How to Live Like a Scandi: The Eco-Break Edition
Columnist Alexandra Pereira lets us in on how to achieve hygge, lagom and koselig both at home and on minibreaks across Scandinavia. Here she takes an eco-conscious mini-break among the fjords, mountains and saunas of Oslo.
17 September, 2020
It
may be the home of rather intense black-metal music and
world-famous skiing events, but in Oslo,
warmth and peace are surprisingly easy to come by too. The summers
are famously light and hot, with fjord swims and sunny hikes
aplenty – but as with much of Scandinavia, it’s “snug” and
“dramatic” that the Norwegian capital nails the best.
Oslo may be a tiny city with less than 700,000 residents, but
its eco-credentials punch well above its weight. In 2016 it
introduced a “climate budget” with a goal to reduce emissions by 95
per cent by 2030; 1,000 trees were planted for the Future Library
project two years later; in 2019, it was crowned the European Green
Capital.
Oslo’s young professionals and creatives may scatter themselves
among the hip, diverse neighbourhoods of Grünerløkka and Tøyen, or
the more bougie Frogner and St Hanshaugen – all Parisian-esque
facades and tree-lined streets of mansions – but the main thing
this city’s dwellers have in common is their commitment to time
spent in nature.
Ergo, the city’s green, sustainable-leisure offering is
increasing too. Visitors will find eco-friendly hotels committed to
eliminating waste and championing reusable materials, restaurants
that support third-world communities, as well as spas and saunas
scattered between the city’s central harbour and the dense
surrounding forest.
In a time when travellers are becoming more eco-conscious, it’s
interesting to see Oslo’s dedication to learning and introducing
the bigger ideas behind eco work. Indeed, this year’s Oslo
Innovation Week goes digital with its aim to solve real global
challenges through entrepreneurship, innovation and green tech –
the subjects of its panels include energy, circular economy and
life-science investment.
With all this in mind, Oslo makes a great spot for a sustainable
city-break. We’ve picked out some of the best places to stay and
play for eco-conscious travellers.
STAY
hotel
Oslo Guldsmeden
DO
thingstodo
Get outdoors
With the sheer wealth of open nature skirting the entire city,
it’s no wonder most Osloites’ weekend activities revolve around
getting a fix of the outdoors – it’s more popular than pubbing and
clubbing. A 20-minute scenic tram ride from the city will take you
to the winding hiking routes, dramatic lakes and towering pines of
our favourite forest, Nordmarka. It’s where the trees for Future
Library are planted. After exploring, take the lift to
Holmenkollen, famed for its ski-jumping hill and competitions –
though there’s plenty of ski opportunities for amateurs too.
Workout done, stop by the Bavarian-like Holmenkollen Restaurant for tartare, a hot toddy and
mountaintop views.
thingstodo
The Well
thingstodo
Salt
EAT & DRINK
restaurant
Tunco
This is a restaurant with a really great initiative. André Evju
came home from his travels with an idea to seize the affluent
Norwegian appetite and put something back into the communities to
which he grew close while in Africa. A snug and inviting noodle bar
with a succinct menu and bottles of local craft beers, it feeds a
child in need for every meal bought. We love the Frogner outpost,
but there are locations in St Hanshaugen and at Oslo Street
Food too.
bar
Himkok
restaurant
Fuglen
Oslo, Norway
Fuglen (or “the bird”) is a
coffee-shop-cum-vintage-store-cum-cocktail-joint that opened in
1963 and has consistently supported local small businesses and
artisans of every flavour since. The 60s Scandi interior alone is a
charm.
restaurant
Kolonihagen
restaurant
Kontrast
This Michelin-starred restaurant is a good alternative to the
much-hyped, Noma-like Maaemo. Against a semi-industrial backrop of exposed
pipework and concrete floors, it serves dishes that showcase
Norway’s bounty of organic, ethically sourced produce at the peak
of its season. We recommend the 10-course tasting menu.
restaurant
Bokbacka
restaurant
Rest
