Sites worth seeing Arkiver

Mølen

Mølen is Norway's largest beach of pebbles, and it is a part of Vestfoldraet: the terrain left behind after the end of the most recent Ice Age 10.000 years ago.

The cultural landscape of Mølen, with its total of 230 cairns from the Iron Age, is one of the most majestic landscapes in Norway. The area has 16 large cairns, many up to 35 metres in diameter, with almost 200 small cairns in rows parallel to the shoreline. The cairns probably served as "sea markers" along the shipping lanes between different trading centres. This, combined with its striking natural beauty and position on the edge of the sea, makes it a must-see when visiting the area.

You can enjoy a lovely view of the sea at Mølen, and also study the beautiful type of stone called larvikite, a speciality for the Larvik area. There are actually more than 100 different types of rock at Mølen, and a total of 316 different bird species has also been found.
The arrival and departure of the migratory birds is a real treat for visitors. Twice a year the migrants visit wonderful Mølen, heading north in springtime and eventually heading back south when autumn looms.

In the summer of 2008 Mølen was officially made into an UNESCO Geopark Area.

If you want to get to Mølen by walking, the coastal path is easily accessible from either Helgeroa or Nevlunghavn.

Welcome to Mølen!

Hall of Rememberence

Tourists can visit the Memorial Hall all summer long.

The memomial is pyramid-formed, erected in commemoration of all Norwegian sailors in the fishing fleet and the merchant navy who lost their lives in naval service for Norway during World War I and World War II.

Minnehallen – the name in Norwegian – is meant to resemble a beacon, and is built of blocks of granite from a nearby rock. It was opened by HM King Haakon 7. in 1926 after two years of construction.

About 15.000 people visit the memorial from May to September every year. They find a 32-metre wide frieze inside the main hall that depicts different epoques from the dramatic lives of sailors.
In front of the sarcophagus wrapped in the Norwegian flag you find the famous sculpture "Abyss", and in the crypt 7562 sailors' names are carved on copper plates.

The altar in the main hall is engraved with a commemorative poem to the sailors, written by Norwegian poet Henrik Wildenvey.

Bronze age carvings at Haugen

The carvings date from the bronze age 1500-500 BC. Bronze age farmers have carved different symbols on an east-facing flat mountain. There is a ship spiral figuration and other bowl shape figures at the site.

To go to Haugen by car from Larvik you need to follow the signs from classified road 303 at Løve towards Istrehagan. This is around 2 km north of Larvik in direction Sandefjord.

Brunla Burial Area

Close to 90 graves, wells and hollows are found on this area, totalling more than 120 decares.

Following extensive restoration to re-create vegetation like it once was,
quite many new graves and traces of old agricultural cultivation has been found on the Brunla and Agnes burial area.

Information board at site.

The Beech Forest – Bøkeskogen

The Beech Tree Forest – Bøkeskogen

The Beech Tree Forest is used all year round for cultural and recreational activities by locals and tourists alike.

In mid-May, you can enjoy the fresh, light green leaves of the beech trees while strolling along the 270-metre-long Passion Path, which leads to the square near the main entrance. If you visit on Norway's Constitution Day, May 17th, you will see lots of happy children parading and waving their Norwegian flags. In autumn, the forest turns shades of red and yellow, while in winter, the trees are covered in snow.

You also find the charming cafe called Bøkekroa, where you can enjoy live jazz every Friday during summer. Bøkekroa is open all year round and serves traditional Norwegian food.

Burial Mounds from the Viking Age
Bøkeskogen is also home to a fascinating part of Vestfold's Viking history. The forest contains one of the county's largest collections of burial mounds from the Iron Age. Around 85 graves have been recorded, of which 66 are still visible today. The burial mounds are divided between two burial sites in the forest.

Most of the burial mounds date back to the Viking Age, around AD 800–950, although some may be older. Several of the mounds were looted or damaged during the 19th century. Preserved burial finds include weapons, tools, jewellery and traces of a small boat, offering insight into life during the Viking Age.

