VisitVestfold.com Archives

The Oslofjord Visitor Center

The Oslofjord visitor center will inspire measures so that we can have a clean and rich Oslofjord in the future. Visit their interactive and exciting exhibition.

Right in the heart of Karljohansvern in Horten you will find the Oslofjord Visitor Centre. This is an experience center for the whole family that will both inspire, delight and create curiosity about life in the Oslofjord.
Here you can collect plastic in the microplastic catcher, color your own fish, and then send it out into their large digital aquarium. The center has creative workshops, marine games, quizzes, posters and much more! Here, both children and adults can learn something, while having fun.

Body ‘N’ Balance

Body 'N' Balance is a multidisciplinary clinic, with Osteopath, masseuses and massage therapists. The focus is holistic, they see and treat the whole body. In addition, they have specialized in the female body. Here you enter a calm atmosphere.

Waxing and foot therapy are offered from January 2025.

Corporate massage
Body 'N' Balance offers chair massage and bench massage.

Treatments
Body 'N' Balance performs different types of massage such as:
– Scar tissue massage
– Connective tissue massage
– Duo massage
– Pregnant massage
– Hot Stone
– Sports massage
– Classic massage
– Cup massage
– Lymphatic massage/Lymphatic veins
– Brazilian lymphatic drainage
– Facial treatment with deep cleansing
– Facial treatment with radio frequency
– Facial treatment with Ultrasound
– Lava Shell Massage
– Aroma massage
– Nail design with Acrylic and Gellac
– Manicure with or without varnish
– Pedicure
– Various facial treatments
– Tilt lift
– Permanent Makeup (PMU)

Courses & events
Body 'N' Balance offers course in
– Baby massage
– Hot Stone massage
– Hot Stone superstructure
– Cupping
– Cupping superstructure
– Lymph massage
– Massage for household use
– Couples massage

In addition to events such as
– Event massage
– Sports event
– Team building
– Theme days

ExpoVestfold

ExpoVestfold offers unique group experiences for groups from 20 to 500 people.

ExpoVestfold thinks unconventionally. Events in the sea gap. Conferences that combine the local with the international. Art, history and natural gems as a basis for company tours, professional trips and conferences, and of course, an impressive range of activities. Relax, mental focus with clay pigeon shooting, quiz, rebus, local exotic culture, exquisite and short-travelled delicacies, company visits and cultural aha experiences.
With close to 30 years of industry experience, ExpoVestfold has both weight and a solid contact network that guarantees successful implementation.

No matter where you travel from, ExpoVestfold will find a green way to Vestfold. How about an electric catamaran from Oslo?

ExpoVestfold's foundation is sustainable, and the aim is to bring sustainability forward.

Welcome to Vestfold!

Rosenli Gård

Rosenli Gård, just outside Tønsberg, is a welcoming place for families, with a farm animal area, garden, café and farm shop.

Animals and activities
Meet the farm’s six horses, cats, dogs, chickens, rabbits, cows, calves, goats and peacocks. There are also mini carousels for young children.

Autumn at Rosenli Gård
The farm animal area and café are open every Thursday, Friday and Sunday.
Children can sign up for rabbit feeding in the café. They will be given herbs to feed the rabbits and information on how to interact with them safely.

Every Sunday from 11:00 to 12:00, there is a guided tour of the farm animal area with pony leading.

Farm café
The café serves cookies, ice cream, soft serve, waffles, pizza, cold drinks and barista coffee.

Farm shop
The dairy and bakery have a self-service shop open every day from 10:00 to 20:00. Pick-your-own vegetables are also available in season.

Prices
Admission to the farm animal area NOK 50
Guided tour with pony leading NOK 120. Adult accompanying children NOK 60.
The guided tour also includes access to the garden during opening hours.

Practical information

Opening hours
Opening hours vary according to the season. Check the Rosenli Gård & Rosenlitunet Facebook page for updated opening hours and events.

Parking is available outside the wooden fence.

Rosenli Gård is certified by Debio, Eco-Lighthouse (Miljøfyrtårn) and HANEN.

For enquiries about Inn på tunet services and private bookings:
Tel. +47 40 12 74 00 – office hours on Tuesdays.

