One of Oslo's best features is its setting. Located at the base of the Oslo Fjord, the city extends up the mountains that surround it on three sides. The cultural center of the city is downtown, right on the water. Oslo is easy to navigate and so compact that you can walk almost everywhere.
Oslo was once considered the sleepy cousin of Stockholm and Copenhagen, but it has finally come into its own, with cultural and entertainment possibilities that rival those of cities many times its size. A new opera house recently opened on reclaimed land in the fjord, and Oslo's existing Philharmonic Orchestra is world-class. A giant sports stadium has been built at Bislett, where many speed-skating and track records have been set in years past.
For those who love the outdoors, Oslo has more than 1,550 mi/2,500 km of hiking and skiing trails within the city limits, and there's a good view at almost every turn. Don't let the climate scare you: It's not as cold as you might expect. Norway's coast is bathed in warm water, thanks to the Gulf Stream, so Oslo experiences winter temperatures that are similar to London's. Summers bring pleasantly warm days, cool evenings and a sun that doesn't set until around 11 pm—giving visitors even more time to spend outdoors.
According to the United Nations, Oslo enjoys one of the highest standards of living in the world. Year after year, the U.N. has voted Oslo the best capital city to live in. This award is based on the city's access to nature, cleanliness of water, public transportation, low crime rate and good medical service. Residents of Oslo are proud of this fact and believe that the U.N. only reaffirmed something they already knew.
Location
Cruise ships dock opposite Akershus Castle, and it is a short walk from there to city hall. Oslo Cruise Terminal features a shop with typical Norwegian souvenirs, a cafeteria, a tourist information center and a money-exchange facility. Although there is no permanent taxi stand, there are usually plenty available. There are terminals for the ferries serving Denmark and Germany nearby. Stena Line and DFDS (ferries to Denmark) share a terminal at Revier quay on the other side of Akershus Castle.
Shore Excursions
The most popular excursion is a bus tour to Bygdoy, the peninsula opposite city hall and home to four important sites: the Norwegian Folk Museum, the Viking Ship Museum, the polar ship
Fram and the Kon-Tiki Museum.
Another popular excursion encompasses the Holmenkollen Ski Jump, with a visit to the Ski Museum followed by a buffet lunch at Holmenkollen Park Hotel.
