Discover my 12 favorite day trips from Oslo (by a local)

LOOKING TO PLAN A DAY TRIP FROM OSLO? Then you’re in the right place. After living in Oslo for years, and now only being 1,5 hours away, I have explored the areas around Oslo extensively.

While there’s no shortage of things to do in Oslo itself, there are so many incredible day trips you can take within just 1–2 hours. My favorite thing about Oslo is how quickly you can get out into nature, history, and completely different landscapes.

Honestly, I don’t think people realise how much variety you have right on your doorstep here. From fjords and islands to Viking history and charming coastal towns, I think you’ll be surprised by just how much you can see without going very far.

Psst. Looking for the best place to stay? Here are my Oslo favorites!
🌟 Budget Hotel >> Citybox Oslo
🌟🌟 Mid-range >> Home Hotel Gabelshus
🌟🌟🌟 Higher-end hotel >> Sommerro

Plan your day trip from Oslo

Most of the destinations in this guide are within easy reach of Oslo, which makes them perfect for easy day trips. I’ve also included a few places a bit further away—these take more planning, but they’re absolutely worth it if you have the time.

Some spots can be combined into one day, but I’ve kept them separate here to make it easier for you to pick what fits your trip.

If you want the most flexibility, I really recommend renting a car. Once you’re outside the city, driving in Norway is actually very straightforward; roads are in great condition and traffic is generally calm. Just keep an eye out for wildlife (yes, seeing a moose or a fox isn’t unheard of).

That said, you can get surprisingly far using public transport. Vy runs most train routes and is reliable and easy to use, while Ruter covers buses, trams, metro, and ferries in and around Oslo—including the islands in the Oslofjord.

Bolt is the best rideshare option in Oslo. And from the airport you can take the train, flytoget or flybussen. You can also book a private transfer with Welcome Pickups, which I often do.

🌟 If you’re traveling as a group or just want a more luxurious experience, you can also book this private, customizable day tour, which takes care of all the logistics for you.

Some of these destinations are only open during the warmer months, so be sure to check before you go.

1. Island hopping in the Oslofjord

Okay, this technically still counts as staying in Oslo, but island hopping in the Oslofjord really feels like a proper day trip. The moment you step onto the ferry, it feels like you’ve escaped the city completely. In summer, it’s one of my favorite things to do.

You can use the regular public ferries with a normal Ruter ticket. Some of my favorite islands are Hovedøya for beaches and ruins, Gressholmen for peaceful coastal walks, and Lindøya for its colorful little summer cabins and nature reserve. Langøyene has the best beach, while Nakholmen and Bleikholmen are the two islands with the most private cabins.

A great round trip is taking the boat to Nesodden, walking part of the coastal path, and finishing with a drop-in sauna at Hellviktangen. From there, take the boat to Drøbak, visit Oscarsborg Fortress, and then return to Oslo by ferry.

It’s simple, affordable, and feels like a mini holiday without ever going far from the city. If you don’t want to plan anything, you can join a guided tour like this one.

2. Oscarsborg Fortress

Sitting in the middle of the Drøbak Sound, Oscarsborg Fortress is a mix of history, nature, and a little island escape all in one.

What makes it so special is how much history is packed into one place. For centuries, Akershus Fortress protected Oslo, but in 1640, King Christian IV ordered a blockhouse here to defend the important Drøbak Sound.

In the 1800s, the fortress was expanded and later named after King Oscar I. It also became famous for its role in defending Norway during World War II.

In summer, it’s more than just a historic site. There are swimming spots, walking paths, underground tunnels, museums, cafés, and even crab fishing for kids. You’ll also find restaurants, a hotel, art exhibitions, and summer concerts and opera performances in the old courtyard.

It’s also worth combining your visit with a stop in Drøbak before or after the ferry. It’s a small coastal town with a relaxed harbor, cafés, and little shops, and it’s perfect for a slow wander or lunch by the water.

