Cultural Experiences
Autumn in Oestfold invites you to enjoy long walks, cultural activities, and fun, educational pursuits. Here are ten tips for enriching autumn days in Østfold!
1. Explore a fortress or fort
Fredriksten Fortress offers stunning views over Halden and the fjord. The outdoor areas are open all year, and after dark, you can experience the historical light show projected onto the walls of the inner fortress. The grounds include a café, roadside inn, tourist shop, and museum.
Hoytorp Fort is another must-see destination and a popular hiking area, offering scenic trails and viewpoints over Mysen. The fort also hosts over 40 buildings featuring restaurants, craft shops, handicrafts, flea markets, and more.
In Gamlebyen, Fredrikstad's Old Town, stroll along the ramparts, admire the autumn colours, warm up in cosy galleries and shops, and enjoy a hot drink at one of the charming cafés.
2. Experience tranquility in nature
The area around Halden Canal is perfect for canoeing and cycling. Here, you’ll find calm waters, great camping opportunities with shelters, and excellent cycling routes. Oestfold's woodlands and fields make it easy to find mushrooms and berries without needing local knowledge. You’ll also encounter beautiful coastal scenery and fascinating cultural landmarks.
3. Get inspired – visit a gallery
Oestfold offers plenty for art lovers, with many exciting galleries and exhibitions year-round. Visit Bastion 5 in Fredrikstad, Galleri F15 in Moss, or the gallery at Rød Herregård in Halden. See the full gallery overview in Oestfold, and check ongoing exhibitions in the events calendar.
4. Follow historic trails
Norway's most concentrated collection of ancient monuments from the Bronze and Iron Ages can be found along Oestfold’s Ancient Route. The route features burial mounds, stone circles, hill forts, and monumental rock carvings that shed light on the daily lives and beliefs of our ancestors.
On Hvaler, along the coastal path on Kirkøy, you’ll find Roedshue with StenKunst Hvaler, an impressive outdoor exhibition of stone sculptures accessible year-round.
5. Learn something new
Visit one of Østfold Museum's many departments and discover something new this autumn. Information about all museums, contact details, and opening hours can be found on Oestfold Museum's website.
6. Relax completely
Enjoy relaxation in beautiful surroundings at Hankø Fjordhotell and Spa near Fredrikstad or Stoetvig Hotel near Moss. Here, you can combine wellness and relaxation with outdoor activities.
7. Experience Oestfold's cultural scene
There’s plenty happening on Oestfold's stages this autumn! The region's concert venues and cultural houses offer shows, stand-up, lectures, dance performances, theatre for all ages, family shows, and concerts in various genres. The Oestfold Events Calendar is updated weekly, so keep an eye on it!
8. Take a "summit hike"
Head to some of Oestfold’s highest points and enjoy the views. Between Marker and Rakkestad lies Linnekleppen, offering a stunning panorama of Østfold. For views over the Oslofjord with islands, skerries, and lighthouses, visit Sprinklet in Fredrikstad.
9. Visit a manor House
Oestfold is known for its manors, offering glimpses of its grand historical past. These estates feature beautiful gardens, parks, and trails worth visiting. Explore the park around Hafslund Hovedgaard, the stunning cultural landscape around Elingaard Herregaard in Fredrikstad, or Roed Herregaard in Halden.