Oslo Cruise Port Guide: Castle, Boardwalks, Museums & Beach!

Docked at the Oslo Cruise Port for the day? This DIY guide will help you make the most of your time in Norway’s capital! You’ll find an easy-to-follow Oslo Cruise Port map, walking directions from the Oslo Cruise Port to the city centre, and a hand-picked selection of the best things to do in Oslo. Whether you’re seeking the best things to do in Oslo in summer or unique things to do in Oslo year-round, this guide has you covered.

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Oslo Cruise Port: Is a DIY Excursion Easy? 😎😎😎😎😎 (Easy Peasy)

Visiting Oslo in your Northern European cruise? Then Oslo cruise port is an absolute dream for DIY shore excursions – it’s 😎😎😎😎😎 easy peasy to just walk off the ship and enjoy a full port day, without having to pre-plan too much! Here’s the quick summary:

• City Centre at Your Doorstep: Most cruise ships dock right in the heart of Oslo, meaning you can step off the gangway and immediately start exploring the city’s top attractions.
• Walkable Wonders: A plethora of museums, landmarks, and charming neighborhoods are within a comfortable walking distance of the port, making it easy to create your own walking tour (like the one in this guide!) and discover Oslo’s highlights at your own pace.
• Excellent Public Transportation: If you’re eager to venture further afield, Oslo boasts an efficient and well-connected network of buses, trams, and metro lines. 

Oslo Cruise Port Essentials: All You Need To Know

• Oslo Cruise Port Address: Akershusstranda 15, 0150 Oslo, Norway – see this marked on my Oslo cruise port map below 🗺️📍👇
• Currency: Norwegian Kroner (NOK), July 2024: US $1= ~11 NOK, GBP £1 = ~14 NOK, CAD $1 = ~8 NOK, AUD $1 = ~7 NOK
• 💶 Cash or 💳 Card: Norway is mostly cashless! Many shops don’t accept cash and if they do, they may not have change to give back to you. So save yourself the hassle and forget about withdrawing NOK at an ATM. It’s perfectly acceptable to pay by card, even for a cup of coffee! Visa/Mastercard typically with Amex less widely accepted.
• Language: Norwegian, but almost everyone you’ll encounter will speak English with you!
• Official Websites:
  • Official tourism website is visitoslo.com
  • Official public transit website is ruter.no/en
• Recommended Transport App: I prefer Citymapper Oslo for public transit but Google Maps gives you real-time bus/tram departure times and routings too.
• eSIM for roaming in Norway: For a great data connection without the huge roaming fees, use an eSim data pack from Airalo. I always recommend having a smartphone with a valid plan when you’re at port touring independently. Get US$3 off your first eSIM data pack from Airalo when you use ROXANN1666 when you sign up or apply it at checkout

Oslo Cruise Port Map

• On Desktop | Laptop? Use buttons on bottom left to zoom in/out. Click on the upper right hand corner to see a bigger version.
• On Tablet | Mobile? Pinch your screen to zoom in/out and use two fingers to move map around. If you have Google Maps installed on your tablet/mobile, my map will open in your Google Maps app if you click on the upper right hand corner.
• 👇 If the map is not loading correctly, click here to see it directly on Google Maps.

Oslo Cruise Port to City Centre: Your Options

1. Walk To City Centre

Oslo cruise port is centrally located, within walking distance to the city centre. So the easiest way is to walk from your ship. It’s about a 10-15 minute walk along the waterfront to the National Museum.

2. Tram / Bus / Metro Network

Oslo has an excellent network of connecting trams, buses and metro. The closest tram stop to Oslo cruise terminal is “Kontraskjæret“, about a 5-8 minute walk away. 2024 prices: One way (1-zone) tickets, good for Oslo city centre, are 42 NOK for adults, 21 NOK for seniors (67+, with valid ID) and 16.8 NOK for kids aged 6-17. Kids under 6 are free.

If you plan to travel a lot, then a 24-hour ticket is 127 NOK for adults, 64 NOK for seniors and kids. The easiest way to purchase a ticket is via the Ruter app. (Otherwise, you’ll need to find a kiosk – typically any 7-eleven or convenience store will sell tickets.)

Oslo Cruise Port: Best Things to Do in Oslo City Centre

I’ve arranged this list of “Best Things to Do” in the order you’ll encounter them on a leisurely walk from Oslo cruise terminal to the city centre. Use it as your own DIY walking tour itinerary, skipping anything that doesn’t pique your interest.

1. Akershus Fortress

Almost directly opposite the Oslo cruise terminal is the Akershus Fortress. Dating back to the 13th century, Akershus Fortress was built to protect the city. It also served as a residence for Norwegian royalty during the Renaissance period and was occupied by German forces during WWII.

