The islands of the inner Oslofjord

The archipelago of low-lying, lightly forested islands to the south of the city centre in the inner Oslofjord is the capital’s summer playground, and makes going to the beach a viable option, especially on warm summer days when the less populated islands become favourite party venues for the city’s youth.

Hovedøya

Conveniently, Hovedøya, the nearest island to the city centre, is also the most interesting and probably the prettiest, its rocky, rolling hills decorated with woods and pastures. There are several specific attractions too, beginning with the Kunstverket, a little art gallery housed in an old building just up from the jetty, where there are displays of contemporary art. There are also the substantial ruins of a Cistercian monastery, built by English monks in the twelfth century, and incidental military remains, reminders of the time when the island was garrisoned and armed to protect Oslo’s harbour. Maps of the island are displayed here and there – there’s one at the jetty – and these help with orientation, but on an islet of this size – it’s just ten minutes’ walk from one end to the other – getting lost is pretty much impossible. There are plenty of footpaths to wander, you can swim at the shingle beaches on the south shore, and there’s a seasonal café opposite the monastery ruins. Camping, however, is not permitted as Hovedøya is a protected area, which is also why there are no summer homes.

Ready to explore Norway? Start preparing by finding out how to get there.

Planning your own trip? Prepare for your trip

Use Rough Guides' trusted partners for great rates

Keith Drew

written by
Keith Drew

updated 07.06.2024

A former Rough Guides Managing Editor, Keith Drew has written or updated over a dozen Rough Guides, including Costa Rica, Japan and Morocco. As well as writing for The Telegraph, The Guardian and BRITAIN Magazine, among others, he also runs family-travel website Lijoma.com. Follow him @keithdrewtravel on Twitter and @BigTrips4LittleTravellers on Instagram.

Ready to travel and discover
Norway?

Get support from our local experts for
stress-free planning & worry-free travels

Plan my trip ⤍