dipping into the scandi life: a weekend in oslo

Last weekend was all about spontaneous adventure, seeing a new city two weeks after booking flights. I knew that Norway’s capital would be a beautiful (and certainly more expensive!) place to spend a few days- and now I can look back on the joyful time spent there.

We had just short of two days to get a feel for the city, without overexerting ourselves with a tourist’s zest to ‘see everything’. Instead, just immersing ourselves in the opportunity to explore somewhere new, choosing a few places and activities to enjoy without a sense of rush, to truly feel like we absorbed a little of the city’s essence in our short time there.

We began in Grünerløkka, a relaxed neighbourhood just outside of the city centre. Roaming down its busy streets of colourful façades, vintage shops and indie stores, I was able to experience effortless Scandi style breezing past me at any given moment. It was a ‘cool’ place to be, and I just wanted to delve into as many of the shops and eateries as possible. We visited a local maker’s market in Olaf Ryes Plass, a leafy square where deliciously welcoming aromas from the different food stands floated around us, and enjoyed some very warming Tanzanian food. The vibrancy of the streets brought colour to an otherwise cloudy, grey day. We tried expertly blended coffee at Tim Wendelboe, soaking in the cosy atmosphere and calming friendliness of the locals.

exploring Grünerløkka

We were given the gift of a bright, sunny second day which, while cooler, brought a freshness and vivacity to a Sunday spent roaming around the centre of the city. After starting the day with fresh cinnamon and cardamom buns, we began at the harbour side, drawn in by the deep blue waters and unique modern architecture at its shores, like the sleek white Opera House and tiered Edvard Munch Museum (the artist behind the infamous ‘Scream’ painting).

myself by the very impressive opera house

Drenched in sunlight and watching the tiny waves glittering, the views of the surrounding harbour were breathtaking. Sailing boats and rowers glided past, clouds of steam dissipated into the crisp air from the floating sauna huts, and families braved the cold waters for a post-sauna dip. I soaked it all in, the salty sea air, the flowing of the gentle waves, allowing myself to be truly present and igniting all the senses. The sensation of being near clear blue water is indescribable to me, it just exudes a sense of calm and serenity, I could have sat by the waters all day.

But the promise of what the rest of the city had in store for us was calling. we wandered down Karl Johans Gate towards the royal palace, along a undulating thoroughfare that gifted us a sweeping view of the palace grounds that awaited us at the end of the street.

We then opted to make good use of the city’s scooters to make our way over to Frognerparken, the city’s main park. Gliding through countless gorgeous residential streets, spotting postcard-like balconies in bloom and grand white villas, I felt a real sense of joy, truly ‘living in the moment’. The area was so peaceful; the only cars that came by were electric, allowing the neighbourhood to attain its sleepy state.

Frogner park was beautiful, and we took the opportunity to rest, surrounded by greenery (and many waggy-tailed dogs). I opened my book, ‘The Blue Room’ by Hanne Ørstavik, a novel I’d picked off the shelf when packing for being coincidentally set in Oslo, and enjoyed a moment of calm in the afternoon sun.

a blissful moment in Frognerparken

We scootered our way back to the harbour side for our last wish of the day: fresh local food by the water. We visited Vippa, a collective of street food vendors in an indoor marketplace set right on the shore, practically surrounded by passing cruise ships, big and small. I opted for the fish and chips, and I was promised “the best fish and chips I’d ever eaten” by the amiable team behind the counter. And they certainly delivered. Insanely succulent, light and deliciously seasoned, I engulfed every mouthful- even the mushy peas, which usually I don’t opt for. It really was the best fish and chips I’d ever had, and there’s been a fair few good contenders.

The best kind of finale to a joyful weekend in a beautiful, uplifting city.