Norway is not a cheap destination, but you can find some bargains in the less specialised shops, particularly for general goods such as clothing. Star buys include knitwear, pewter, ceramics and glassware, traditional knitwear and handmade reindeer skin boots.

The main shopping districts are in Frogner, which is the place for antiques, art galleries and food shops. Bogstadveien, just to the north of Frogner, boasts shops, market stalls and department stores of every conceivable description. Aker Brygge, across the water from the tourist office at Vestbanen, is Oslo’s first big shopping centre. The biggest shopping mall is Oslo City, on Stenersgata, near Oslo S station, while Paleet, Karl Johans gate 39-41, with its marble-lined atrium, is the most ostentatious.

Good shops for crafts are Husfliden, Lille Grensen 7, with its huge selection of handmade goods, including knitwear, pewter, ceramics and national costume, or Norway Designs, Stortingsgate 28, which has the largest selection of work from Norwegian folk artists. The Oslo Sweater Shop, SAS Hotel at Tullins gate 5, has one of the best selections of sweaters in the city, while William Schmidt, Karl Johans Gate 41, has been specialising in sweaters and souvenirs since 1853.

There is an open-air market, Stortorget, in the square of the same name, every day 1000-1600, selling general goods, such as clothing, souvenirs and flowers, and an indoor market offering antiques, handcrafts, jewellery and the like in Basarhallene, close to the cathedral.

Most shops are open Monday to Wednesday and Friday 0900-1700. Thursday is late opening, until 1900, while early closing is generally at 1500 on Saturday. Shopping centres are open until 2000 on weekdays and 1800 on Saturday.

Tax-free shopping is available at some 3,000 shops, although a minimum purchase is necessary to qualify. You can claim partial VAT refunds at the airport on departure. In Norway, the VAT (locally known as MVA) stands at 24%. Further information is available from Global Refund (website: www.globalrefund.no).