Vikingopplevelser Archives

Sandefjord Viking Park

Just outside the town center you will find Gokstadhaugen, where the famous Gokstad ship was found in 1879. Of the four Viking ships found in Norway, three have been found in Vestfold.

The Oseberg Viking Heritage Foundation has set itself the goal of making copies of all of these. Previously, Oseberg Viking Heritage has made an archaeological replica of the Oseberg ship «Saga Oseberg» and an interpretation (as there is too little left of the original ship to make a replica) of the Klåstad ship «Saga Farmann». Now it's the biggest of them all, the Gokstad ship, that is up next.

Over the next few years, anyone can follow and / or participate in the construction of an archaeological replica of the Gokstad ship. Centrally located in both Sandefjord and Tønsberg there are construction activities. The Viking park is a part of Badeparken, between Scandic Park Hotel and the ferry terminal in Sandefjord.

Right next to the famous Whaling Monument in Sandefjord, there is a landing site for large oak logs to be split and chopped into ship planks. Various ship parts will be produced here. All work will be done with the same kind of tools and old techniques from the Viking Age. Here you can learn old traditional crafts.

The ship parts will be transported from Sandefjord to Tønsberg by Viking ship. In Tønsberg, where the Viking shipyard itself is located, the parts will be further processed and mounted on the ship. Here you will also have the opportunity to follow and participate in the construction down on "Vikingodden" in the middle of Tønsberg harbor.

Vikingodden

On a voluntary basis, Oseberg Viking Heritage has built an archaeological replica of this ship only using tools and construction methods identical to what was used in the Viking Age. The construction took place on Vikingodden on the pier in Tønsberg, and here you can also see the copy of the Oseberg ship, Saga Oseberg, and the copy of another famous find: the Klåstad ship, which has been given the name, Saga Farmann. The original Klåstad ship is now the only Viking ship you can see at a museum in Norway and it is at the Slottsfjell Museum.

Saga Oseberg and Saga Farmann can be seen on Vikingodden all year round, except when they are on a cruise.

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

At Vikingodden, there are skilled guides in place on the weekends who can tell you about Vestfold's rich Viking history.

Kiosk with souvenirs and gift items.

Oseberg Viking Heritage offers Viking activities and trips with the Viking ship Saga Oseberg for groups from 10-300 people!

Read more about Oseberg Viking Heritage on the website osebergvikingarv and sagaoseberg.com

The Viking Ship Saga Oseberg

Viking Group activities 10 – 300 people

As a crew on board the Viking ship, Saga Oseberg, you can learn more about the Viking era. Meet the "Høvedsmann" (skipper) on the pier. After a small rowing-course, you will learn the words, expressions and rules on board. Then the group are ready for rowing the Tønsberg harbor and historic areas to Vestfjorden. Hear the exciting story of the Viking era, the Oseberg find, the Oseberg ship and the Oseberg women, and the construction of Saga Oseberg. Maybe there will be a rowing contest?

For large groups Saga Oseberg can be combined with smaller Viking boats and activities at Vikingodden.

Tailored programs for each group.

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!

The burial area of Istrehågan

The cultural monument Istrehågan consists of five stone settings and two ship settings. The biggest one is 25 metres long and consists of 18 single erect stones.

The Istrehågan burial ground is clearly visible up on a ridge. It is strategically located along the ancient road that runs through Tjølling from Sandar over Istre and on towards Tjodalyng (Tjølling church). Along the ridge there are several burial monuments from the Iron Age. Traces of the road are still found, among other things in the form of the path east of the burial field and several so-called hollow ways, which appear as ditches in the terrain south of the stone deposits.

Archeological excavations were undertaken in the early 1960s, and the restored burial ground is considered one of the best preserved cultural monuments of its kind.

Discoveries nearby indicate that there were settlements in this area as early as the Stone Age and the Bronze Age.

Practical information
Its forbidden to have bonfires in the burial area
Camping is not allowed
Horse riding only on the path
Clean up after your self – don’t leave food or garbage
Show respect, this is a burial area and our heritage.

Thank you for showing respect!

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.

The Viking hall “Gildehallen”

Gildehallen is located at Midgard Viking Centre in Borre, Horten. This reconstructed Viking Age feast hall offers a glimpse into the buildings where powerful chieftains and leading families gathered for feasts, ceremonies and important occasions. With its central fireplace, carved wooden pillars and decorative details, the hall brings Viking Age craftsmanship and traditions to life.

A Viking hall inspired by archaeological discoveries
Gildehallen opened in 2013 and was reconstructed using archaeological discoveries from Borre and theories about the appearance of the great halls of the Viking Age. Much of the timber was worked by hand using tools and techniques inspired by the period. Look closely at the carved entrance portal, wooden roof shingles and decorated pillars inside the hall. The carvings draw on Norse mythology and Viking Age ornamentation. Among the motifs are Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

Where chieftains gathered
During the Viking Age, large halls were important gathering places for powerful families. Feasts, ceremonies and meetings helped strengthen relationships, alliances and social standing. Archaeologists have discovered traces of large hall buildings at Borre. Together with the monumental burial mounds, these discoveries show the area's importance as a centre of power during the Iron Age and Viking Age. Continue your visit at the nearby Borre burial mounds to discover more of the area's history.

