Akershus, Norway – Surrounds Oslo – Attractions, activities

Art, climbing and constitution

In Akershus you can easily switch between the good life by the coast, urban city life and active holiday in the countryside.

Think of Akershus as a green belt that surrounds the capital of Norway. The area is packed with family-friendly active holiday offers, history, art and local food experiences. Thanks to well-developed public transport and road structure, it is easy to get to Akershus.

Asker and Bærum are Oslo's neighboring municipalities in the west. Combine urban lifestyle with the great outdoors. Swim in the fjord, climb the Kolsåstoppen or go cross-country skiing in freshly prepared trails. After a day in the nature, enjoy a decent coffee and shopping in the city centers of Asker and Sandvika and get input at art institutions like Henie Onstad Art Center, Bærums Verk and Kunstnerdalen at Hvalstad.

The Follo area is just a 20 minutes' drive from Oslo, with several idyllic coastal towns by the Oslofjord. The small artist cities of Drøbak, Hvitsten and Son are located in a row, with traces of big names like Edvard Munch, Theodor Kittelsen and Sigrid Undset. In Drøbak see Tregaardens Julehus, the cousin of Santa Claus and the only aquarium of the Oslofjord. Oscarsborg Fortress is a cultural and historical arena.

TusenFryd, Norway's largest traditional amusement park, is the place to go for an exceptional joyful day.

Romerike, just north of Oslo, offers urban culture in the towns of Jessheim and Lillestrøm and refreshing walks in forest and fields. History buffs will head for the birthplace of the Norwegian constitution at the Eidsvoll 1814 visitor centre, before a trip on Mjøsa with the historic Skibladner paddle steamer.

Continue to Fløtmuseet in Fetsund for the history of timber transport on the Glomma river, and climb from tree top to tree top at the Sørum activity park. In winter you can go cross-country skiing in a network of prepared trails or visit resorts like Varingskollen and SkiHurdal.

Find more inspiration on Akershus' official website.

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Hvalstrand bad in Asker.
Photo: Akershus Reiselivsråd

Oscarsborg fortress near Drøbak.
Photo: E. Ingvaldsen / Nasjonale Festningsverk

Høyt & Lavt climbing park in Sørum.
Photo: Høyt & Lavt

Henie Onstad Kunstsenter in Høvikodden.
Photo: Henie Onstad Kunstsenter

Fetsund lenser in Romerike.
Photo: Akershus Reiselivsråd

Eidsvoll 1814 in Romerike.
Photo: Edin Kadribegovic

Summer in Drøbak.
Photo: Akershus Reiselivsråd

Things to do in Akershus

Where to stay in Akershus

Food and drink

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Getting here and around

Get in-depth travel information on Akershus’ official website.

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By train

The Bergen Railway, the Sørland Railway and the Vestfold Railway all stop at Lysaker station and Asker station. Several local railways go through the region.

You can travel to many destinations in Romerike by train from Oslo and Lillehammer.

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By bus

There are frequent bus departures to Asker and Bærum from several Norwegian destinations. The bus lines of Romerike correspond with public transport in Oslo.

Local bus offers go from major cities like Oslo and Fredrikstad to Drøbak, Ås, Ski, Vestby and Sonsveien.

Read more on Akershus' official website.
By car

E6 is the main road through Romerike, running from the capital Oslo through Eidsvoll and then to Hedmark and further north.

Buskerud and the Hurum peninsula at the westside of the Oslofjord and Follo at the east are connected by a tunnel cutting the travel by 25 kilometres compared to passing by Oslo.

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By boat

Ferries from Fredrikshavn and Copenhagen in Denmark and Kiel in Germany all go to Oslo, a short drive to most destinations in Akershus.

There are ferry connections between Larvik and Hirtshals in Denmark, and between Sandefjord and Strömstad in Sweden, as well as commuter ferries from Nesodden to Lysaker and from Aker Brygge in Oslo to Vollen.

Read more on Akershus' official website.
By local transport

Public transport between Oslo, Asker and Bærum is well developed by a network of bus lines corresponding with trains, metros and numerous bus routes via main stations like Asker, Sandvika, Bekkestua and Lysaker.
By plane

Oslo airport is located 40 minutes from Asker and Bærum. From the airport you can go by express train, express bus or local buses to Lysaker, Sandvika and Asker.

From Oslo airport to Follo: take the express train to Oslo S and switch to local train or bus services further to Follo.

Torp Sandefjord airport is located less than 1 hour drive from Asker and Bærum.

Read more on Akershus' official website.

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