Attractions Nearby Oslo, Day Trips and Excursions

(Oslo, Ostlandet, Norway)

If you would like to escape the city of Oslo, many day trips are available, particularly for those who have chosen to rent a car. Endless coastal attractions are just a short distance from Oslo and include the seaside resorts of Drobak, Hovedoya and Kalvoya.

However, if you would like to experience a taste of Norway in a neighbouring town, then consider paying a visit to the many attractions within Lillehammer. With a population of around 20,000 people, Lillehammer is a relatively small town and lies around 180 km / 111 miles to the north of Oslo, a journey time by car of just less than three hours. For families, the roller coasters at the TusenFryd Amusement Park in Vinterbro never disappoint.

Vinterbro (TusenFryd Amusement Park)

Address: Tusenfryd AS, N-1407, Vinterbro, Norway
Tel: +47 064 97 6497
Email: firmapost@tusenfryd.no
Website: www.tusenfryd.no
Vinterbro can be found around 20 km / 12 miles to the south of Oslo and is home to the ever-popular TusenFryd Amusement Park. With many fast rides and attractions for thrill seekers, TusenFryd (Thousand Joys) makes for a great day out during the summer months and is open from June to September. Expect to find a number of exciting roller coasters, such as the Super Splash, the Speed Monster and the Thunder Coaster, a number of popular carousels, and more than 20 different restaurants. Close by, the VikingLandet (Viking Land) attractions offer everything that you could possibly want to know about Vikings and their lifestyles.
Open hours: June to September, daily - 10:30 to 19:00, closing times may vary
Admission: charge, discount available to seniors, children under 95 cm in height are free

Drobak

An appealing village with many beachfront attractions, Drobak is just over 35 km / 22 miles south of Oslo and makes for a popular day trip. Drobak has a population of around 3,000 residents and despite its relatively small size, has much to offer visitors. The Drobak Batforenings Maritime Samlinger is an interesting maritime museum worth a look, as is the Saltvannsakvarium lutefisk museum and the Oscarsborg fortress, which stands offshore on a nearby island and can be reached by a choice of regular boat trips.

Drammen

At just over 40 km / 25 miles from Oslo, Drammen can be easily reached in around 40 minutes. This important industrial city contains a number of notable attractions, such as the Radhus (City Hall) on Engens, and the historic Stock Exchange building on the Bragernes Torg, which is actually today home to a McDonald's fast-food restaurant. Drammen has a population of around 60,000 people and has grown up around the River Drammenselva. Art lovers should pay a visit to the acclaimed Drammen Museum, while theatregoers will be sure to find something of interest in the award-winning Drammen Theatre, both of which are located along the Gamle Kirkeplass.

Hovedoya

Hovedoya is a small and appealing island close to Oslo, where many people head when the sun is in the sky. With regular ferries travelling to and from the Vippetangen Quay, Hovedoya is easy to reach and contains a number of interesting attractions, such as the historical remains of a 12th-century Cistercian monastery. The waters around Hovedoya are highly suitable for swimming, while for families, the regular puppet shows are sure to be a big hit.

Lillehammer

Lillehammer is surrounded by countryside and farms, and has been one of Norway's leading ski resorts for many years and it is the seasonal winter attractions that bring most visitors. In 1994, Lillehammer entered the world stage, after successfully hosting the 1994 Winter Olympics, and has remained extremely popular ever since. Many of the main attractions in Lillehammer reside within the Olympiaparken, such as the Lysgardsbakkene ski jump tower, the ski jump chairlift and the Norwegian Olympic Museum.

Kalvoya

Located within the Greater Oslo area, Kalvoya can be reached in under 20 minutes and offers a great place to escape from busy city life. Kalvoya contains a number of coastal attractions and sandy bays, making this a popular Norwegian resort during the summer months, when a number of outdoor festivals and concerts are known to take place. However, it is generally the beaches that are the main draw card in Kalvoya.