Self-Drive Along the Norwegian and Swedish Coast: Oslo to Gothenburg

Oslo is an exciting city to explore and by taking your time, you can embrace immersive experiences and uncover hidden treasures. The 13th-century Akershush Fortress towers over the fjord with impressive ramparts that offer spectacular views across the harbor. At the Viking Ship Museum you can explore the roots of culture dating back to the 9th century, with three captivating vessels that predate the Christianization of the region. For a more modern view of the city, visit the Munch Museum to find nearly 28,000 works of art crafted by one of Norway’s greatest painters.

When you are ready in the morning, you will pack your car and travel outside Oslo to reach Fredrikstad and the charming architecture of Gamlebyen, or Old Town. Wander between the timbered houses and find glistening moats, gates, and lowered draw bridges that create an endless ambiance of fantasy. The stronghold retains 200 cannons, in addition to grassy embankments that act as parks. A ceramics showroom can be found within the stone storehouse, the oldest standing building in town and one that dates back to the 17th century. You can relax in the peaceful ambiance of town as you settle into your accommodations.

You will continue your journey along the coastline to find fresh seafood and extravagant coastal views. A panorama of the archipelago reveals seals lounging on the coastline, boats rocking in the calm waters, and long piers from which to cast a line. You can visit the car-free island of Koster Marine Park for a true immersion into the variety of marine life, including finding delectable crabs and fish. The history of the mainland will unfold at Fjallbacka when you visit the 3,000-year-old Tanum rock carvings. The Bronze-Age petroglyphs reveal boats, hunting scenes, and community rituals.

The bustle of the region begins early as fishermen return from the sea with lobsters, oysters, and langoustines in season, as well as cod, herring and salmon throughout the year. Tiny villages, such as Hamsburgsund and Kungshamn, offer examples of preserved traditional life. For a unique view of local culture, visit actress Ingrid Bergman’s favorite island, Dannholmen. The islands feel remote and secret, with red cabins dotting the landscape and the cry of gulls adding a unique soundtrack to the morning air. Explore their diversity at your pace.

Venture inland to your unique accommodations inside a luxury treehouse near the banks of Lake Hornborga. In spring, the landscape reveals treasured natural beauty as cranes flock to the waters in remarkable numbers. Before reaching your treehouse, you can stop at the historic cottages of Asle Ta to find 18th- and 19th-century architecture preserved as an outdoor museum. The aroma of freshly baked bread and pastries may blend with the scent of pine from the surrounding trees as heritage springs to life, from how locals worked the land to authentic interior decoration.

Before reaching Gothenburg you can visit the coastal town of Marstrand. Rich with historic architecture and seaside views, the town spans two islands and features grand 19th-century architecture in the form of the elegant resort contrasted by the imposing ramparts of the 17th-century Carlsten Fortress. Wander around the island on manicured walkways, sample the traditional cakes and sandwiches, or visit the celebrated spa before you continue to Sweden’s second-largest city. After settling in, you can enjoy the vibrant ambiance of the city center, find elk grazing in Slottsskogen, or discover the masterworks in the Gothenburg Museum of Art.

In the morning, the sounds of the city return along the 17th-century cobbled lanes of the Haga district. Preserved timber houses and boutique shops create a charming ambiance, accentuated by the cafes serving traditional pastries and cinnamon buns. The aromas of chocolates may fill the air as they drift out of a historic chocolate-making shop. When you are ready, you will travel to Gothenburg-Landvetter Airport for your flight home, bringing an end to your self-drive adventure through Norway and Sweden.