10 lovely autumn experiences
Wonderful colors of autumn, cozy cafes, farm-to-table treats and gallery walks - autumn is the high season of coziness! Here are ten reasons for loving Drøbak and Frogn in autumn.
Sleep in a hammock
In the forest or overlooking the fjord – there are many nice places to spend the night under the stars in Frogn. Frognmarka is a great place to spend the night in nature, for example around our lakes Øvredammen and Oppegårdtjernet. There are also several places along the coast suitable to sleep in a hammock, for example by the beach Kjeppestadbukta. At BUA in Drøbak boat harbor, which is part of the Tourist Information service in Drøbak, it is possible to borrow both tents, hammocks and hiking equipment completely free of charge.
Gallery walks
Autumn is a perfect time to visit galleries and as an arts center, Drøbak has several galleries. Local artist Reidar Finsrud has two galleries outside the city center, at Bilitt and at Torkilstranda. He has also made the bronze sculpture of the three ”The Mermaids of Drøbak” in Drøbak boat harbor. The Norwegian Cartoonist Gallery Avistegnernes Hus shows drawings with meaning, expression-based art and is a tribute to the newspaper cartoonist Fredrik Stabel. Drøbak kunstforening (Art Association) curates exhibitions in the historic bathing building Varmbadet at Badeparken, with a stunning fjord view. Oslofjorden Kunstsenter, Drøbak Kunstnerforum and Gallery Havstad are all worth a visit. Gallery Vera is on the way to Torkilstranda. In the center of Drøbak, the former Munich-based goldsmith Walter Hensel also has his own workshop called Gullsmed Atelieret, together with his Norwegian partner Marit Falch.
The taste of autumn
Several of Drøbak’s restaurants have tasty autumn menus, including The Lobby at Reenskaug Hotel, Miramar Restaurant and traditional Kumlegaarden. Drøbak also has several cozy cafes and bakeries. Det Gamle Bageri is a restaurant and gastro bar in one of the city’s oldest buildings from the 18th century. Café Galleri Teskje is also located in a historic building, with a large garden and playground. Håndverksbakeriet bakes everything from croissants and vanilla rolls to fresh bread, they also have salads and lunch dishes. Pavels Konditori is family-run favorite that serves lunch, cakes and pastries. Read more about Drøbak's many tasty eateries here.
Romantic Night at Oscarsborg Fortress
Five minutes by ferry from Drøbak, in the beautiful Drøbak’s Sound you find the island of Oscarsborg. The historical events that happened here on April 9, 1940 - became of significant importance in Norway’s history. The attack on the German cruiser «Blücher» helped to postpone Hitler's plan to take Oslo, the royal family was given time to flee, and Norway's gold reserve was brought to safety. Here is also the great fortress hotel Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort where simple military barracks have been turned into exceptional hotel rooms, several with sea views. Here you can also take a deep dive into history in the interesting Fortress Museum with free entrance. In the evening, the fortress island is magically lit up which creates an incredibly special atmosphere, perfect for a romantic evening walk – this island just needs to be experienced!
Shopping in the "Sunday town"
Drøbak has many unique niche stores. In the town center, you won't find a single chain store. Drøbak is also one of the few cities that have Sunday openings throughout the year. Kashmina is a Norwegian clothing brand designed in Drøbak, known for its luxurious and exclusive garments made of 100% cashmere wool. The store is located right by Drøbak square. Rosenquist, Ovidia Bay and Yasmin are other clothing stores that sell women's clothing. Fru Magnolia, Anneks, Lyst, and Lysthuset are lifestyle stores offering a combination of clothing and interior items, while No3 specialize in interior decor. Calzado primarily sells shoes, while Hamborg offers men's clothing.
Butterfly is the go-to place for lingerie and swimwear. Meanwhile, Schau Optik has been synonymous with quality both as an optician and for selling eyeglasses and sunglasses since 1971. There are also several places to shop sustainably in Drøbak. Fretex on Storgata offers clothing, toys, books, art, and interior items. Check also out Sitrus Second Hand and Frk. Getz.
Read more about shopping here.
Autumn of culture
Drøbak has a bustling cultural life, and especially in the fall. The Cultural Days “KulturGlimt” takes place in October with activities and events for all ages. Smia, the cultural house just off the golf course at Dyrløkke, also offers regular concerts, theatres and other cultural events. Autumn is also an excellent time to go to the movies, and the historic Drøbak cinema is right in the town centre with many exciting films on the program. Stay up to date on what's going on in Drøbak and Frogn on the calendar here.
A unique mirror glass cabin
Nest Bunnefjorden is a trendy mirror glass cabin in the Northern part of Frogn, with its own sauna, hot tub and a large terrace with barbecue. Perfect place for a romantic stay now in the autumn. Enjoy the hot tub, fire up the sauna and watch the autumn colors change on the trees and make something delicious on the barbeque. This unique accommodation also has beautiful fjord views. The mirror glass hut is located at Knardal in Northern Frogn, 30 minutes by car from Oslo. Read more about the unique accommodation here.
Hiking along the coast
Hike along the beautiful coast of Frogn. A great route is for example the coastal path from Skiphelle to Ramme gård. Read more about coastal directions on the web page of Frognmarka´s Venner.
Join a guided tour along the coast here.
Family fun at Follo Museum
The idyllic open-air museum at Seiersten is surrounded by nature on all sides, but also offers several activities this autumn. Read more about Follo museum here.