Guided tours and Viking experiences
Gildehallen is part of Midgard Viking Centre, where exhibitions, guided tours and activities introduce visitors to Viking Age life. During the high season, Midgard offers regular guided tours of Gildehallen. Guides explain the building's design, woodcarvings and the historical research behind the reconstruction. Private guided tours and Viking activities can also be arranged for groups throughout the year.

A Viking hall for private events
Gildehallen can be hired for weddings, anniversaries, corporate gatherings and other celebrations. Groups can arrange a Viking-inspired feast with food, storytelling and historical activities. For more information about private events, visit Gildehallen's venue listing. This booking page is currently available in Norwegian.

Plan your visit
Gildehallen is located at Birkelyveien 9 in Borre and follows the opening hours of Midgard Viking Centre. During the regular low season, the centre is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, with extended hours for selected events. Mondays are also included during the high season and school holidays.

Admission to Midgard Viking Centre includes access to Gildehallen. Regular guided tours are included when scheduled, while private group tours must be booked separately. Accessible parking is available near the hall. Visitors with reduced mobility are advised to drive to Gildehallen rather than use the woodland path.

Visit the official Midgard Viking Centre website for current opening hours, admission prices and guided tours.

Borrehaugene

In the period from 600 to 900 AD, nine great mounds were constructed at Borre.

On site there are three huge piles of stone amongst the mounds, which contribute towards the monumental character of the place. Nowhere else in Northern Europe are there more large mounds in one single location. The great mounds are evidence of political power, expressed through monumental symbols. Borre was probably the ultimate place for leaders to manifest their honour, even after life. Previously it was thought that it was members of a particular family, The Ynglinge clan, who were buried here – but recent research based on DNA analysis indicates that such large burial sites tend to contain people from several families. It was likely the spot itself – as well as its connection to previous leaders – what made this place an attractive location to be buried at.

Large parts of the eastern slopes of the ridge between Åsgårdstand and Horten were agricultural areas at the time when the burial site was established. The mounds consist of lots of old cultivated soil – this as a result of the area being used to grow crops before the mounds were erected. The site is strategically located, by the entrance to the Oslo fjord. The location indicates that the purpose of building these mounds here was for them to be visible from the water.

Only one of the major mounds on the Borre site has been completely excavated, and this happened in 1852. From this excavation hail the marvellous Borre finds. Unfortunately, due to the inexpert excavation of the Ship mound in Borre, a lot of knowledge was lost in the process. The find is nevertheless considered to be in line with the ship graves from Tune and Gokstad.

The Slottsfjells Museum

The Slottsfjells Museum is located at the foot of Slottsfjellet hill in Tønsberg, where you can explore Vestfold's history from the Viking Age to more recent times. See the original Klåstad Viking ship, stand beside enormous whale skeletons and discover Tønsberg's role as a royal centre during the Middle Ages. Outside the museum, you can explore historic buildings at Vestfoldtunet and the ruins of the medieval Tunsberghus fortress.

See the original Klåstad Viking ship
In the Viking Hall, you can see the Klåstad ship, a Viking Age merchant vessel discovered at Klåstad in Tjølling near Larvik. Known as Norway's fourth Viking ship, it is one of the few surviving Viking vessels on display in Norway. The remains of the ship offer a close look at a vessel that once travelled along the Norwegian coast. The exhibition also tells the story of the famous Oseberg discovery, made in Slagendalen just outside Tønsberg in 1904. To see how these ships may have looked on the water, continue to Vikingodden at Tønsberg harbour. Here you can see archaeological reconstructions of the Oseberg and Klåstad ships when they are not away on voyages.

Come face to face with the whales
In the Whale Hall, seven large whale skeletons are on display, including a blue whale skeleton considered one of the largest preserved examples in the world. The enormous bones give you a sense of the size of these animals. The museum also tells the story of Svend Foyn from Tønsberg, whose technological innovations played an important role in the development of modern whaling. The exhibitions explore how whaling shaped maritime industries, working life and communities across Vestfold.

Explore medieval Tønsberg
Tønsberg was an important centre of power during the Middle Ages. At the Slottsfjells Museum, discover the lives of kings, nobles, clergy and ordinary people at a time when Tunsberghus was one of Scandinavia's major medieval fortresses. The story continues outside on Slottsfjellet hill, where the castle ruins remain visible in the landscape. Here you can explore traces of defensive walls, buildings and fortifications that once protected the royal stronghold. At the top stands Slottsfjell Tower, Tønsberg's well-known landmark built in 1888. When the tower is open, visitors can climb to enjoy views over the town, the fjord and the surrounding landscape.

Step back in time at Vestfoldtunet
Between the museum and Slottsfjellet hill lies Vestfoldtunet, an open-air collection of historic farm buildings moved here from different parts of the county. The buildings include farmhouses, a barn, a smithy and old timber structures that tell the story of rural life. One of the buildings is Heierstadloftet, dating from 1407 and regarded as Vestfold's oldest surviving secular building. Together, the houses offer a glimpse into traditional architecture, farming and everyday life across several centuries. Some of the buildings can be visited during guided tours. In summer, Seterkaféen also opens, offering refreshments between your museum visit and a walk up the hill.

