Oslo/Inner North

Inner North is the sector of Oslo between Ring 1 and Ring 3 and between Highway 168 in the west and Akerselva in the East. This is an area of fine parks, the University campus and the Aker river with Oslo's industrial past as well as landmark buildings, many hotels and restaurants within walking from Karl Johan street. The lowest part of the area is regarded as part of Oslo downtown.

Get in

• The southern points of interest here are within walking distance from downtown.
• Subway lines 4 and 5, as well as trams 17 and 18 bring you to the western part of this district.
• Bus 37 provides access to places in the middle of this district such as Vår Frelseres gravlund and St. Hanshaugen park.
• Buses 34 and 54 go to places along the west bank of the Aker river. It's also possible to walk in from Grünerløkka.
• Trams 11, 12, 13, and 17 pass Haussmanskvartalerne on their way between Sentrum and Oslo's Inner East.

See

The Aker river has parks along the banks

• 1 Aker river (Akerselva). 24 h. Akerselva is Oslo's main river as it flows from Maridalen lake (Oslo's main water reservoir) to the fjord near the Central station. Previously Oslo's industrial heartland, now the river and its shores is converted into a green corridor almost the entire length from Grünerløkka to Maridalen. Bicycle and pedestrian paths along. Several small waterfalls. Industrial facilities remain as memories of Oslo's manufacturing origins. Free.  
• 2 Government Building Complex (Regjeringskvartalet). Regjeringskvartalet is a group of buildings housing several of the offices of the executive branch (ministries) as well as the Supreme Court. The area does not display a consistent style but instead reflects 200 years of development. The prime minister's building and the Y-building are functionalist or brutalist architecture. The Y-building has a particular layout and the facade is decorated by Picasso's drawings carved directly into the concrete. Pablo Picasso also decorated the stair well in the prime minister's building. The Royal Ministry of Finance occupies an imposing art noveau (jugendstil) building in red granite. The bomb 22 July 2011 caused considerable damage to several buildings (leaving 2000 offices unusable) and 8 civil servants lost their lives in the explosion. Some buildings have been repaired, others are demolished and some are still in the process of reconstruction. The area is open to pedestrians. A partly shattered newspaper panel with the original pages dated July 22 still stands. The July 22 Centre is the middle of the area. (updated Oct 2017)
• 3 Høyesterett (Supreme court building), Høyesteretts plass (Akersgata/Karl Johan streets). This monumental building hosts the High (or Supreme) Court of Norway. The Court was established in 1815 and has been in function since except for the occupation 1940-1945. Guided tours by appointment. (updated Apr 2020)
• 4 Deichmanske bibliotek (Oslo Public Library), Arne Garborgs plass 4 (short walk from Karl Johan street). The main building of Oslo public library is centrally located next to Trinity church and Ministry offices. The library was established in 1785 based on an endowment of 7000 books from Carl Deichman. The current main building is in a monumental neoclassical style, views are partly obstructed by the ministry "Y-building". The building was affected by the 2011 bomb and was closed for 2 months for repairs. There are some 20 branches throughout the city. Free.  

