I think it’s fair to say that fancy food and crafty cocktails seem to dominate my blog but that’s all about to change. Welcome to the Travel Diaries; where I’ll take you through the best things to do in different cities. From travel hacks to where to eat and the best places to drink, you’ll find it all in my handy little guides. First up: your bucket list of the best things to do in Oslo.
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1. Become a ski pro at Vinterpark
Didn’t think Oslo was a top destination for skiing? Think again. Located less than an hour from the city centre, Oslo Vinterpark is an ideal spot for a little off-piste action. The train journey is beautiful, with a 45-minute ride taking us straight from our apartment and up the mountains, across snow-covered terrain.
Ski passes cost only 430 NOK (£38) per day and if you’ve got your WeSwap card handy, you can make the most of a fabulous exchange rate, as well as, reasonable priced food and drinks. We took advantage of a 3-day ski class (1160 NOK / £102) and it was the best decision ever. With only 3 other people, we got free use of the ski lifts and one-on-one advice. Move over Meribel.
2. Soak up Scandi cocktails
When a beer is almost the same price as a cocktail, it just makes sense to go for the latter. Right? We started with the legendary Himkok, but we just weren’t impressed with their Taptails. Known as being one of the best bars in the world, it’s a cool space split across multiple levels, with the aforementioned taptail bar, a cider bar and distillery. Unfortunately, we were in for average drinks and abrupt service. Pass.
Just down the road, Torggata Botaniske was a whole different story. A small and intimate bolthole, this impressive bar was filled with living walls, flowers and a whole lotta greenery. Plus, the drinks are just as dreamy. Think botanical-fuelled gin numbers and aquavit-centred concoctions all mixed up by a bloody knowledgeable bartender.
Also deserving of a shout out is Perla. A little out of the way, this one’s worth the 10-minute tram ride out of the Shoreditch-esque area we were staying in. It’s all about Pisco, with Tequila and Mezcal also getting a cut. Not feeling the cocktails? Soak up pineapple ciders and hoppy craft beers at Crow Bar; from the same team behind Himkok. Be prepared to pay around £10 for each one though.
3. Get your culture vulture on at the marina
In need of a little chill out time? Head to the coast where you’ll find all sorts of lively touristy picks like the Opera House and Royal Palace. There’s a tonne of cool museums, edgy galleries and stunning spots too, so head out on foot and stop by one of the many quirky coffee shops between visits.
My favourite place was the Astrup Fearnley Museet, located on its own little private island just beyond Aker Brygge. Expect the calm of the water juxtaposed with modern restaurants, classy shops and fine art galleries. Plus, there’s The Salmon experience just minutes away, where you can learn about Norweigan fishing and grab a tasty bite. Yum.
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