Østfold: Fortress Towns and the Hvaler Archipelago
Travel guide · editorialØstfold lies between the Oslofjord and the Swedish border and is one of the sunniest parts of Norway. A trip to Østfold takes you to star-shaped fortress towns, out to the Hvaler archipelago, and to Bronze Age rock carvings – all just an hour's drive from Oslo.
Sights in Østfold
Gamlebyen, the old town of Fredrikstad, is the best-preserved fortress town in Northern Europe: ramparts, moats, and bastions enclose cobblestone lanes lined with cafés, galleries, and craft shops, and a small ferry crosses the Glomma River to the new town. In Halden, Fredriksten Fortress towers above the town; it was here in 1718 that the Swedish king Charles XII was killed during a siege. Moss is associated with the Convention Estate, where the armistice with Sweden was signed in 1814, and with the island of Jeløy, where the art center Punkt Ø hosts exhibitions. Sarpsborg, one of Norway's oldest towns, founded by Olav the Holy, lies beside the Sarpsfossen waterfall, one of the most powerful waterfalls in Europe by volume. Between Fredrikstad and Sarpsborg, the Oldtidsveien, or Road of Antiquity, passes rock carvings, burial mounds, and stone circles. Fredriksten Fortress houses museums and serves as a venue for concerts in summer, and near Halden the Svinesund Bridge links Norway with Sweden.
Coast and Islands
The Hvaler Islands south of Fredrikstad, together with Ytre Hvaler National Park, form an archipelago of smooth granite, swimming coves, and fishing villages that comes alive with vacation homes in summer. The Halden Canal, a waterway with locks winding through forests and lakes, is also inviting for boat and canoe trips. In summer, boats run between Fredrikstad and the islands, and Hankø, off Fredrikstad, was once the royal family's summer residence and remains a sailing center to this day.
Food, Getting There, and the Best Time to Visit
In summer, you can buy shrimp straight from the fishing docks of Hvaler and eat them with white bread, lemon, and mayonnaise. The region is also known for strawberries and vegetables from local farms. The Østfold Line connects Oslo with Moss, Fredrikstad, Sarpsborg, and Halden and continues on to Gothenburg. The best time to visit is summer, from June to August. A dense network of bike paths and farm shops selling apples and cider makes Østfold a great destination for a weekend trip from Oslo.