Visit Oslo, Norway, for Vikings, Boats and Backyard Cafés

Satisfy your kids’ fascination for Vikings, see Oslo Fjord from the deck of a vintage sailing ship and savor crisp waffles in a garden café in Oslo, Norway, this summer.

Rising along the shore of Oslo Fjord, it’s not surprising Oslo offers a lot of sea-going adventures. Families can island-hop on ferries; take a fishing cruise; or step back a century to explore the fjord on one of the majestic, century-old tall ships. As you sail along the city shore and among the islands, you’ll see Oslo from a new perspective, and kids will love watching crew members handle the sails.

Get even closer to the water on a tour with Oslo by Kayak. Your family doesn’t need to be expert paddlers — certified guides give everyone full instructions, and all equipment is included for an exciting few hours seeing Oslo from the water.

A new exhibit at Historical Museum opened June 21, designed especially for children ages 8–12. The exhibition, Miðgarðr – The Mythical World of the Vikings, is a family-friendly journey into the spiritual universe of the Viking Age.

Also new, The Viking Planet brings back Viking times in a digital museum with VR-technology, holograms, interactive screens and 270-degree films. Experience how the Vikings lived, join them on their expeditions and experience the feel of the sea tossing a Viking ship during a storm. Kids will love sharing pictures of themselves in Viking armor.

Norwegians love being outdoors, so outdoor cafés and restaurants with terraces are everywhere in the summer. As you explore the city, watch for backyard cafés, informal places where drinks and snacks are served in gardens, and other open spaces.

You’ll find these for yourself, but a favorite is Lille Café at Hjemmets Kolonihager in Bjølsen’s community garden, in the Sagene district. It’s open every Sunday in the summer, serving coffee, soft drinks and fresh-baked waffles. Also open only on Sunday is Raade’s garden café at Maridalsveien 112, where they serve pancakes surrounded by gardens with a fish pond.