It’s easy to slip in to the pace of a town that seems to move along at a walking pace. Nothing seems rushed in Oslo, but then there are no frustrating and unnecessary delays either. Everything just happens in its turn.
From the airport, it’s easy to catch the express bus or train to the centre of Oslo. The airport express train has a credit card swipe and go facility that’s even simple for a jet lagged Australian who has just spent the past 20 or so hours on a plane to use.
The Oslo Tourist Information Centre is located in the newly renovated old Central Station, so the first time visitor can pick up a map and information on the sights before heading out in to town. The renovation has turned a formerly seedy location into one of Oslo’s happening venues with upmarket bars and trendy restaurants.
Oslo is an easy city to walk around. The walk along the main street, Karl Johan’s Gate, from Central Station to the Royal Palace in Slottsparken can apparently be done in a brisk 10 minutes. However, as this shopping strip is lined with a great selection of Scandinavian clothing stores, including the legendary Moods of Norway, it always seems to take me a lot longer. The walk also passes other notable buildings, such as Parliament and the National Theatre. United Bakeries is another location that’s difficult to pass by. With great espresso coffee, fresh buttery pastries and good quality sandwiches, it’s well worth fighting with the locals for a table.
The Slottsparken Is completely open to the public. There are no high fences around the palace, just a couple of fresh-faced young King’s Guards in the traditional black hat with its feathery plume. We managed to catch the changing of the guard, with guards appearing from a small building nearby.
The return walk along Kristian IV Gate / Grensen, parallel to the main street, passes some interesting homewares and handcraft stores, along with the Black Cat coffee and tea shop, particularly known for its local tea blends, which come in really cool tins. My favourite is the French Earl Grey.