5 Fun Things to Do in Fredrikstad, Norway
Fredrikstad is a small town located in Østfold, Norway. Founded in the 16th century under the rule of King Frederick II, Fredrikstad is considered to be Norway’s first Renaissance city. It is only about an hour by train from Oslo city center, which makes it a great place for a day trip if you’re staying in Oslo!
Popular attractions in Fredrikstad include Fredrikstad Old Town and Gamlebyen Miniature Railroad. This small, picturesque city is full of history and well worth a visit! Read on for some of the top things to do in Fredrikstad, Norway.
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Things to do in Fredrikstad
1. Take a ferry from the city center to Fredrikstad’s Old Town
Fredrikstad has a (free!) local ferry that runs between the city center – Stortorget – and the old town – Gamlebyen. This is a great way to get some scenic waterside views of the town!
2. Walk around Fredrikstad’s Old Town
The 18th-century Old Town in Fredrikstad is one of the best-preserved historic fortress towns in the region and is definitely worth a walk around. Today, you can wander the cobblestone streets browsing boutiques and art galleries.
When you’re ready for a break, there are plenty of cozy cafes and restaurants contained within the fortress walls. Consider stopping to try the famous waffles at Café Magenta!
3. Visit the Fredrikstad Museum
You can learn more about the rich history of the area at Fredrikstad Museum. At the museum, you can get to know the town’s life and people from the 16th century to the present day.
4. See the trains at Gamlebyen Model Train Center
For a unique experience, consider visiting Gamlebyen Model Train Center! The center’s impressive model train exhibition spans 400 square meters. It includes about 2 kilometers of railway and scenery and over 30 different miniature trains.
If you look carefully, you can even find a model of Fredrikstad’s Old Town!
5. Enjoy the oceanside views at nearby Ytre Hvaler National Park
Ytre Hvaler National Park is a very scenic national park located in the municipalities of Hvaler and Fredrikstad. It is the perfect place to go to do some hiking or relax at the beach!
See this post for more information about visiting Ytre Hvaler National Park!
Getting to Fredrikstad from Oslo via public transportation
The best way to get to Fredrikstad from Oslo using public transportation is by train. The train takes about 1 hour to get from Oslo Central Station to Fredrikstad Station.
The train to Fredrikstad leaves from Oslo Central Station about every half hour. Tickets should cost around 265 NOK each way and can be purchased from the Vy website.
For more day-trip destinations that can easily be reached via public transportation from Oslo, check out this post!
