The Top 10 Things To See And Do In Grnerlkka Oslo

Originally an industrial area down by the river, Grünerløkka has become one of the trendiest districts of Oslo. As home to many of the country’s top art schools, this part of Oslo has naturally become a hub for independent art galleries, cool bars, and trendy restaurants. With beautiful greenery and a vibrant cultural scene, Grünerløkka is bound to remain the artsy center of Oslo for years to come. Check out the best things to see and do in this cool area of town.

Go To A Gallery

As expected, when in such close proximity to more than one art school, independent art galleries flourish in Grünerløkka. Showcasing the art of local as well as international contemporary art, the large market encourages and promotes an interest and favorability for the innovative and creative. Check out one of many art galleries in the area to get your cultural fill of the day. For example, there’s Galleri Markveien owned by the artists themselves, or Galleri 69, a non-profit gallery showcasing works from a variety of artists.

Galleri Markveien: Markveien 28, Oslo, Norway, +47 408 71 212

Galleri 69: Toftesgate 69, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 38 00 28

Birkelunden

Park

Birkelunden is a central park in Grünerløkka. Built in a rectangular form, as in the shape of a city block, the park is surrounded by apartment buildings from the 1890s, making it a rather attractive area. Birkelunden has a music pavilion, a small pond, and hosts a vintage market every Sunday throughout the year. The park is a frequent host for music festivals and other events, making it a natural meeting point for many people in this part of the city.

Mathallen Foodhall Oslo

Market, Contemporary

Mathallen is a large indoor food market in the middle of Grünerløkka. The food hall allows small scale producers and brands to promote their produce. The mall has everything from coffee and wine, to sausages, meats, fish, vegetables and pastries, high quality products, and a large selection of organic goods. Mathallen is also home to several cafés and restaurants, so there are plenty of options if the overflowing displays of food make you hungry. In addition to selling and showcasing food, Mathallen also hosts food-related talks and tours.

Akerselva

Flowing through Oslo, right down into the city center, is Akerselva. The walkway along the river can take you a total of eight kilometers, from the woodland of Maridalen in the North, down towards Bjørvika in the south. While this river today serves as a central recreational area, and green lung in the city, with waterfalls, small parks, and bridges, it was once an important part of the industrialisation of Oslo. Walk along the river and see the old mills and factories, stop for a bite to eat, or do the entire two hour hike through the city.

The Munch Museum

Building, Museum

The Munch Museum is the absolute number one destination to see the works of Norway’s most famous artist, Edvard Munch. Home to a permanent collection of over half of the works Munch ever created, well over 1,200 paintings, including The Scream and several versions of Madonna. The museum is now located in the southern part of Grünerløkka and is set to move into the new and much disputed Lambda building in Bjørvika in 2018, making it a part of the new cultural hub down by the Opera.

The Botanical Gardens

Park

Oslos Botanical Garden | © Jan Sølve Borlaug / Flickr

Across the street from the Munch Museum lies the Oslo Botanical Gardens, one of the best places in the city to spend a sunny day. Founded in 1814, making it as old as the Norwegian constitution, the Botanical Gardens displays a wide array of plants native to the Norwegian landscape and also has several greenhouses with plants from tropical climates. As well as the 8,000 species exhibited, the garden is home to the Norwegian Museum of Natural History, with zoological, botanical and geological displays belonging to the University of Oslo.

Parkteatret

Building, Cinema, Movie Theater, Theater

Opened as a cinema in 1907, Parkteatret is today one of Oslo’s most popular concert venues. The tilted floor, a remnant from the building’s time as a movie theater, contributes to the venue’s intimate atmosphere. Here, the audience can enjoy music, film, and stand up from a short distance. Hosting concerts with lesser known artists, this beloved music scene is a great place to spend an evening in Grünerløkka. See a gig and enjoy a drink in the resident bar.

Oslo Reptile Park

Zoo

If you find yourself in Oslo on a rainy day, or perhaps only harbor an interest or curiosity for reptiles and amphibians, Oslo Reptile Park, Norway’s only of its kind, is located in the outskirts of Grünerløkka. With more than 80 different animals, the Reptile Park’s collection includes snakes, frogs, chameleons, spiders, monkeys, turtles and fish. Visit Oslo Reptile Park to learn more, watch the feeding of the animals every Tuesday, try to hold a snake, and experience the fascinating display of species normally not found in the Norwegian cityscape. St. Olavsgate 2, Oslo, Norway

The Deichman Library
The Deichman Library, or Oslo Public Library, is Norway’s first and largest library. Founded in 1785, the library today employs more than 300 people throughout 16 branches in the city, two of which are located in Grünerløkka. Browse meters upon meters of shelved books, or participate in reading circles, watch films, see exhibitions, listen to talks and debates, or search through the specialised comic book section of the Grünerløkka branch. The Deichman Library will be among the cultural establishments to be moved down to Bjørvika, and a new building is currently under construction behind the Opera.

Arne Garborgs plass 4, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 35 65 83

Stair leading into the Deichmanske library

Enjoy Oslo’s Most Famous Burgers

As the trendiest food in Oslo, this is reflected in the wide array of burger joints popping up in every part of the city. Some of the most raved about burger restaurants in Oslo find their home in Grünerløkka, such as Illegal Burger, Døgnvill and Munchies. Popular among all ages, these three burger joints serve delicious burgers and fries in rustic environments, feeding people of all ages. Listen to the locals and satisfy your hunger in one of the hugely popular restaurants.

Illegal Burger: Møllergata 23, Oslo, Norway, +47 22 20 33 02

Døgnvill: Maridalsveien 13h, Oslo, Norway, +47 21 38 50 10

Munchies: Thorvald Meyers gate 36a, Oslo, Norway, +47 97 01 97 87

About the author

Linn Vardheim

A fourth year English Literature student at the University of Edinburgh, Linn is currently struggling through her dissertation, while figuring out what to do with the rest of her life. Originally from Norway, she is passionately interested in anything to do with travel, languages, literature, popular culture, and the arts, and the very best she can to incorporate as many of these elements into her everyday life. Linn has two cats, whom she misses dearly while away from home.