Best Beaches Near Oslo
Oslo is a city that brings the best of urban life right to the water’s edge and is a fantastic destination for beachgoers. Nestled along the Oslo Fjord, it offers beautiful beaches that are perfect for everything from swimming and sunbathing to a quality game of beach volleyball.
Looking for a mix of urban beach experience and a quiet retreat on the Bygdøy Peninsula? Oslo has it all! It has different popular beaches that you can easily reach from the entire city by public transport.
When you think about Norway, you probably have all those mountains in your head, but Oslo surprises you with its soft sands and great swimming options. That’s why it’s one of Norway's beach gems during the warmer period, from June through August with daily highs around 67°F (19.4°C), rarely falling below 55°F (12.7°C) or exceeding 80°F (26.6°C).
Oslo's beaches are great spots for tourists to relax or have a fun night out. With lifeguards on duty, showers, loungers, restrooms, dining options, many hiking trails, and other amenities, the majority of the beaches cater to different types of travelers!
Our Top Picks for the Best Beaches Near Oslo
Oslo has a place for every beach lover! Whether you’re after a sandy beach to relax on, a spot with incredible views to snap some great photos, or a beach with outdoor activities like cycling and beach volleyball.
Here are the best three beaches near Oslo:
- Huk Beach
- Ingierstrand Bad
- Sørenga Seawater Pool
Huk Beach
Huk Beach is a beautiful beach on the Bygdøy Peninsula, which is a scenic area toward the southern tip of Oslo. It is famous for its calm turquoise waters and sunbathing-friendly sand. Because of its high environmental and quality standards, it’s earned a Blue Flag beach certification. Huk Beach is divided into two sections separated by a small inlet. The eastern section is a regular public beach, while the western section is a naturist (nudist) beach.
How to Get There?
Depending on how far from the city center you are leaving, driving to Huk Beach from Oslo in a rental vehicle or campervan will only take you ten to fifteen minutes. Just follow Road E18, and here’s an extra tip: there is free parking just 100 meters from the beach!
Also, you can hop on a bus number 30 from the city center's "Nationaltheatret" bus station. This ride just takes about twenty-three minutes, and once you get to Bygdoynes (Bygdøy peninsula), it’s just a five-minute walk to Huk Beach.
Why Choose This Beach?
Huk is locals’ favorite place to swim because of its relatively shallow water, which tends to be a little warmer. You’ll also find a beach volleyball court and a diving platform with a swimming raft on the western side. If hiking is more your thing, you should check out Huk’s well-maintained and marked trails and soak in the natural beauty of Oslo.
- Make the Most of It: If you’re combining your beach day with hiking, why not use a nearby luggage storage service to keep your belongings safe while you explore?
Ingierstrand Bad
On the western side of the beach, you’ll find these big, flat stones that are surprisingly comfy for lounging, while the eastern side has more sandy and grassy areas where you can spread out and relax.
It’s a great spot for a picnic or grilling, but if you’re in the mood for something like a sit-down meal, check out the Ingierstrand Bad Restaurant. There’s also a kiosk for quick snacks. And if you’re up for a short hike, there’s a lovely hiking loop nearby, Ingierstrand loop, and it only takes about an hour.
How to Get There?
Take bus 87, 'Ingierstrand', from the Tollboden bus stop, which is between the Opera and Oslo S in downtown Oslo. The bus leaves from platform N and typically runs about once per hour. If traveling by car, you’ll find two large public parking lots at Ingierstrandveien 30, right across from the beach.
Why Choose This Beach?
Just outside Oslo on the east side of the fjord, this family-friendly beach has everything you need for a great day out, including a stunning, funkis-style diving tower, handy facilities, and a restaurant. You’ll find toilets, a wheelchair ramp, showers, and even a spot just for disposable grills.
The iconic funkis-style buildings were designed back in 1931 by architects Ole Lind Schistad and Eyvind Moestue, and they’ve been beautifully renovated. The diving tower is super photogenic too! The Ingierstrand Bad restaurant also reopened in 2013, making it perfect for grabbing a bite with a view.
- Make the Most of It: Planning to do some sightseeing after a day at the beach? Stow your beach gear in luggage storage so you can explore Oslo without the hassle of carrying everything around.
Sørenga Seawater Pool
For an urban beach experience, you should definitely check out Sørenga Seawater Pool in Oslo’s city center. This place offers amazing views of the Opera House, Barcode, and Hovedøya Island. It’s Oslo’s biggest seawater pool and even The Guardian featured it as one of Europe’s top 10 seawater pools.
You’ll find a small, man-made sandy beach along with mostly wooden areas and a few grassy patches for lounging. There are also diving boards, a separate children’s pool, a wheelchair-accessible pool, and a 50-meter pool with marked lanes for serious swimmers.
How to Get There?
Sørenga is super close to the city center, which gives you several options: to walk, bike, or catch a bus there.
Why Choose This Beach?
Sørenga is open year-round, and it has fresh seawater straight from the Oslo Fjord. You’ll find a swimming pool, a beach, and a separate children’s pool here. Plus, the entire seawater pool area with a wheelchair ramp is designed to be accessible for everyone. It’s in the relatively new Sørenga neighborhood, which is packed with restaurants and cafés nearby to refuel after a day of swimming!
Whether you're in the mood for traditional Norwegian seafood or something more international, Sørenga’s dining options have you covered. You can enjoy fresh seafood right by the water or try out global dishes at one of the stylish cafes nearby—it’s a food scene with something for everyone!
- Make the Most of It: If you’re visiting before a late-night flight or after a day of sightseeing, a luggage storage spot nearby can help you keep all your items safe and dry while you take one last swim.
Extra Tips & Tricks
- Visit Northern Norway: It’s where the huge, craggy mountains meet the Arctic Sea, and everything feels so wild and untouched. Plus, if you’ve ever wanted to see the Northern Lights or experience the Midnight Sun, this is the place to be.
- Visit Paradisbukta Beach: It’s tucked away on the Bygdøy Peninsula, so it feels like a little escape even though it’s close to the city. And if you’re up for a bit of exploring, there are trails around the beach that lead to some gorgeous views too!
- Public Transport: Oslo has an excellent public transportation system, including buses, trams, and the metro (T-bane). You can get an Oslo Pass, which offers unlimited travel on public transport and free entry to many attractions.
- Explore by Bike: Oslo is super bike-friendly, with bike lanes all over the city. You can rent bikes through various services, including the Oslo Bysykkel bike-sharing program.
- Luggage Storage Solutions: If you're arriving early or leaving late, look for luggage storage services in the city. This way, you can explore without dragging your bags around.