by: Horten & Åsgårdstrand

Lystlunden Park

Lystlunden Park is located in central Horten and is the municipality's largest park and sports complex. Here you can walk among old oak trees, relax beside the duck pond, visit the playground with the children or enjoy a picnic on the grass. The park also has a historic music pavilion, sculptures and several sports facilities. It is a pleasant place to take a break from the town centre, whether you want to be active or simply enjoy the green surroundings.

Discover the old oak trees
One of Lystlunden's most distinctive features is its collection of old oak trees. Several are hollow and provide valuable habitats for wildlife. The mature trees create a varied park landscape with shady areas, open lawns and walking paths beneath their branches. Take a leisurely walk through the park and look closely at the impressive old trunks. Hollow oak trees can provide important habitats for insects and other species, so visitors should avoid disturbing the trees and their cavities.

Playground and activities for children
The playground is located among the old oak trees and is a popular spot for families. Visit Vestfold's original description presents the area as a little fairy-tale world, where elves might be hiding among the trees.
Children can play and explore while adults relax on nearby benches or grassy areas. With both a playground and open lawns, Lystlunden is a convenient place for a family break during a walk through Horten.

Duck pond, music pavilion and sculptures
There are several things to discover as you explore Lystlunden. At the duck pond, you can watch the birdlife, while benches throughout the grounds provide places to sit and relax. The old music pavilion adds a historic touch to the park. You can also find sculptures by Norwegian artists Arne Durban and Ørnulf Bast. Bring something to eat and enjoy a picnic on the grass or beside one of the park's benches. Public barbecue facilities have previously been available, but their current status and any restrictions should be checked before planning to cook outdoors.

Sports and outdoor activities
Lystlunden is also an important sports area in Horten. Its facilities include a football stadium, artificial-turf pitches and other areas for training and recreation. The sports facilities are used for organised activities and matches. Access to individual pitches and sporting events may be subject to separate rules and should not be confused with free access to the public park.

A gift from the Navy to the people of Horten
Lystlunden was given to the people of Horten by the Norwegian Navy in 1852 as a place for recreation and leisure. At the time, naval activities played a major role in the development of the town, and many residents worked at the naval dockyard. This history connects the park with Karljohansvern, the former main base of the Royal Norwegian Navy. Today, Karljohansvern is a heritage area with museums, historic military buildings and coastal walking routes. To combine a visit to Lystlunden with more maritime history and nature, explore the Karljohansvern circular walk, which leads through the former naval grounds and Hortenskogen forest.

Plan your visit
Lystlunden Park is located near Lystlundveien in Horten, close to the town centre and local sports facilities. The park is a public green space that can be visited throughout the year, free of charge. No admission ticket or advance booking is required. There are walking paths throughout the park, although surface conditions, gradients and accessibility across the entire area have not been fully verified.

Check local parking arrangements, toilet facilities and any seasonal restrictions before visiting. Visit Horten Municipality's information about parks and outdoor recreation for current information about public green spaces in Horten.

 

Nykirke church

Nykirke church has an unknown year of construction, but it is assumed that it is the same age as Borre church and that it was built around the year 1100. In 1686, the church was completely restored. After this, the congregation at Nykirke took over responsibility, and since then several restorations have been made to the church. Both in the 1880s and 1950s, and most recently in 2003.

Coastal trails in Horten

Horten offers marked coastal walking trails through deciduous woodland, past beaches and historic sites linked to the Viking Age and Norway's naval history. Choose a short circular walk around Karljohansvern, explore Løvøya or follow a longer coastal trail towards Åsgårdstrand. There are several ways to experience the Oslofjord close to the town.

Coastal woodland and beaches
Horten has approximately 40 kilometres of coastline, extending from the Holmestrand area in the north to the Tønsberg municipal boundary in the south. Along the trails, you will find woodland with mature oak and other deciduous trees, sheltered bays and beaches with sand or pebbles. Some paths follow the shoreline, while others run through woodland or along established pedestrian routes. In autumn, the woodland changes colour, making a shorter coastal walk particularly inviting.

Karljohansvern – a walk through naval history
At Karljohansvern, the coastal paths pass through Horten's historic naval grounds, alongside old buildings, the canal and wooded areas near the sea. You can start near the Naval Museum and explore the paths beside the Horten Canal, through Hortensskogen and towards Møringa. Combine your walk with a visit to the Naval Museum or Preus Museum if their opening hours fit your plans. For a more specific route, see Karljohansvern Circular Walk.

Løvøya – a circular walk with fjord views
North of Horten, Løvøya has a coastal circular walk of approximately 4 kilometres. The route passes areas including Løvøy Chapel and Jesusbukta, with woodland and views across the Oslofjord. Some sections are uneven and rocky. Wear sturdy walking shoes and take care on wet roots and stones. See Løvøya Circular Walk for details about the route and parking.