DogA

• 5 DogA - The Norwegian Centre for Design and Architecture, Hausmanns gate 16 (Bus or tram to Hausmanns gate), ☏ +47 23292870, info@doga.no. A thriving design and architecture centre providing areas for large and small exhibitions, conferences and meetings, activities for children, as well as a bookshop and café. 
• 6 Kunstnernes hus, Wergelandsveien (Royal palace park). This 1931 building includes gallery and cafe. A prominent example of functionalism in Norway at the transition from neoclassicism. (updated Sep 2015)
• 7 Vår Frelsers Cemetery (Vår frelsers gravlund), Ullevålsveien and Akersveien (Bus 33-37-46 to Nordahl Bruns gate, north of city center on Ullevålsveien). Graves of Edvard Munch and Henrik Ibsen, and a large number of reputed Norwegians. Several statues, including one by Gustav Vigeland. Gamle Aker Church (the oldest building in Oslo) stands in the northern corner of the graveyard. The graveyard is pretty park and within easy walk the very centre at Karl Johans gate/Akersgata. Free.  
• 8 Damstredet/Fredensborg. The steep Damstredet with traditional wooden houses. Towering on the hill above are the iconic Westye Egeberg blocks. free. (updated Sep 2015)
• 9 Labour Museum (Arbeidermuseet -local labour and industrial history), Sagveien 28 (Sagene, by the Akerselva river), ☏ +47 23 28 41 70. Well-kept workers' dwellings, winding streets and old factory building from the early industrial history of Oslo. Here you also find schools, public pools and factories which also become an integral part of the museum experience. 
• 10 St.Hanshaugen park (bus 37 to St.Hanshaugen). 24 hours. A delightful public park on the highest hill in central Oslo. Great view of the city and surroundings. 1000 meters easy walk from Karl Johan street along Akersgata-Ullevålsveien past Vår Frelsers Gravlund (cemetery). The park has also given name to this popular neighborhood and to the larger administrative district (borough) that includes major parts of central Oslo. Free.  
• 11 Stensparken (Close to Bislett Stadium (trams 17 and 18)). 24 hours. This charming park begins at Fagerborg church (neogothic, granite) and stretches for some 500 meters to a fine panoramapoint in the northern end. There is a café on the top. Stensparken is a good choice if nearby St. Hanshaugen park is too crowdy. Just west of the park there is a line of stately town houses. free. 
• 12 Tramway Museum (metro, tram or bus to Majorstuen). Displays the history of Oslo's trams, buses and metro. Among other things, a wooden tram from the Holmenkollen line and a trolleybus are exhibited. NOK ?/adult.  
• 13 Hjula weaving mill (Hjula Væveri), Sagveien 23. This industrial complex is perhaps an unusual attraction, but the striking buildings at the waterfall in Akerselva (Aker river) are one interesting legacy of Oslo's manufacturing past. It was the first water powered weaving mill in Norway, and during the late 1800s the largest textile company in Norway. The factory operated for more than 100 years. The water-powered factories along Aker river was an important factor behind Oslo's exceptional growth in the late 1800s. Hjula weaving mill and nearby Nedre Vøyen spinning mill are still standing at the waterfalls. Buildings have been converted to restaurants, shops, TV studios and offices. (updated Sep 2015)

University of Oslo, Library building at Blindern

• 14 Blindern Campus - University of Oslo (tram 17 or 18). Blindern Campus is home to functionalist landmarks from 1920-1930s. The new (1999) library building at Blindern is an imposing building in black polished stone and glass, it stands out as a landmark among the pre-war buildings. 
• 15 Aamot bridge (Pedestrian suspension bridge, crossing the Akerselva river). One of the earliest chain hangers in Europe and the earliest in Norway, leading from the river side park, across the river to the park by the neighborhood of Grünerløkka.  

Churches

• 16 Saint Olav's Cathedral (The Roman Catholic main cathedral in Norway. Seat of the Roman Catholic diocese of Oslo), Akersveien 1. the first Norwegian Roman Catholic cathedral (from 1856) which was built after the Protestant Reformation. The cathedral has church services and masses in Norwegian and several other languages, including English, Spanish and Polish.  

Old Aker Church from the 12th century, the oldest building in Oslo, painted by Edvard Munch in 1880. Small wooden houses in Telthusbakken are still standing.

• 17 Old Aker Church (Gamle Aker kirke), Akersbakken. This modest, sturdy, Romanesque church is the oldest existing building in Oslo. Built around 1100. It is one of the few Norwegian churches built in traditional basilica shape (three parallel naves). The building sits on a small hill in the northern corner of Vår Frelsers graveyard. Old Aker church has its own grave yard built on terraces at the edge of the hill, the grave yard is a pretty park with fine panorama.  
• 18 Trefoldighetskirken (Trinity church), Akersgata 60. The largest church in Oslo. A monumental building in neo-Gothic style, constructed in red brick. The nave is octagonal with a Greek cross superimposed. The church is centrally located next to the Ministry offices and Oslo public library.  
• 19 Sagene Church, Dannevigveien 17. Beautiful and monumental church with several towers and spiers in gothic revival style. Consecrated in 1891.  
• 20 St. Edmund's Church (Anglican church in Oslo). St. Edmund's Church belongs to the Church of England. It's a small neogothic building in red and yellow brick beneath the Hammersborg hill near the Swedish and Catholic churches as well as ministry buildings.  
• 21 Svenska Margaretakyrkan (Swedish church in Oslo), Hammersborg torg 8 (walk from Akersgaten). The Margareta Church in Oslo belongs the Lutheran Church of Sweden. The building sits on the small Hammersborg hilltop next to Deichmanske (public library), Trinity Church, St Olavs catholic church. Ministry buildings are next door across street. St. Edmund's Church (anglican) is nearby down the hill. (updated Oct 2017)