Sjøslag Restaurant

French-inspired à la carte and today's 3-course meal based on seasonal ingredients, great variety with fish, meat, poultry and vegetarian dishes. Here, the food is prepared with home-made stock and good sauces made from scratch.

5-course "tasting menu" and "chef's choice" 7-course can be pre-ordered.

The restaurant is open from Tuesday to Saturday. Mondays in July. The kitchen closes for last orders at 20:30 on weekdays and at 21:30 Friday and Saturday.

See the menu and book a table at Sjøslag.

Sjøslag has built one of Vestfold’s largest wine cellars over the years, featuring more than 1,800 wines on its wine list. The main focus is on Old World wines, with a particular emphasis on Burgundy from France.

In 2025, the restaurant received the award for “Norway’s Best Wine List – Southern Norway Region.” Since 2024, Sjøslag has also held a White Star rating in the Star Wine List guide and has been awarded Two Glasses by the international magazine Wine Spectator.

The cellar includes many mature vintages from some of the world’s most respected producers. Located just a one-minute walk from Farris Bad, Sjøslag is a natural choice for a gastronomic experience throughout the year.

Arrangements
Throughout the year, Afternoon Tea, Winemakers Dinner and concerts are organized at Sjøslag. Wednesdays are Steak Night.

Courses and tastings for smaller groups
Are you a small group, colleagues, a group of friends or family, and would you like to do something extra out of the evening? Sjøslag offers packages with food and wine in combination, bar courses and wine tasting with its knowledgeable staff.

Ice skating rink in Sandefjord

The ice skating rink in Thor Dahls gate in Sandefjord is open from november till the last of march. The ice is affected by the weather and after much rain and snow some time must be calculated to re-establish the ice. The ice skating rink is free to use, and you must bring your own skates. You can also borrow skates from Sandefjord frivilligsentral, or they have some for rent in Bykiosken.

You are not allowed to bring a puck or a hockeystick on the ice.

Thor Heyerdahl monument

He undertook three major expeditions: the Kon-Tiki Expedition, the Ra Expeditions and the Tiger Expedition.

The Kon-Tiki Expedition (1947) – Thor Heyerdahl attempted to prove his theory that Polynesia could be populated from South America and not Asia. He pointed to plant life, the winds and ocean currents as good arguments, and believed local oral tradition suggested the same.

The Ra Expeditions (1969 and 1970) – Heyerdahl tried to link the South American Indians with the ancient civilizations of Africa and the Middle East.

The Tigris Expedition (1977) – Heyerdahl wanted to test his theories about contacts across the ocean between prehistoric civilizations. The aim of the journey around the Persian Gulf and the Indian Ocean was to show that Mesopotamia and Egypt could have had trade links across the sea several thousand years ago.

Thor Heyerdahl was appointed honorary citizen of Larvik city in 1971, and for his 75th birthday in 1989, a monument made of Larvikite was erected.

The monument stands on Tollerodden.

Noatun Eventpark / Vestfold Event

Vestfold Event have long operated and developed the Vestfold paintball arena, where, in addition to paintball, they have a number of different activities such as relays, tug-of-war, clay pigeon shooting, quizzes, brain teasers and more exciting activities. 3-5 and 7 matches will be set up.

Vestfold Event has now taken over operations at Noatun event park on Østerøya in Sandefjord. Here they have various yard activities such as ax throwing, air pistol shooting, arrow and archery, various cooperative exercises and much more. 5-7 or 9 matches are set up for you, regardless of whether it concerns a company, team, association, happening, event, Christmas party, birthday or stag party. Vestfold Event offers food service for up to 100 people, various entertainment and a liquor license with a full bar.

Vestfold Event tailors and organizes everything for your event!

Open for booking all days.

The Backer sisters

Ada Madssen (1917 – 2009) was a sculptor who made the monument «Søstrene Backer».

The Backer sisters, Harriet and Agathe, were the daughters of consul, shipowner and businessman Nils Backer (1815 – 1877) and Sofie Smith Petersen (1819 – 1882).

