10 tips to Drøbak in spring
1. Sleep in a hammock
In the forest, with a view of the water or on one of the coziest islands in Oslofjord - there are many nice places to stay in both a hammock and a tent. Right next to the fortress island Oscarsborg is Håøya, with boat connections from Oslo and Drøbak on weekends from April, and daily in the summer. This is an excellent place to camp, with many nice tent spots and places to hang up the hammock.
Frognmarka also offers nice places to stay in nature, with the areas around Øvredammen and Oppegårdtjernet being particularly nice. There are also several places along the coast where you can hang up a hammock. Find two tree trunks along one of the coastal paths in Frogn and spend the night with a first-class view where Oslofjorden is at its narrowest. BUA Drøbak offers free rental of hiking equipment, including hammocks."
2. Unique hotels and cabins
There are several unique accommodations in Drøbak and Frogn. Nestled by the Bunnefjord is a trendy new mirrored glass cabin in Nordre Frogn, complete with its own sauna, hot tub, and a large terrace with a grill. It's the perfect spot for a romantic stay this spring. In the center of Drøbak, visitors can check into the over 100-year-old Reenskaug Hotel. This historic hotel has recently undergone a transformation with The Lobby, a combined reception, bar, and restaurant that evokes thoughts of New York. At Oscarsborg, you'll find the fortress hotel Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort where simple military barracks have been transformed into beautiful hotel rooms with a military theme, many with a sea view.
There are also several Kystledhytter (Coastal cabins) available for rent through the Oslofjorden friluftsråd, located on the islands off the coast of Drøbak.
3. Spring bath
In "The Bathing Town" Drøbak, people swim all year round – even in spring! Drøbak boasts several lovely beaches, both in and around the town center. The family-friendly beach Skiphelle features a long sandy shoreline and a large grassy area, while Torkilstranda is a favorite among windsurfers. One of the galleries of local artist Reidar Finsrud is also located here. The Bathing Park in downtown Drøbak is also an excellent spot for the first swim of the year – for instance, at the newly restored "Herrebadet," a part of the bathing facility and spa facilities constructed in the early 1900s. There are also several smaller beaches in the center, like Nordstranda between Sundbrygga and Vindfangerbukta.
If you prefer bathing in more comfortable temperatures, Bølgen Bad is a good alternative.
4. Boat trips in the Oslofjord
Spring is a magical time for boat trips, and both Drøbak Guest Harbor and Oscarsborg Guest Harbor are wonderful places to dock.
Drøbak is located where the Oslo Fjord is at its narrowest, and it's also a short distance to several lovely islands like Håøya, Bergholmen, and Furuholmen. Don't have your own boat? Drøbak Kystlag offers free rowboat rentals – check their Facebook page. At BUA Drøbak, you can also rent life jackets for free.
5. Sustainable Shopping
Many people do spring cleaning at home, so this is a great time to find hidden treasures in thrift stores. There are several places for sustainable shopping in Drøbak. Fretex in Storgata offers clothes, toys, books, art, and interior items. Check also out Sitrus Second Hand and Frk. Getz. In spring and summer, several market vendors at Drøbak Square also sell reused and antique items. Kiwanis Drøbak holds a flea market every Saturday from April 30th in an old bunker near the historic Veisvingbatteriet at Seiersten Skanse. Additionally, there are several flea markets throughout the spring. In addition to thrift stores and antiques, Drøbak is known for its excellent shopping options with 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 open stores on Sundays throughout the year. Read more about shopping in Drøbak here.
6. Håøya - The Pearl of the Oslo Fjord
Håøya is one of the coziest islands in the Oslo Fjord, featuring idyllic bathing coves, fantastic hiking trails, well-equipped boat docks, the café Håøya Naturverksted, and lovely camping spots. It's a diverse and idyllic island gem to visit, whether for a day trip or to stay overnight this spring. Here, you can also climb Frogn, which is the highest point in Frogn and the Oslo Fjord region at 229.4 meters above sea level. The trip includes fascinating wartime history, unique nature, and breathtaking views of Oscarsborg and Drøbak. The B21 ferry has departures to Håøya from both Drøbak and Oslo on weekends starting from Easter.
7. Coastal Walks
There are accessible paths along large portions of the coast in Frogn, but only limited stretches are officially marked as coastal trails. It's therefore advisable to bring a good map when exploring the sunny side of Frogn. Here, you can discover a sheltered cove all to yourself, well-equipped recreational areas with beaches and rocky shores, diving boards and bathing piers. You can wander along narrow Drøbak streets, experiencing all that Drøbak has to offer in terms of atmosphere and architectural history; blooming rose gardens, lively squares, galleries, eateries, an aquarium, and a boat harbor. There's also the Christmas House and various museums.
8. Tour de Drøbak
The road network in Frogn is popular among cyclists, catering to both dedicated athletes and families out for a pleasant exploratory bike ride. There are plenty of routes to choose from; we suggest starting, finishing, or taking a break in Drøbak. It's important to refuel and stay hydrated.
Enjoying something freshly baked from the Håndverksbakeriet, or a coffee by the harbor or in Badeparken, can turn the break into the highlight of your day. Heading north, you can, for instance, opt for the route via Nesoddtangen, through the farm shop at Haneborg farm, or take your bike on the boat over to Aker Brygge in Oslo.
9. Outdoor dining
In spring and summer, Drøbak's many outdoor dining spots come to life. Around the square, you'll find Det gamle bakeri, Handelshuset Gastrobar, Peppes Pizza, and Bytinget. Café Sjøstjernen have outdoor seating with a fjord view, while at Café Teskje, you can sit in a spacious garden with a playground. Reenskaug Hotel also offer lovely outdoor dining space.
At Oscarsborg, you can dine al fresco in the sunshine at both the Forpleiningen restaurant at Oscarsborg Hotel & Resort and Havnekroa or Oscarsborg Guest Harbours Eatery in the guest harbor.
10. Gallery Walk in the Artist Town
Spring is the perfect time for a gallery walk, and Drøbak has a long history as an artist town. Over the years, the town has captivated artists, writers, and bohemians alike, including figures like Hans Gude, Oda and Christian Krogh, and Knut Hamsun. As the artist Edvard Diriks, cousin to Edvard Munch, once said: 'There were only two places worth living; Paris in the winter and Drøbak in the summer.' Today, there are several galleries both in and around the center of Drøbak, and many artists still reside here. It remains a highly popular destination for culture enthusiasts.