My cousin now lives in Bergen, a magnificent place, and I took the enchanted train voyage there following my first winter visit to Oslo, which lasted less than a day. Although I recently came from a Princess Cruise that included a day here, I’m still fairly certain that one day in the Norwegian city is sufficient. I had assumed that maybe because it was winter, I hadn’t seen Oslo at its best.
In my opinion, Norway is a country that showcases its fjords and natural beauty. Although the capital city is clean, with charming cafes, and numerous museums, it lacks the same vibrancy as many other European capitals.
Reaching Oslo
To be honest, I thought the arrival was the nicest part of Oslo. I woke up very early from my comfortable bed and walked to the window to see a thick fog. Unfazed, I picked up my camera and went to the upper deck, where we were sailing directly into the center of the city, captivating a rising number of yawning expressions with tiny villages of cottages and near-perfect reflections. Having those final minutes aboard the ship was ideal.
Waterfront in Oslo
The beautiful white and glass opera building is located along the waterfront, not far from the cruise ships’ arrival. Before taking in the Opera House’s sleek, contemporary interiors, make sure to stroll atop it for some expansive vistas.
In addition, there are lots of cafés with chic seats where you may get a cup of coffee and start your day.
Leave the city.
As previously mentioned, Norway’s breathtaking scenery is what attracts tourists, and the country’s rapidly growing metro system offers some truly amazing half-day walks at its termini. I would highly recommend this to anyone who wants more vistas than lattes, even though I was unable to do it because I had already disembarked and had all of my things to manage that day.
The Fortress of Akershus
The opera building is next to the ancient castle that guards the royal residence. The castle is perched on a hill that provides some great views, and the Norway Resistance museum there chronicles the resistance during the occupation in the years leading up to World War 2.
The Sculpture Park in Vigeland
I went here on my first trip to Oslo, and although it may seem a little uninteresting, these artistic creations scattered in a beautifully manicured park are among the city’s most well-known and visited sights, and for good cause. You may spend more than an hour taking in some of the more unusual works here, as well as stopping by the Vigeland Museum, which features visiting art exhibitions and Gustav Vigeland’s sculptures.
Park and the Royal Palace
Opera House in Oslo
This vibrant yellow castle, which was constructed in the 19th century, doesn’t have as much history as many other palaces in Europe, but guided tours will show you around the chambers and give you an idea of how the country’s royal family operated, especially during the time when there was a joint king for Sweden and Norway.
Museums and Bygdøy
Investigating Norway’s capital
This peninsula, which lies a little outside of the city, has new restaurants and contemporary flats, but it also houses most of Oslo’s museums.
While the Museum of Cultural History has a vast collection that includes the Viking Ship Museum, Fram concentrates on the history of Norwegian Polar Exploration and is located next to the Maritime Museum. It’s hardly surprising that so many museums concentrate on ocean-related endeavors given this nation’s long history of maritime life.