Relaxing and romantic winter Oslo
Description:
A white snow-covered wonderland, candles lit in windows during the long northern winter nights, a city surrounded by nature on all sides: fjords, mouintains, forests - might this be something for you?This guide is designed for a romantic winter getaway that is not strenuous. If you love winter sports, have a look at the guide called "Active and romantic winter Oslo" for a suggested itinerary. With a few more days at your disposal, you could do both, combining active fun in the snow with a few more relaxing days of leisurely ambling and good food.Oslo offers hotels in all price ranges. Anker Hotel is a budget option with rooms at NOK 900 (about USD 150) pr night. Next door, Anker Hostel is cheaper still. If you would like a splurge, indepedently-owned Hotel Continental in the city center is very romantic and offers special weekend package deals, including their Romantic Experience and Long Weekend, both with early check-in, late check-out and a fabulous breakfast buffet.
Author: Anne-Sophie Redisch
Day 1 - Oslo
Begin with an easy stroll on top of the hill along Akershus Fortress. Have a look at this 700-year-old stronghold and the fabulous views of Oslo harbour and the fjord. On the way down the hill to Aker brygge, stop at City Hall and have a look inside. This is where the Nobel Peace Prize Ceremony is held every December. Then, stop at Pascal Cafe de la Paix in Nobel Peace Center for coffee and one of their delicious high-calorie gateaux - or a light lunch. Aker brygge is next. This converted ship yard houses high-end boutiques, restaurants and cosy pubs.
At night, try award-winning chef Bent Stiansen's culinary creations in the 17th century Statholdergaarden.
1
Akershus Fortress and Castle (Akershus festning)
Location:
view in google mapsAkershus festning
0150 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 23 09 31 502
Oslo City Hall (Oslo rådhus)
Location:
view in google mapsFridtjof Nansens plass
0160 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 23 46 16 002
Hotel Continental
Location:
view in google mapsStortingsgata 24 - 26
0158 Oslo, NO
Phone:
+47 22 82 40 002
Anker hostel
Location:
view in google mapsStorgata 55
0182 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 22 99 72 002
Best Western Anker Hotel
Location:
view in google mapsStorgata 55
0182 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 22 99 75 003
Nobel Peace Centre
Location:
view in google mapsRådhusplassen
Radhusplassen
0250 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 48 30 10 004
Pascal Café de la Paix
Location:
view in google mapsBrynjulf Bulls plass 2
0250 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 22 83 04 005
Aker brygge
Location:
view in google mapsStranden 3
Aker Brygge
0350 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 83 26 806
Statholdergaarden
Location:
view in google mapsRådhusgaten 11
0151 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 41 88 00Day 2 - Oslo
Even though this is a non-strenuous romantic weekend, you really haven't seen Oslo if you haven't spent at least a day in nature. Take the Holmenkollen metro to the last stop. Go for a leisurely stroll on the tracks surrounding Frognerseteren, then stop for hot chocolate and waffles in this cosy log restaurant. Or, you could take a super-romantic ride in a horse-drawn sleigh into Nordmarka forest (must be arranged in advance - contact Ivar Bakke, phone: + 47 22 23 03 39). Then either stop at Ullevålseter cabin for a light lunch – or bring a picnic basket and find a secluded spot between the trees or on a snowy meadow. Arrange with the driver to pick you up and take you back to Frognerseteren.
Afterwards, walk down (or take the metro) to Holmenkollen and check out the venue for the World Ski Championship in 2011, as well as the world's oldest skiing museum. Finally, gourmet restaurant De Fem Stuer in Holmenkollen Hotel has superb food and amazing views; be sure to book a window table.
1
Oslomarka forest
Location:
view in google mapsNordmarkveien
0890 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 81 53 05 55 (Tourist Information)2
Frognerseteren
Location:
view in google mapsHolmenkollveien 200
Finstua AS
0791 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 92 40 403
Holmenkollen Ski Jump and the Museum of Skiing (Holmenkolltårnet og skimuseet)
Location:
view in google mapsKongeveien 5
Holmenkollen
0787 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 92 32 004
De Fem Stuer
Location:
view in google mapsKongeveien 26
Holmenkollen Park Hotel Rica
0787 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 92 20 00Day 3 - Oslo
Today, head for Frognerparken (entrance free) with Gustav Vigeland's amazing life size nudes. After strolling through the park, walk back towards the city center by way of shopping street Bogstadveien, stopping off for a light lunch at Arcimboldo restaurant in the House of Artists. A few blocks further along, stop at the National Gallery (also free) to have a look at Edvard Munch's famous painting The Scream. Have dinner at super-romantic Klosteret, a cosy cellar restaurant lit exclusively by candles.
1
Frogner Park
Location:
view in google mapsKirkeveien
0268 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 23 49 37 002
Kunstnernes Hus Restaurant & Bar
Location:
view in google mapsWergelandsveien 17
0167 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 41 74 17 173
The National Gallery
Location:
view in google mapsUniversitetsgaten 13
0162 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 21 98 20 004
Klosteret
Location:
view in google mapsFredensborgveien 13
0177 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 23 35 49 00Day 4 - Oslo
On your last day, get out on the fjord. Not the first thing you think about on a chilly winter day, perhaps - but standing on board an old wooden boat sailing past this 1000-year-old city is truly magical. The easiest is to get a hop-on hop-off minicruise from the pier in front of City Hall. The boat sails past Akershus Fortress, the new Opera House and the Bygdøy Museum Peninsula.
Make sure you stop at the Opera House. Even if you're not interested in opera, the building itself is very much worth a little exploration. Built by Norwegian architectural firm Snøhetta, it's all white marble, shaped like a snow floe tapering into the waters of the Oslo fjord. Walk to the top of the roof for unmitigated fjord views. Have lunch at the lively Brasserie Sanguine in the foyer.
If you're in the mood for museums, get back on the minicruise and hop off at Bygdøy. The popular outdoor cultural history museum is here, as is several small museums celebrating Norwegian polar and maritime history. Thor Heyerdahl's Kon-Tiki raft is here (used to travel from Peru to Polynesia in the late 40s). So is Fram, a ship used by several Polar explorers, including Roald Amundsen for the 1911 race to the South Pole. Finally, the Viking Ship museum is here.
If you'd rather just stroll and shop, get off the minicruise back at City Hall and walk the few blocks to Oslo's main street Karl Johan.
Have tea (or dinner) at 110-year-old Theatercafeen.
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Minicruise on the Oslo fjord: Hop-on hop-off
Location:
view in google mapsVika
Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 23 35 68 902
Oslo Opera House
Location:
view in google mapsKirsten Flagstads plass
Plass 1
0150 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 21 42 21 00 / +47 815 444 883
Brasserie Sanguine
Location:
view in google mapsThe Opera House
Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+ 47 21 42 21 424
Bygdøy
Location:
view in google mapsOff Sjølystveien (E18)
0374 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 815 30 5555
Karl Johansgate
Location:
view in google mapsKarl Johans gate
0154 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 81 53 05 55 (Tourist information)6
Theatercaféen
Location:
view in google mapsStortingsgata 22
Hotel Continental
0158 Oslo, Norway
Phone:
+47 22 82 40 50