Elin Reitehaug (1974)

Sofienbergparken is one of the most used parks in Oslo, probably due to the large size and the very central location in a residential area on Grünerløkka. The park consists of a huge lawn with walking paths through, large trees, a nice playing ground for kids and toilets.

In the middle of the park you can find Sofienberg church, and the park ground used to be a church yard until 1972. You can find all kinds of people here including families, but people in their 20-30´s are predominant. You can also find some people you don´t want to interfere with here (drunks, drug addicts), but you can spot them without problems and just avoid those places. This park has a relaxed atmosphere, but is at the same time a lively place to hang out.

During warm and sunny weather this place is crowded – sometimes too crowded. This is a place where people drop down if there are one small spot of green in between all the people. Locals go here for enjoying the sun, meet friends, picnic, playing games or having a party. If you want to join Norwegians with “engangsgrill” (disposable grill) and beers enjoying summer, this is the perfect place.

Note that drinking in public is not allowed in Norway, but the police rarely care as long as you sit down in a park and there is no trouble. Enjoy the Norwegian summer in the local way – and make sure to clean up before you go!

City bikes are a great way of moving around in Oslo! They are placed all over the city centre. When you have a electronic smartcard (see further below how to), you can pick a bike from any place and use it up to three hours before you have deliver it in a city-bicycle spot of your choice. You can immediately pick another bike – but they have to be returned every third hour. There are more than 100 spots to pick and deliver bikes around the city. You can use the bikes between 6:00 to 24:00.

How to get a card? Tourists can rent a card from the tourist information at Trafikanten for NOK 90 per day. Yes, it´s actually more expensive than a 24 hour card for collective transport, but it’s a much nicer way to move around! The card has to be returned within 24 hours, and they will take deposit on your credit card in case the bike is stolen or the card is not returned.

Follow the link for a map showing all the city bike stations.

Would you like to get out of the city centre and away from the big chain stores? Sagene can not be called a shopping area, but in the street around Sagene church you can find small and charming shops that you will not find in the city centre.

I love dresses. On my way to the vegetable market in my neighbourhood there is the most charming cloth store called “Se min kjole” – “see my dress”. My dinners end up being very expensive from time to time, so when I stumble upon a dress that I cannot resist I resolve to buy carrots for dinner…

In this small and tasty shop you can find: clothes from Vila, Inwear, Alpaca Society, Chill Norway and Becksøndergaard, jewelery from Snø and Tokyo Jane, and bags and shoes from Friis Company. If you are tempted to visit the shop, but still not convinced because it is a bit outside the centre – you can also visit Hr og Fru Retro and Detaljer in the same area, and have wonderful sushi at Bamboo. Then it is well worth the trip out of the centre to see another part of town!

It´s no big secret that I love food – and I was very excited the day I discovered a new delicacies store just next to my workplace. “De fire store” is for sure stylish and tasty! It combines fresh and conserved delicacies with kitchen equipment, and top it with a small café and bar.

The concept of the store is good, home-made food from the Norwegian and international kitchen. They focus on the seasons vegetables grown in Norway and delicacies from both Norwegian and European small-scale producers. You can find anything you need for cooking a nice meal at home: tableware, kitchen equipment, pasta, beans, conserved fruits and vegetables, vinegar, oils, nuts, spices, tea, coffee and fresh delicacies like cheeses and different sausages.

They serve different kinds of sandwiches, including vegetarian options. They serve soup and a hot meal every day, the dishes varies from day to day. It´s for sure a nice place to combine the lunch with some shopping.  Bon appétit!

Sagene lunsjbar is one of my neighbourhood restaurants, it’s a charming place with a great history. The outside is yellow and a bit old-fashioned with places to sit outside. The inside is classy, but the atmosphere is relaxed. The staff is friendly, and there is usually not much waiting, either for service or for the food. And the food is delicious! I would especially recommend the fish soup.

The name of the place refers to “lunch” – but that is not the only thing they serve. You can choose between salads, open sandwiches, burgers, dinner and desserts. They have todays dinner for 119 krone which varies every day.

This is the place to visit if you are up for good food and nice surroundings. Its also the place to visit if you just want to chat over a caffe latte or have a glass of wine. Enjoy!