Trip to Oslo
Oslo, the capital of Norway, is the most populated city in Norway. It is a city dotted with many lakes and forests. Due to the high cost of living in Norway, a great way to reach it is by taking a cruise ship on a Baltic Sea Cruise that stops in Oslo. The cruise port is located right in the heart of the city, and you can explore the city independently on foot and/or via public transportation.
♦ Booking guided tours in Oslo from the recommended Viator website:
♦ Or tours that include physical activities such as kayaking, bike tours, or nature walking tours:
♦ Recommended Hotels in Oslo:
The Thief – A stylish 5-star boutique hotel with 119 rooms located on the waterfront in Tjuvholmen, conveniently situated in the city center adjacent to the lively Aker Brygge promenade.
Part of the Nordic Choice Hotels chain, the hotel features a fitness room and a bar. The price includes breakfast and internet access.
Thon Hotel Rosenkrantz Oslo – A 4-star hotel in an excellent and central location in the city. The hotel has 151 rooms suitable for singles or couples. The price includes an excellent breakfast and internet access. The hotel has a fitness center.
Scandic Victoria – A 4-star hotel in a very central location in the city. The hotel offers 199 rooms, mostly double rooms. It also features family rooms suitable for a couple + 2 children. The attractive price includes a great breakfast and internet access.
Frogner House Apartments - Odins Gate 10 – Vacation apartments near Frogner Park, a 2-minute walk from the nearest tram stop. There are 28 apartments ranging from studio apartments suitable for one person to 3-bedroom apartments for up to four adults. Each apartment includes a modern, fully equipped kitchen and free internet access.
Opera Apartments – 50 vacation apartments in a central location near the Oslo Opera House. The apartments offer one or two bedrooms. Each apartment features a modern equipped kitchen and free internet access.
Itinerary and Travel Destinations in Oslo
You can start your visit at Oslo City Hall (Oslo Rådhus, where the Nobel Peace Prize is awarded each year) and continue to the modern Nobel Peace Center (The Nobel Peace Center, Rådhusplassen, Oslo), which is located right next to the City Hall.
This is a modern and unique building featuring fascinating exhibits on peace and equality activists such as the Dalai Lama and Martin Luther King. (Open daily from 9:00 to 19:00).
From there, continue on foot for an outside view of the Royal Palace (Slottet, entry inside is not permitted). The street leading to it is brimming with shops, cafes, and street performances.
From the Palace, it is advisable to take a taxi (you can also walk, about a half-hour walk from the center, or take a tram) to visit the number one attraction in the city: Frogner Park (Frognerparken), where the Vigeland sculptures are on display (Vigeland Park) – featuring over 200 human sculptures crafted from bronze, iron, and granite.
From Frogner Park, continue by taxi (or tram) to the Bygdøy peninsula and visit the three historic ship museums:
The Viking Ship Museum (Vikingskipshuset), the Fram Polar Ship Museum, and the Kon-Tiki Museum. These museums are located in close proximity to one another.
These are small and interesting museums, so visiting all of them is both doable and recommended. Alternatively, you can visit the open-air museum on the peninsula, the Norsk Folkemuseum.
From there, take a ferry (a 10-minute ride departing every 20 minutes) back to the port.
Alternatively, instead of visiting the Bygdøy peninsula, you can visit the Holmenkollen Ski Jump (Holmenkollbakken), which houses a ski museum and offers spectacular views of the city from the top of the jump tower.
Near the docks, you can visit Akershus Fortress (Akershus Slott og Festning). This is a 17th-century fortress that still hosts important civic and royal events to this day. The fortress features lovely grounds and commands stunning views of Oslo, the fjord, and, of course, your ship!
Another impressive landmark located just a short walk from the cruise pier in the opposite direction (away from City Hall) is the Oslo Opera House. It is a stunning architectural structure set right on the water's edge. You can climb onto the roof to enjoy panoramic views of the city. Insightful guided tours are also held inside this modern, unique building.
The Port of Oslo sits at the head of the Oslo Fjord.
For those arriving on a cruise, the ship's open decks offer magnificent scenery as the vessel departs the port, cruising past fishing hamlets, tranquil coves, and scenic inlets.
