Historic bathing towns in Asker

Our best tip to an excursion and daytrip out of Oslo. Travel by boat, bike or car to the Asker and Hurum peninsula and visit charming villages such as Vollen, Filtvet and Holmsbu. Relax in the SPA or chill on the white beach by Villa Malla. Here is an opportunity to explore shops and galleries with unique design. Restaurants and shops ar also open on Sundays.

Humans have since the early 1900s believed that the salty air and a bath in the sea cures illnesses, and since then the Oslofjord has been a favorite place for bathing houses, gatherings, recreational activities and summer places for the distinguished families from "Christiania". For many years, the "Daddy boat" brought passengers to the the small towns on the weekends while mothers, grandparents and children stayed in the small towns throughout the summer.

No wonder that the area today has 6 of Norway's Blue Flag beaches in addition to summit hikes with fantastic views and a lot of unspoiled nature.

A road trip through Asker, to Hurumlandet takes you through different eras via charming summer gems such as Vollen, Sætre, Filtvet and Holmsbu. The area is best experienced by car but is also very popular to explore biking or by leisure boat. There is also a scheduled boat between Aker Brygge and Drøbak / Son with a few stops along the coast.

Treat yourself to quality time in a slower pace and feel the atmosphere visitors have come to experience through centuries. Rent rooms at one of the classic seaside hotels while exploring the coastal path, coastal galleries and other attractions in Asker and the Hurum Peninsula.

SPA at Holmen Fjordhotell

Holmen Fjordhotell is idyllically located by the water's with a view of the most beautiful part of the Oslo Fjord. The guest house Holmen Sommerhotell was started in 1924, and has today been expanded and converted into a modern conference hotel with a beautiful SPA in maritime style. Trygve Hegnar has collected some of his maritime antiques, old boats and cars that are on display in the hotel's public areas. Enjoy a good dinner and wrap up the evening with a game of shuffle board in the hotel bar.

Vollen

A stop in Vollen offers a whole day of experiences; unique shops with jewelery design and fashion, delicious Mediterranean lunch on the pier at Vito´s or the taste of Greece at Elea. Popular activities are renting a jet ski in the marina and sauna at Varm in Vollen. The Oslo Fjord Museum has changing exhibitions that tell about life on the fjord and the boat building traditions. The polar ship Maud was built here and is now for storage in Tofte, further south on the Hurum Peninsula. Nearby accommodation options: Quality Hotel Leangkollen , Ramton Camping and Holmen Fjordhotell

Sætre

Sætre is located at the exit of the Oslofjord tunnel south of Hurumlandet. Sætre Gård is a cultural monument and is idyllically located by the Oslo Fjord and is today a nice gallery and restaurant. The town has a nice city beach, beautiful hiking areas around Sandspollen and an active marina. Sætre is developing into an urban small town with nice restaurants and public services.

Filtvet

In charming Filtvet you can enjoy a lazy day by the beautiful white bay with a view to Filtvet Lighthouse. Stroll among the small houses, bathe from the rocks or enjoy a good meal at the esteemed Villa Malla. This is not just a restaurant, but a destination in itself. They have no menu, just buffet for both lunch and dinner. The buffet is full of homemade Mediterranean food such as salads, salsa, dips, countless vegetable dishes and hot dishes from the grill. In Gallery Malla, you will find exhibitions by artists from all over the world. Accommodation nearby: Villa Utsikten.

Holmsbu

Holmsbu is the most famous small town in Asker, beautifully situated by Drammensfjorden. This coastal gem is bustling with life from Easter to the autumn holidays, but is well worth a visit all year round. Spend the evening with delicious food at one of the city's restaurants and cafés, listening to live music in the backyard or on the hotel terrace. Enjoy a refreshing sea bath and sauna from the floating sauna, rent a canoe from the hotel and walk the coastal path towards Rødtangen.

The unique light and landscape at the southern tip of Hurum has been immortalized by many painters. Henrik Sørensen came to visit in 1913 and enjoyed the place so much that he lived in Holmsbu almost every summer for the rest of his life in company with several renowned painters, referred to as "Holmsbumalerne". They painted the beautiful decorations in Holmsbu church in the 1950s and 1960s. Holmsbu Bildemuseum-Henrik Sørensen's collections is nicely located along the coastal path in Støa and is open from June to September.

Make a hike to Holtnesdalen nature reserve with unique primeval forest, deciduous forest and carpets of wildflowers. The stream divides the valley into two parts and creates deep, dark valley depressions - with ferns and deciduous forest in the valley bottoms, and more coniferous forest at the height between them.

Experience the beautiful coast and find peace in the sunset breeze. Enjoy good company with close friends in one of the many beautiful places along the Asker coast.

Have a pleasant tour.