Norway is the most beautiful country on the Scandinavian Peninsula, which annually attracts millions of tourists to admire the mountains and glaciers, spacious valleys and high waterfalls. The most famous sights of the country are coastal fjords. These are narrow and winding bays that go far into the land. The shores of the fjords are represented by high cliffs with many streams flowing down them.
In the article, we will introduce readers to the small Oslo Fjord, on excursions to which you can go directly from the capital of Norway. A pleasant walk will take a couple of hours, during which you will meet many small islands, Norwegian houses with a grassy roof and painted in bright red. The shores of the Oslofjord are not as high as those of the rest of the bays of Norway, they are more like slopes, which is why they are so densely populated.
Origin
Most of Norway's fjords are of tectonic origin. As a result of sharp shifts of underground platescracks formed in the earth's crust and deep faults, which were immediately filled with sea water from the Norwegian and North Seas.
Norwegian fjords usually reach a depth of 800 meters or more. Some crevices are of glacial origin, when the melting of the eternal ice expands the river valleys and traces of tectonic destruction.
The Sognefjord is considered the most majestic and beautiful in Norway. This is the deepest bay in Norway. Huge cruise ships can freely enter the fjord so that tourists from distant lands can enjoy magnificent views.
You can take a tour of the Norwegian fjords in Oslo at any travel agency. To get on the boat that goes on a tour of the bay, you need to come to Bergen or Voss.
Fjord in Oslo
The capital of Norway is located at the head of a beautiful fjord and is surrounded on all sides by gently sloping hills overgrown with forests. In front of the Oslo City Hall there is a sea port with pleasure boats, where you can make educational trips to the Museum Island and walk along the Oslo Fjord. The tour takes about two hours. Its cost will be at least 32-34 euros. The price tag depends on the type of excursion. There are options with dinner on the ship, as well as a stop for a walk through the forest.
For lovers of fishing there are tours to this fjord with stops for fishing. You can take individual tours or a trip on a wooden old ship. All excursions differ in price, which can be found inticket office.
In any case, the reviews of tourists about the excursion to the fjord in Oslo are admiring, people did not regret that they chose this type of vacation.
Description of the fjord
The length of the Oslofjord is 102 km. It stretches from the south of Denmark to the capital of Norway in the north. The surrounding mountains are up to 1700 meters high in some places. The tops of the high mountains are covered with snow, in many places you can see narrow but beautiful waterfalls.
Drebak Strait divides it into two parts - internal and external. The exit from it is indicated by two lighthouses - Thornbjornskjer and Ferder. During the tour, tourists have the opportunity to admire the many small islands. Along the bay are small towns and villages, which are home to about 2 million people.
There are many fishermen's houses along the shore, overlooking the water of the fjord. Along the way, you can meet a lot of boats, old sailing schooners, small boats or canoes, modern boats and yachts. If you wish, you can also take a kayak ride on the water surface of the fjord from Oslo.
Views from the ship
The sightseeing boat offers the most picturesque view of Oslo. The city hall with two tall brick towers is perfectly visible, in which the famous Nobel Peace Prize ceremony takes place every year. The royal family arrives for this important event.
Departing from the port, tourists can see the Akershus castle-fortress, rebuilt in the Renaissance style in the 17th century. It is saved inexcellent condition and surrounded by a fortress wall. You can wander around its territory absolutely free. Then you pass by the Museum Island, where old ships and historical treasures of the country are preserved, as well as the raft of Kon-Tiki and Ra, on which Thor Heyerdahl traveled through the waters of the ocean.
Outside the capital, views of the city of Drebak and Fort Oscarsborg open up. On the opposite bank stretches Drammen and Halden, as well as the fortified city of Fredrikstad.
It is interesting to watch the appearance of more and more new islands along the way, of which there are more than 1000 pieces in the Oslo Fjord of Norway. It is surrounded by hills with rapeseed fields, on which there are small houses and farm buildings. If you're lucky, you can see grazing sheep or goats. Sometimes seals are seen basking in the sun.
Traveling along the Oslofjord is ideal for a long walk and exploring the nature of the country, especially if there is very little time to visit the large fjords.
Excursions from Oslo to the fjord
At the pier in the central part of Oslo you can buy tickets for tours to the nearest Oslo Fjord. Depending on your financial capabilities and time availability, you can make a trip in 2-4 hours.
There is a short sightseeing tour, and there are long ones, with stops, fishing with experienced guides and a complete set of necessary equipment for fishing, including bait. However, the cost of such a tour is almost 800 euros.
One thing is for sure, evenchoosing the minimum and most inexpensive tour, you will be satisfied.