From Horten through Borre to Åsgårdstrand
For a longer walk, follow the coastal trail from Falkensten through Horten and Borre towards Åsgårdstrand. The individual route description gives a distance of approximately 13 kilometres. Along the way, the trail passes Karljohansvern, Horten harbour, Rørestrand and the Borre burial mounds. Near the burial mounds, Midgard Viking Centre offers opportunities to explore local Viking history. Approaching Åsgårdstrand, the route continues through coastal woodland and past the area around Edvard Munch's former home before reaching Badeparken.
Find the full description under Coastal Trail Horten–Åsgårdstrand.

Choose a shorter coastal outing
You do not need to complete the entire route between Falkensten and Åsgårdstrand. Karljohansvern, Rørestrand and Borre all offer opportunities for shorter walks close to the water. At Rørestrand, you can stop by the beach. In Åsgårdstrand, Badeparken has a sandy beach and grassed areas near the guest harbour. Horten Municipality maintains several equipped bathing areas along the coast. Public toilets at municipal beaches generally operate during the summer season.

Choose the right trail for your visit
Horten's coastal trails generally have light-blue waymarks. Routes vary from broad walking paths to narrower natural trails with rocky or uneven surfaces. Some sections can also be cycled, but the shoreline walking paths do not necessarily follow the same route as National Cycle Route 1. Consult a dedicated cycle map if travelling by bicycle. For point-to-point walks, plan your return journey before setting out. Check the map, parking arrangements and terrain for your chosen section.

The trails can be explored at different times of year when weather and ground conditions allow. Follow local signs, take your litter home and respect the natural surroundings. For more inspiration, explore Hiking and Coastal Trails in Vestfold.

 

Plan your visit

Horten has several marked coastal trails between Falkensten, Karljohansvern, Borre and Åsgårdstrand. Choose a short circular walk or a longer route along the Oslofjord.

Distance and route options
The Løvøya circular walk is approximately 4 km. The individual Falkensten–Åsgårdstrand route is listed as approximately 13 km, while a broader coastal trail overview gives 17 km. The distance depends on the route chosen. Karljohansvern also has a separate circular walk. Check the map for your chosen trail.

Starting points and transport
Possible trailheads include Karljohansvern near the Naval Museum, Løvøya, Falkensten, Borre and Åsgårdstrand. Parking arrangements vary. Plan return transport for point-to-point walks and check current public transport services.

Terrain and accessibility
The coastal trails generally have light-blue waymarks. Some sections follow pedestrian paths and gravel tracks, while others cross rocky or uneven terrain with exposed roots. Wheelchair, pushchair and bicycle access has not been verified across the entire network. Check your specific route.

Good to know
Several beaches and picnic areas are found along the coast. Public toilets at selected municipal bathing areas are generally open from around 1 June to 30 August. Walking conditions depend on weather and season. Follow local protection and access rules, respect sensitive habitats and take your litter home.

Explore coastal trails and maps →

Borre Church

Borre church is 1 of 160 preserved stone churches in Norway, and is a listed medieval brick church. The church is a long church built in the 12th century, in a Romanesque style. Inside the church there are 300 seats.

The church has undergone several changes throughout its long history. In the years 1926-28, restoration work was carried out which still characterizes the interior today. At this time, all of the furnishings were replaced, except for the altar and pulpit from the 17th century. The altarpiece was carved by Abel Schrøder.

Inside the church there are several older paintings of foreign origin.

Note: there is neither parking nor toilets on site.

Løvøy Chapel

Stone church from the Middle Ages
Løvøy Chapel is beautifully located on the idyllic Løvøya in Horten, surrounded by lush forest, exciting trails and beautiful views of the Oslo Fjord. The chapel is a cozy and romantic stone church from the 13th century, and the smallest and most distinctive of Horten's three medieval churches. In the summer the pilgrimage goes by this medieval church, and there is a service every other weekend there.

The sacred St. Olav's source
Next to the chapel is the "wishing well":  The sacred St. Olav source which people believed to have had a healing power since the 13th century. The source is one of the 23 famous Olav sources in Norway. The water from the sources is said to be holy and give blessing and strength to those who drink or touch it. Characteristic of St. Olav's sources is that they are sources that do not dry out when other sources go out in dry periods.

Popular chapel to marry
The Løvøyapellet is a perfect place to marry in the summer, and a very popular chapel for this purpose. The church has 100 seats and a simple yet adventurous atmosphere.

