shhh…the islands are very nice!
Now about the islands: A bit of a secret we keep from you tourists, actually. If you manage to find Vippetangen – a hidden quay about a kilometer east of the town hall, you will find the ferries leaving for the islands in the inner fjord.
Hovedøya is the closest, just five minutes away. Here you will find the ruins of an old cistercian monastery, and also buildings and cannons from the time when the island was a part of the city’s defense. In a small cafe you can by simple sandwiches and a beer. The nature is wonderful, and you can have a long stroll. Most people come for the bathing during summer.
Also for bathing: Gressholmen and especially Langøyene. Then there is Nakholmen, Lindøya and Bleikholmen – all islands with several cottages. Not so much for outsiders like you and me, but it is certainly possible to get off the boat to have a look, especially at Lindøya, where there is plenty of space.
More to come about the islands later on!