Fredrikstad Travel Guide: Explore the Old Town and Beyond

A short train ride from Oslo takes you to Fredrikstad, where Norway’s best-preserved Old Town and lively riverfront make for an unforgettable day trip.

Just over an hour south of Oslo, Fredrikstad is one of Norway’s most rewarding day trips. The city’s beautifully preserved fortified Old Town offers cobbled streets, ramparts, galleries, cafés and museums, all within walking distance of the river ferry.

I first visited on a research trip for my former Moon Norway guidebook, and have since gone on to visit in different seasons.

In summer, Fredrikstad becomes the gateway to the Hvaler islands, while in winter it retains a quiet charm that makes its history all the more atmospheric.

Why Visit Fredrikstad?

Fredrikstad is best known for Gamlebyen, its fortified Old Town. Built in 1567, it is the largest and best-preserved fortress town in Northern Europe.

Unlike many other historic sites, Gamlebyen is no open-air museum. About 350 people still live within the walls, and the streets bustle with cafés, galleries and shops.

The city’s riverside location also makes it a lively summer destination, with boats criss-crossing the waterways and trips out into the Oslofjord archipelago.

Add in easy train connections from Oslo, and Fredrikstad becomes an obvious choice for anyone looking to experience a slice of Norwegian history without venturing too far from the capital.

Exploring the Old Town

The charming Old Town is the heart of any visit. To get there from the modern city centre, most visitors take the free ferry across the Glomma River.

The service is part of the local transport system, so it runs regularly and reliably throughout the day. Boarding is quick and easy, and the short ride gives you a glimpse of the city’s life along the waterfront.

Once inside the walls, take time to stroll the star-shaped ramparts, which provide sweeping views across the moats and over the river. The cobbled streets are lined with low wooden houses painted in ochre, red and white, many of which now house small galleries and artisan shops.

Highlights include Bastion 5, a contemporary art gallery in one of the former guardhouses, and the Fredrikstad Museum, which tells the story of the fortress and the city’s growth.

Families can enjoy the Gamlebyen Miniature Railroad, open at weekends, where model trains run through an impressively detailed landscape.

One of the most popular stops is Café Magenta, a rustic coffeehouse and live music venue set inside a historic warehouse. In summer, outdoor tables spill onto the cobbles, making it one of the most atmospheric places in the city.

Kongsten Fort

A short walk from Gamlebyen brings you to Kongsten Fort, built in the 1680s to strengthen Fredrikstad’s defences. While it never saw battle, the fort played a role in local military life for centuries.

Today, the grounds are open to the public, and in good weather the views from the ramparts make it an inviting picnic spot.

Local lore has it that soldiers once drank beer daily to avoid disease carried in the water. Whether true or not, it is a reminder of the challenges of garrison life.

Modern Fredrikstad

The modern centre, across the river from Gamlebyen, has the feel of a typical mid-sized Norwegian city. You’ll find shops, restaurants, a library and a cinema, but little that detains visitors for long.

One of the most prominent landmarks is Fredrikstad Cathedral, a red-brick neo-Gothic church completed in 1880, whose tall spire dominates the skyline and whose interior features striking stained-glass windows.

The riverside promenade is worth a stroll on summer evenings, when locals gather for outdoor dining and boat traffic keeps the water busy.

Sports fans might also enjoy catching a Fredrikstad FK football match at the nearby stadium, where the atmosphere can be surprisingly lively for a city of this size.

Getting Around Fredrikstad on the Water

Fredrikstad is built where the Glomma River meets the Oslofjord, and water transport has always been part of daily life here.

For visitors, the city’s network of small passenger ferries offers both a practical way to get around and a memorable sightseeing experience.

The most popular crossing is the free ferry between the modern city centre and Gamlebyen. It runs every few minutes throughout the day, and because it is part of the local transport system, it’s used as much by commuters and schoolchildren as by tourists.

The short hop across the river provides great views of the Old Town’s ramparts and is an experience in itself. Beyond this, ferries connect different parts of the city and its surrounding districts, following the river and branching out into the nearby fjords.

Riding the ferries is an easy way to see Fredrikstad from the water without booking a tour, and you’ll often share the boat with locals heading home, shopping, or even transporting bicycles across the river.

The Hvaler Islands

Fredrikstad is the gateway to the Hvaler archipelago, a string of more than 800 islands, islets and skerries stretching out into the Oslofjord.

