Discover Moss: City Beach, Møllebyen and Culture

Moss combines an accessible city beach in the centre with cultural venues, a historic urban area and trails for hiking and cycling. When choosing a hotel in Moss, your travel interests can therefore make the difference: would you like to spend time by the water, explore the city’s history, or combine outdoor activities with culture? The city offers a range of options to suit these interests.

Getting to and around Moss

Several trains run from Oslo to Moss every day; the journey takes about 40 minutes. A ferry connects Moss with Horten across the Oslofjord, and the crossing takes approximately 30 minutes. Check the current timetable for your travel dates. Moss is about a 50-minute drive from Oslo; actual journey time may depend on traffic.

For hiking and cycling, the Vansjøstien trail starts at Mossefossen. The route is suitable for hiking and cycling and can be combined with a paddling trip on Vansjø. The “In Munch's footsteps” hiking trail offers a different perspective on the area: it runs from Moss station via Bråtengata and Grimsrød farm on Jeløy to the trail by Reier farm, and also along the path between Grønli and Kubberød farms. The routes therefore differ both in their starting points and in the activities they can be combined with.

Møllebyen: History, Museum and City Life

Møllebyen was the former town centre of Moss. Its historic buildings are of great architectural value and considerable antiquarian significance. They house, among other things, cafés and bars, a modern cinema, Moss Library and the Moss City and Industrial Museum. The specific mix of offerings may change.

The museum’s exhibition “Those Who Were, We Who Are” introduces people who have shaped Moss. Sounds, images and objects convey their everyday world. The museum also offers a family exhibition with a control room where visitors can try out the role of a process operator, as well as a competition on an assembly line. In Møllebyen, historic town buildings sit alongside different ways of exploring industrial history.

There are cultural attractions beyond the museum, too: Parkteateret is part of Moss kulturhus, operated by Moss Municipality, in the heart of the city. Gallery F 15 presents changing exhibitions of Norwegian, Nordic and international contemporary art. It offers guided tours, courses and cultural activities; its art education is aimed especially at children and young people. The landscape around the gallery is also ideal for walks.

Other notable cultural and historic sites include the listed Torderød Manor, built as a summer residence from 1758 to 1760. Edvard Munch lived at Grimsrød Gård on Jeløy in Moss from 1913 to 1916. Møllebyen is also home to the world’s largest ceramic pot, designed and made by Franz Widerberg.

Sjøbadet and Time by the Water

Sjøbadet is an accessible city beach in the centre of Moss, next to the Bastø ferries and the canal. The bathing area includes shallow water and a slide; farther out, there are places to jump into the water. Bicycle racks are also available. This sets Sjøbadet apart from the city’s historic and cultural attractions: here, the focus is on spending time by the water.

Whether you’re more interested in the city beach, the history of Møllebyen, or trails and cultural attractions, Moss offers a range of themes to help you plan your trip.

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