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Shopping Guides
While Oslo is not a shopping destination and many products are actually brought in from other parts of Scandinavia (namely Sweden), the city does boast several stores that have a curated selection of sleek, minimalist home furnishings and fabulous stationary and paper products, as well as a great collection of boutique art galleries for collectors looking to make big purchases.
Most of the best Oslo shopping is located in the city center, which includes the historic center and waterfront, which is known for its beautiful modern architecture and views of the Oslofjord. For unique finds, shoppers should visit the Grünerløkka neighborhood, a hipster nave that is located northeast of downtown and home to concept stores and vintage boutiques. Here is our current short list for shopping in Oslo.
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy f5[/caption]
Oslo’s compact city center is easily navigated and boasts some incredible architecture. The historic area is centered around Karl Johans gate, the partially pedestrian-only main promenade that is home to luxury designer outlets as well as the Hotel Continental and Grand Hotel (where the Nobel Peace Prize banquet is hosted each year). In contrast, the waterfront is uber-hip and filled with stunning modern architecture, boutiques and waterfront restaurants with views of the Oslofjord. The always-bustling area is also home to the Aker Brygge Shopping Center, a complex that offers a range of high-end boutiques interspersed with unique interior design stores. There are lots of shops to discover, but some favorites include:
Fashion
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[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Milla[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Freia[/caption]
Stop into Oslo’s City Hall. The Nobel Peace Prize is awarded here, and the interior walls are completely covered in vibrant murals detailing Norwegian daily life and significant moments in history, including the fire in 1624 that destroyed much of Oslo and the Nazi occupation during World War II. Rådhusplassen 1
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Fransk Bazar[/caption]
For some of the city’s best shopping and vintage curios, head to Grünerløkka neighborhood, which feels a bit like Brooklyn in Norway. The main street, Markveien, is lined with one-off boutiques and coffee shops that are fun to explore. There are lots of stores to discover, but some favorites include:
Fashion & Accessories
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Kaibosh[/caption]
[caption id="" align="alignnone" width="620"] Courtesy Kollekted By[/caption]
visit Mathallen, a food hall that is located just across the Akerselva River. (There are several pedestrian bridges for crossing). The culinary destination is filled with vendors hawking gourmet treats from small-scale Norwegian producers, casual restaurants serving everything from Spanish tapas to crêpes and a cooking school on the upper level. Vulkan 5.
While not the most fashion-forward destination, Norway does have many culinary specialities that make fun gifts for friends and family. Perhaps the country's most famous export is brunets (brown cheese). The delicacy is made from the whey of goat’s milk, which is boiled until it caramelizes, resulting in a cheese that is soft, salty and distinctly brown. Brunost is best served atop buttered toast or warm waffles. Some additional souvenirs include chocolate (from Freia), cloudberry jam, reindeer jerky and Norwegian knitwear.
Published onDecember 7, 2016
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