Harriet Backer was born on 21 January 1845 in Holmestrand and died on 25 March 1932 in Oslo. She was one of the foremost painters of her generation. Harriet had a painting school where she trained new artists, and she was recognized as a great artist in Norway from the 1880s.
Harriet has been given a place in the new national art museum, and is regarded as one of the most important artists of her time. She is best known for "blått interiør (blue interior)", which shows the play of sunlight in the interior.

Agathe Backer Grøndahl was born in 1847 in Holmestrand and died in 1907 in Kristiania. Agathe was a world-class pianist and Norway's first important female composer, and had a central role in Norway's musical life where she was particularly known for her romances. Agathe was also a personal friend of Edvard Grieg – and performed three times as a soloist with Grieg himself as conductor.

Entrepreneur “Walk of Fame”

Entrepreneur Stars

The Entrepreneur Stars are Sandefjord's own Walk of Fame, honouring entrepreneurs whose vision, innovation and commitment have helped shape the city. The bronze stars in the city centre celebrate their lasting contribution to Sandefjord's business community and local society.

2026
Johan Bryde (1858–1925) – Shipping owner and whaling pioneer who expanded Norwegian whaling internationally and developed the industry from catch to processing.
Odd Gleditsch Jr. (1929–2017) – Transformed Jotun into one of the world's leading paint and coatings companies while keeping its headquarters in Sandefjord.
Leiv Wilhelm Eriksen (b. 1939) – Serial entrepreneur who built successful construction companies and contributed significantly to business development and local sports.

2025
Anders Børresen Hasle (b. 1868) – Founder of Sandefjord Shoe Factory, creating one of Norway's largest shoe manufacturers and hundreds of jobs.
Odd Andersen (b. 1933) – Entrepreneur, employer and community builder who created jobs and inspired those around him.
Gunnar Bjønness (b. 1956) – Technology entrepreneur who helped establish Sandefjord as a leading IT hub.
Helge Krossøy (b. 1968) – IT entrepreneur who built successful technology companies while making a major contribution to local sports and volunteer work.

2024
Thorbjørn Hansen (b. 1942) – Construction entrepreneur and property developer behind one of the region's leading building companies.
Hans Freddy Henriksen (b. 1945) – Food industry entrepreneur behind Skjeggerød Slakteri and Matbørsen, recognised for inclusive leadership.
Heidi Marie Pettersen (b. 1958) – Engineering entrepreneur and business leader who built successful companies in a male-dominated industry.
Yngvar Hasås (b. 1956) – Timber industry entrepreneur who developed the Hasås family business through innovation and continuous improvement.
2023
Øystein Seim (b. 1974) – Founder of several construction companies and a strong advocate for employment and social inclusion.
Øivind Allum (b. 1947) – Engineering entrepreneur who helped build Sandefjord's internationally recognised maritime engineering cluster.
Dorothea von der Lippe Christensen (b. 1847) – Pioneer of education and women's rights who established Norway's first school kitchen.
Carl Christian Fon (b. 1963) – Construction entrepreneur and philanthropist who has contributed significantly to Sandefjord's development.
Guttorm Gran Sr. (b. 1908) – Brewery entrepreneur who developed Grans Brewery into one of Norway's few remaining independent breweries.
Olga Kulms (b. 1895) – Hotel entrepreneur behind Hotel Atlantic and a generous supporter of Sandefjord's cultural life.

2022
Christen Christensen (1845–1923) – Shipbuilder and whaling pioneer whose innovations laid the foundation for Sandefjord's prosperity.
Thor Dahl (1862–1920) – Shipping magnate, investor and philanthropist who built one of Norway's leading whaling companies.
Heinrich Arnold Thaulow (1808–1894) – Physician and founder of Sandefjord Spa, establishing the town as an internationally known spa destination.
Eric Sandtrø (b. 1972) – E-commerce pioneer behind Norek and Komplett, helping shape Norway's online retail industry.
Anders August Jahre (1891–1982) – Shipping entrepreneur and philanthropist who built an international shipping and whaling empire.
Odd Gleditsch (1894–1990) – Founder of Jotun and one of Sandefjord's most influential industrial entrepreneurs.