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The archipelago of low-lying, lightly forested islands in the inner Oslofjord is the city's summer playground, and makes going to the beach an unusually viable option for a northern European capital. Jumping on a ferry, attractive enough in the heat of the day, is also one of the more pleasant forms of entertainment during the evenings, and although most of the islets are cluttered with summer homes, the least populated are favourite party venues for the city's preening youth. Ferries to the islands leave from the Vippetangen quay, at the foot of Akershusstranda - a twenty-minute walk, or a five-minute ride on bus #60, south from Jernbanetorget. Conveniently, Hovedøya (ferry #92; mid-March to Sept 7.30am-7pm every 60-90min; Oct to mid-March 3 daily; 10min), the nearest island, is also the most interesting, its rolling hills incorporating both farmland and deciduous woods as well as the overgrown ruins of a twelfth-century Cistercian monastery. There are plenty of footpaths to wander, you can swim from the shingle beaches on the south shore, and there's a seasonal cafe opposite the monastery ruins. Camping is not permitted, however, as Hovedøya is a protected area - that's why there are no summer homes. The pick of the other islands is wooded Langøyene (ferry #94; June-Aug 10am-6pm hourly; 30min), the most southerly of the archipelago and the one with the best beaches. The H-shaped island has a campsite, Langøyene Camping (tel 22 36 37 98; June to mid-Aug), and at night the ferries are full of people armed with sleeping bags and bottles, on their way to join swimming parties.
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