Hovedøya: ferry to a 1147 monastery and the swimming rocks: a walk in Oslo

Oslo's nearest island is eight minutes by Ruter ferry from the City Hall piers on a normal zone 1 ticket. It is a nature reserve with the ruins of a Cistercian monastery founded in 1147, 19th-century cannon batteries with a view of the city, a big meadow for picnics and two beaches on the west side. A trail circles the island in about 45 minutes. Bring a matpakke: grilling only on the fixed public grills, no fires, no camping, no picking flowers.

Best time: A summer weekday morning before 10:00, or a warm evening for a swim; the ferry runs all year but much less often in winter

The route, stop by stop

1
Rådhusbrygge (City Hall piers, Aker brygge)
Take B1 (all year) or the summer direct B1X to Hovedøya; buy the ticket in the Ruter app before boarding. Look for the small white island boats, not the big Nesodden ferries.
2
Hovedøya monastery ruins
Founded in 1147 by Cistercian monks from Kirkstead in Lincolnshire, dissolved, plundered and burned in 1532, then used as a stone quarry for Akershus fortress. Excavated from the 1840s; open and free. The cannon batteries on the height nearby give a wide view over the city and fjord. 30 min.
3
Klosterkroa
Seasonal kiosk and restaurant by the ruins (Oslo kommune lists 'kiosk og restaurant i Klosterkroa'). Hours not verified for 2026.
4
Lindøysund beach
The public beach on the west side with toilets and a bathing ramp; a step-free 150 m path from the ferry avoids the hill by the ruins. Water quality is posted by Oslo kommune; avoid swimming for a day after heavy rain. 60 min.
5
Hovedøya island
Walk the trail round the island back to the ferry landing (about 45 min).
The closest fjord island, about 8 minutes from the city by ferry, where 'history and nature collide'; locals come for picnics and swims.

Walking directions

Hovedøya: ferry to a 1147 monastery and the swimming rocks

The route, stop by stop

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