As Oslo continues to attract record-breaking numbers of visitors, more and more of them realize that a trip to the Norwegian capital isn’t complete without experiencing Grünerløkka! This is how you spend 24 hours in Grünerløkka – an updated guide!
Grünerløkka, or simply «Løkka» to the locals, is the historic working-class district of Oslo. Built up during the height of industrialization in the second half of the 1800s, it has played a vital part in Oslo’s evolution from a big town to a buzzling city. Today, Løkka is at the very forefront of art, cuisine, music and culture, in many ways the creative heart of Oslo.
But where is it?
If you’re staying in the city center, where most of Oslo’s hotels are located, you can easily walk here in about 10-15 minutes. Visitors are often surprised by how walkable central Oslo is, and most would agree that this is the best way to experience Oslo. If you prefer, you can pick up a Grünerløkka paper map from Visit Løkka, at Oslo Visitor Center and many hotels in town. Also available at local stores.
Walking from the city center, there’s a good chance you’ll pass over Anker Bridge, also known as fairytale bridge. The bridge gets its cute nickname from the four statues majestically placed in its corners. They all depict central characters from Norwegian folklore.
Time for shopping
Once you’ve crossed the bridge, you’ll probably feel that the vibe has changed a bit. You’re standing at the end of Markveien, arguably Oslo’s most interesting shopping area, with an abundance of small, independent shops – all the way up to Sannergata. You’ll find unique, one-of-a-kind garments, handicrafts and vintage clothing among Norway’s highest concentration of second-hand, vintage and retro boutiques and galleries. Soft and comfortable children’s clothes next to top-of-the-line eyewear.
There are cooperative shops, where artists and designers sell their very own handmade products. Modern Scandinavian design, brand stores and a myriad of cafés and bars to rest at. The area is strewn with those small, cozy shops any seasoned traveler loves searching out. But be aware most stores open at 11.00 – some before, some later! Don’t overlook the side streets though! It will certainly add flavor to your Løkka-tour! Find your way around with our map!
In Oslo, most shops are closed on Sundays, but not necessarily in Grünerløkka. If you feel that the city center is a bit quiet on Sundays, you know where to go!
If the weather, shoes or simply state of mind doesn’t encourage walking, there are of course plenty of other options to get to Grünerløkka. Oslo has an excellent public transport system and tramlines 11, 12 and 18 all serve Løkka. Along the borough’s main street, Thorvald Meyers gate, the stops Schous Plass, Olaf Ryes Plass and Birkelunden will land you right in the heart of it.
Let’s say you choose to start at the top, with Birkelunden as your starting point. Not only will your first introduction to Løkka be one of its most beautiful parks. You’re also standing in the middle of the largest protected urban mass in Norway. A testimonial to Grünerløkka’s historical significance.
If you happen to come here on a Sunday, you can also check out the weekly thrift market, one of the largest of its kind in Oslo. Charming, old, weird and unusual are adjectives often heard around the stalls and tables of the sellers.
Time for lunch
Grünerløkka is packed with a wide variety of good lunch spots, something for every pallet. Depending on where you are and what you crave, you seldom have to walk many steps to find something mouthwatering. If you did start from Birkelunden, stroll down Thorvald Meyers gate. On both sides of this central thoroughfare there’s plenty to choose from. You can also go window shopping for the evening’s dinner spot! Most places open between 07.00 and 12.00.
Parklife
It the weather is on the positive side, it might be time to rest your feet a bit. Oslo is one of the greenest capitals on earth and in the summertime, this equals park life! And we dare say, some of the very best ones can be found in Grünerløkka.
Birkelunden in Løkka’s northern end, is more than Sunday marked. On sunny days you’ll see locals basking on the lawn and in hammocks strategically placed under the leafy threes. The fountain in the middle is a favorite pool for our youngest inhabitants and the gravel serves as makeshift boccia courts.
Grünerløkkas largest park and arguably Oslo’s most liberal, can be found just a block east of Thorvald Meyers gate. Sofienberg Park (Sofienbergparken) is an oddly shaped rectangle of about 70 hectares. The park attracts up to 3000 bon viands on nice days and has a space or a corner for pretty much everyone. It can be summed up in one word: Welcoming. It plays host to the aptly named festival Picnic in the Park in mid-June, so if you’re planning a trip to Oslo around that time, well… you’re welcome!
If you continue a block east from Sofienbergparken, you will find the beautiful Botanical Garden and Natural History Museum. This lush, green garden is a must see when in Oslo and the newly renovated museum is splendid. Read about the exhibits here and read about our visit to the garden.
Olaf Ryes Plass, is as much the heart of Løkka as it gets. This beautiful, green square with its walkways beaming out from the charming fountain in the middle, is the spot for peoplewatching in Grünerløkka. It is the link between Markveien and Thorvald Meyers gate and you don’t walk across it, you stroll.
