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!

The ferry to Nesodden

There must be dozens of companies offering different cruise trips on the Oslo fjord, and by all means – it can be very pleasant. You will get some shrimps and a glass of cheap white wine (cheap only for the company, it will be quite expensive for you…)

But if you want to see the fjord, you can do it on your own. Just jump on the Nesodden ferry, leaving 32 minutes past every hour from Aker Brygge. It will cost you 50 kroner for the round trip, and you will be back in town after 53 minutes.

On board you can buy coffee and a ”lefse” (thin pancake of rolled dough, served buttered and folded). You will have a nice view of the fjord, and a very pleasant return to Oslo, which really is a town that should be approached from the sea.

Don’t bother to hop off the boat at Nesodden – there isn’t anyting to see there – unless you would like to go for a long walk along the coastal path.

This is the time to visit Oslo – from early May to end of August!

Tjuvholmen is an important element in the ongoing process of dockland-to-city which is now the main prerequisite for every debate on the development of Oslo. Not one cultural institution or governmental office is located without discussing the possibility of placing it in the new Fjordbyen – at the waterfront. The new opera is already there, in Bjørvika – a new musem for Edvard Munch’s paintings and a new main library is soon to follow.

The Tjuvholmen area is already half way to conclusion, and has become very popular both among new residents and people using it for recreation. Renzo Piano’s building will be accompanied by a new park from where you can take a swim during summer – from 2012. Piano has made many spectacular buildings, among them the Pompidou Centre (Beaubourg) in Paris.

One of the few places that serve the original bayer on a tap, they will also provide you with some other bottled sorts, and you can have a hot dog. That’s about it. And of course the friendly service.

Cash is king at Ferja – they don’t accept credit cards. That’s about all you have to remember.