Oslo (Norway)

Oslo is Norway's largest seaport, located on Aker River (at Oslo Fjord’s head). Oslo is also the country's capital city, with population around 670,000 (metro around 1,59 million).

• The city is the governmental and economic centre of Norway. It serves as a hub of country's industry, shipping, trade, banking. It is a major centre for European maritime industries and shipping trade. Here are headquartered nearly 2000 companies (over 8,500 employees) within the maritime sector. Some of these are the world's largest shipbrokers, insurance brokers, passenger and cargo shipping companies. 
• The city houses numerous cultural attractions, cultural facilities, festivals, historical buildings, museums and art galleries, recreational parks (Frogner, Bygdoy, Ekebergparken, St Hanshaugen, Toyen).
• City's economy benefits from the operations of Norway's largest general cargo and containership port, as well as the country's main passenger shipping (ferry) gateway. The port handles annually around 6000 vessels, with total cargo volume around 6 million tons and passenger shiping volume of over 5 million. The metro area contributes around 1/4 % of Norway's GDP and generates over 1/4 of the country's tax revenues.
• The city is one of the world's top 5 most expensive (in 2015 ranked 3rd).

Oslo cruise port

Oslo is one of the Hurtigruten ports along the "Express Route" (Norwegian Coastal Express). This is a regularly scheduled ferry and cruise itinerary in Norway, between the turnaround ports Bergen (southmost) and Kirkenes (northmost).

• In 2011 (port's record year) were handled 170 ship calls and 312,000 passengers.
• In 2013, the cruise port handled over 300,000 passengers from 146 different nations. Cruises to Oslo are divided in two main types of itineraries - Baltic Sea and Norwegian Fjords.
• In 2017, the port had scheduled a total of 102 ship calls (compared to 81 calls in 2016) and handled around 155,000 passengers.
• In 2017, most of the berthings were booked by AIDA Cruises (22 calls) and TUI Cruises (8 calls).

Oslo cruise terminal

Oslo tours, shore excursions, hotels

City Tours and Shore Excursions

• Opera House: it was inaugurated in 2008. it is an architectural masterpiece. It is made of white marble and looks like a massive ice sheet. It has angular slabs resembling giant ski slopes. The construction cost was $700 millions. It is the home of the Norwegian Ballet and Norwegian National Opera.
• Holmenkollen: famous ski jump area. It dates from the end of 19 century. The area was renovated for the Winter Olympic Games in 1952. It is 357 meter above sea level. The ski jump tower is 60 meter higher. Also you can visit the ski museum, which is the world’s oldest. Holmokollen is located in the Marka region. It is open for visitors through all the year.
• Vigeland Sculpture Park: it is in the western part of Oslo, in the Fronger Park. Discover over 200 sculptures by Gustav Vigeland.
• Oseberg Viking Ship Museum: on display are three of the world’s famous Viking ships. They are over 1,100 -year old.
• National Museum of Art: collections of Norwegian and International art and 1893 paintings. It is located on Universtetsgaten, in adjacent to the Oslo University on Universtetsgaten.
• Munch Museum: museum devoted to Edvard Munch, famous painter and pioneer of Expressionism.
• Akershus Fortress: or Akershus Castle, built by King Hakon V in the 14th century to serve as a royal residence. It was rebuilt by King Christian IV in the 17th century.