The grounds are free to enter (open daily 6am to 9pm), so climb to the top of the ramparts for panoramic views of Oslofjord, the harbour and the city skyline. There are two museums housed in the fortress:

• Armed Forces Museum is all about Norway’s military history – very typical military history museum with exhibits of weapons, uniforms and other artefacts.
  • Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm from May to August – check opening times outside of summer season
  • Tickets: 100 NOK adults, 60 NOK seniors, 40 NOK for kids over 6
• Norway’s Resistance Museum covers the stories of Norwegian resistance fighters during WWII after Germany invaded Norway in April 1940.
  • Opening Hours: Daily 10am to 5pm from May to August – check opening times outside of summer season
  • Tickets: 100 NOK adults, 60 NOK seniors, 40 NOK for kids over 6

2. Oslo City Hall & City Hall Square (Rådhuset & Rådhusplassen)

After visiting the Akershus Fortress, continue walking along the waterfront, with the ferry piers on your left towards the city centre. Don’t miss the statue of Franklin D. Roosevelt along the way. You’ll be at the City Hall Square in a few minutes, with Oslo City Hall in front of you.

Built in the 1930s, the City Hall’s red-brick facade features two imposing towers, with intricate sculptures and reliefs depicting scenes from Norwegian history and mythology. The interior is equally impressive, with a wealth of Norwegian artwork from the 20th century.

While Oslo City Hall is the seat of the city’s government, this building is probably the most well known as the Nobel Peace Prize Venue, with the ceremony held here every December.

• Opening Hours: Daily 9am to 4pm. As it’s a government building, some days are shut – double check here.
• Tickets: Free entry. Guided tours are available in English from late June to late August. No pre-booking, drop-in to join – details here. (The tower is not always open to the public but guided tours take you there when it’s open.)

3. Nobel Peace Centre (Nobels Fredssenter)

The Nobel Peace Centre is dedicated to the Nobel Peace Prize and its laureates. Starting with a permanent exhibit on Alfred Nobel and his founding of the Peace Prize, the museum then continues with stories of past laureates with interactive displays and multimedia presentations. There’s also an annual exhibition dedicated to the most recent laureate, showing his/her life, work and impact.

• Opening Hours: 10am to 5pm daily from June to August. “Out of season” hours are typically 11am to 5pm – double check here.
• Tickets: 160 NOK adults, 100 NOK students, free for kids under 18. 30-minute guided tours in English are available (no additional charge). If you’re really keen on a guided tour, then I would recommend pre-booking your ticket online, as it allows you to reserve your guided tour slot at the same time.

4. National Museum of Norway (Nasjonalmuseet)

Next to the Nobel Peace Centre is the “new” National Museum of Norway. Relocated here in 2022, construction of this new National Museum took over 8 years. It’s now the largest art museum in the Nordic countries. The most famous painting here is undoubtedly the painted versions of “The Scream” by Edvard Munch. (Munch created two painted versions of “The Scream” as well as two pastel versions. One of the pastel version is in the Munch Museum in Oslo.)

As the National Museum was the result of mergers between the National Gallery, the Museum of Contemporary Art, the National Museum of Architecture and the Museum of Decorative Arts and Design, the collection displayed here is vast. There’s Norwegian and international art from the Middle Ages to contemporary works. There’s architectural models and drawings. And there’s Norwegian design, from furniture and textiles to ceramics and jewellery.

While there’s much to see in Oslo, if it’s a bad weather day, the National Museum will keep you occupied for a few hours at least!

• Opening Hours: Closed Mondays. 10am to 8pm Tuesday – Wednesday, 10am to 5pm Thursday – Sunday.
• Tickets: 200 NOK adults, 120 NOK for under 25s, free for kids under 18
• Tip: Download the National Museum app and bring your own headphones if you can. The app has an audio guide and interactive map of the museum.

5. Aker Brygge

Aker Brygge is the bustling waterfront area where the National Museum is located. This is a great area for a scenic walk along the promenade, with views of the harbour, the Oslofjord and Akershus Fortress. There are also numerous restaurants and cafes, many with outdoor seating. There’s also a big mall here, if you fancy doing a bit of souvenir shopping.

Boat tours also leave from the Aker Brygge pier. Don’t miss the Aker Brygge Clock Tower at the waterfront. It looks a bit like a miniature lighthouse.

6. Astrup Fearnley Museet

Even if you’re not into modern art, keeping walking along the waterfront until you get to the end, marked by the Astrup Fearnley Museum of Modern Art. The museum’s striking building was designed by renowned architect Renzo Piano, known for his work on the Centre Pompidou in Paris and the Shard in London. The building resembles a sailing ship with three pavilions connected by a glass roof. There’s great views of the Oslofjord and surrounding areas here.

The museum’s collection is mainly in international contemporary art from the 1960s to the present day. There’s works by Andy Warhol, Damien Hirst and Jeff Koons.

