About the Oslo Fjord islands
The Oslofjord stretches 100 kilometers from Oslo to the Skagerrak. Its inner waters contain a dozen islands reachable by public ferry in under 30 minutes — each with its own character. Hovedøya has Cistercian monastery ruins from 1147. Langøyene has Oslo's best sandy beach and free camping. The cabin islands of Lindøya, Nakholmen, and Bleikøya hold 600 summer cottages painted in mandated reds, blues, greens, and yellows. Further south, Oscarsborg Fortress sits in the Drøbak narrows where it sank the German cruiser Blücher in 1940. And the Hvaler archipelago, with its 833 islands, is home to Norway's first marine national park.
All inner island ferries are covered by a single Ruter day pass. The B1 line runs a circular route from City Hall pier year-round, stopping at Hovedøya, Lindøya, Gressholmen, Bleikøya, and Nakholmen. In summer, the B2 line adds service to Langøyene. For a deeper look at each island, read our complete guide to the Oslo fjord islands.
Plan your island visit
The best island-hopping months are June through August, when all ferry lines operate and cafes and kiosks are open. Combine two or three islands in a single day — the ferries run every 15 to 20 minutes in peak season. Bring food, water, and sunscreen, as not every island has facilities.
For sunset timing, our interactive sunset planner shows exactly when golden hour starts for any summer date — useful for planning an evening on the islands or a sunset cruise past them. For everything else, check our FAQ.