What to Do in Olden From a Cruise Ship
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Home to less than 1000 people, Olden is a beautiful village located at the end of Nordfjord. Disembarking the cruise ship here felt like stepping into a perfect picture postcard, which is exactly what I imagined when I planned my trip to Norway!
Bear in mind that you won’t find many shops or other amenities here, and public transport is very limited, so make sure you set out with a good pair of walking shoes and dressed for the weather. Whether you’re looking to book an exciting excursion or explore on a budget, there’s plenty of things to do in stunning Olden.
Here are the very best things you can do during a cruise stop in Olden.
Visit Olden Old Church
Just a short walk away from the cruise port you’ll find Olden Old Church. Dating back to the 1700s, this beautiful old church has been wonderfully preserved and is open for tourists to view each summer. Built with timber, it fits around 250 people and is still used for special occasions.
To find the church, head into the village and walk through the valley - you’ll recognise the Old Church from its white exterior.
Continue the walk to Olden New Church
Just a short walk away from the Old Church you’ll find its newer replacement, which was built in 1934. Distinctive with a reddish brown exterior, this church also opens its doors for tourists in the summer.
It’s a peaceful place to sit and relax, especially on a sunny day, and not something to be missed during a stroll around Olden.
Hire a kayak and explore the fjord
One of the best activities to do in Olden is to hire a kayak and explore the fjord up close. Suitable for beginners, Get Your Guide offers an incredible two hour guided kayak excursion through the calm waters of the fjord.
See the view from Loen Skylift
If you’re looking to set out on a day trip, then you need to see the Loen Skylift.
Travel 1011m by cable car and arrive at the Mt. Hoven mountain station. Here you’ll find panoramic views of the neighbouring Mt. Skåla and Lake Lovatnet, as well as Jostedalsbreen Glacier. This activity is also well accompanied by a visit to Briksdal Glacier for more fantastic views.
Book a sightseeing tour
With options available for all budgets, a sightseeing tour can be a great way to see olden. As with the other Norwegian cruise ports, you’ll find the regular open top buses and land train here ready to whisk you away from the port. These tours usually take between 1 and 2 hours, and are generally priced more competitively than the cruise line excursions.
Local guides also operate e-bike tours if you don’t fancy the bus or train.
Hike to Huaren Viewpoint
Keen hikers have plenty of options available in Olden. Hauren Viewpoint is considered to be a relatively easy hike, which takes around an hour each way and offers stunning views at 1300 feet above sea level.
While you can book guided tours, this is a good choice if you’re on a budget as it’s very easy to navigate yourself. Just make sure you get back in plenty of time to rejoin your cruise ship before it departs!
Spend an hour in one of your cruise ship’s hot tubs (if they have Them)
My last top tip for visiting Olden is to make good use of what you have onboard your ship. When I visited on P&O’s Iona we spent a relaxing few hours enjoying the views from the warmth of a hot tub on the side of the ship.
During our cruise we noticed that lots of guests would disembark the ship in the morning while at port, which meant that the ship itself was very quiet and we had the tub all to ourselves. The view was amazing and we still had plenty of time to set off exploring in the afternoon.
I’d love to know what you have planned for your trip to Olden!
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