• Opening Hours: Daily 11am to 5pm (til 7pm on Thursdays) during summer. Check “out of season” hours here.
• Tickets: 150 NOK adults, 100 NOK for students & seniors, free for kids

7. Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park (and Beach!)

Behind the Astrup Fearnley Musset is the Tjuvholmen Sculpture Park. This sculpture park is a great spot to take a break and is free to enter. There’s loads of benches and seating areas. If you fancy assembling your own picnic to take advantage of the views here, then there’s a big supermarket and a convenience store at the mall in Aker Brygge area on the way here.

There’s even a beach here! It’s man-made but nice and sandy, with views of the cruise port. It’s a great photo spot if you’d like to take photos of your cruise ship.

8. Oslo Opera House

Home of the Norwegian National Opera and Ballet, the Oslo Opera House is one of the most striking buildings in Oslo. The most unique feature is that there’s a walkable roof! The building is designed to resemble a glacier rising from the water, with white granite and marble surfaces that reflect the surrounding light. The sloping roof offers panoramic views of the city and the fjord – it’s open to the public and free to enter, as is the main foyer of the Opera House.

• How to Get There: From Aker Brygge tram station (opposite the National Museum), catch #12 to “Dronningens gate” (3 stops). You’ll see the Opera House as soon as you alight the tram. See above for how to get tickets.
• Opening Hours: The roof is accessible from early to late. Foyer is open from 11am. Note in 2024, the Oslo Opera House is hosting the Red Bull Cliff Diving competition, so the Opera House will be closed on selected dates from late July to mid-August.
• Guided Tours are available in English for 150 NOK adults, 125 NOK seniors, 85 NOK for under 30

9. Oslo Fjord Cruise

The Oslofjord, while not technically a fjord in the geological sense, is a scenic inlet stretching over 100 km (~60 miles). The Oslofjord serves as a picturesque gateway to the City of Oslo, with its shores dotted with charming towns, island and historical sites. These electric catamarans are completely silent and are extremely stable. I only recently went on an electric catamaran in Stavanger and I was so surprised with how much the lack of engine noise added to my enjoyment of the scenery.

• Where to Go: Fjord cruise leave from opposite Oslo train station and a few minutes’ walk from the Oslo Opera House. (You can also get a good shot of the Oslo Opera House from where the cruise pier is.) I’ve marked the fjord cruise pier on my Oslo Cruise Port map above 🗺️📍👆.
  • Coming directly from Oslo Cruise Port? Then it’s easier if you visit Akershus Fortress first and then walk along Myntgata. It’s about a 15 minute walk directly from Oslo Cruise Port.
• Cruise Length: Fjord cruise is about 90 minutes and will return you to the same pier where you embark the electric catamaran.
• What to Bring: Headphones if you want to listen to the commentary plus a jacket, as it can get windy or chilly even in summer on the fjord cruise if you wish to stay outside to enjoy the views. There’s an onboard bar for snacks and drinks, so no need to bring your own, unless you want.

10. MUNCH Museum

Adjacent to the Oslo Opera House is MUNCH, a museum dedicated to the life and works of the iconic Norwegian artist Edvard Munch. This new building opened in 2021 and its leaning tower and unique facade has transformed the Oslo skyline.

The museum houses the largest collection of Munch’s works in the world, including iconic (pastel) version of “The Scream”, “Madonna”, “The Dance of Life” and “The Sun”. There’s not just paintings but also his prints, photographs, sketches and personal belongings that provide insights into Munch’s creative process.

• How to Get There: Walk from Oslo Opera House. From Aker Brygge, tram #12 as above to get to Oslo Opera House and then walk. From Oslo cruise terminal, it’s about a 25-minute walk.
• Opening Hours: 10am to 9pm Wednesday to Saturday, 10am to 6pm Sunday to Tuesday. Outside of summer months, double-check opening hours here.
• Tickets: 180 NOK adults, 100 NOK under 25 and kids are free

Heading back to the cruise terminal?

The closest tram stop is just a few minutes’ walk away. Catch Tram #13 from Bjørvika stop – marked on my Oslo cruise port map – and alight at Kontraskjæret stop. You’ll then be a few minutes’ walk back to the cruise terminal.

Featured Photo by Piotrek Wilk

Oslo is waiting to be explored! With this guide, I hope you will equipped to plan your own memorable DIY shore excursion at Oslo. From historical gems like Akershus Fortress to artistic havens like the MUNCH museum, the city offers a diverse range of experiences. God tur! (That’s “good trip” in Norwegian!)

There’s a lot to see in Oslo and I haven’t covered all the attractions in the nearby islands here, which I hope to put in a separate blog post. So drop me a line in the meantime if you have any questions!

Anchors Aweigh! Find your next port of call here 👇

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