Ideas for girls trips in the Oslo region

1. City break

Oslo is a natural starting point for a day or two of urban fun. Visit some of Oslo’s brand new attractions, such as the 13-story Munch Museum, the Deichman library with a cinema and restaurants, and the sculptures in the Ekeberg Park. You can also go for a stroll along the revamped harbour promenade, explore the food halls, and book a session in one of Oslo's many floating saunas. With a sauna on the water, everyone can go for a swim all year round – not just those hardcore ice bathers!

Round off the day with a trendy cocktail, some live music or other performance, or just have a good chat in a cosy pub.

You’ll find even more suggestions for your city break in the capital at Visit Oslo.

2. Art weekend

Do you love art? The Henie Onstad Center in Sandvika offers top-class international art exhibitions. It makes a great pitstop on your way to Kistefos at Hadeland, where the new, spectacular museum building The Twist has taken the sculpture park to a whole new level. Finish off with a shopping spree at Hadeland Glassverk where you can enjoy local handicraft, amongst other things. It is also worth checking out the many special accommodation options in the area. Try glamping or stay at Thorbjørnsrud Hotel, which offers food from their own farm and award-winning cheese.

Get more tips for your weekend with the girls at Visit Innlandet.

3. West of the Oslofjord

Rent a car and go on a road trip along the winding roads west of the Oslofjord. Pass coastal gems like Vollen and Sætre and stop for lunch at the Hurum Peninsula, for example in one of the cosy places in Holmsbu or at the lovely Villa Malla in Filtvet.

Once you sit down on the white sandy beach here, there is a high risk that you don’t want to leave. But there are plenty more beaches luring in Vestfold. A few other summer towns worth exploring are Horten, with the photo museum Preus and an exciting Viking heritage; beautiful Åsgårdstrand with its strong connection to the famous painter Edvard Munch; and Tønsberg, which is known as the oldest town in Norway.

Continue to the island paradise of Tjøme and the smooth rocks at Verdens Ende, which means “the end of the world” in Norwegian. It’s just beautiful, any time of year. Stop for afternoon tea and the spa at Engø farm or at Farris Bad Hotel in Larvik. Allow enough time to stroll along the shore outside the arty town of Stavern, which has been named Norway's cosiest summer town.

Find more tips at the websites of Visit Vestfold and Visit Greater Oslo.

4. East of the Oslofjord

On the other side of the Oslofjord you’ll find a whole string of pure gems. Start in Drøbak, a town known for its wooden buildings, aquarium and specialty shops, including a Christmas shop that is open all year. Take the boat across the strait to Oscarsborg for lunch – bring your swimwear! Close by you’ll find Ramme Farm, a unique cultural destination with art exhibitions, organic food, and a lovely park.

Further south you can take a detour to Moss and the beautiful island of Jeløya, where you can explore exciting art at Gallery F15 and pretzels baked to perfection at Alby farm. Another tip is to treat yourselves to afternoon tea or an overnight stay at the elegant Refsnes Hotel.

For a super cosy town with vintage shops and floral backyards, a visit to the old town of Fredrikstad is a must. On warm, sunny days, you may be tempted to go for a swim by the cliffs of Hvaler or stay for the night in a lighthouse.

Further south by the Swedish border, the fortress town of Halden awaits. Hire a canoe or bike and enjoy the scenery along Norway’s oldest canal.

Find more tips for your weekend trip at Visit Østfold and Visit Fredrikstad and Hvaler.

5. Calming forests

Sometimes, the most important thing is to get away from it all. Venture deep into the woods for a place where you can all relax and be yourselves in peace and quiet. Get active with horse riding or paddling, or chill out with berry picking. Stay in a treetop cabin or try a tent that hangs in the air.

A short train ride northeast of Oslo you’ll find the cute town of Kongsvinger. Go for a wander among the historic houses and soulful eateries in Øvrebyen, the oldest part of Kongsvinger. A beautiful fortress on a hill overlooks the town and Norway’s longest river Glomma. Check out the fortress’ hotel, restaurant, and museum, or explore the enchanting wilderness in the forest Finnskogen before you continue towards Elverum.

Get more tips for a great trip with the besties at Visit Elverum, Kongsvinger and Hamar.

6. Traditional farms and fresh mountain air

You can also escape the city noise to a traditional mountain hotel just one and a half hours by train from Oslo in the Lillehammer region. The area is great for activities like hiking, cycling, and horse riding. Lillehammer is also recommended for shopping and culture. Pop into the Lillehammer Art Museum for Norwegian visual art from the 1830s as well as temporary international exhibitions. Another top-rated attraction is the open-air museum Maihaugen, with a collection of more than 200 houses from the Middle Ages and up until today.

Another tip is to visit the Mjøsgårdene farms to soak up the special atmosphere and broaden your culinary horizon with local delicacies. In Hamar there is a magnificent cathedral to explore. Afterwards you can go for a stroll along the promenade of Mjøsa, Norway's largest lake.

Find more tips for your trip at Visit Lillehammer and Hamar.