Synagogues

• 22 Oslo Synagogue, Bergstien 13. The present building was erected 1920. Afterwards, except during World War II, it has been the most important gathering place for the Jewish community in Norway.  

Do

• 1 Ullevål Stadion (The Norwegian National Football Stadium), Sognsveien 75 A (Metro lines Metro lines 4 and 5, bus 18 and 25 to Ullevål Stadion), ☏ +47 22 02 65 65, post@ullevaal-stadion.no. This is one of the largest sports arenas in Norway. It is home ground for the Norwegian national team in soccer and there the Norwegian cup final is played. There are shops inside the stands. Sometimes there are concerts and other events there. Then there is the least crowding on the metro from east to west, opposite afterwards.  
• 2 Bislett Stadion (Athletics and speed skating arena), Louises gate 1 (Tram 17 or 18 or bus 21 to Bislett,), ☏ +47 23 46 20 00. is one of the best known sports facilities in Oslo. Houses the annual athletics ExxonMobil Bislett Games.  

Learn

University buildings in the foreground

• 3 University of Oslo (Main campus), Blindern (Blindern map Metro lines 4 and 5 to Blindern or Forskningsparken staions, tram lines 17 and 18 to Universitetet Blindern or Forskningsparken), ☏ +47 22 85 66 66. The University of Oslo is Norway's oldest and second largest university. The main campus is at Blindern where most buildings are in red brick, functionalist style. On campus there are student associations and dormitories, gyms, the meteorological institute and research institutes within an area of more than 1 square kilometer. The university hospital is next door on the other side of ring road 3. Botanical garden and museum, zoological and geological museums are at Tøyen in eastern Oslo. Subjects: Education, Esthetic Studies and Musicology, Health and Medicine, History, Philosophy, and Culture Studies, Information Technology and Informatics, Language and Literature, Economics, Leadership and Administration, Mathematics, Natural Science, and Technology, Media Studies, Religion and Theology, Social Sciences and Psychology. The law school is in the original university buildings in downtown. Some classes are taught in English.  

Buy

• 1 Big Dipper, Møllergata 1 (tram or bus to Grensen or Stortorget), ☏ +47 22 20 14 41. The best selection of vinyl LPs in Oslo! Pop/Rock, Indie, Soul, Metal/Hardrock, Jazz, Punk, Garagerock, Hip-hop, Blues, Country, Electronica and Reggae. Also a fine seletion of CDs in most genres. 

Mathallen

• 2 Mathallen, Maridalsveien 17 (Western riverbank of Akerselva, tram 11, 12 and 13 to Schous plass, bus 34 and 54 to Møllerveien). Huge selection of exclusive international and traditional Norwegian food in this new indoor market, and serving of food and drinks. 
• 3 Baby Shop AS, Ullevålsveien 11 (bus 33, 37 or 46 to Nordahl Bruns gate), ☏ +47 22209966. 10-18. One of Oslo's oldest and most traditional baby stores. It is famous for its celebrity shoppers like the Princess of Norway Märtha Louise and the Crown Princess Mette-Marit. 
• 4 Bogstadveien (Majorstuen metro station (tram 11 runs the length of the street)). Good for non-chain stores, focus on clothes and accessories.  

