A weekend in Oslo
SUNDAY STROLL Every Sunday, Norwegians leave the comfort of home to take part in one common activity: walking. A lot of the time nature, such as the woods, Marka (see page 31) or a mountain is the goal, but for the hip and urban Oslo crowd, a Sunday walk is often enjoyed right in the middle of the city. The river of Akerselva runs straight through the city, and though it's not technically the centre point of Oslo, it’s still considered the boundary between east and west. Walking along the river and its surrounding neighbourhoods is such a popular activity it's even got its own annual festival, Elvelangs, when light and art installations, music, theatre, acrobatics and other creative expressions take place all along the river.
FOLLOW THE RIVER DOWNSTREAM
Akerselva river. © Shutterstock
To experience a Sunday the way the Oslo crowd does, head to Nydalen (if you want the long trip) or start your day at Jerusalem Bridge (for which the closest tram stop is Sandaker Senter, a two-minute walk away) and LILLEBORG follow the river down-stream. On the way, you’ll pass by Lilleborg, a redeveloped factory area with a cosy square, independent shops, and a very popular improv theatre, Det Andre Teatret (The Other Theatre).
TA K E A B R E A K W I T H C O F F E E AND NORWEGIAN WAFFLES Further down the river you’ll walk through multiple parks along the way, and soon reach Hønse Lovisas Hus (Hen Lovisa's House) for waffles and coffee. Hen Lovisa is a fictional character from the HØNSE LOVISAS HUS 1911 play Ungen ('The Kid'), by author Oskar Braaten, set in the area of Sagene, and the little red house was used in the 1974 film adaptation. The house, originally built in the 1800s, is currently used as a café and gallery with stunning views of a mid-town waterfall, and is said to have the best waffles in town.
EXPLORE OSLO'S HIPSTER MECCA
© Shutterstock
42 | Søndag/Sunday
Once you’re rested and have filled up on waffles, follow the waterfall and river onwards, but turn left onto the road once you get to Sannergaten. From now on, you’ll be walking through the GRÜNERLØKKA neighbourhood of Grünerløkka – or Løkka, as Oslo people call it. Grünerløkka is considered one of the hippest neighbourhoods in Oslo, and is chock full of hipster and specialty coffee shops, vintage boutiques, restaurants, and art. Despite most of Oslo being shut on Sundays, Løkka’s independent shops tend to stay open for locals and tourists to browse the vintage goods. Along the way towards the Birkelunden park, you’ll pass by gems like German-inspired coffee shop Liebling and innovative restaurant Bass, but the real draw of Grünerløkka on Sundays is the markets. Most of the year, Sunday means market day, and Birkelunden transforms from a lazy park to a buzzing flea market filled with crafts and antiques.
