Fredrikstad

In 1567, King Frederick II of Norway decided to build a defensive area at the mouth of the Glomma River. This new walled city grew to become the 6th-largest city in Norway. In the 20th century, Fredrikstad gained importance thanks to its timber and shipbuilding industry.

Today, Fredrikstad retains its medieval essence thanks to its historic buildings and 18th-century drawbridges. If you want to get a more complete picture of the town, you can take a ferry ride on the Glomma River and watch the quiet life of the streets from the water.

The old city

The defensive importance of Fredrikstad in the 18th century is still evident in its Old Town. This area is only accessible by ferry, as it's completely walled and surrounded by star-shaped canals.

In the Old Town, you'll find small craft shops, old military buildings, low wooden houses and even a windmill. Overall, you'll feel like you're travelling back in time.

As well as that, if you want to learn more about the origins of Friedrikstad, the Old Town houses a museum that traces its history and exhibits objects from over 300 years ago. Another option is to visit the Railway Museum, which played a key role in the industrial development of Friedrikstad.

Fredrikstad in a weekend

If you have no time constraints, we recommend visiting Friedrikstad on a weekend. This will ensure a livelier atmosphere in the streets, open shops and the craft market every Saturday. Fredrikstad is the perfect place to shop and sample typical Norwegian products.

How to get to Fredrikstad

The best option for getting to Fredrikstad is to take a train from Oslo Central Station. Once at the city's station, it's a 15-minute walk to the quay on the Glomma River, where free ferries connect Fredrikstad with the Old Town.

Ferries depart every 15 minutes, and the journey takes 5 minutes, which is enough time to enjoy the incredible scenery.