Eat

Budget

• 1 Valkyrien Take Away, Bogstadveien 71B (close to Majorstuen T-bane). Their burgers are famous. Limited seating, but there is a very small park close to it where you can enjoy your food. 
• 2 Hai Cafe, Calmeyers gate. Good fried or fresh spring rolls, tasty duck breast hoi sin sauce with pac choi. In general tasty and cheap. 
• 3 Bari, Torggata. Inventive name for a pizza joint, the best in the area. 
• 4 Dalat Kafe, Osterhaus gate (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke/Calmeyers gate). Vietnamese. Simple interior but very popular among people who appreciate authentic Vietnamese food. Dishes and beverages at affordable prices. 
• 5 Marino, Torggata 29. Generally accepted as the best kebab in the area, but steadily contested by Mediterran and Lille Amir. 
• 6 Lille Saigon Kafe, Bernt Ankers gate. The first of the Vietnamese bargain offerings are still going strong. Although the food in Vietnam is known to be tastier, you'll need a plane ticket to Hanoi to get it this cheap! (at least it feels like that when you're used to Norwegian food prices). 
• 7 Tay Do Cafe, Torggata 16. Vietnamese. Try the 'Dagens' (daily special) for only about 80kr, or some of their other Vietnamese offerings. 
• 8 Mitsu, Møllergata east (Bus 34-54 to Møllerveien). Japanese/Asian. Probably the best budget sushi in town, as well as baguettes (from NOK30) and a few hot dishes. Not the most cosy place to eat, but a great place for a cheap lunch or dinner. 
• 9 Bislett Kebab, Hegdehaugsveien 2, also other locations (tram 11, 17 and 18 to Høyskolesenteret). Voted Oslo's best for kebabs many times, not the cheapest place, but good value for money. However if you want authentic kebabs try Torggata or the beginning of Trondheimsveien. 
• 10 Tasty Thai, Pilestredet 70 (Tram 17-18 to Bislett). Just around the corner from the football pub Store Stå). Oslo's best budget Thai offering. 
• 11 University of Oslo Student Canteen (Fredrikke), Blindern (T-bane 4-5-6 to Blindern or tram 17-18 to Universitetet Blindern). Student canteen food at student prices. Several canteens dish up filling food at budget prices, the main canteen in the Fredrikke building has edible meals at under 50kr. There's also several other student canteens, although they are closed during the summer. One branch in the city centre is at St. Olavs plass. 

Vegetarian

• 12 Vegan Loving Hut Oslo, Fredensborgveien 29, ☏ +47 22 20 20 40. Vegetarian restaurant, with exciting and tasty dishes from around the world. Take-away-service. 
• 13 Funky Fresh Foods (Vegetarian restaurant), Hausmanns gate 16. Genuine vegetarian food in unique architectural space, overlooking the Aker River. 

Mid-range

The junction between Waldemar Thranes gate and Ullevålsveien streets is the hub of St.Hanshaugen neighbourhood. Several small cafes and shops. Typical late 1800 masonry.

• 14 Oslo Street Food, Torggata 16. (updated Aug 2019)
• 15 Arakataka, Mariboes gate (Tram 11,12,13,17 or bus 30,31,32,34,54 to Brugata). The most upmarket offering in Oslo's Bermuda Triangle of cheap eating, Arakataka manages to pull off decent Nordic, French and Mediterranean cuisine at decent prices. Small dishes; it takes three dishes or more to get saturated. 
• 16 Elvebredden, Hausmanns gate 16 (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke). Inside the Design and Architecture centre, Elvebredden has some fantastic lunch offerings and stunning, but fairly upmarket, main dishes in the evening. 
• 17 Intermezzo, Underhaugsveien 2 (near Bislett (tram 17-18 or bus 21 to Bislett)). East-Asian and sushi. 
• 18 Lorry, Parkveien 12 (By the Northeastern corner of the Palace Park), ☏ +47 22 696904. traditional restaurant with a restaurant menu based on the traditional Norwegian cuisine. Widely used as a meeting place and a drinking den . 
• 19 Schrøder, Waldemar Thranes gate 8 (bus 21-33-37-46 to St. Hanshaugen). Dark drinking den with traditional, inexpensive and fattening Norwegian food. Featured in Jo Nesbø's novels. (updated Feb 2021)
• 20 St. Lars, Thereses gate 45 (Tram 17, bus 18-21 to Bislett), ☏ +47 970 61 021. Fish or meat barbecue from charcoal grill.  

