Places to stay and things to do in Asker

Asker is situated along the picturesque Oslofjord, halfway between Oslo and Drammen.

Here you can enjoy an urban experience in the centre of Asker, as well as nature, the beach, delightful coastal gems and exciting activities in the area. You might also bump into the Crown Prince and Princess, who live at Skaugum in Asker.

A combination of scenic fjord scenery and urban city life makes Asker a great holiday destination for almost everyone. 

Here is some useful information for visitors to Asker:

Asker Museum 

Asker Museum is located in Kunstnerdalen in Hvalstad. Here you can visit the unique artist homes of Tilla and Otto Valstad and authors Hulda and Arne Garborg. The museum also consists of several buildings from old Asker farms and both permanent and changing exhibitions. There is also a beautiful Baroque-inspired garden that is worth seeing, both for its rare plants and animal sculptures by Anne Grimdalen. 

Hiking and walking trails: Skaugumsåsen, Semsvannet and the coastal path in Asker  

With a peak at around 350 m above sea level, Skaugumsåsen may not be considered a true mountain hike, but the views from the top of this hill are majestic all the same. From here you can see Drøbaksundet, Oslo and Skaugum. On your way up, you also get to walk through the beautiful Skaugumsåsen nature reserve. If you start your trip in the parking area at Sem, the total journey is around two kilometres, but the climb is steep at times. 

Another nice walk takes you around the beautiful Semsvannet, around a 15-minute drive from Thon Hotel Vettre. The route takes you along gravel roads and trails and is around five kilometres long. There are several swimming areas, a café and fishing spots along the way – and nice cross-country skiing trails in the winter. 

If you prefer salt water and waves, head for the Asker coastline. Here you can walk along the Coastal Trail, which stretches almost all the way from Oslo to Larvik along the west side of the Oslofjord. In Asker, you can walk from Holmen to Røyken and we recommend the route from Thon Hotel Vettre to Vollen and then continuing to Elnestangen, with swimming spots, cafés and the Oslofjord Museum as possible stops along the way. 

Asker cultural centre, cinema and library 

If you're interested in cultural activities, head to the Asker Cultural Centre. Here you'll find a wide variety of concerts, lectures and theatre performances all year round, suitable for all ages and tastes. The cultural centre also houses the Asker cinema, with five theatres and a varied programme, as well as the Asker library. Located in the city centre right next door to the shopping centre Trekanten, it is also a short distance to one of the centre’s numerous eateries for a night on the town. 

Coastal gem of Vollen 

In Vollen, around a 30-minute walk along the coast or 5-minute drive from Thon Hotel Vettre, you can enjoy the beautiful seaside charm of southern Norway. The coastal gem of Vollen dates back to the Viking Age and later became an important trading post in the late 1800s. Today, the chalk-white houses by the fjord are still buzzing with life, with small boutiques, a bakery, cafés and galleries. Vollen also has its own marina with a number of restaurants, a guest harbour and a dive centre – not to mention plenty of beautiful swimming beaches. 

For those who want to fully experience the Norwegian Riviera, take a trip to Villa Malla in Hurumlandet, 45 minutes by car from Thon Hotel Vettre, where a silky white sand beach, Mediterranean food and palm trees swaying in the wind await. 

TIP! If you want to learn more about coastal life and boating traditions around Oslofjord, be sure to visit the Oslofjord Museum in Maudbukta in Vollen, where Roald Amundsen’s polar schooner the MS Maud was built. 

Shopping in the city centre and Trekanten Storsenter

In Asker, it’s easy to find plenty of retail therapy opportunities. The city centre streets are lined with chain stores and boutiques, selling everything from clothing and interior design to hobby supplies and flowers. Check out Xponella, Handlekraftig, Moodies and Gerts Cashmere, among others, for unique interior products, food and quality clothing. If you prefer to shop at a shopping centre, the Trekanten Senter has around 80 shops, a number of food service establishments and various services. 

When staying at Thon Hotel Vettre, there's no need to go far for a good meal. One of the best restaurants in the area is located right inside the building. The delightful Restaurant Ask serves a seasonal menu, with a focus on top-quality flavours and ingredients, all prepared on the restaurant’s own charcoal grill. Around a 15-minute walk from the hotel is the Kråka Pub, which is only open on Fridays, where you can enjoy local craft beer from Wettre Bryggeri. 

If you’re in the mood for something sweet, lunch or coffee, head to Vollen and Café Oscar or Café Villa, both of which are beautifully located with views of the Oslofjord – and only a five-minute drive from the hotel. You can also take the coastal trail, which takes around an hour on foot. 

If you decide to head to the city centre of Asker, you can explore flavours from around the world. Spanish treats can be enjoyed at Porfavor Tapas and Vinbar, only a two-minute walk from the train station. Lille Haveli, located almost next door, serves Asker’s best Indian food. Italian cuisine can be found at both Glorioso and RosMara, both located in the city centre. TukTuk serves Thai food, while Intermezzo Café & Restaurant at Trekanten has everything from burgers and Tex-Mex to tapas, Asian dishes and sushi. Also make sure to check out the POP Vinbar or Café Humlen if you’re looking for something refreshing to drink. 

Thon Hotel Vettre is located in rural and quiet surroundings, around a 10-minute drive from the Asker city centre. The hotel has 155 rooms, conference facilities, an indoor swimming pool and one of Asker’s best restaurants, Ask. You’re also close to the sea, beaches and beautiful coastal trail that takes you to the coastal gem of Vollen.