Lifestyle and Shopping in Oslo

Oslo is filled with boutiques and shopping centres, but it is the most expensive city in the world, so be prepared for sticker shock as you visit the shops and markets around town! Some things to keep in mind when going shopping:

Most shops in Oslo are open weekdays 10am to 5pm, and Saturdays 9am to 3pm. Many shopping centres have extended opening hours from 10am to 9pm on Mon-Fri and 10am to 6pm on Saturdays. Most shops are closed on Sundays. Thursday is generally the day for evening shopping. Shops, especially shopping centres and souvenir shops have extended opening hours until 7 or 9 pm. Open hours will occasionally be noted on doors as "9-21 (9-18)". This usually means that the shop is open from 9am to 9pm weekdays, and 9am to 6pm Saturdays.

Shopping malls are only just becoming common and are being built in conjunction with the expanding suburbs. There are several, which are listed below along with the main shopping areas and what each features:

 

 

 

 

 

• Downtown - The area is full of shops with most of the best-known brands, as well as the malls of Oslo City and Byporten. They are filled with stores and cafes for any price range. Also downtown are Aker Brygge, Arkaden and Paleet. Aker Brygge, the wharf next to City Hall, has expensive designer shops as well as regular shops, cafés, restaurants, theatres, cinema and bars. Paleet, on Karl Johans Gate, has more upscale shops, with exclusive boutiques. The two most exclusive department stores are Steen & Strøm and Glas Magasinet, which is on the Stortorvet, or Main Square.
• Majorstuen - the streets Bogstadveien and Hegdehaugsveien: This is one of the largest and most exclusive shopping districts in town. Here you will find a good mix of exclusive brands, mid-price clothing and value clothes at shops like Hennes & Mauritz and Vero Moda. Hegdehaugsveien is especially well known for its high-end boutiques, featuring designer brands. There is a monthly farmer’s market off of Vibesgate, as well as market days twice a year when the whole of Bogstadveien is closed off to traffic and fills up with people looking for a bargain.
• Frogner - Bygdøy allé: This street offers a good selection of exclusive, modern interior design shops. In this area you can also find small independent shops with everything from exclusive underwear to kitchen utensils. Down the road toward Skøyen are several popular furniture and interior design shops as well.
• Grünerløkka – This area is full of designer boutiques, small cafes and parks. It is the place to find young, Norwegian designers. Small, independent shops with clothes, pottery and handicrafts are presented - as well as second hand book- and record shops. You will also find some chain stores here.
• Grønland – This area has become known for its wide variety of affordable shops run by immigrants. They offer Oslo’s best selection of fruits and vegetables. If you’re looking for cheap fabrics, fancy jewellery, spice, fruit and vegetable markets, this is where you want to be. Most of the stores are situated in the street Grønlandsleiret and Tøyengata, or on Smalgangen.
• Other malls are CCVest at Lysaker, Storo Senter, Alna Senter, and Sandvika Senter (Scandinavia’s largest mall located 15 minutes outside Oslo by train). House of Oslo is a recently opened shopping centre focusing on interior designs. Illum Bolighus is a subsidiary of a famous Danish department store.

You can also find SmartClub, a super store with everything you need for your household, including food, and two IKEA furniture stores, which are packed no matter when you go, partly due to offering the cheapest lunch and dinner in Oslo.

Food and Beverage Stores

Grocery stores can be found everywhere, and 5 major chains in Oslo vie for customers. The high-end chains are Centra and Meny, which feature a lot more imported and exotic products. The other chains are ICA, Coop, Joker, Kiwi, Rimi, Rema 1000 and Bunn Pris. Stores are normally open Monday to Friday from 8 - 23. On Saturdays they close at 20.00. Sundays the only grocery stores open are ICA and Bunn Pris, due to regulations on commercial activity on Sundays. If you’re having guests, make sure you do your shopping by Saturday afternoon.

The same goes for buying alcohol. The Vinmonopolet (the name says it all) is the state-owned alcohol distributor and the only place to buy anything stronger than beer. There are 25 shops in Oslo. They open at 10 (9 on Fridays) and close at 18.00 except on Saturdays when they close at 15.00. They are closed Sundays.

If you missed closing time, don’t expect to find alcohol in the grocery stores. They only sell beer, and then only until 20.00 on workdays and until 18.00 on Saturdays. The stacks of beer may even be covered with cloth to avoid misunderstandings while you do your regular shopping.

Markets

Oslo has a wide array of markets, from flea markets to annual street markets, farmers’ markets and traditional Christmas markets. A few to choose from are listed here:

• Youngstorget: A 150-year refurnished marketplace. This is the place where street vendors gather. Fruits, vegetables, jewellery, incense and clothes.
• Blå: Brenneriveien 3. Every Sunday from 12 - 17. Young local artists sell postcards, ceramics, jewellery, jam, knitted shawls and stockings, bags, paintings etc.
• Bondens marked: Usually takes place once a month at Vibesgate, off of Bogstadveien in Majorstua from 11 -16. For more, see the schedule.
• Market Day on Bogstadveien: Twice a year, there is a market day on Bogstadveien, Hegdehaugsveien and side streets. One Saturday in the spring and one Saturday in the fall the streets are closed off for pedestrians. Stores move their wares out onto the streets along with vendors. There are also food and snacks. 

Flea Markets:

• Vestkanttorget. On Vestkanttorget. Saturdays 10-17.
• Birkelunden, Grünerløkka Sundays 12-18.
• Grønland bruktmarked Grønland 1. Saturdays 12-18
• Slurpen. Opposite the Botanical Gardens. Last Sunday every month 12-16.