Stretching along the shores of the Oslofjord, Asker is a vibrant town south of Oslo that’s renowned for its beautiful beaches and cultural museums. It’s surrounded by large swathes of picturesque countryside and rolling hills, as well as peaceful island communities.
Things to do in Asker
Relax on one of the Blue Flag beaches that dot the coast of Asker, including Hvalstrand, Sjøstrand and Holmenskjæret. Families flock to the sandy cove of Hvamodden, which features a grassy playground and sandpit, while Storøyodden boasts a tiny island that lies within swimming distance of the shore.
A short drive from the centre of Asker is the Henie-Onstad Art Center, which is one of the leading contemporary art galleries in Norway. It’s spectacularly positioned on a headland jutting into the Oslofjord and houses more than 4,000 pieces donated by the Olympic figure skater, Sonja Henie, and her art collector husband, Niels Onstad. Browse the works by Picasso and Matisse on display, together with Yayoi Kusama’s installation “Hymn of Life”.
If you’re interested in the region’s cultural heritage, don’t miss a visit to the Asker Museum, which centres around the former home of art collectors Tilla and Otto Valstad. Several historic buildings dot the grounds and there’s a Baroque-inspired garden filled with fountains, animal sculptures and rare plants. Also nearby is the Vollen Kystkultursenter, a Swiss-style country residence where exhibits devoted to boat building, fishing and horticulture are displayed.
Getting around Asker
Asker is around 25 minutes’ drive from the centre of Oslo and just over an hour from Oslo Airport. Regular trains connect to the Asker railway station while buses travel to the surrounding towns and villages. The centre of Asker is compact enough to explore on foot.