Here’s a short video about Drøbak:
According to popular belief, Santa lives somewhere at the North Pole. But where? Well, that depends on who you ask.
Did you know that Norway has a Christmas town called Drøbak? The good people of Drøbak will be happy to tell you that Santa Claus or Julenissen was born close to this town and still lives there.
Just a short bus or ferry ride from Oslo, the city has Christmas vibes no matter when you visit. Here are a few interesting facts about Drøbak:
1. Spirit of Christmas is all year round
Fret not if you can not visit Drøbak during Christmas. You can enjoy the spirit of Christmas here throughout the year. This city is home to the Nordic region’s only Christmas house called Tregaarden’s Julehus and is open all year round.
Located right in the center of town, here you can find everything related to Christmas. You can buy candles, Christmas lights, Santa Claus miniatures, trinkets to decorate your Christmas tree, etc.
They also have a post office, where you can send letters to your loved ones with the official “Nisse stamp.” So cool!
2. Santa Claus’ home
Every year, Santa receives thousands of letters from all over the world. Well, the person in the picture above calls himself the cousin of Father Christmas. His name is Uncle Tom. If you want to find him, you have to visit the Tourist Information Center by the harbor.
You will enter into a new world when you visit this place. It has a permanent exhibit of about 250,000 letters and postcards adorning the walls. I was amazed to see so many letters and colorful postcards.
“Do all these letters get answered?” I asked.
“Yes. We answer all the letters.”- said Uncle Tom.
Uncle Tom is usually around during November-December to check and answer the letters sent to Santa. But you might meet him at other times of the year if you are lucky.
Norway’s official “Nisse traffic sign” is also placed in Drøbak because Santa might sneak in at times to say Hi. So watch out for Santa!
3. Trafalgar Square Christmas tree is a gift from Norway to England
Did you know that Drøbak played a significant role in establishing a good connection between Norway and England?
Since 1947, the Trafalgar Square Christmas tree has been an annual gift from Oslo, Norway, to the people of Britain. It is a token of gratitude for the British support of Norway during World War 2.
The tree is typically a 50–60-year-old Norwegian Spruce and is decorated in a traditional Norwegian style too.
4. Oscarsborg Fortress is a 10-minute ferry ride from Drøbak
On April 9th, 1940, German soldiers started to invade Norway. The Nazis sent a German cruiser Blücher into Oslofjord to seize Oslo, the capital of Norway. It was full of soldiers. However, Norwegian shore defenses attacked and sank the cruiser off the coast of Drøbak near Oscarsborg Fortress. Norwegian Royal Family and government evacuated Oslo and took exile in London for five years until World War 2 ended. It is one of the reasons why Norway and England are so closely connected.
Oscarsborg Fortress is open to the public. Just a 10-minute ferry ride from Drøbak, this place is not to be missed.
5. Drøbak is beautiful in the summer
Drøbak is not just about Christmas. It’s perfect for a day trip from Oslo. During summer, the locals and tourists enjoy the sun and walk by the beach.
There’s an aquarium co-located with the Tourist Information Center. The old wooden houses from the 1700 century, with narrow alleys and beautiful gardens, will surely take you back in time. You can also enjoy the lovely cafes and restaurants with a view of the Oslo fjord.
Some Practical tips:
- How to get here:
Take the bus 500 to Drøbak in the Oslo Bus Terminal (70 NOK for a 1-hour trip). During summers, there is a boat service from Oslo to Drøbak. There are several other ways to get here too.
2. Opening hours:
Although the attractions are open all year round, the opening timings differ from season to season. So make sure to check it out before you visit. The opening hours to the two most important attractions are as below:
Christmas house or Tregaardens Julehus
For more information, you can also check Drøbak’s official website.
Make a trip to this charming Christmas town of Drøbak and get into the Christmas spirit — All year long!
