Extended Travel: Åsgårdstrand, Norway

 60 miles outside of Oslo lies the idyllic seaside town of Åsgårdstrand. Known for it’s peaceful harbor and quaint shops, Åsgårdstrand has been a popular vacation spot for both casual travelers and prominent figures such as the Dutch royal family. In the 1880s, the town became known as an artist center and painters such as Christian Krogh, Hans Heyerdahl and most notably, Edvard Munch spent time in here.


Throughout Munch’s life, he spent many summers in Åsgårdstrand saying that the town “made him want to paint.” The light in Åsgårdstrand is said to be especially beautiful and this coupled with the atmosphere of the cozy town inspired many of Munch’s most beautiful works. You can still visit his house at Munchs Gate 25, which has since been turned into a museum.
 
Access: Åsgårdstrand is located 90 miles from the Oslo airport and 60 miles from Oslo Harbor. By train, leave Oslo station and alight at Skoppum and take a taxi the extra three miles or take the train to Tønsberg and wait for the hourly bus.
 
Munch Hus
Apotekergata 12, 3187 Horten, Norway – 33 08 21 31‎
Google Map
 
All photos ©Akira Chiba