Heggholmen Lighthouse: Oslo’s swiss chalet style beacon

Norway's first electrified lighthouse (1928) built in Swiss chalet fairy tale style in 1876.

Norway's first electrified lighthouse looks more like a Swiss chalet fairy tale than a traditional beacon. Heggholmen Lighthouse sits at the entrance to Oslo harbor, built in its current form in 1876 as the oldest lighthouse in the inner Oslofjord. Unlike rugged stone towers, this is built in decorative Swiss chalet style with intricate woodwork and a small bell tower, making it incredibly photogenic with a "fairy tale" appearance. It became the first lighthouse in Norway to be electrified in 1928 and played a crucial role guiding ships safely into Oslo for over a century.

The lighthouse is now a protected cultural heritage site owned by Oslo Port Authority. The interior is generally closed to the public. Very occasionally it opens for special events (like Oslo Culture Night or Coastal Day) but you shouldn't plan trips expecting interior access.

Because most Gressholmen visitors stop at the café or swimming spots on Rambergøya, the trail to the lighthouse is often much quieter, creating a peaceful spot to sit on rocks and watch ferries go by.

The 15-20 minute walk is the only access method. No ferry goes directly to the lighthouse. You must take B1 or B2 to Gressholmen, then walk.

Highlights

Walk the 15-20 minute trail from Gressholmen pier following dirt path signs marked "Heggholmen" through forest and across the land bridge. The journey through old paint factory ruins and past wooden summer houses adds atmospheric context before reaching the lighthouse.

Combine your visit with lunch or dinner at the charming Gressholmen Kro. Only open during summer, check opening hours in advance.

Open in Google Maps

https://fyr.no/fyr/heggholmen-fyrstasjon/

Best time to go

For a less crowded experience, late afternoon (4-7pm) June through August for golden hour light on the white wooden architecture and Oslo skyline behind, with fewer visitors since most Gressholmen day-trippers have left by evening. The 15-20 minute walk from Gressholmen pier through forest stays pleasant in summer warmth.

Time needed

1–2 hours

Getting there

Ferry B1 or B2 from Aker Brygge to Gressholmen stop, roughly 15-20 minutes, uses standard Ruter Zone 1 ticket (included with Oslo Pass or day pass). From Gressholmen pier, follow dirt path signs marked "Heggholmen" for a 15-20 minute walk through forest and across the land bridge connecting the two islands. Pass old industrial ruins (paint factory remnants) and small wooden summer houses.

What to do nearby

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Gressholmen Island: Lighthouse, swimming & summer dining

Hike to a red-topped wooden lighthouse that looks like a Wes Anderson set, swim from flat rocks with clearer water than closer to the city, then eat your lunch at the charming Gressholmen Kro.

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Hovedøya Island: Oslo's 5-minute fjord escape

Inner-Oslo island where substantial 12th-century Cistercian monastery ruins sit alongside visible quarry geology and 19th-century military remains, all reachable by a short ferry from the city.