Olaf Ryes Plass is also the natural location for one of Grünerløkkas biggest events, the Løkkadagene market days which takes place in early May and August/September this year. During these weekends, many of our interesting shops, local artist and designers take their ventures ouside, and together with street food vendors, the entire square with surrounding streets turn into a big fair.
The walkable river
Løkka is also home to what is arguably Oslo’s greatest feature. The agreed upon western boundaries of the borough is the Akerselva river. More than any other geographical feature, this river has shaped and formed Oslo into what it is today. Even more, it is the very reason Grünerløkka exists.
It is along this river the industrial revolution first happened in Norway, when factories taking advantage of the free energy from its many waterfalls were established here.
The factories needed workers and in a time before public transport, the workers needed to live within walking distance. Central Grünerløkka was built during the 1870’-1890’s to accommodate these needs.
Today, the river has undergone a remarkable transformation. It has been thoroughly cleaned up, walkways line its banks and the old factories have been converted into creative and social venues of all kinds. A trip to Oslo is not complete without walking the river and visiting Grünerløkka.
Downstream Akerselva
Take one of the aforementioned trams, just one stop further than Birkelunden, to Biermanns gate. The river lies just a few hundred meters west, and as you get closer you can surely hear one of its most spectacular waterfalls! Here is also what many consider to be Oslo’s best waffles. The almost ridiculous picturesque Hønse-Lovisa cafe, sitting as close to the waterfalls as you can get. If you want to learn more about the river and the industrial history it facilitated, just across the bridge is Arbeidermuseet, a must for the history buffs.
Now simply follow the stream and more waterfalls, industrial history and just plain gorgeous scenery is just around the corner. An area that’s definitely worth spending a little extra time in, follows about a kilometer downstream. Just below the very last waterfall lies the historic area of Nedre Foss and Vulkan, revitalized and popular.
Her you’ll find Mathallen, Oslo’s largest food court and its classy neighbour, Nedre Foss Gård, that occupies Løkka’s oldest standing building. This is also the jumping on point for river-rafting, right in the city, and Mad Goats offers regular kayak-trips down this last part of the river – an absolutely unforgettable way to see Oslo. The area owes its historical significance to the fact that for centuries, the only bridge crossing the river was, located here.
Upstream Akerselva
I you choose to go upstream and not so far, you can get futher tips in this article.
Where to have dinner
Hopefully your appetite has both been awakened and satisfied by the riverwalk and shopping. The restaurant scene in Løkka is plentiful, and you’ll find something for every pallet and wallet. All along Thorvald Meyers gate, along the strip north of Olaf Ryes plass, and in Søndre gate where the street recently has been allocated for outdoor seating, is all hot spots for dining. And again – the side streets. Think of Thorvald Meyers gate as the trunk of a tree that branches out to all sides. And where is the best fruit found? Maybe the end of the branches? Most restaurants and bars open at 16.00 weekday, and a bit earlier in the weekends.
The last year a whole range of new concepts has popped up, by some of the best chefs in town. Tired of the pandemic, creativity needed to blossom! Check out our list of Løkka’s restaurants, and if you can’t find something tempting here, you should check your pulse. You might actually be dead!
Barlife
It might be getting darker, but of course you’re not done with Løkka quite yet. Grünerløkka gets even livelier in the evening and whether you’re a cocktail person or a beer hound, we’ve got you covered. Grünerløkkas nightlife gravitates towards Thorvald Meyers gate and Olaf Ryes Plass, as the bars and clubs here stay open later than those in residential streets. Again, you can turn to our trusted map for an easy overview of the party-situation. Or maybe go exploring on your own? Few things are more satisfying than stumbling into exactly the kind of place you were looking for. Most bars in the side streets close at 01.00. In Thorvald Meyers gate and Olaf Ryes plass, some close as late as 03.30.
Moreover, if you’re looking for some live music this evening Cafe Mir, 200 or O’Connors could be the venues to try out. But to get the whole picture, read more about Grünerløkka’s Vibrant Cultural Scene.
Time to sleep(?)
After spending a full day in Oslo’s most lively neighborhood, its finally time for some much needed sleep. But since you’ve decided to hang out in Løkka tomorrow as well, it would be ideal to find some accommodation close by.
Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered. Anker Hotel, located at Grünerløkka’s southern end, is a large, modern hotel that caters to all your needs. At the opposite end, an exciting new concept – Bunks at Rode is a budget friendly pod-hotel. With both private rooms, dorms and plenty of communal space to socialize in, you’re pretty much guaranteed to make some new friends.
Grünerløkka is in many ways a gift that keeps on giving. It is warm, welcoming and always happening. A place where trends are born and children raised. Confident and rooted in its past, but also young and forward looking. Come look into the eyes of Oslo. Deep inside, you will see its soul. And that soul is Grünerløkka.
