Drøbak

Drøbak is in the Frogn municipality, in the county of Akershus in Norway, at the shores of the Oslofjord, a few miles south-east of Oslo.

Understand

The cannons of Oscarsborg

Drøbak was in the 19th century used as a winter port for the capital Oslo, because the fjord froze in winter time. The most famous story is Oscarborg Fortresses role during the Norwegian campaign of World War II. On 9 April 1940, the fortress sunk the German cruiser Blücher and thus delayed the Nazi German invasion of Norway.

Today the town is a picturesque little spot, which consists mostly of small, whitepainted wooden houses. Especially in summer, the town is used as a seaside resort for many tourists, who find many scenic attractions here. From the harbor in Drøbak there is a ferry to the former fortress Oscarsborg, which has been converted into a museum and a hotel resort. During the summer season, the fortress can also be reached by a separate liner boat from Oslo/Sentrum. Mandatory for those with an interest in history and beautiful sceneries.

Get in

By plane

• Oslo Airport Gardermoen, Norway’s Main Airport. Travelling time by car to Drøbak is approximately 1 hour (50% more during busy day hours through Oslo Ring Road).

For more information on facilities at and around Oslo Airport, Gardermoen, see the Oslo Airport, Gardermoen article.

By boat

Good moorings if you have your own boat.

In the period April 15 to September 30 you may travel to Drøbak by ferry. The ferryboat leaves every day from Aker Brygge in Oslo, landing at Sjøtorget in Drøbak. This ferry stops at Oscarsborg Fortress and Håøya.

By bus

Bus routes 541 and 542 from Oslo, about 40 minutes away. The fare is 74kr.

By car

European Route E6 is going through Frogn municipality in the north-south direction (from Oslo and the Swedish border). Follow signs to Drøbak from the motorway. There is a sub sea tunnel at Norwegian National Road 23 under the Oslofjord from the west side of the fjord. (Hurum and Drammen where connected to the European Road E18)

By motorcycle

The mentioned routes for bicycles are tempting drives for MC-enthusiasts who want to avoid the motorway and enjoy curvy country roads.

By taxi

A taxi from Oslo will cost you about 500-600kr in the daytime, and about 1000kr in the evening or at night. On longer taxi rides, it's OK to bargain with the driver for a fair price.

Get around

The town of Drøbak is small, and most can be reached on foot. For tours in the wider area Follo, the bus is the best option, both north towards the capital, Oslo and south towards Østfold county.

Drøbak has good ports for small boats. The surroundings around Drøbak provide excellent opportunities to use a bicycle or motorcycle. If you drive a car, you should be aware of the many toll booths in the area. Taxi is a rather expensive alternative.

• 🌍 Ferry to Oscarsborg Fortress. 

See

The three murmaids in Drøbak

• 🌍 Oscarsborg Fortress. (Ferry timetable). with a museum. Learn about the sinking of the German warship Blücher that was sunk just outside Drøbak on April 9, 1940 during the invasion of Norway. Ferry from Drøbak to the island of Oscarsborg  
• 🌍 Fredrik Stabel & Avistegnernes Hus, Lindtruppbakken 1. A museum for newspaper cartoons. 
• 🌍 Drøbak Church, Kirkegata 18. is a very beautiful 18th-century church 
• 🌍 Drøbak Aquarium, Havnegata 4. study local fish and marine animals close up. 
• Lutefisk Museum - This museum is unique - being the world's only. It has a rather humouristic exhibition of one of Norway’s most special and traditional fish dishes, next door to the Aquarium
• 🌍 A sculpture of three murmaids. is placed in the at the approach to Drøbak, created by Reidar Finsrud and unveiled in 1999. 
• Several art galleries.
• 🌍 Follo Museum, Belsjøveien 17, ☎ [phone]. The cultural history museum of the area. 

Do

• Go for a walk in the city centre, with the many art galleries. Take a look at the picturesque buildings everywhere.
• Go for a sea bath in Badeparken or one of the many beaches in the summer.
• 🌍 Drøbak Golf Club, Belsjøveien 50, ☎ [phone]. Drøbak Golf Club has one of the most popular golf courses in Norway! Green fee: Adults NOK 400,
  junior NOK 250. 

Buy

The post office of Santa Claus - in Drøbak

• 🌍 Tregaardens Julehus (The Christmas House), Havnebakken 6. Drøbak is hometown to Santa Claus, or Julenissen in Norwegian, and he has of course an office open to public where you can buy his stuff all year long 

Eat

• 🌍 Skipperstuen (Captain's lodge), Havnebakken 11, ☎ [phone]. Just up from the harbour provides good food and a splendid view to the fiord. 
• 🌍 Kumlegaarden, Niels Carlsens gt. 11, ☎ [phone]. Traditional food in one of the oldest houses in Drøbak. 
• 🌍 Miramar, Jørnsebakken 7, ☎ [phone]. A place to eat while looking out on the Oslofjord from the panorama windows. 
• 🌍 Peppes Pizza, Torget 1 (on the square, in the middle of town), ☎ [phone]. 1PM -10PM, Saturdays 1PM - 11PM. American style pizza. (Also home delivery, take-away service)  
• Telegrafen (To be reconstructed after fire). Lunch and dinner place, which also serves as a nightclub. 
• 🌍 Havnekroa (in the guest harbor of Oscarsborg). varied menu at the fortress 

Drink

• 🌍 Bageriet, Havnebakken 1. A very very very small and cosy pub. 
• Telegrafen and Reenskaug hotel (generally a bit younger crowd)

Note: The local authorities closed all food sale after midnight because they did not want people in the streets at night time. So no burgers, etc., on the streets of Drøbak.

Sleep

• 🌍 Reenskaug Hotel, ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. Cozy hotel in the centre of town. Fridays and Saturdays a disco on the ground floor. 
• 🌍 Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort (Boat from the town centre), ☎ [phone], e-mail: [e-mail]. The hotel & resort at the historical site of Oscarsborg Fortress. 

Go next

• Hvitsten (to the south) - an idyllic little port where the famous painter Edvard Munch had his summer residence.
• Son (a few miles to the south) is a cozy, traditional village and port in Vestby municipality, even smaller than Drøbak that consists of small, picturesque houses and reputable restaurants near the seafront. A popular location for different artists.
• 🌍 Tusenfryd Amusementpark is a necessary stop for children, on your way northwards towards Oslo.