History
Pilgrims from all the Nordic countries came here. The Reformation in 1536 put an official stop to the catholic pilgrimages to Løvøya but people continued to come to the well and church for years on. The church was in ruins for many years until preservation and restoration was initiated in 1882, and it was reopened in 1950.

Banqueting – Thon Hotel Horten

Thon Hotel Horten ensures that your event is successful and is involved in the planning phase from beginning to end, whether it is a wedding, baptism, confirmation, party, anniversary, Christmas party, birthday party or memorial service.

Baltzer Restaurant

Baltzer Restaurant is located on the ground floor of Thon Hotel Horten, close to the guest harbour in central Horten. Open to hotel guests and other visitors, the restaurant serves lunch and dinner with menus based on seasonal ingredients.

Lunch, dinner and seasonal menus
The menu changes throughout the year, with meat, fish, seafood and vegetarian options. You can find dishes, prices and allergen information in Baltzer's current menu.

Groups and private events
Baltzer welcomes both small and larger groups, offering menus for confirmation celebrations, anniversaries, memorial gatherings and other occasions. Options include set menus, buffets and open sandwiches, with catering arrangements tailored to the occasion.

Explore the menus for private events or read more about private and corporate events.
For current opening hours and table reservations, visit Baltzer's contact page.

 

 

 

The Viking hall “Gildehallen”

The Viking Guild Hall stands beside Midgard Viking Centre at Borre in Horten. This reconstruction offers a glimpse of the great halls where Viking Age chieftains and powerful families gathered. Inside, a large fireplace, carved wooden pillars and decorations inspired by Norse mythology bring the past to life.

A Viking hall showcasing traditional craftsmanship
Completed in 2013, the Guild Hall was built using archaeological discoveries and research into how Viking Age halls may have looked. Much of the woodwork was crafted by hand using tools and techniques inspired by the period. Look closely at the carved entrance portal, wooden roof shingles and four decorated pillars inside the hall. The carvings draw inspiration from the Oseberg finds and Norse mythology, including Odin's ravens, Huginn and Muninn.

Where chieftains gathered
During the Viking Age, great halls were more than places for feasting. Powerful families gathered guests for meals, ceremonies and meetings where relationships and alliances were strengthened. The halls were also important symbols of power and status.  Archaeologists have discovered traces of several large hall buildings at Borre, probably dating from the Merovingian period, before the Viking Age. Together with the monumental burial mounds, these finds show the area's importance as a centre of power during the Late Iron Age.

Combine your visit with a walk through the nearby Borre burial mounds, where you can explore the burial ground and discover more about the people who once lived here.

Guided tours and Viking experiences
The Guild Hall is part of Midgard Viking Centre, which brings Viking Age history to life through exhibitions, guided tours and activities. During the high season, regular guided tours introduce visitors to the hall's architecture, hand-carved decorations and the research behind its reconstruction. Midgard also hosts activity days where children and adults can explore Viking Age crafts, traditions and daily life. Private guided tours and Viking activities for groups can be booked throughout the year.

The Guild Hall as an event venue
The Guild Hall can be hired for weddings, anniversaries, corporate events and other celebrations. Guests can enjoy a Viking-inspired feast with food, storytelling and entertainment by prior arrangement. Find out more about hiring the Guild Hall and hosting an event in a setting inspired by the Viking Age.

Plan your visit
The Guild Hall is located at Birkelyveien 9 in Borre and follows the opening hours of Midgard Viking Centre. During the low season, the centre is normally open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. It is also open on Mondays during the high season and school holidays. 

Opening hours may vary on public holidays and during special events. Admission to Midgard Viking Centre also includes the Guild Hall. Scheduled guided tours are included when available, while private group tours must be booked separately.

Designated accessible parking is available near the Guild Hall. Visitors with reduced mobility are advised to drive to the hall rather than use the woodland path. Companion cards are accepted.

Check current opening hours, admission prices and guided tours at Midgard Viking Centre.

 

Borrehaugene

Borrehaugene is a historic burial ground in Borre Park, just south of Horten. It is one of Northern Europe's largest collections of monumental burial mounds from the Late Iron Age and Viking Age. Walk among the grassy mounds, explore the historic landscape and visit the nearby Midgard Viking Centre. More than 50 burial mounds and cairns have been recorded here. The largest mounds were first built in the 7th century, and the site continued to be used into the Viking Age. The park is free to visit throughout the year.

Walk among the burial mounds
Take a walk through Borre Park, where large, grass-covered burial mounds rise between the trees. Some are as much as seven metres high. The largest mounds measure between 34 and 45 metres across. Their scale is particularly striking when you see them up close. Follow the paths through the park and explore the landscape towards the Oslofjord. This connection to the sea has been an important part of Borre's history for more than a thousand years.

