Norway was a pleasant surprise – serene, beautiful and full of quiet charm. We only had a few days to explore Oslo and Bergen, but I was overall happy with what we managed to see and do.
To be honest, my main goals in Oslo were more about eating and shopping rather than visiting the typical tourist attractions. Although, we did go to the Opera House and walk to The Royal Palace. I didn’t take as many photos as I would’ve liked, but I still wanted to share some of my favorite spots and recommendations.
Attractions
The Opera House is a must-do when in Oslo with its striking modern design. The Royal Palace is also beautiful, and the surrounding park has such a calm, peaceful vibe.
Food and Restaurants
Oslo’s food scene surprised me in the best possible way. There were a lot of cool restaurants and food halls, and most places were very good at listing allergens.
Døgnvill Burger Vulkan was a standout burger spot near The Opera House. They offer gluten-free buns, and the sweet potato fries were delicious.
Oslo Street Food is an indoor food hall located centrally and has variety of little eateries – both sweet and savoury. I tried Ikagi, a Japanese spot that served a gluten-free karaage rice bowl. It was really tasty, though I found the sauce a bit heavy for my liking.
Mathallen is another indoor food market. I stopped by Breddos Tacos, and tried the pulled pork carnita tacos and aguachile (pictured below, left). They had a range of gluten-free options, which was great to see. It wasn’t the best Mexican I’ve had, but the atmosphere was really enjoyable – super relaxed and fun.
Hakone Coffee was my favourite matcha spot, and they have several locations across the city. I had their cherry matcha (pictured below, right), which was a summer special, and iced strawberry hojicha, which ended up being my favourite.
Shops
I’m always on the lookout for beautiful ceramics and unique homewares, and Oslo did not disappoint – the city is full of thoughtfully curated shops.
Two of my favourite homeware stores were Norway Designs and Backe i Grensen, both centrally located. I also loved exploring Grünerløkka, a charming, trendy neighbourhood with such a creative vibe. The main street is lined with vintage boutiques and independent design stores – a dream for discovering one-of-a-kind finds.
After spending a full day in Oslo, we took a 7-hour train ride to Bergen. One of the highlights was exploring Bryggen, the old wharf area, with its iconic row of wooden houses and little boutiques. The surrounding areas were just as charming with their cobbled stone pathways and qaint houses. Nordnes, in particuar, had so many cool streets and alleys.
On our second day, we decided to do the Mostraumen Fjord Cruise. It wasn’t my favourite experience, but I still wanted to share a bit of context for the photos below – the scenery was beautiful, with dramatic cliffs and waterfalls.
Unfortunately, there weren’t many restaurants in Bergen that stoodout to me. However, I do recommend Bryggeloftet Restaurant and Soya Asian, both have plenty of gluten-free options, and Hallisan Ice Cream for a sweet treat.
Overall, our quick trip through Oslo and Bergen gave me a little glimpse into Norway – from modern design and thoughtful food culture to cozy streets and stunning natural landscapes. There’s so much to explore, and I would definitely go back one day.
