But the bustling, metropolitan vibe might not be right for everyone, and the locals can come across as standoffish. Because Oslo is so sprawling , you are dependent on (expensive) public transportation to get around; there are no Ubers or Lyfts, and taxi rides are exorbitant. For travelers who prefer a more walkable and intimate urban experience, and who enjoy chatting with the locals, Oslo may not be the best fit.

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If you must be in Oslo and are crowd-averse, you can escape the buzz of downtown by spending less than 30 minutes on public transportation to reach Nordmarka, the vast public area of untouched nature surrounding the city. Here, you might find yourself in the company of moose and other wildlife. Alternatively, visit either the magnificent Botanical Gardens or the Ekebergparken Sculpture Park, which offers modern art and history, stunning natural surroundings, and views over Oslo.

Location: Oslo is in southeastern Norway, on a fjord that feeds into the North Sea.

Trondheim is less crowded and pretentious, and more walkable

If you like the idea of taking the path less traveled while still experiencing Norwegian culture and historic sites, as well as world-class cuisine, consider Trondheim, the country’s third-largest city. It’s an hour’s flight north from Oslo, but I would suggest the relaxing six-hour train ride. You will get a sense of the “real” Norway as the train makes its way through small towns, past the expansive Mjøsa lake, and across stunning mountain vistas and verdant valleys.

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Trondheim is a quaint, laid-back university town with old, colorful wooden buildings lining the riverbank. It’s much less crowded than Oslo and unpretentious. Here, people take their time, and most everything is within walking distance, although city bikes are available for rent in many locations.

Explore the narrow cobblestone streets of the Bakklandet neighborhood lined with cozy cafes, art galleries and shops. Hike up to the Kristiansten Fortress for a panoramic view of the city and a lesson in its strategic role.

The magnificent medieval Nidaros Cathedral offers an English-speaking tour (10 a.m. daily), where you will hear fascinating stories about the Viking king who brought Christianity to the land but who also ordered pillages, rapes and conquests. In the afternoon, sip a cold beer in one of the many bars and restaurants on the “solsiden” — the “sunny side” — of the river, teeming with options for casual fare.

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For foodies in search of a special meal, it may be worth dipping into some savings to experience a visit to Fagn and Credo; each restaurant recently won a Michelin star, and if you plan way ahead, you might get lucky and snag a table. (We were waitlisted but got “the calls” a week before our visit and accepted both with glee. It was worth it, debt and all.)

While there are many lovely and affordable Airbnb listings that can help you feel like a local, consider spending a little more to stay at one of the fo ur Sca ndic h otels in the city center. All of them offer mouthwatering and award-winning breakfast buffets, which means as a bonus that for less than $10, you get to pack a lunch that can hold you over until dinnertime.

Location: Trondheim is around 310 miles north of Oslo, on the Trondheim Fjord, which lets out in the Norwegian Sea.

Nina B. Lichtenstein is a native of Oslo, Norway. A writer, teacher and storyteller, she lives in Maine, where she’s also an AirBnB superhost.