Indian food

• 21 Delhi Tandoori Restaurant, Maridalsveien 4 (bus 34-54 to Møllerveien). Looks scruffy from the outside, but don't let that fool you. A fantastic Indian restaurant with all the trimmings. 
• 22 Restaurant Mother India, Pilestredet 63, ☏ +47 22 60 81 04. Table reservation is recommended. Popular, authentic Indian restaurant 

Splurge

• 23 Lorry, Parkveien 12 (One block away from the Northeastern corner of the Palace Park), ☏ +47 22696904. Restaurant and traditional venue for cultural personalities. The menu is inspired by the Norwegian and European cuisine. There is a rich selection of beer and wine. 

Drink

Narrow Pilestredet is a key street in Oslo/Inner north. Trams 17 and 18 runs through the area from the central station to the university hospital.

• 1 Teddy's Soft Bar, Brugata 3A (Tram 11-12-13-17 or bus 30-31-34-54 to Brugata, T-bane to Grønland). Established in 1958, this is the only bar in Oslo that's protected by cultural authorities, due to its true 1950s setting with original interior. This is where the rockabilly cats and kittens hang out and low-key rock and film stars lurk in the corners. Teddy's brought milk shakes to Norway, but sadly they've stopped serving those. They do serve beer, wine, spirits, soft drinks and various coffee drinks. And you can have lunch or late breakfast (omelets, eggs & bacon, sandwiches) or dinner (nice burgers, soups). Music provided by an original Wurlitzer jukebox with mostly '50s and '60s hits. 500ml beer: 52kr. 
• 2 Robinet, Mariboes gate 7b. A little gem of a bar that serves some of the best drinks in town. It's not much more than a hole in the wall, so don't expect to get a seat. The bartenders (who are often a bit moody, so no music requests!) play everything from free jazz to krautrock to gangsta-rap on the sound system. 
• 3 Crowbar, Torggata 32. 15:00-03:00. Crowbar has 20 beers on tap, 5 of them made by them. 
• 4 Cafe Sara, corner of Torggata and Hausmanns gate. (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke). M-Sa 11:00-03:30, Su 13:00-03:30. Conveniently close to Anker Hostel, Cafe Sara pours beer and dishes up tasty Turkish and Mexican dishes for not too much money. Great outdoor seating. Very nice pub with a great atmosphere and well known for its cheap but great food and large selection of craft beers. (updated May 2015)
• 5 Verkstedet, Hausmannsgate 29 (Bus 34-54 to Jacobs kirke. On the right hand side of Cafe Sara). Nice rock bar with a cosy and great backyard which it shares with Cafe Sara. The club has a stage, where local and foreign acts appear. At the weekends the club transforms into a rock disco, where you can dance to great rock music. The bar dishes up with great cocktails and unlimited amounts of beer, both on tap and bottles. 
• 6 Tekehtopa, St. Olavs plass. (Tram 17-18 to Tullinløkka or bus 37 to Nordahl Bruns gate). Lovely cafe serving beer, wine, drinks and small dishes in a fabulous former pharmacy. (Tekehtopa spelled backwards, apotheket, means "the pharmacy" in Norwegian.) One of the prettiest cafes around! Adjoined by Bar Babylon, an industrial-style club with wonderful back yard seating. 500ml beer: 52kr. 
• 7 Blå, Brenneriveien 9 (in the artsy/alternative place close to Akerselva called Hausmania). Be sure to check their event calendar, every week they have concerts with a variety of international and Norwegian bands and/or DJs. Each Sunday there is a free jazz/blues/soul concert. Walk up the river from the centre and you'll find it. Old factory style houses with lots of graffiti. 

Music clubs

• 8 Rockefeller/John Dee and Sentrum Scene, Mariboes gate / Arbeidersamfunnets plass (Short walk from Brugata tram and bus stop (line 11, 12, 13, 17, 30, 31, 54)). Some of Oslo's best stages for music. Rockefeller houses three stages while Sentrum Scene houses a fourth and larger stage. Mostly concert stages but they also show the odd football match or cinema. Both Norwegian and international artists. 
• 9 Revolver, Møllergata 32 (On the eastern fringes of Møllergata). Rock pub with most of Oslo's hipsters lurking in the corners. Not too expensive, and quite an extensive choice of beers on tap. 

