Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Welcome to the Inflight Magazine of Brussels Airlines

Destination Guides

bthere! Destination guides

Previous issues for Oslo

Whilst every effort is made to ensure accuracy,
please confirm event/venue details in advance.

Norway : Oslo - April 2009

Country Code: Dial for Norway

Oslo is a relaxed, green capital with the sea to the south and peaceful wooded hills to the west, north and east. But despite its diminutive size, the city still has an exciting cultural life. This month you can catch a performance of Carmen or Don Quixote at the city’s stunning new landmark, the Opera House, says Gwladys Fouché

Getting around

Gardermoen Airport is 48km north of the city centre.

Bus: A shuttle bus leaves the airport every 20 minutes, taking about 40 minutes to reach central Oslo. A single ticket costs €15/NOK 120.
Train: The Flytoget express train leaves Gardermoen airport every 10 minutes and takes about 20 minutes to reach the city. A single ticket is €20/NOK 160.
Taxi: A journey to the city centre costs approximately €70/ NOK 560 and takes about 45 minutes.
Tourist information: The main office is near Central Station in the Trafikanten Service Center, 1 Jernbanetorget (tel. , visitoslo.com).

CITY CENTRE

Oslo’s compact city centre is home to most of its cultural attractions.

Sleep soundly – The five-star First Hotel Grims Grenka (5 Kongens Gate, tel. , grimsgrenka.no, rooms from €150/NOK 1350) is Oslo’s first design hotel. Decorated in shades of grey, brown and black, it has an excellent fusion restaurant and rooftop bar.

Culture vultures – Rising like an iceberg in the Oslo harbour, the Opera House (1 Kirsten Flagstads Plass, operaen.no) is an architectural wonder that you can even walk on top of. The interior – all warm woods contrasting with the glass and marble outside – is awe inspiring. Enjoy great views over the city from the 14th-century Akershus Fortress, also home to Norway’s Resistance Museum.

Must eat – Set in a wacky, cobalt blue interior, Fjord Restaurant (11 Kristian Augusts Gate, tel. ) dishes out fantastically creative fish dishes, with the menu changing weekly. Step back in time at Engebret Café (1 Bankplassen, tel. ), Oslo’s oldest restaurant, which dates back to 1857. Go for the herring and fish soup.

Dance the night away – The Villa (23 Møllergata) hosts electronic and experimental acts on Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. Or head to Living Room (1 Olav Vs Gate) on the same nights for house and techno.

GRÜNERLØKKA

This eastern enclave of cool is laid back by day, bustling by night.

Sleep soundly – Budget travellers should try Anker Hostel (55 Storgata, tel. , ankerhostel.no, rooms from €60/NOK 540).

Culture vultures – DogA (16 Haussmanns Gate, doga.no), the Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture, exhibits the winners of the Marked for Good Design awards until 26 April. The awards honour innovative designs for practical, commercial use.

Must drink – The action centres around Olaf Ryes Plass and its surrounding streets, at venues such as QBA (4 Olaf Ryes Plass), Bar Boca (30 Thorvald Meyers Gate) or Fru Hagen (40 Thorvald Meyers Gate).

Dance the night away – Housed in a warehouse along the Akerselva River, the ever-popular Blå (9C Brenneriveien) stages electro, jazz and R’n’B nights.

Shop til you drop – For excellent vintage shopping, make your way to Markveien, which is lined with specialists shops such as Fretex (51 Markveien), Trabant (56 Markveien) and Alphaville (58 Markveien).

ST HANSHAUGEN

To the north of the city centre, St Hanshaugen is an elegant residential area with a popular park that has beautiful panoramic views of the city.

Culture vultures – From the highest point in St Hanshaugen Park (Ullevålsveien) you can see the whole of Oslo and its fjord spread out below.

Must eat – Tuck into pasta arrabiata (pasta in a tomato, chilli and garlic sauce) at Colletts Café (33 Collettsgate, tel. ), which has a retro feel. Go French at the excellent Pascal (47 Ullevålsveien, tel. ). which changes its menu regularly.

Shop til you drop – Browse for pretty dresses by local designers at Anne Slaaen’s Kameleon (52 Theresesgate) and Something Else (65B Pilestredet).

TORSHOV

Situated to the north of Grünerløkka, Torshov is turning into one of the hippest areas in town.

Must eat – The Vertshuset Oskar Braaten (2B Torshovgate, tel. ) serves classic bistro dishes such as beefsteak with potato gratin. Sagene Lunsj Bar (153 Maridalsveien, tel. ) is known for comforting pasta dishes and burgers.

Must drink – The outside of Soria Moria (64 Vogsgate) looks like a temple, but inside it’s an atmospheric 20s drinking hole popular with the locals.

Shop til you drop – Foodies should make a beeline for Strøm- Larsen (53 Vogsgate), a butcher who is a local legend for his yummy, home-made sausages.

Compiled by Gwladys Fouché