3. Sognefjord via Flåm Railway

If you want to experience the fjords in one (long) but seamless day, this guided tour from Oslo is a great option. Instead of figuring everything out yourself, you’re picked up by a private guide and driven all the way to the fjords.

The first stop is Gudvangen, located by the stunning Nærøyfjord, one of the most beautiful and narrow fjords in Norway. It’s a great place to take in the scenery and stop for lunch; there’s a Viking town right by the water.

From here, you’ll take a 2-hour fjord cruise through the Sognefjord, which is the longest and deepest fjord in Norway. This is really the highlight—calm water, steep mountains, waterfalls, and those classic fjord views you came for.

After arriving in Flåm, you’ll have a bit of free time before boarding the famous Flåm Railway. The train climbs steeply up the mountains to Myrdal, passing waterfalls and dramatic landscapes along the way—it’s easily the most scenic train ride in Norway.

From Myrdal, you continue by train to Geilo before making your way back toward Oslo.

4. Kistefos Museum & The Twist

If you’re looking for a day trip from Oslo that feels a little different, Kistefos is such a good choice. Even if you’re not usually a “museum person,” this place is worth visiting just for the setting alone.

The main star is definitely The Twist, the iconic gallery building that literally twists in the middle like a giant architectural sculpture. It crosses the river like a bridge, connecting both sides of the sculpture park. The exhibitions change throughout the year, but the building itself is reason enough to go.

The rest of Kistefos is just as enjoyable. You can wander through the sculpture park surrounded by forest and water, visit the old industrial museum to learn about the area’s history, and stop for coffee or lunch on site.

Getting there from Oslo is pretty easy. The simplest option is by car, which takes around one hour depending on traffic. If you’re using public transport, you can take a train or bus to Jevnaker and then continue by local bus or taxi to the museum.

5. Hadeland Glassverk

Just 20 minutes from Kistefos Museum, you’ll find Hadeland Glassverk, which has a special place in my heart. I used to come here with my grandparents during summer holidays on our way to my grandmother’s childhood home in Snertingdalen.

It’s one of Norway’s oldest industrial attractions and has been producing glass since 1762. Today, it’s part working glass factory, part little village, and a really lovely family-friendly day trip. You can watch skilled glassblowers at work, try glassblowing yourself, browse beautiful handmade glass, and stop for coffee or lunch.

In summer, the gardens, small exhibitions, and cozy atmosphere make it easy to spend a few relaxed hours here. It takes about one hour to drive from Oslo, or you can take a bus to Jevnaker and continue from there.

6. Blaafarveværket

If you’re looking for a day trip from Oslo that feels a little different, Blaafarveværket is such a good option. It’s a mix of history, art, and nature, and it’s much more interesting than it sounds.

This former cobalt mine was once one of Norway’s biggest industrial sites, producing the famous blue pigment used in porcelain and glass all over Europe. Today, you can visit the old mines, walk through the underground tunnels, and learn how important this place was in the 18th and 19th centuries.

In summer, Blaafarveværket also hosts popular art exhibitions, often featuring well-known Norwegian and international artists, which gives the whole place a completely different feel. The area around it is beautiful too, with forest walks, small cafés, and local shops, so it’s easy to turn it into a full, relaxed day out.

You don’t need tickets if you only want to visit shops, restaurants or the Children’s Farm. The only things that do require a ticket are guided mining tours and entrance to the art exhibitions.

It takes about one hour to drive from Oslo. The mines are located about 8 km from the main museum site.

7. Eidsvoll

If you’re interested in Norwegian history, Eidsvoll is a great day trip from Oslo. This is where Norway’s constitution was signed in 1814, so it’s one of the most important historic places in the country.

The main attraction is Eidsvoll 1814, the beautifully restored manor house where it all happened. Inside, you can walk through the historic rooms and learn about the people who shaped modern Norway.

