointment only. If you are in need of urgent consular assistance
please call +47 2313 2700.
Irish Embassy: The Embassy is open for public appointments between 0930 and 1530 Monday to Friday.
You can contact them on +47 2201 7200 to arrange an appointment. Emergency Consular assistance will continue to
be provided and any callers should clearly state their name, phone number and issue.
Please call +47 4745 3298 if you are in need of consular assistance outside of business hours.
Oslo Visitors Service: Jernbanetorget 1, 0154 Oslo. +47 23 10 62 00

How can I make a phone call from Norway?
To call a United Kingdom landline or mobile phone from Norway, dial 00 44, then the UK number without its leading
zero. For example, the UK number 01632 234567 should be dialled as 00 44 1632 234567 from Norway.

Is smoking prohibited?
Smoking is strictly prohibited at Oslo airport, similar to other European airports. Same goes for no smoking in all
public areas likes restaurants, bars and pubs. In addition, Norwegian law forbids smoking on public transportation.
it is also illegal to smoke in outdoor locations that are close to children's schools and hospitals.

Other than cash how else can I pay?
Although debit or credit cards are accepted most places, it is still a good idea to have a bit of cash on you. Foreign
currency is rarely accepted, so you need Norwegian currency to get by.
You will find cash machines everywhere in towns and cities, and in most rural areas there will be at least one place
where you can withdraw money, such as a kiosk or a petrol station.

Post offices and some grocery shops or supermarkets do not accept foreign credit cards, although they happily take
debit cards.

Visa and MasterCard are the most commonly accepted credit cards, with far fewer accepting Amex or Diners. If in
doubt, ask before shopping.

Is tipping mandatory?
For the most part tipping is not common in Norway, with the exception of bars and restaurants where the locals tip
when they are happy with the service or food.

There is no fixed rule of thumb for how much to tip, but tips tend to stay within 5-15% of the total amount of the
bill. But remember that tipping is entirely up to you - there will be no hard feelings in any case.

How can you go online and check your e-mails?
All hotels and hostels in Oslo provide free wi-fi access and some also have computers with internet for guest use.
Most bars and cafes also have free wi-fi for those who are eating or drinking there.

How can I send a letter or a postcard?
Stamps can be purchased at: Post offices, in-store post
offices and postbutikken.

Letters can be mailed from: post offices, in-store post offices,
rural postal service and in red or yellow letter boxes. Prices
for letters range from 8 NOK to 12 NOK with a maximum
weight of 2 k

Public Holidays 2021
01 Jan Fri       New Year's Day

01 Apr Thur        Maundy Thursday
02 Apr Fri         Good Friday
04 Apr Sun         Easter Sunday
05 Apr Mon         Easter Monday

01 May Sat        Labour Day
13 May Thur       Ascension Day
23 May Sun        Whitsun
24 May Mon        Whit Monday

25 Dec Sat         Christmas Day
26 Dec Sun         St Stephens Day