Reservations 877·97·CRAFT  (877·972·7238)

Oslo, Norway

Introduction

Oslo, the capital of Norway, is a somewhat rural city but very welcoming. With 175 square miles within its city limits and 460,000 residents, Oslo is the least densely inhabited capital city in Europe.

 

Oslo was founded in the 11th century by a Viking king and later was designated the capital of Norway. Over the centuries, Oslo has burned to the ground, only to rebuild on a more impressive scale. After the 1824 fire that destroyed the city, the King of Denmark rebuilt and renamed the city Christiania. One hundred years later, the town reverted again to Oslo. It now boasts modern architecture, world-class museums, ample parks, and an abundance of community statutes.

 

 

Oslo has an ample supply of uninhabitable regions with rugged mountains, glaciers, and heavily forested areas. In addition, there are 340 lakes in Oslo, which affords many opportunities for water lovers. The days in the summer have sun for over 20 hours which allows visitors plenty of time to take in the picturesque scenery and enjoy the diverse territory.

 

 

Ship Location

 

There are only a few cruise ship docks, but all are within easy walking distance from downtown.

 

Getting Around

 

This is an easy place to go it on foot. If you want to wander farther a field, say to the Munch Museum or Hollmenkollen Ski Jump, it is very easy to follow the bus/tram/subway system. Cabs are of course available around town, with a limited number at the pier.  For most cruise passengers the Hop-on Hop-off bus is the best option since it departs from the cruise terminal every 30 minutes on a loop including 17 stops at Oslo's top attractions.

 

Attractions

 

Sights include city views from the rooftop of the opera house, people watching from outdoor cafes, and sculptures in the Vigelandsparken. Museums include the Resistance Museet, a version of Edvard Munch's The Scream at the Nasjonalgalleriet; burial ships, Kon-Tiki Museet, and Oslo's Astrup Fearnley Museet. The Aker Brygge is a popular entertainment area in Oslo's lively harbor near the ship docks, and just a short walk from the waterfront brings you to the Parliament of Norway and the Royal Palace.

 

The new Nobel Prize Peace Center is famous on the waterfront, right near Oslo City Hall. The center is in a converted, historic train station but is all cutting edge, high tech -- lights flash, audio comes from odd places telling stories of hate and peace.

 

 

You might check out the Norwegian Folk Museum for those interested in a Norwegian knitting exhibit and traditional costumes. This museum is about 5-6 km from the city center but is Norway's largest museum of cultural history featuring the world's oldest open-air museum and extensive indoor collections. Admire the Royal Palace from the outside (because the inside is closed to the public), a vibrant street scene with outdoor cafes, street musicians, and other performers. In the Medieval Quarter, which is close to the ship piers, you can tour one of two castles dating back to the 17th century.

 



Average Temperature

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.   Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov Dec.
  26 26 33 41 54 60   64 61 53 44 34 27

Average High Temperature

  Jan. Feb. Mar. Apr. May Jun.   Jul. Aug. Sep. Oct. Nov Dec.
  31 32 39 49 62 68   71 69 60 49 39 32