Norway's capital city boasts a spectacular setting at the head of a 110km (70-mile) long fjord. One of the best ways to approach Oslo is by sea with the journey taking you along scenic fjords where fishing boats jostle with cruise liners and luxury yachts.

While sailing through luscious green islands and outcrops the city unfolds before your eyes - sprawling out from its compact centre around the quays to the flanks of the surrounding hills.

Lively and prosperous, Oslo is a must on the Scandinavian cruise itinerary.

For such a comparatively small city, Oslo is remarkably well supplied with museums and galleries. The compact city centre retains much of its medieval layout, amid acres of greenery and parks. Within walking range of the centre, there are pleasant districts through which to browse, enjoying the street life and the shops.

Highlights
• Akershus Slott and Festning (Akerhus Palace and Fortress)
• The Munch Museum
• Nasjonalgalleriet (National Gallery)
• Kon-Tiki Museum
• Bygdøy

Rådhuset (City Hall)
Fridtjof Nansens plass 5
Tel: +49 8153 0555.
Website: www.visitoslo.com

Norway is not a cheap destination, but you can find some bargains in the bigger shops. Star buys include knitwear, pewter, ceramics and reindeer skin boots.

The main shopping districts are close to the central station, Frogner, which is the place for antiques, art galleries and food shops. Bogstadveien has shops, market stalls and department stores of every conceivable description.

Many hotels and restaurants serve lunch from a koldtbord (cold table), with smoked salmon, fresh lobster, shrimp and hot dishes.

The favourite traditional hot snack is the pølse, a form of sausage, sold at numerous outlets.

Summer is the best time to visit Norway - it can get very cold but from June to August temperatures can reach 25°C (77°F) or more. Rain is possible at any time of year, and snowfall is common in winter.

Norway

GMT + 1.

Norwegian Krone (NOK) = 100 øre.

Norwegian.

Hordaland fylke (county), west coast of Norway.

560,484.

Constitutional monarchy. Declared independence from Sweden in 1905.

Lutheran Protestant majority, with Catholic and Muslim minorities.

Normal courtesies should be observed. It is customary for the guest to refrain from drinking until the host toasts their health. Casual dress is normal. Lunch, generally a light open sandwich snack known as a matpakke, takes place between 1130 and 1200, and dinner usually takes place at 1700. It is customary for an invited guest to offer gifts to the host/hostess of a meal. Punctuality is expected if invited out for dinner. Smoking is prohibited in all public places.

Tipping: Waiters expect a tip of no more than 5% of the bill.