Oslofjord Islands: Nature Walks, Ferries & Village Trails

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Free cancellationTravelers' pickLikely to sell out

1/13

Duration3h 15m

GroupUp to 15

LanguagesEN

Mobile ticketAccepted

Hop ferries to Oslofjord islands for forest walks, abbey ruins and cozy villages

You’ll hop between Oslofjord islands by ferry with a local guide, exploring ancient monastery ruins and cozy cabin villages along forest trails. Expect shared moments over hot drinks or picnic lunches on quiet beaches—plus plenty of time to soak in fjord views and local stories. If you’re after gentle adventure and real Norwegian calm, this day trip is for you.

3h 15m

Step-by-step itinerary

Island hopping and nature exploration

Take ferry to ancient monastery
Explore monastery and nature preserve
Visit nature and bird sanctuary
Learn about Oslo's first airport
Travel to Cabin Island
Stroll through village of wooden cabins
Picnic on cosy beach

The Experience

I’ll admit, I didn’t expect the water around Oslo to look so inviting. We met our guide at the harbor—she had this way of pointing out tiny details, like the way locals tie up their boats or which wildflowers were edible (not that I tried them). The first ferry ride was breezy and a bit noisy with chatter from families and old men with fishing rods. I kept thinking about how close we still were to the city, but it already felt far away.

On the first island, we wandered through pine woods that smelled sharp and clean, almost medicinal. Our guide told us about the old monastery ruins—over 900 years old—and I could actually feel the coolness of the stone when I leaned against it. There was this weird mix of silence and distant gulls echoing off the water. Someone in our group brought cinnamon buns; we all shared them on a bench overlooking the fjord. It sounds small but honestly, that’s what stuck with me.

The next stop was a village full of these wooden cabins painted every color you can imagine—yellow, green, even pink. People waved as we passed; one woman was hanging laundry outside in thick socks and sandals (which made me laugh because my feet were freezing). In summer they say you can swim here—the guide said the water gets “surprisingly warm,” though I’m not sure I believe him. In colder months like ours, we just huddled for hot drinks on a little beach instead. The whole thing felt quietly special, not flashy or forced.

What’s included

Your day includes public ferry tickets between Oslofjord islands plus a guided walking tour with stories about local history and nature. You’ll have time for a picnic lunch (bring your own), or enjoy hot drinks on chilly days before heading back to Oslo by boat.

Good to know

Easy physical levelPublic transport nearby

Operated by Viking Biking & Hiking