This was my first time visiting Norway, and naturally, I couldn’t miss their famous Christmas market! Located just a 15-minute walk from our hotel, the market offered plenty to see and do along the way. We explored clothes stores, Freia’s chocolate shop, the WayNor souvenir store, the Coop supermarket (not to be confused with the Co-Op in the UK), and many others before reaching our destination.
The Christmas market itself is set inside a park, creating a cosy and festive atmosphere. There were numerous food stalls, a Ferris wheel, souvenir shops, ice skating, games, and more. I even captured a one-minute video of the lively scene to remember the experience.
My daughter was excited to try a chocolate-covered candy apple, which came in various tempting options. However, she quickly discovered that eating it wasn’t as easy as she had imagined. With the snow falling around us, the chocolate-coated apple looked enormous in her hands. After she managed to scrape off the chocolate, it was my turn to tackle the tangy green apple underneath. Let’s just say it was an interesting combination of flavours! Fortunately, there were plenty of fireplaces around where we could warm up while enjoying our treats.
One highlight of the market is the free ice skating rink. Visitors can borrow skates for no charge and skate for as long as they like. Since we weren’t particularly enthusiastic about ice skating, we decided to skip it. Instead, I spent time creating small frozen ice ducks and left them around the market as whimsical decorations.
Another captivating feature was a walkway adorned with beautiful lights. It was the perfect spot for taking photos, though it got quite crowded later in the day. If you’re a photography enthusiast, I’d recommend visiting in the early morning for a quieter experience or using your phone’s AI tools to edit out other people in your shots.
On our way back to the hotel, we stopped by Freia’s chocolate shop again to pick up some premium chocolate bars. We also visited WayNor to grab keychains and Norway pins. Troll figurines were everywhere – a testament to Norway’s love for their mythical creatures.
At Coop, we bought fresh fruits, chocolate, and fish soup sachets, though we found the prices quite steep compared to the UK. It’s worth noting that you’ll need your receipt to scan on your way out of the store. We also checked out REMA and other supermarkets, finding similar price trends. Norway’s cost of living is undeniably high, with many items costing nearly double what we’d pay back home.
Overall, the Spikersuppa Christmas market offered a charming glimpse into Norway’s festive traditions and made for a memorable experience despite the chilly weather and high prices.