A centre of power beside the Oslofjord
Between approximately AD 600 and 900, nine monumental burial mounds and three large burial cairns were constructed at Borre. Together with numerous smaller graves, they show the importance of this place during the Late Iron Age and Viking Age. The location overlooking the Oslofjord was significant. The burial mounds could be seen from the water, reflecting the power and status of the people associated with the site. Archaeologists have also discovered traces of large ceremonial halls, a settlement and a Viking Age harbour in the surrounding landscape.

The famous Borre ship burial
In 1852, one of the largest mounds was excavated. Known as Skipshaugen, the Ship Mound, it yielded the important archaeological finds from Borre. The grave contained evidence of a ship burial and richly decorated objects. Finds from Borre gave their name to the Borre style of Viking Age ornamentation. Excavation methods were very different at the time, and much valuable information was lost. Even so, the discovery remains important for our understanding of Viking Age craftsmanship and burial traditions.

Royal sagas and archaeological evidence
Medieval royal sagas connect Borre with the Yngling dynasty and the early rulers of Vestfold.
Archaeological research tells a more complex story. The burial ground appears to have been used by several powerful families over a long period. The mounds therefore tell the story of generations of leaders and the importance of Borre as a place of memory and power.

Visit Midgard Viking Centre
Next to the burial ground is Midgard Viking Centre, where exhibitions, activities and guided tours bring the Viking Age to life. You can also visit Gildehallen, a modern reconstruction inspired by the great Viking Age halls discovered through archaeological research at Borre.
During the main season, Midgard offers guided walks through Borre Park. Hear the stories behind the mounds as you explore the area with a guide. Borre Park itself is free to visit. Admission to the museum and Gildehallen follows Midgard's opening hours and ticket arrangements.

Help preserve the burial ground
Borrehaugene is a protected archaeological site. Although the mounds look like natural grassy hills, they were built by people more than a thousand years ago. Please use the established paths and avoid disturbing the burial mounds or other archaeological remains. Your visit helps keep this remarkable landscape part of the experience for future generations.

 

Midgard Viking Centre

Midgard Viking Centre is located beside the Borre burial mounds in Horten. Discover Viking Age history through exhibitions, guided tours and activities. Step inside the reconstructed Guild Hall, learn about the people who lived at Borre and explore one of the Nordic region's most important burial grounds from the Late Iron Age.

Step inside the Viking Guild Hall
The Guild Hall was built in 2013, inspired by archaeological discoveries and research into Viking Age architecture. Inside, you'll find decorated wooden pillars, hand-carved details and a large fireplace. Midgard's guides explain the craftsmanship and how powerful chieftains used these halls for feasts, gatherings and ceremonies. The Guild Hall can also be hired for Viking-inspired feasts and group events.

Explore the Borre burial mounds
Just below the visitor centre lie the Borre burial mounds, the Nordic region's largest collection of monumental burial mounds from the Late Iron Age. Used between approximately AD 600 and 900, the burial ground and archaeological traces of large halls reveal Borre's importance as a centre of power before and during the Viking Age. Explore Borre Park independently or join a guided walk. The park is free to visit.

Exhibitions about the Viking Age
Discover the people, society and beliefs of the Iron Age and Viking Age through archaeological finds and historical interpretation. Exhibitions change throughout the year, and the museum also hosts lectures, themed activity days and special events.

Viking activities for children and adults
At Midgard's Viking playground, visitors of all ages can try activities inspired by Viking Age games and skills. Archery, traditional games, tug-of-war and crafts feature in seasonal programmes. Activities vary, and some are available only on selected days. Organised Viking activities for groups can be booked in advance.

A café overlooking the burial mounds
Take a break at Midgard's café, overlooking the Borre burial mounds. No museum ticket is required to visit the café or Borre Park.

Discover more Viking heritage in Vestfold
Midgard is a natural stop along the Viking Trail through Vestfold. The trail connects burial grounds, historic trading settlements and other important archaeological sites across the region.

Plan your visit
Midgard Viking Centre is located at Birkelyveien 9 in Borre, Horten. During the low season, the centre is normally open Tuesday to Sunday from 11 am to 4 pm. In the high season and school holidays, it is open daily from 11 am to 4 pm. Hours may vary during special events and public holidays.

Admission includes the exhibitions, Guild Hall, Viking playground and scheduled guided tours. Some events and organised group activities have separate charges. The main museum building is wheelchair accessible. Designated parking is available near the museum and Guild Hall. Visitors with reduced mobility are advised to use the road rather than the woodland path to reach the Guild Hall.

Check current opening hours, admission prices and activities at Midgard Viking Centre.