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Municipality in Vestfold, Norway
Photo: Pudelek (Marcin Szala), CC BY-SA 4.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Tønsberg is a town in Vestfold county. It is the oldest town in Norway. The town has about 56,000 inhabitants (2020). Tønsberg is also surrounded by some of the county's major tourist attractions, including old Viking graves and museums. There are plenty of options for daytrips where both residents and visitors can enjoy a wide range of landscapes. In summer, Tønsberg is a popular retreat for people from Oslo, and other places in Norway. Tønsberg therefore has some of the most lively summertime day and nightlife in Norway.
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Slottsfjellet
A hill in the middle of the town. On the top is the ruin of the old castle, and the Castle Rock Tower.
Slottsfjelltårnet
The 17 m (56 ft) high observation tower on top of Castle rock, is a landmark for Tønsberg. The tower was built in 1888.
Oseberghaugen
The grave of Viking Queen Alvhild. The Viking ship Oseberg was found here, after archaeological excavations.
Built in 1858.
Slottsfjellsmuseet, del av Vestfoldsmuseene
Contains among other thing: Viking ships, model of Tunsberg Castle, local art, history, whaling, walk inside skeletons from a blue whale and other whales. Café open most days in summer season.
The museum is wheelchair accessible; the mountain tower and recreated traditional farm area out back are not. Some paths up the mountain are supposed to be wheelchair accessible, but very steep.
Discounted prices may require official card showing proof of status. Mountain, farm area, tower, and World War II bunker inside mountain are free. Tower open Saturdays and Sundays, and in summer same days as museum.
Sem kirke
Vestfold's oldest stone church built before 1100 in the Romanesque style, near the Jarlsberg Estate.
Swim in the Oslo-fjord. The temperature in the sea will normally be 18-22 °C (64-72 °F). The same place will also be the area where all have their private sailing boat and if you are lucky - maybe somebody will bring you along for a sailing tour. Just be brave and ask!
Annual festival dedicated to whisky.
Good food at a fair price and in the summer you can enjoy the summer outside, at the seaside.
French cuisine.
Craft beer and vinyl shop.
Tønsberg HI Hostel
A couple of computers in the reseption and free WLAN to keep you connected to the rest of the world.
booking@maritimhotell.no
Shoppingmall
A popular seafood shop. Buy some fresh shrimps and sit on the quay and eat them raw and throw the leftover to the seagulls.
By boat
A catamaran route connects Tønberg with Fredrikstad. Seven departures daily
By rail
Tønsberg is on the Oslo-Skien line (Vestfoldbanen). There are 22 trains daily between Oslo and Tønsberg.
Vestfold Kollektivtrafikk (Vestfold Public Transport) operates a decent bus network, time tables can be found online and in buses.
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Sandefjord(Torp) · International · TRF
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