Son: Wooden Houses, Narrow Streets and Coastal Culture

Son combines a historic townscape with coastal culture and a path that runs through the town. Wooden houses from the Dutch period and narrow streets shape its character; Son Guest Harbour is a natural port of call for boats travelling to or from the Oslofjord. When looking for a holiday rental, it helps to decide whether you want to focus your stay mainly on local history, the coastal path or the harbour.

Historic Wooden Houses

In June 2013, the centre of Son was added to the Directorate for Cultural Heritage's register of historic urban areas of national interest. Because of its significance to Norwegian urban history, it is considered a historic urban area of national interest. The historic buildings are therefore an essential part of the town's character: alongside individual houses, the narrow streets also shape the impression of old Son.

Thornegården, dating from 1641, stands in Son Square and is one of the oldest and most beautiful privately owned wooden houses by the fjord. Stoltenberggården at Storgata 26 dates from the 18th century. Spinderigården at Storgata 25 was probably built in the 1640s as a warehouse for Thornegården. These dates provide a concrete historical context for the houses and streets that shape Son.

Coastal Culture in the Heart of Son

The Son Coastal Culture Centre is located in the heart of Son, on the site of the former Soon Baadbyggeri boatyard. Jostushuset tells the story of a fisherman's house in Son. Thus, alongside the wooden houses, the former boatyard and the story of a fisherman's house are also distinct themes in the town. Those interested in coastal culture will find a different perspective on Son here than by looking at its historic buildings.

The Coastal Path: A Long Route or Shorter Walks

The coastal path runs through Son. The walking route through Vestby and Son is 20 kilometres long, but can also be split into many shorter walks. It is well signposted and suitable for both walking and cycling. This means you can choose a route to suit the time you have available: a longer outing or shorter sections. When planning, you can also decide whether the path itself should be the focus or whether you would prefer a shorter loop as part of your stay.

Islands and Coastal Surroundings

Gjøva is the largest of the four islands off Son. The island has distinctive geology and flora, offering a different focus from the town's historic buildings: here, the emphasis is on island nature and plant life. Nearby, Sauholmen has an overnight accommodation option or shelter; booking is not possible. Informal overnight arrangements can change, so check the current situation before making plans.

The Harbour and Choosing a Holiday Focus

Son Guest Harbour is a natural port of call for boats travelling to or from the Oslofjord. The guest berths are centrally located, in a car-free area and within walking distance of all facilities. The harbour normally has capacity for around 100 to 120 boats; actual capacity depends on current boat sizes and harbour arrangements.

When looking for a holiday rental in Son, it helps to first decide what you want to focus on during your holiday: local history and coastal culture, longer or shorter walks along the coastal path, or the harbour as part of your trip?

Discover more destinations: Vestby.

Go to the main travel overview: Vestby.