Holmsbu

Holmsbu combines a long maritime history with art, small white houses and waterside experiences. The harbour lies at the mouth of the Drammen Fjord and has 250 permanent berths and 50 visitor berths. It has been a centre of seafaring and trade since the early 18th century. The preserved village layout also reflects Holmsbu’s history as a loading point for the timber trade, a fishing location and, later, a tourist destination. Many old buildings give the village its own distinctive historic character.

Art and local history

The Holmsbu Art Museum offers an insight into the art of the three Holmsbu painters Henrik Sørensen, Thorvald Erichsen and Oluf Wold-Torne: works by these artists make up the majority of its collection. The museum building itself is also noteworthy, as it is protected by the Norwegian Directorate for Cultural Heritage (Riksantikvaren). Another artistic destination is the Holmsbu Billedgalleri, whose distinctive architecture has won awards and is protected as a historic building.

Holmsbu Church adds its own history to this cultural focus. It was consecrated in 1887, is an artists’ church and is known for its artistic decoration by H. Sørensen. Visitors interested in local history and art can factor these into their travel plans alongside outdoor activities, without making their stay about just one theme.

The Kystsamlingen focuses on the coast and fishing. Exhibits include objects related to these subjects, as well as old boat engines and boats. In Støa, small red houses host art exhibitions in summer and sell arts and crafts. So, alongside the museum and gallery, local collections and arts and crafts are also among the things to discover.

Trails, water and excursions

There are several hiking trails along the coast of the Oslofjord. One circular route leads to the Holmsbu Art Museum in Støa and returns through Holtnesdalen. The valley is close to Holmsbu and is especially striking in April and May, when its ground is covered with wood anemones and filled with birdsong. The landscape also includes a deep, lush gorge, tall rugged rock faces, narrow paths and beautiful, wild temperate rainforest. When planning a trip, you can choose between the coastal paths and the circular route, which includes a stretch through the valley.

Holmsbu also has several beaches and swimming spots. Støa is a waterside recreation area. A popular cycling route follows coastal roads from Holmsbu through Hurumlandet. This offers different ways to shape your stay: hiking, a bike ride or spending time at the swimming spots. Which of these options is the main draw for your trip can also help you choose a suitable holiday apartment for your stay in Holmsbu.

The harbour and finding your way around

The guest harbour has a service building with showers and toilets, including a facility that meets HC accessibility standards. If you are arriving by car, there are several parking options: free parking at Kjøia below the church, paid parking in the centre and parking in Støa. You can take these different parking locations into account when planning your day, depending on which part of Holmsbu you intend to visit.

A walk through the centre takes you past small shops, galleries and cafés. An annual rowing regatta for Holmsbuprammen ends at the old steamship pier. Along with the harbour’s history and the preserved village layout, it is one of the features that make Holmsbu distinctive beyond its landscape.

If you are looking for a holiday apartment in Holmsbu, start by considering which experiences you want to shape your stay: art and local history, coastal paths, nearby Holtnesdalen or time by the water. This can help you decide what to focus on during your trip without reducing the village’s many different sides to just one type of holiday.

Discover more places

Other destinations to consider for your trip include Klokkarstua, Tofte, Hurum, Sætre, Filtvet and Kana.

Back to the main travel overview: Hurum.