Østensjøvannet (1), Oslo, Norway

Standing: Must see
Rank: Rank 66 of 3,842

Reviewed by Elena Voss · Roavina Travel Editor

About Østensjøvannet

Østensjøvannet is a lake in the Østensjø borough of Oslo, named after the Østensjø farm, and is well known for the wide variety of birds and other wildlife found there. The lake has been a nature reserve since 1992 (IUCN category Ia, strict nature reserve). Because it lies within the city limits and is surrounded on all sides by built-up areas, it has been under considerable strain from pollution and development plans, though its environmental state has improved in recent years.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source

What's inside

More than 200 bird species have been sighted at or near the lake, a significant number by Norwegian standards. Finds suggest people may have lived here as far back as the Stone Age; farming began around AD 500, and Viking Age burial mounds lie at several places around the lake. Abildsø gård on the west shore was Norway's second farm school, where Minna Wetlesen started what may have been the world's first household school for girls and young women; the farm was protected in 1997. Fishing is forbidden in summer, while ice fishing is allowed.

Checked 2026-11-05 · Source