Guided tours and activities
The Slottsfjells Museum offers guided tours for groups interested in exploring Viking history, the Middle Ages and other parts of its collections. Tours can be adapted to different groups and must be booked in advance. The museum also hosts activities and educational programmes throughout the year. The programme varies depending on the season, school holidays and exhibitions, so check what is happening before your visit.

Explore more of Tønsberg
The Slottsfjells Museum is part of an area where much of Tønsberg's history can be explored on foot. Start with the museum exhibitions, continue through Vestfoldtunet and walk up to the medieval castle ruins on Slottsfjellet. For more art and culture, visit Haugar Art Museum near Tønsberg town centre, with changing exhibitions of Norwegian and international art.

Plan your visit
The Slottsfjells Museum is located at Farmannsveien 30, 3111 Tønsberg, at the foot of Slottsfjellet hill. During the low season, from 1 September to 31 May, the museum is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm and closed on Mondays. On selected Thursdays, opening hours may be extended until 7 pm for special events.

During the high season, from 1 June to 31 August, and during the autumn, winter and Easter school holidays, the museum is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. Standard adult admission is NOK 100 during the low season and NOK 150 during the high season. Children under seven enter free of charge. Reduced rates are available for children, students, seniors, families and groups.

Slottsfjell Tower and Seterkaféen operate with separate opening hours. Both are closed during the low season. During the high season, they are normally open on Saturdays and Sundays from 11 am to 4 pm. Separate admission applies to the tower. The museum accepts Norwegian companion certificates. Visitors with accessibility requirements should contact the museum in advance to check access to the exhibitions, historic buildings and the hilltop area.

Visit the Slottsfjells Museum website for current opening hours, admission prices, activities and guided tour bookings.

Midgard Viking Centre

Midgard Viking Centre is located beside the Borre burial mounds in Horten, where visitors can explore the Viking Age through exhibitions, guided tours and activities. Step inside the reconstructed Guild Hall, discover the stories of the people who lived at Borre and explore one of the Nordic region's most significant burial grounds from the Late Iron Age.

Step inside the Viking Guild Hall
The Guild Hall is a reconstruction of a large Viking Age hall, built at Midgard in 2013. Its design draws on archaeological discoveries and research into how such buildings may have looked. Inside, you will find decorated wooden pillars, carvings and craftsmanship inspired by Viking Age traditions. Discover how powerful chieftains and other members of the elite used their halls for feasts, gatherings and ceremonies. Midgard's guides share the stories behind the architecture, carvings and reconstruction. The hall is also used for special events and historical feasts that can be arranged for groups.

Explore the Borre burial mounds
Just below the Viking Centre lie the Borre burial mounds, the Nordic region's largest collection of monumental burial mounds from the Late Iron Age.
Used as a burial ground between approximately AD 600 and 900, the site provides evidence of a powerful community at Borre. Its large mounds and archaeological traces of hall buildings make it an important place for understanding leadership and society before and during the Viking Age. You can explore the burial mounds independently or join a guided tour to learn about archaeological discoveries, burial traditions and the history of the area. The Borre Park is free to visit.

Exhibitions about the Viking Age
Midgard Viking Centre presents exhibitions exploring different aspects of the Iron Age and Viking Age. Archaeological evidence and historical interpretation reveal how people lived, how society was organised and what beliefs shaped their world.
Exhibitions change over time, and the museum also hosts themed activity days, lectures and events offering further opportunities to explore Viking history.

Viking activities for children and adults
At Midgard's Viking playground, visitors can discover games and skills inspired by the Viking Age.
Archery, traditional games, tug-of-war, crafts and other activities feature in different programmes throughout the year. Organised group activities must be booked in advance and have separate fees. The museum also hosts activity days for families and other visitors. Check the programme to see which activities are available during your visit.

A café overlooking the burial mounds
Midgard has a café overlooking the Borre burial mounds, offering a place to take a break before or after exploring the exhibitions and Guild Hall.
You do not need a museum ticket to visit the café or the Borre Park.

Discover more Viking heritage in Vestfold
Midgard Viking Centre is a natural starting point for exploring the Viking Trail through Vestfold. The route connects some of the region's most important archaeological sites, including burial grounds, historic settlements and places associated with Viking Age power and trade.

Plan your visit
Midgard Viking Centre is located at Birkelyveien 9 in Borre, Horten municipality. From June to August, the museum is normally open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. During the low season, it is open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm, with separate arrangements for school holidays, public holidays and the Christmas period.

Opening hours may be extended until 7 pm on selected Tuesdays for events. Regular admission includes the exhibitions, Guild Hall, Viking playground and the museum's scheduled guided tours. Some events and organised group activities have separate fees. The main museum building is accessible to wheelchair users. Designated parking is available near both the museum and the Guild Hall. Visitors with reduced mobility are advised to reach the Guild Hall by road rather than using the woodland path.

Check Midgard Viking Centre's official website for current opening hours, admission prices, exhibitions and activities before visiting.