Only a handful are inhabited, but together they form one of Norway’s sunniest regions, making them a favourite summer escape for Oslo residents. Cabins line sheltered bays, fishing boats dot the harbours, and quiet coastal paths lead to some of the country’s most inviting beaches.

For visitors, Vesterøy is the easiest to reach, with road connections, bus services, and marked hiking trails. It’s home to nature reserves, small fishing villages and several sandy beaches, making it a good choice for families or anyone looking for a gentle walk by the sea.

History buffs may prefer Akerøy, where the ruins of a coastal fort stand guard over the surrounding fjord. The fortress dates back to the eighteenth century and was once part of Norway’s coastal defence network. Today it provides an atmospheric backdrop for a picnic, with sweeping views of the outer islands.

Another island worth exploring is Kirkeøy, the largest in the archipelago. It is home to Hvaler Church, one of the oldest stone churches in Norway, built in the twelfth century. The island also has good walking routes and a lively summer harbour at Skjærhalden, where visitors will find cafés, restaurants and galleries.

While summer is the best time to explore, with regular boat services and open facilities, spring and autumn can be just as rewarding. The paths and beaches are quieter, birdlife is abundant, and the islands feel more like the local retreat they truly are.

How to Get to Fredrikstad

The easiest way to reach Fredrikstad is to travel by train from Oslo Central Station. Services run hourly, take just over an hour, and cost around 215 kroner. Trains are modern, comfortable and reliable, making this the best option for most visitors.

Long-distance buses also connect Oslo and Fredrikstad, with travel times of about 90 minutes. They are often cheaper but more susceptible to traffic delays.

If you’re driving, the E6 motorway runs directly from Oslo to Fredrikstad. The journey takes around 90 minutes, but parking near Gamlebyen can be limited on summer weekends.

Where to Stay in Fredrikstad

Most visitors will find a day trip sufficient, but if you prefer to slow down, Fredrikstad has some memorable places to stay.

The standout is Gamlebyen Hotell, the only accommodation within the Old Town walls. Its fifteen rooms are individually decorated, with bright interiors that reflect Scandinavian design sensibilities.

Breakfast is served in a nearby café at a discounted rate, and the historic setting makes it by far the most atmospheric choice in town.

For those on a tighter budget, Scandic City in the modern city centre is a solid and affordable alternative. It offers simple but comfortable rooms, a central location within walking distance of the train station, and breakfast included in the room rate.

While it lacks the charm of Gamlebyen, it’s practical, well-priced, and ideal if you just need a base for a night or two. Other mid-range hotels in the centre provide more conventional options, but few can match the character of staying in the Old Town.

Best Time to Visit

Fredrikstad is a city that changes character with the seasons, and each time of year has its own appeal.

Winter is the quietest season, and while daylight hours are short, the atmosphere inside Gamlebyen can be unforgettable. Frost settles on the ramparts, the cobbled streets glisten with ice, and the free ferry cuts quietly across the river.

On cold days you may have the Old Town almost to yourself, which gives the place a timeless, almost otherworldly feel. The trade-off is that some attractions close outside the main season, but the cafés that remain open provide a cosy refuge.

Spring brings longer days, milder air and bursts of colour in the fortress gardens. As Norwegians return to outdoor life after winter, Fredrikstad feels fresh and lively again.

This is one of the best times for sightseeing without the heavier summer crowds, and ferry rides across the river or into the Hvaler islands feel especially pleasant with the first warm breezes of the year.

Summer is the peak season, and the city buzzes with life. Cafés and restaurants spill onto the cobbles, festivals take over the riverfront, and boat traffic criss-crosses the waterways.

This is also the best time to explore the Hvaler archipelago, with regular ferries linking the islands and beaches busy with Oslo residents enjoying their summer cabins. Expect a more crowded Gamlebyen at weekends, but also the widest choice of activities, open attractions and tours.

Autumn arrives gently, with mild temperatures often lingering into September. The trees along the riverbanks turn red and gold, adding a new layer of charm to the city.

This is an excellent time for photography, and with fewer visitors than in summer, it’s easier to find a quiet corner. October can be crisp and cool but still rewarding, particularly if you want to balance sightseeing with a relaxed café culture.

Whether you’re wandering the cobbles of Gamlebyen, catching a ferry to the Hvaler islands, or simply enjoying coffee by the river, Fredrikstad delivers an experience that feels both local and timeless.