The rural area of Asker is situated just outside of Oslo, and in addition to royal splendour can offer some fantastic hiking routes, fascinating museums and great shopping.
Asker is most famous for being home to the Norwegian Crown Prince’s family, but it is also a lively town with ample opportunities for hiking and shopping. The town also has a rich cultural history and has spawned some of Norway’s best known cultural personalities.
The Skaugum Estate (Skaugum gård) is situated in the north of the Municipality of Asker and is the official family residence of the Crown Prince of Norway. On 17 May every year, the Crown Prince and his family traditionally greet the children’s parade (barnetoget) that always passes by the residence. Skaugum has been owned by the royal family since 1929, with the exception of the war years 1940-1945, when it was the stronghold of the German Reich Commissioner for Norway, Josef Terboven.
Close to Skaugum, you will find the beautiful Semsvannet Lake, offering some great opportunities to go hiking. There are many places by the water’s edge where you can settle down with a thermos and a good book, whilst enjoying the peace and quiet of your surroundings. Semsvannet Lake is no more than a half-hour walk from the centre of Asker and is therefore the perfect place for a pre-dinner or after dinner walk.
Hvalstaddalen is also a short distance away from Semsvannet, which in its time was an important cultural centre in Norway. The authors Arne and Hulda Garborg lived here, among many other important Norwegian authors and artists. Today, you can visit the artist homes of Labråten and the Valstad Collection (Valstads samlinger) which today serve as museums, and where you can learn more about the Garborgs and Valstads as well as the social circles.
In Asker Centre (Asker sentrum), there is great shopping with a plentiful selection of shops, both in the new shopping centre, Trekanten, and in the surrounding area. There are also a number of restaurants and cafes here, where you can sit down and enjoy a cup of coffee or a good meal.
Asker station is also in the centre and the journey to Oslo takes between 20 and 35 minutes, depending on which train you take. The Airport Express Train (Flytoget) also stops in Asker, which makes it easy to get to and from Oslo Airport, Gardermoen. There is not a very wide selection of hotels in the area, but Asker’s proximity to Oslo ensures that you still have a number of overnight options to choose between when travelling to Asker.
