If you’re visiting Oslo and are looking for a day trip destination, the small and picturesque town of Drøbak is the perfect getaway. Read on to find out why!
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Less than one hour south of Oslo, Drøbak is a small town on the Inner Oslo Fjord. The town is a true winter wonderland during the cold months, but it’s just as charming in summer. The narrow alleys, the beautiful marina, and the typical Norwegian wooden houses with their bright colors make this place a lovely destination for a city escape. I visited in winter and fell in love with the snow-covered alleys and the cozy atmosphere.
A day trip to Drøbak is more than enough to check out everything there is to see. While the town may not be packed with visitors, there is no lack of tourism. Drøbak is home to the only saltwater aquarium in the area, not to mention Santa’s house and post office.
Before getting into the planning and visiting details, here’s a quick overview of the places I will mention on the map:
Planning your day trip to Drøbak
If you don’t have a car, the best way to get to Drøbak from Oslo is by bus. Number 500 departs from Oslo Bus Terminal near Oslo Central Station and arrives at Drøbak Brygge in about 40 to 50 minutes. A more convenient stop is by the church in Drøbak. From there, it’s just a two-minute walk to the main square.
In summer, you may also reach Drøbak by ferryboat, route B21, which takes 1.5 hours from Oslo Aker Brygge. This way, you’ll combine the trip with a lovely boat ride along the Oslo Fjord. You can check the departure times for buses and ferries on Ruter#.
You can explore the entire town of Drøbak just by walking, so you don’t need to worry about public transportation there. In less than 10 minutes, you’ll be able to walk from one end to the other of the town.
Julehuset: The Christmas House
One of the main attractions in Drøbak is, without a doubt, Treegaarden’s Julehus, or the Christmas house. From the outside, it almost looks like any other Norwegian wooden house, but as soon as you enter, you’ll find yourself immersed in the Christmas atmosphere with toys, Christmas decorations, and gifts everywhere.
The house was built at the end of the 1800s as a prayer house, and it remained open until World War II. After staying empty for more than 40 years, the house was finally sold in 1986. Treegaarden’s Julehus opened only two years later and has attracted visitors ever since.
If you’re visiting Drøbak in winter, this is a must-see. The house is in the main square of Drøbak, so it’s impossible to miss. Go buy your Christmas decorations and some souvenirs, or just look around. And don’t forget to check out Santa’s post office!
What to see on your day trip to Drøbak
There are plenty of things to do to fill your day trip to Drøbak. As you walk down the alley from Santa’s house to the port area, you’ll find an interesting street sign picturing Santa Claus running with his bag of presents. The sign is near Drøbak’s Tourist Office, where you can check out an exhibition of over 250,000 letters to Santa Claus sent from all over the world.
Next to the tourist office, you’ll also find the Drøbak Aquarium. If you have time, go in for a visit. A ticket costs 160 NOK, which is around 15 USD or 13.5 euros. Don’t forget to check out the mermaids’ sculpture outside the aquarium and enjoy a stroll along the Oslo Fjord.
You can spend the rest of your time enjoying the walk around the narrow alleys and checking out the colorful houses or stopping for lunch or a coffee break at one of the many restaurants, cafés, and bakeries. Check out also the Badeparken Drøbak and the Drøbak Church.
Eat and drink in Drøbak
If you’re looking for a place to have a slice of cake and a coffee, try the cozy Galleri cafe Teskje AS on Niels Carlsens gate. Next to it, you’ll also find Kumlegaarden restaurant og selskapslokaler if you want to have lunch or dinner.
If you’re visiting Drøbak in summer, enjoy the sun sitting on the terrace at Pavels Spiseri for a cold drink, some delicious baked goods and cakes, or a full meal.
Despite being quite small, Drøbak has a lot to offer in terms of restaurants. You’ll find anything from pizza to Chinese and Indian restaurants.
Planning your trip to Norway
First things first. If you’re still planning your trip to Norway, start by finding the best flights. I always use Skyscanner to compare prices and find the most affordable options. You can find many great flights from several European cities to Oslo. Search your flights below:
As for accommodation, Booking.com has plenty of options for every budget, from low-cost hostels to luxury hotels. Oslo can be quite pricey, so I recommend booking your accommodation in advance. Check out the best accommodation in Oslo below:
Another thing to consider before your trip to Norway or anywhere else is getting travel insurance. I find SafetyWing to be among the best travel insurance out there. It works in 185 countries, and your policy extends automatically every month, so you don’t end up without coverage.
Find out more about the insurance coverage and sign up here. I also wrote a detailed article about SafetyWing if you’re looking for more reasons to get this insurance.
Finally, if you are planning on spending more time in Norway, you may want to visit the beautiful city of Bergen, on the southwestern coast of Norway. You can also reach Bergen by train, experiencing one of the most scenic train rides in Europe!
Enjoy your Drøbak day trip!
Travel Resources
Lastly, here is a complete list of my favorite apps and websites for travel planning.
| Website/App | Category | Description | Book Here |
|---|---|---|---|
| Booking.com | Accommodation | My favorite website for great accommodations for different budgets. | Find a Place |
| Kiwi.com | Flights | My new favorite platform for finding affordable flights. | Find Flights |
| Omio | Transportation | You can book everything from buses and trains to ferry rides. | Transportation |
| SafetyWing | Insurance | One of the best travel medical insurances for frequent travelers. | Get Insured |
| Manawa | Activities | A great platform to book activities and adventures with local hosts. | Find Activities |
| GetYourGuide | Activities | My go-to platform for tours and experiences with lots of options. | Experiences |
| Viator | Activities | A great alternative for activities all over the world. | Experiences |
| GuruWalk | Free tours | A great platform for free walking tours (tipping is recommended). | Book a tour |
| DiscoverCars | Car rental | My go-to platform for car rental anywhere in the world. | Rent a Car |
| Airalo | eSIM | My favorite app for buying digital SIM cards when traveling abroad. | Get an eSIM |
| Saily | eSIM | A great alternative to Airalo, with cheaper plans in some destinations. | Get an eSIM |
| Xe | Currency | A currency converter showing real-time rates. Website or app. | Get Xe App |
| Maps.me | Navigation | My favorite navigation app for hiking trails and remote areas. | Get Maps |
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