What you’ll experience
A tour of two islands in the Oslo fjord, just a short ferry ride from the city centre. We’ll explore monastery ruins, old military fortifications, and charming summer cottages – with time to enjoy the coastal atmosphere.
We meet at Rådhusbrygge 4 (pier 4 by City Hall), where I’ll be waiting by platform E. From here, we take a short ferry to Hovedøya, the closest island to the city.
Hovedøya has a long history. We’ll visit the ruins of a Cistercian monastery founded in the 12th century, one of the oldest in Norway. We’ll also see old cannon batteries and military buildings from when the island helped defend Oslo and Akershus Fortress.
After about an hour on Hovedøya, we take another ferry to Nakholmen – a smaller, quieter island dotted with colourful summer cottages. Locals have been coming here for generations to escape the city, and the island has a relaxed, almost village-like feel. We’ll walk around the island before catching the ferry back to Aker Brygge.
Season: 15 April – 30 September (ferry schedule permitting).
Itinerary
- Meet at Rådhusbrygge 4, platform E (City Hall pier)
- Ferry to Hovedøya (10 min)
- Explore monastery ruins and military history (approx. 1 hour)
- Ferry to Nakholmen
- Walk around the island, see the summer cottages (approx. 1 hour)
- Ferry back to Aker Brygge
Rådhusbrygge 4, platform E (the ferry pier next to Oslo City Hall)
- Ferry tickets (all ferries during the tour)
- Bottle of water
- Snacks
- English-speaking guide
- Meals
- Personal travel insurance
- Comfortable walking shoes
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Sun hat
- Swimsuit and towel (if you’d like to swim)
Children from 10 years are welcome, accompanied by an adult.
