The term "staycation" refers to spending your holiday at home or nearby, exploring your area as a tourist would.

Halden has everything you need for a staycation – take the opportunity to relax, enjoy life, and make the most of your time.

By taking advantage of your local area, you can recharge with a short getaway just outside your home, enjoying attractions and activities that create lifelong memories. Sit down with friends, your partner, or family, and consider what you really need—is it a night at a hotel or a cabin? Adrenaline and ziplining, or café and museum visits?

Here are our top tips for a break from the otherwise busy everyday life.

You don’t need to travel far to unwind and experience luxury. In Halden, several hotels are ready to offer you a good night’s sleep, followed by a delicious hotel breakfast the next morning. Complete your stay with a three-course dinner in their restaurant. A hotel stay close to home gives you more time to recharge.

Order a custom forest basket, featuring ingredients from Hafsrød’s woods and other skilled producers along the Halden Canal and surrounding area. Experience the forest by trying their delicious elk stew, developed by gourmet chef Sebastian Eng at Halden’s top restaurant Curtisen, or the breakfast package – packed with delightful products from Østfold.

Who really shot Charles XII? What happened to the prisoners who tried to escape the fortress? And what hovers around the Clock Tower at midnight…? Experience a guided tour at Fredriksten Fortress in Halden. Their fantastic guides give you the chance to explore Fredriksten’s dramatic history firsthand.

In historic surroundings, you’ll find Restaurant Curtisen, who works with regional ingredients from Østfold’s rich larder and focuses on the story behind both the food and the perfect drink.

Or why not try a restaurant you often say, “I haven’t tried that one yet”?
Finish the evening with a drink that lifts your spirits at one of Halden’s bars or pubs.

MS / Brekke with its crew, is ready to take you on a unique journey through Norway’s oldest canal system. Enjoy an enchanting and historic trip through beautiful nature and spectacular locks. It’s a one-of-a-kind experience in calm waters and pristine surroundings. If you’re lucky, you might spot both beavers and ospreys.

Create memories for a lifetime climbing at Klatring på Grensen or Via Ferrata Haldenkanalen. Beautiful nature, engineering feats, history, and adrenaline – all in one place!

At Brekke KanoUtleie you can easily rent a canoe, and we recommend finding a spot along the Halden Canal. Pitch a tent or hang up a hammock. You can paddle for a long or short distance, bring food to cook a proper gourmet meal on a camping stove, or simply enjoy a slice of chocolate spread. You don’t need the best or most expensive gear, as long as your sleeping bag is warm enough and your sleeping mat comfortable. We’re sure a night outdoors will create lasting memories.

Perched more than eight meters above the forest floor, among the treetops, you can stay safely and comfortably.

The treetop cabins offer stunning views of the forest and lakes, with close encounters with nature, birds, and woodland animals. They are equipped with everything you need for a comfortable overnight stay in the trees – right in nature – all year round, for you and your companions.

In Halden, there’s always a big or small event to enjoy! Here, you can experience concerts, art exhibitions, history, and nature in the town beneath Fredriksten Fortress.

At “What’s On,” we’ve compiled an overview of this month’s events.
Catch your favorite artist or discover a band you’ve never seen before.

Halden offers a variety of exciting activities. Did you know that Fredriksten Fortress has its own famous ghost? The White Lady is searching for her great love – the commander. You can help her in the escape room Escape History Fredriksten at Fredriksten Hotel! Can you and your team find the commander within an hour?

Enjoy the fun of bowling at Lucky Bowl Halden with your loved ones, challenging each other in a lively competition full of laughter and excitement. For those seeking extra adrenaline, they also offer action-packed laser tag – an experience that will get your heart racing!