The burial mounds make Bøkeskogen an interesting destination for both nature experiences and historical discoveries.

Explore the Forest
The highest point in the Beech Tree Forest is called "The Bellevue". It is situated in the north-western part of the area and offers excellent views of Lake Farris, making it a perfect place to take a break and enjoy the scenery.

The Beech Tree Forest stretches along Lake Farris, and as you walk, you will discover small, cosy cabins and peaceful, unspoilt spots where you can enjoy the views and have lunch in the great outdoors.

The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg

Experience the Oseberg ship
The Oseberg Viking Inhertiance Foundation has built an exact copy of this ship on a voluntary basis. In the construction process only tools and construction methods identical to what was used during the construction of the original ship in the Viking era was applied.

You can visit the copy of the Oseberg ship at the harbor in Tønsberg.

Saga Oseberg is on a voyage from 10–24 July 2026 and will not be moored at Vikingodden during this period.

A copy of the beautiful carved bow can also be seen at The Slottsfjell Museum.

The Klåstadship
The foundation Oseberg Vikingarv has also built a copy of another famous Viking discovery – The Klåstad ship. The original ship is located at The Slottsfjell Museum. A third ship named Saga Farmann was launched at the harbour of Tønsberg in September 2018.

In 2021, the construction of an archaeological replica of the Gokstad ship also started. The construction will take place both at Vikingodden in Tønsberg and by the Whaling Monument in Sandefjord. Here you have the opportunity to join and build ships with the Vikings' tools.

At the building site, called Vikingodden, The Foundation has a little shop where viking souvenirs and gift items are sold.

Fredriksvern verft

The original name was Fredriksvern Verft, named after king Frederik V. who reigned at that time.

Fredriksvern has played an important part in the development of Stavern as well as in Norwegian maritime history during the years, and the place has probably been a harbour since ancient times.

During the winter of 1748-49 king Frederik V. of Denmark-Norway ordered construction of a shipyard and a drydock in Norway, and in 1750 the first Norwegian naval base was constructed.

The naval station had strong fortification, moats and many buildings. Outside the moats Norway's first garrrison church was built. This rococo mastepiece was completed in 1756.

The commanding officer's lodge from 1751, the guardroom, two forges, the smith's house, a magazine, two provisional storehouses, the barge shed, the galley sheds and the gunpowder house are all still present at the former naval base, and many tourists travel to Stavern each and every year to experience these historical buildings.

Fredriksvern became the main base for the Royal Norwegian Navy when Norway and Denmark split in 1814, and continued to be an important naval base – it remained active as an air force academy until 2002.

There are several art galleries and small museums here, and the area offers exciting activities all year round.

Sculptures in Sandefjord

Sandefjord has a rich collection of sculptures in its parks, along the waterfront and in public spaces. Explore works by Knut Steen, Nina Sundbye, Nils Aas and Arnold Haukeland on a walk through the town centre. From the Whaling Monument by the harbour to sculptures in Badeparken and outside Hjertnes Cultural Centre, several artworks are within easy reach on foot.

Start your sculpture walk at the Whaling Monument
Near the harbour, you will find the Whaling Monument, one of Sandefjord's best-known landmarks. Created by Knut Steen, the dramatic sculpture depicts whalers rowing an open boat, with a harpoon ready and water splashing around them. The monument is shaped like a compass rose and slowly rotates on its own axis. It combines an impressive work of art with an important chapter of Sandefjord's maritime history.

Meet Poseidon in Badeparken
Continue to Badeparken, the green park between the town centre and the waterfront.
At the heart of the park stands Poseidon, a bronze sculpture group by Nina Sundbye. It depicts the Greek god of the sea accompanied by two sea nymphs and was unveiled in 1996. You will also find Knut Steen's Fortuna, inspired by the Roman goddess of fortune and fate. The park's paths, trees and green spaces offer a pleasant setting for exploring the artworks at your own pace.