The area around Eidsvoll is also really lovely for a slower day trip, with peaceful walks by the river, a café, shops and beautiful countryside views. It’s less about ticking off attractions and more about spending a relaxed day somewhere with real historical significance.

You can also visit the Democracy Centre in Wergelands Hus, which adds a more modern perspective to the experience. The exhibition takes you on a journey from 1814 to today, and even looks ahead to the future, focusing on democracy, citizenship, and the shared responsibility we all have in society.

Getting there is easy too—it’s only about 35–40 minutes by train from Oslo.

🦙 If you’re driving, I highly recommend you book a walk with alpacas on your way back to Oslo. There are several locations close by.

8. Midgard Vikingsenter & Åsgårdstrand

If you want a day trip from Oslo that combines history with a relaxed coastal stop, this is a really good option. Midgard Viking Centre is located next to the Borre burial mounds, one of the most important Viking sites in Norway.

The museum is modern and easy to follow, with interactive exhibits that explain Viking life, mythology, and the significance of the area. I also like to go for a walk through the vast burial mound park. Fun fact: parts of the comedy Norsemen on Netflix were filmed here.

Afterwards, it’s worth continuing to Åsgårdstrand, a small coastal town about 10 minutes away. It’s known for its popularity among artists and especially the connection to Edvard Munch, who spent many summers here.

The town itself is compact and easy to explore, with white wooden houses, a small harbor, galleries, and a calm seaside atmosphere that’s especially nice in summer.

If you prefer a larger city with more to do, stop by Tønsberg. Getting to this area is easiest by car (around 1–1.5 hours from Oslo), but you can also take a train to Horten or Tønsberg and continue by bus or taxi.

9. The Well

If you’re looking for a more relaxing day trip from Oslo, The Well is the ultimate escape. Located just 20 minutes outside the city, it’s the largest spa and bathhouse in Scandinavia.

The space is huge—over 10,000 m²—with 11 different pools and 15 saunas and steam rooms, each with different temperatures and themes. You can move between hot and cold pools, try various sauna rituals, and spend hours just unwinding. It’s the kind of place where time disappears very quickly.

A couple of things to know before you go: The Well follows a textile-free (nude) policy in most areas, which can feel a bit unusual if you’re not used to it. You’ll also want to book in advance, especially on weekends, as it’s a popular spot.

It’s easy to reach by car, taxi, or bus from Oslo, making it a perfect low-effort day trip if you want to slow down and treat yourself a little.

10. Fredrikstad Old Town

Fredrikstad Old Town is one of the easiest and best day trips from Oslo. It’s the best-preserved fortified town in Northern Europe, with cobbled streets, old ramparts, small independent shops, galleries, and cafés inside the historic walls.

The old town was founded in 1567 after the original city was destroyed during war, and the star-shaped fortress design was built to protect the new settlement.

Today, you can walk along the fortress walls, visit the small museums, browse local boutiques, and stop for lunch in one of the old buildings that are now restaurants and cafés. It feels like an open-air museum, but people actually live here.

Getting there from Oslo is simple. The train to Fredrikstad takes around 1 hour and 15 minutes, and from the station, you can either walk or take the free city ferry across the river to Gamlebyen. It’s an easy, affordable day trip that doesn’t require a car and works in any season.

11. Fredriksten Fortress & Halden Canal

Fredriksten Fortress is Norway’s largest and most important defense structure, famous for both its 350 years of history and stunning views. It played a key role in defending the country and is where Charles XII of Sweden was killed in 1718.

Today, you can walk freely around the grounds, explore the old walls and buildings, and take in panoramic views over Halden and the surrounding landscape.

Close by, the Halden Canal offers a completely different experience. It’s one of Norway’s oldest canal systems, known for its historic lock systems and peaceful waterways.

If you have time, you can take a boat trip through the locks or just explore parts of the canal area on foot—it’s much quieter than the more famous Telemark Canal and feels a bit more local and relaxed.

Halden is about 1.5–2 hours from Oslo by train or car, making it a very doable day trip.