On initial research of the city of Oslo, my screen was bombarded with words like expensive and overpriced – with certain blogs ascertaining to avoid this city if you are on a budget, especially in winter – both of which we were! With an ever-longing urge to visit Scandinavia I was adamant to experience it for myself and even more determined to not come home broke. The good news is, it can be done and it is not difficult. Challenge accepted!
Rest your head
Oslo had an abundance of amazing accommodation types to offer, be it through Air BnB, Couch Surfing or Booking.com. In the end we discovered the Comfort Hotel Express, which knocked our socks off! Literally! This quirky hotel offered it all – funky and well designed bedrooms, rooftop terrace, free tea and coffee FROM A MACHINE(!) and a kitchen downstairs, which proved great for saving on breakfasts etc! Very hostel-esque.
Eat me
Yes, dining out can be expensive but it always will be in the capital city of any country. We experimented with our own DIY breakfasts in the hotel and for lunch we savored local specialties such as sugared & “cinnamoned” almonds or picked up delicious lovelies at the local markets along the way. One such market that made an forgettable dent in our palette was Mathallen, a beautifully converted industrial hall. For dinner, based on local recommendations, we discovered wonderful eateries like Rice Bowl (incredible Thai dishes with a hilarious use of bamboo and locals queuing out the door) or Capish? in Torrgata, bizarrely beautiful pizzas & classic Scandinavian design. Pistachios on a pizza – HOOKED!!
Designspiration
I AM A DESIGN PERVERT. As far as design goes in this city, I was in the Promised Land. Industrial rejuvenation to the max, be it buildings, furniture – just wow. And yes, I realise I have an unhealthy obsession with all things industrial. Even wandering through furniture shops, I was in my element (at this point you can feel sorry for Andrew!). In such an accessible city, an afternoon walk allowed us to stumble across gems like the Oslo Opera House, the winner of the 2009 Mies van der Rohe award, with its rooftop views looking out over the seafront, the Nobel Peace Prize center for some personal & global reflection and further down Aker Brygge we got to explore Renzo Piano’s Astrup Fearnly MOMA getting up close and personal with some of Damien Hirst’s memorable collection.
ON YER BIKE!
For us it seemed like everything was within a 15min walk but if walking isn’t your style – cycle! Even better, cycle for free. Use it Oslo offers 2 x bikes to borrow for free to explore the city for a small guarantee of your passport.
In short, a long weekend is not enough in this glorious place but it is enough to whet my appetite for its future exploration. There is an abundance of things to see and do in this city and no reason for money to restrict the limitless adventure. Oslo, I will return. For the largest land mass for a city in the world, you sure felt like you could fit in my pocket.
In four words… you.stole.my.heart.
this crow flies 