The Best Kept Secrets of Oslo, Norway

Flea markets and thrift shops are often considered good representations of local culture. If you want to experience the uniqueness of Oslo, visiting a flea market sounds like a perfect idea. There are at least seven flea markets, but Birkelunden bric-a-brac market and Blå are highly recommended. Birkelunden market is in Grünerløkka, at the lower part of Birkelunden Park, and it mainly sells vintage furniture, jewellery and books. Blå sells handicrafts and second hand items like ceramics, glass, wool, paintings and bags. In Blå you can meet the local artists and designers, and their perception of art is often inspiring. If you are looking for special souvenirs or new insight into Oslo, you should definitely pay a visit to a market.

Grünerløkka 0552, Oslo, Brenneriveien 9 C 0182, Oslo

Øya Festival is Oslo’s biggest music festival, and it takes place in August every year, attracting more than 60,000 music enthusiasts to Medieval Park. If you miss this festival, there are many high quality live music performances in Oslo. Rockefeller, Blå and Mono have the most popular bands playing and most advanced sound systems. These are the best places for you to enjoy all sorts of music, ranging from folk to metal.

Oslo is a dreamy paradise for those who are interested in architecture. The recent direction of Norwegian architecture has transformed the city’s landscape dramatically. From medieval to modernist styles, there are quite a large number of buildings that are great to visit. Holmenkollen Ski Jump and ZipLine features futuristic streamline designs. Mortensrud Church is nothing like a traditional church, and is worth a visit, as this stone church blends nature into slate glasses and indulge their guests in the power of nature.

Paintings, murals and graffiti can be found in a tiny corner of the wall next to a rubbish bin or cover the whole wall of a building. Some of the artists are actually working on street art projects. For example, Oslo-based artists Dolk and Pøbel have worked on a project called Living Decay, which is about an abandoned house in the Lofoten Archipelago. Next time you travel to Oslo, make sure you keep your eyes open for paintings that will inspire you.