6 Fun and Easy Day Trips from Oslo, Norway

There are plenty of interesting destinations to check out within a few hours from Oslo, Norway! Due to Norway’s excellent public transportation system, it is easy for visitors to get out of Oslo city for the day, even without a car. This post lists six fun locations that make easy day trips from Oslo city center.

Top day trips from Oslo, Norway

Let’s get started with some of my favorite options for day trips from Oslo!

1. Drøbak

Drøbak is an idyllic coastal town about 30 minutes south of Oslo by bus. It is best known for its beaches and panoramic views of Oslo Fjord, but Norwegians say that its claim to fame is that it was the birthplace of Santa Claus!

Drøbak also features a small aquarium and has a ferry that you can take to visit Oscarsborg Fortress, which is located on a nearby island out in the fjord.

For more about what to do when visiting Drøbak, check out this post!

2. Tønsberg

Tønsberg is about an hour and a half away from Oslo by train. Despite being relatively unknown to international tourists, it is full of history. Tønsberg is considered to be Norway’s oldest town, with some historians dating it back to the year 871.

This town features Viking burial mounds and church ruins, as well as Castle Rock Tower, a monument dating from 1888 and the area’s most famous landmark.

For more to do in Tønsberg, check out this post!

3. Lillehammer

About 2 hours north of Oslo by train or car, the town of Lillehammer is perhaps most famous abroad for hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics and the 2016 Winter Youth Olympics. It is a popular winter sports destination for Norwegians.

Lillehammer is the site of several museums, including the Lillehammer Art Museum, the Norwegian Olympic Museum, and Maihaugen, a large open-air museum featuring Norwegian buildings throughout history. If amusement parks are your thing, or if you’re traveling with kids, Hunderfossen Adventure Park is a great option to check out!

To learn more about Lillehammer, you can check out this post for my list of the top things to do while visiting!

4. Fredrikstad

The 16th-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, there are plenty of boutiques, stores, and places to eat contained within the fortress walls.

If you enjoy the Old Town, you can learn more about the area’s history at the Fredrikstad Museum.

Fredrikstad is about 1.5 hours by train from Oslo city center. For more to do in Fredrikstad, check out this post!

5. Ytre Hvaler National Park

A little bit further south of Fredrikstad is Ytre Hvaler National Park. The park is a bit remote, and it is a great place to spend time in nature!

Ytre Hvaler National Park is the place to go for beautiful coastal views. It covers 354 square kilometers of coastline and contains one of the largest coral reefs in Europe.

If you want to stay for more than a day, camping is allowed in the park. Remember to be respectful of nature and follow the Leave no Trace principles if you do end up camping here!

6. Tusenfryd amusement park

Tusenfryd amusement park is the place to go if you’re looking for some adrenaline! Only 20 minutes from Oslo, this park features rollercoasters, waterslides, and more and is open from April to October. It is an especially great place to visit if you’re traveling with kids!

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This post lists just a few of the unique day trips you can take while staying in Oslo. I hope you have fun exploring this beautiful part of Norway!

For more inspiration on what to do while visiting Oslo, check out this guide to free things to do in the city and this list of Oslo museums.

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