Top Things to See, Do & Eat on Your Cruise Visit to Olden

Olden is a tiny village at the end of the spectacular Nordfjord, and one of the most scenic stops on a Norwegian fjords cruise. Surrounded by waterfalls, mountains, and glaciers, Olden offers a true taste of “Norway you can only see from the water.” The sail-in is stunning — tiny hamlets with no road access, dramatic cliffs, and snow-capped peaks. If you can, be up on deck with a camera or enjoy breakfast on your balcony.

🇳🇴 Norway at a Glance

Language: Norwegian (English widely spoken)
Currency: Norwegian krone (NOK). Cards widely accepted. As a guide: £1 ≈ 13.3 NOK | $1 ≈ 9.78 NOK | €1 ≈ 11.57 NOK (Sept 2025).
Climate: Summer highs around 22°C, but changeable — pack layers, waterproofs, sturdy shoes
Time Zone: CET (GMT+1, GMT+2 in summer)
Accessibility: Good — and level in port and village; Norway is disability-aware
Population: ~500
Head of State: King Harald V

🚢 Cruise Port Basics

Berth: Deep-water dock; if busy, some ships tender
Terminal: None — ship security sets up a fenced-off area
Facilities at port: Shops, bars, a supermarket, excursion stalls, Olden Active (tourist centre)
Transport: No shuttle to town (15 mins walk), no car hire, limited taxis (book in advance with Stryn Taxi or Olden Taxis +47 95086146)
ATMs: None at port or village — bring cash/cards
Tourist info: Olden Active at the dock acts as the main hub for cruise visitors, with maps, excursions, bike/kayak hire, and guided hikes.

Tip: Most experiences are outdoors — book as you arrive allow for visibilty and temperatures. Ship’s tours run regardless of weather.

👟 Exploring on Foot

Olden Village (15 mins): Pretty village with wooden bridges over glacier-fed streams, a few shops, supermarket, café, and two churches:

White Church (1759): Traditional wooden interior with unusual hat stands.
Red Church: Anchored with wires due to fierce winds!

RIB Ride (0 mins): Adrenaline trip right from the dock. Book onboard, online, or with Olden Active.
Outlet Stores (8–15 mins): Good-value outdoor clothing — better prices than elsewhere in Norway.
Tourist Train (0 mins): Circular ride to Floen Lake and back (approx. 4 miles). Runs every 15 mins, NOK 300pp. Accessible for wheelchairs/pushchairs.
HOHO Glacier Bus (0 mins): 1-hour loop with fjord and lake views. Note: you see the glacier from a distance only, not up close — often confused with Briksdal Glacier tours. NOK 400pp.
Olden Active is the established company in town for rib rides, kayak, SUP, bike, bikes, pedal boat and scooter but always check Viator too.
E-bike & Kayak tours from a new company run by entrepreneurial local lad Bendik - worth investigating here

👟 Hikes from Olden

Singerheimen (30 mins): Historic villa of philanthropist William Henry Singer Jr. Only open for pre-booked tours.
Floen Lake (45 mins): Emerald-green lake with glacier-fed water, safe paddling spots, and walking trails further into Oldedalen Valley.
Huaren Viewpoint (1h 40 mins): Hike uphill for stunning fjord views. Steep in places; good shoes needed.
Loen (80 mins): Walkable along the road, but not pleasant. Better reached by shuttle or taxi for the Skylift.

🌍 Excursions & Day Trips

Loen Skylift (3.5 miles from port)

Cable car from fjord level to 1,011m at Mount Hoven.
Stunning views if weather clear — don’t book in advance, decide on the day.
Shuttle buses from Olden Adventures run every 30 mins from the port ~NOK 920 return including ticket.Book online in the morning as you arrive in port - assuming the weather is good! Add a Zipline adventure from NOK 650
Tickets: Adults NOK 575, kids 6–15 NOK 305.
Facilities: café, bar, and restaurant at the top with panoramic views.

Briksdal Glacier (14 miles, 30 mins drive)

Part of the Jostedal Glacier, mainland Europe’s largest.
Excursions include drive and hike from visitors centre to glacier lake (approx. 1 hr uphill).
“Troll Cars” (small jeeps) cut out the steepest section but still require walking.
Path is uneven — not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies.
Ship’s tour is often best option including troll cars and cake, as well as back to ship grantee ; independent tours also available NOK550 / 900 with troll car Olden Adventures

Further Afield

Check Viator for ideas

Oldevatnet Lake Cruise (30 mins): Peaceful fjord cruise with glacier views.
Kjenndal Glacier (40 mins): Less-visited glacier beyond Loen Lake.
Hydlaparken (25 mins): Zip lines, climbing trails, outdoor adventure park.
Sagastad Viking Museum (50 mins): Houses one of the world’s largest Viking ships.
Norwegian Glacier Museum (60 mins): Climate-focused centre at Boyabreen Glacier.

🛍️ Shopping in Olden

Souvenirs: Trolls, Viking runes, pewter crafts, wool jumpers.
Best buys: Outdoor clothing from outlet stores.
Tax-free refunds: Available on purchases over 315 NOK for non-EU/Schengen visitors. Ask at ship’s reception before sailing.

🍴 Eating & Drinking

Dockside: Cafés, bar above Olden Active (great for sailaway).
Village: Coffee shop and supermarket.
Loen Skylift: Stunning views from the summit in the scenic (but pricey) restaurant and the adjoining cafe - which has hot chocolate, cosy furs and a wood burner if you need to warm up!
Excursions: Often include coffee & cake (especially Briksdal tours).
Foodie souvenirs: Brunost (brown cheese), Kvikk Lunsj chocolate, cloudberry jam, dried reindeer meat, sardines in colourful tins.

Note: Norway is expensive — many cruisers just enjoy snacks or supermarket treats ashore.

🌦️ Climate & Packing

Summer highs: Around 22°C, though showers can often arrive unexpectedly.
Pack: Layers, waterproofs, and comfy walking shoes.

💡 Cruise Addicted Tips

Book an excursion to Briksdal Glacier for the most iconic Olden experience — but dress in layers as mountain weather changes quickly.
If you prefer a gentler pace, the Loen Skylift gives spectacular fjord views without the hike.
Tiny Olden village fills up quickly when ships are in port — head out early to beat the crowds.
Bring a rain jacket: sunshine and showers often swap places within minutes in this part of Norway.
For a quiet moment, stroll around Olden Lake — it’s just as breathtaking as the bigger-name sights.
Sailaway is special here: enjoy the locals’ exuberant send off from the dockside bar.

If we’ve encouraged you to cruise to Olden search for your own adventure here

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Olden, Norway -Cruise Port Guide