Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting Around
To cross the Glomma to Gamlebyen, you can either trek over the high and hulking
Glomma bridge or take the ferry (free; two minutes), which shuttles across the river
Glomma to the main gate of Gamlebyen regularly between around 5.30am and midnight
(exact times depend on the day).
Around Fredrikstad
Hvaler Skerries
Norwegian holidaymakers and artists love the Hvaler Skerries, an offshore archipelago of
833 forested islands and islets guarding the southern entrance to Oslofjord. The main is-
lands of
Vesterøy
,
Spjærøy
,
Asmaløy
and
Kirkøy
are connected to the mainland by a toll
road (Nkr55) and tunnel. Bus 365 (Nkr65) runs all the way from Fredrikstad to
Skjærhalden, at the far end of Kirkøy.
Fredrikstad tourist office
can point you in the direction of the numerous sights dotted
around the islands. There are a couple of other seasonal tourist offices scattered around the
islands.
Above the coastline of
Akerøy island
, accessible only by ferry (taxi boat) from
Skjærhalden, clings a well-preserved 17th-century coastal
fortress
, renovated in the
1960s. Admission is free and it's always open.
The mid-11th-century
stone church
(Skjærhalden, Kirkøy; noon-4pm Jul, noon-4pm Sat
late Jun & early Aug)
on Kirkøy is one of the oldest in Norway. The church hosts a week-long
music and arts festival in July.
Tourist offices have lists of fully equipped private houses and chalets in the Hvaler
Skerries, which are available for between Nkr450 and Nkr800 per day.
Storedal Cultural Centre
10am-4pm Tue-Sun mid-Jun-mid-Aug)
is 11km northeast of Fredrikstad. King Magnus the
Blind was born here in 1117; he took the throne at 13 years of age and earned his nick-