Sleep

Bislett junction with Bislett stadium (1952 Olympic venue) and Bislet bad is a key reference for navigation in the area.

Hostel

• 1 Anker Hostel, Storgata 53H (tram 11-12-13-17, bus 30-31 to Hausmanns gate), ☏ +47 22 99 72 00, hostel@anker.oslo.no. 290 beds. Very centrally located, 5 minutes walk to the central station or Grünerløkka. Dorm: kr 230-290, Double: kr 620-640, Bed linen: kr 50. 

Hotels

• 2 Anker Hotel (Don't confuse with the neighboring hostel), Storgata 55 (tram 11-12-13-17, bus 30-31 to Hausmanns gate), ☏ +47 22 99 75 10, booking@anker.oslo.no. All rooms have TV, free wi-fi and bathroom with shower. Rich breakfast is included. Single: kr 631-785, Double: kr 685-785, Family-5 single beds: kr 1,547. 
• 3 Comfort Hotel Xpress Youngstorget, Møllergata 26 (At the Youngstorget square), co.xpress.oslo@choice.no. Centrally located, 5 minutes walk from Karl Johans gate and Oslo Central Station (Oslo S) Double: For 2 nights or more: 695kr per night. 
• 4 P:S Hotel, Vulkan 22 (On the westbank of the river Akerselva), ☏ +47 23 15 65 00, frontdesk@pshotell.no. A relatively small hotel within a short walk to the more vibrant Grünerløkka. Intimate and cozy. 
• 5 Scandic Holberg Hotel, Holbergs plass 1 (Not far from the Royal Palace), ☏ +47 23157200. Affordable bed & breakfast hotel, centrally located, not far from Oslo's main thoroughfare, Karl Johans Gate. Prices vary by season, see official website. 
• 6 Scandic St. Olav's plass, St. Olavs plass 1 (Close to the Roman Catholic Cathedral and several other great churches.), ☏ +47 23 15 56 00, stolavsplass@scandichotels.com. Modern rooms and award-winning breakfast. 
• 7 Scandic Vulcan, Maridalsveien 13 (15-minute walk away from Oslo S train staion, by the river Akerselva, close to Grünerlokka), ☏ +47 21 05 71 11, vulkan@scandichotels.com. Relatively newly built hotel just off the river. 
• 8 Thon Hotel Munch, Munchs gate 5. A short walk to the main street, as well as easy walking distance to public transportation, airport shuttle bus and a vast variety of shops, restaurants, museums and theatres. Single: 695kr; Double: 895kr. 
• 9 Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz, Rosenkrantz gate 1 (Across the street from Oslo Courthouse), ☏ +47 23 31 55 00, rosenkrantz@olavthon.no. Popular hotel close to downtown (Sentrum). Prices depend on season. 
• 10 Thon Hotel Slottsparken (Palace Park Hotel), Wergelandsveien 5 (By the Royal Palace Park), ☏ +47 23 25 66 00, slottsparken@olavthon.no. The hotel is located on the quiet side of the park. 
• 11 Thon Hotel Ullevål Stadion, Sognsveien 77C (adjacent to Ullevål Stadium; Metro lines 4 and 5, bus 18 and 25 to Ullevål Stadion), ☏ +47 22 02 80 00, ullevaalstadion@olavthon.no. Parking garage for hotel guests in the basement, 10 minutes by metro to Oslo S train station. Prices vary by season, see official website. 

Connect

• 1 Deichmanske Bibliotek (Library) (Deichman). Free wifi and 30 minutes of free use of computer terminals at all locations. City of Oslo Public Library. 
• 2 Litteraturhuset, Wergelandsveien 29. Free wifi with purchase. 

Internett access

As for the whole of Oslo

Go next

• Within central Oslo: see the Oslo/Sentrum, Oslo/Inner East or the Oslo/West article
• Suburbs within Oslo: see the Oslo/North or the Oslo/South article