Cruises to Oslo

Cruises to Oslo sail along the deep, forested Oslofjord to Norway’s vibrant capital, a city where daring contemporary architecture and world-class museums sit alongside the serene Royal Palace and the Renaissance-style Akershus Castle. 

Oslo has had a cultural makeover over the last few decades, emerging with a new confidence. Coffee shops and pubs buzz with conversation, restaurants are scooping up Michelin stars, and floating saunas are the hot new wellness trend. Museum-hop around the compact city, take a cruise around islands dotted with colorful summerhouses, and watch the changing of the guard. Stand in front of Edvard Munch’s great masterpiece, The Scream, and try to figure out its meaning.

Norwegian gastronomy focuses heavily on local, seasonal, and organic food, from fresh berries in summer to cheese and beef from cattle that feed on the lush pastures of the fjords. In Oslo, you’ll find Michelin-starred restaurants, cozy coffee shops, and the Mathallen food hall, where you can sample everything from baked goods to game, aquavit, cheeses, and fresh seafood.

Typical dishes include cured and smoked salmon; kjottkaker, which are meatballs in gravy; and fårikål, a slow-cooked mutton stew served with potatoes. Waffles are a typical snack, served with whipped cream and jam, or Brunost, Norway’s iconic brown cheese. Brunost has a caramel-like flavor and is very much an acquired taste. You’ll also find a thriving coffee culture in Oslo—Norwegians are enthusiastic coffee-drinkers—and a great craft beer scene.

The first mention of Oslo is in the Norse sagas is in 1049 as a trading place established by King Harald Hardråde, although archaeologists believe there was a settlement here earlier than this. Oslo grew into an important cultural center, much of the city as it was then owned by the Church, and in 1299 became the seat of Norway’s royal family. The Black Death of 1349 wiped out half the city’s residents, and Oslo fell into economic decline.

Norway changed allegiances over the centuries, forming a union with Denmark and then coming under the control of Sweden. Norway became fully independent in 1905, although the city of Oslo was occupied by the Nazis in World War II. Today, it’s a thriving, modern capital, wealthy from Norway’s oil revenues, but firmly focused on preserving its history, sustainability, and liveability as a city.

Oslo has an efficient public transportation network of buses, trains, trams, subways, and ferries. One app, Ruter, serves as a single ticketing system. Uber is available in Oslo, as are official taxis. Cycling or walking are great ways to get around; the city center is easy and safe to explore. Ferries operate across to the Bygdøy Peninsula, where a lot of the museums are located, although the 10-minute crossing is not part of the Ruter system.

Typical souvenirs in Oslo include cozy knitted gloves and patterned sweaters, miniature troll figures, reindeer skins, and jewelry in Viking-inspired designs. Edible souvenirs include Brunost cheese, reindeer sausage, bottles of Aquavit, and Norway’s much-loved Freia milk chocolate. You can also pick up sleek Scandinavian homeware and handicrafts made by the indigenous Sami people from the north. 

The best place to start is Karl Johans Gate, the main shopping street, where you’ll find department stores and souvenir shops.

The currency in Norway is the Norwegian krone—NOK—which you can get from one of the many ATMs around the city, or from a currency exchange office. Most establishments accept credit and debit cards, although some smaller retailers may not take foreign credit cards. Norway is not a tipping culture; you can tip between 5% and 15% in restaurants for good service, but it’s not expected.

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