Art outside Hjertnes Cultural Centre
Several notable works can be found around Hjertnes Cultural Centre. Arnold Haukeland's Havdronningen (The Sea Queen) stands outside the building, while Nils Aas created Fuge (Fugue), an artwork on the wall facing Badeparken. Here, sculpture and architecture come together as part of Sandefjord's public spaces.

Discover Knut Steen's sculptures at Midtåsen
For a more extensive art experience, visit Midtåsen Sculpture Park, a separate destination outside the town centre. The collection features 16 works by Knut Steen. Twelve marble sculptures are displayed inside the pavilion, while four bronze sculptures stand outdoors in the surrounding landscape. The sculpture pavilion is located on the former estate of shipowner Anders Jahre. The combination of art, architecture, parkland and views over Sandefjord makes Midtåsen a memorable destination.

Discover art throughout Sandefjord
Sandefjord's sculptures have also been documented in Verd å se (Worth Seeing), a book by Gro Laheld Lundh exploring the town's public artworks and their creators. You do not need a fixed route to enjoy the collection. Start by the harbour, continue through Badeparken and explore the area around Hjertnes Cultural Centre. Along the way, you will discover both prominent monuments and smaller artworks that are easy to miss.
For more inspiration, explore Architecture and Sculpture in Sandefjord.

Plan your visit
The sculptures are located across Sandefjord, with several works clustered around the harbour, Badeparken and Hjertnes Cultural Centre. The artworks in outdoor public spaces can be viewed without tickets or fixed opening hours. You can make your sculpture walk as short or as long as you like.

Midtåsen Sculpture Park is a separate excursion, located at Midtåsveien 2A. Admission is free, but check the current pavilion opening hours before visiting. Paths, surfaces and accessibility vary between locations. Visitors requiring step-free access should check their chosen route in advance.

Tønsberg Quayside

The place where people meet, now – just as before. Vincent Stoltenberg Lerche, the Tønsberg author, claimed that the Quayside had the same place in the daily life of Tønsberg as Forum Romanum in its time.

Theres a good selection of restaurants, and Foynhagen which is Tønsberg very own concerts and nightlife arena. Youll find 3 of Tønsbergs hotels in the area: Quality Hotel Tønsberg, Thon hotel Tønsberg Brygge and Quality Hotel Klubben.

Not far away is Tønsberg quest marina, which gets over 8000 boat-guest during the summer.

Castle Rock Tower

The present tower was built as a 1000-year anniversary and was completed in 1888. The tower is 17 meters high, with a stunning view of the town. The original cross from the Maria Church and the engraved signatures of three Norwegian kings can be seen in the tower – 1906 – King Hakon VII during the coronation process, 1958 – King Olav V during the signing process and 1992 – King Harald V during the opening of Tønsberg and Nøtterøy Library

Slottsfjellet – The Castle Hill area is the most popular outdoor recreation area in the center of Tønsberg, and has a long and exciting history. The Castle Hill has the largest ruin park in Scandinavia with ruins from Castrum Tunsbergis, which was Norways largest castle in the 14th century. The castle was destroyed in 1503.

The ruins once consisted of 700 metres of outer-wall with watchtowers and castles, the King´s Hall, built by King Håkon Håkonsson, “Teglkastellet” built by King Magnus Lagabøte, and St. Mikael Church which may have been completed in 1191. The original main tower was probably even bigger and more beautiful than today's tower.

The powerful crag was the ultimate spot for a castle complex in the insecure times when old Tunsberg – Norway's most important naval port in the east – started growing, and the power struggles between Norway's many kings ravaged the country. Much exciting Norwegian history was written on Slottsfjellet, or Mikkelsberg, as it was once called. Famous Norwegian medieval kings and princesses have married here, and power struggles between the Baglers and the Birkebeiners have played out.

The tower is closed from October – April, but the ruins can be visited year-round.